Chapter 119 "Yes." Sydney stepped forward, but before she could steady herself, Eloise slapped her across the face. Even that did not satisfy her fury. She unleashed a torrent of accusations, spittle flying with each word. "Victor was hurt like that, and you say you don't know? Sydney, do you even have a conscience?" Her body tensed, and her burning rage threatened to cut her life short by several years. Sydney lowered her head and said calmly, "Grandma, I really don't know what happened." Under Eloise's scorching gaze, she had no choice but to feign concern.
"How badly is Victor hurt?" Eloise ground her teeth. "Go upstairs and see for yourself!" "Yes." Sydney bowed and went upstairs. As she reached the doorway, another scream split the air. Inside, several doctors and nurses crowded around Victor, tending his injuries. Her eyes fell to the bloody mess between his legs. Her lips twitched, and a flicker of a smile escaped. Victor caught it. His eyes bulged, his face reddening as he roared, "Get the hell out! Who the fuck let you in here?" Her voice softened, almost tender.
"Grandma asked me to check on you." With others present, Sydney slipped back on her docile mask. She stepped forward, lifted a cup of water with a straw, and bent to offer it to him. She bent low, whispering just for him. "Victor, congratulations. You're practically a castrato now. Jason's position will be yours in no time." Each syllable seared his ears. The room was full of medical staff, all focused on saving him. No one would have imagined such venomous words could come from that gentle face. "Sydney, you filthy bitch!" Victor snapped, knocking the cup from her hand.
"Ahh!" Sydney gasped and stumbled back in mock panic. The cup slipped, shattering directly onto his wound. The gore escalated into something unspeakable. "AHHH!" Chaos erupted, and the medics scrambled. Sydney covered her mouth, feigning shock and flustered guilt. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Victor. I didn't think you'd get so angry. I truly had no idea about your injury!" Outside, Jason heard the commotion and stormed in. His face was dark as he grabbed Sydney and dragged her downstairs. Sydney's eyes rimmed red, and she fell to her knees before Eloise with a dramatic thud.
"Grandma, who could do this? They were too..." "Too merciful. Too satisfying,' she added inwardly. She cut herself off, leaving Eloise suspicious. "Are you certain you didn't know?" "I didn't know!" Sydney herself could not be sure who was behind it. A name flickered in her mind―Julian-but she had seen him leave the hotel last night, washing his hands of her entirely. 1/2 Why would he suddenly cripple his own cousin? And yet, who else in Jouleston would dare such a thing? Eloise studied her face for a long moment and instructed coldly, "Take her outside to kneel." Jason obeyed.
"Yes." He nodded at Sydney. "Ms. Wilson, come with me." Something felt wrong. Usually, Eloise ordered her out directly. This time, she wanted Jason to escort her. Sydney realized the nature of her punishment. Jason led her to the backyard lake. "Please." She was to kneel on the ice. Sydney clenched her fists, slipped off her down coat, and set it aside. It was better than risking it dragging her under if she fell through. Then, in the darkness, she stepped onto the frozen surface. The sky was pitch black. She could not tell which patches were thick or thin.
Each step had to be tested carefully, leaving everything to luck. 2/2