Chapter 814

Madeline Delmonico's chest heaved violently, her nails digging deep into her palms.

"You can't threaten me! My husband is an honest official who's never done anything wrong."

Annika Heilbronn chuckled softly, twirling a teacup between her fingers.

"Honest? That makes him even more vulnerable. Honest people make the easiest targets, don't you think?"

She suddenly leaned in close to Madeline.

"That car accident last month wiped out an entire family of five. Do you really think... it was just an accident?"

Madeline's face turned ghostly pale.

Satisfied with her reaction, Annika rose leisurely.

"You have twenty-four hours to decide. At this time tomorrow, either have your husband waiting for me at home, or..."

She drew a finger across her throat.

Before Madeline could respond, Annika had already vanished around the stairwell.

Stumbling forward, Madeline found the hallway eerily empty.

Her hands trembled as she pressed her earpiece.

"Dr. Laurent... Did you hear that? She's going to kill my husband!"

Vivian Laurent's calm voice responded, "Stay calm. I'll find out who she is."

"She looks exactly like you! She must be your enemy!" Madeline's voice shook.

A brief silence.

"I don't know her. She means nothing to me."

Madeline collapsed to the floor, tears streaming.

"Please, Dr. Laurent, save us! I'll pay any amount!"

Suddenly remembering something, she gasped.

"I can expose your identity online! Prove you're the real Dr. Luna!"

Through the phone, Vivian's eyes flickered.

"Don't act rashly. Wait for my instructions."

The call ended. Madeline buried her face in her hands, sobbing.

Regret consumed her.

If only she hadn't trusted that impostor earlier...

If only she'd believed Vivian sooner...

Now it might be too late.