Chapter 252

The emergency room at Kingsley Medical Center was eerily quiet.

Victoria Sterling had received a blood transfusion, but her condition remained critical.

When they wheeled her in, her face was ghostly pale, almost translucent. The deep, jagged cuts on her wrists told a story of desperation.

Nathan Blackwood, Leonard Blackwood, Richard Sterling, and Cassandra Blackwood stood in the sterile hallway, tension thick in the air.

Margaret Sterling clutched her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "Victoria! My baby, wake up!"

"Enough!" Richard snapped, his face dark with fury. "Do you have no shame? Crying like this in public? You're humiliating us!"

"Humiliating?" Margaret whirled on him, eyes blazing. "Our daughter is fighting for her life, and all you care about is your reputation? Are you even human?"

She grabbed his collar, her nails digging in. "My son is already in prison. Victoria is all I have left! If she dies, I swear I'll—"

Richard shoved her away with a force that sent her stumbling to the floor.

Margaret gasped, shock momentarily silencing her tears.

"Aunt Margaret, Uncle Richard, please!" Cassandra rushed forward, helping Margaret up. But behind her concerned expression, a smirk tugged at her lips.

If Penelope Whitmore hadn't been detained for questioning, and if Leonard hadn't dragged her here to "comfort" Margaret, Cassandra wouldn't have bothered.

But since she was here, she might as well play the part.

"Leonard," Richard seethed, turning on his brother-in-law. "Your son did this. He owes us an explanation!"

Richard's voice shook with rage. "Victoria gave Nathan the best years of her life! The entire city knows they're engaged. First, he delays the wedding because of his divorce. Fine. We tolerated it for Reginald's sake. But now? He throws her away like trash? What kind of respectable family would accept this humiliation?"

Leonard's jaw tightened. He had no defense.

"We may not be as powerful as the Blackwoods, but we have our dignity!" Margaret spat, leaning on Cassandra for support. "If Nathan abandons Victoria, we'll go to the press. Let the world see how your son destroys lives!"

She knew exactly what Victoria was doing—forcing Nathan's hand through desperation.

Their childhood bond was her leverage. If Nathan had even an ounce of affection left, he wouldn't let her die.

And if marriage was off the table? Then the Sterlings would bleed the Blackwoods dry.

Leonard exhaled sharply. With Penelope's scandal already making headlines, another scandal—Nathan driving his fiancée to suicide—would tank Blackwood Industries' stock.

"Fine," Leonard said grimly. "When Victoria wakes up, tell her the wedding will proceed as planned."

The Sterlings visibly relaxed—but Margaret's eyes remained wary.

Nathan had grown too powerful. Would he even listen to Leonard anymore?

Footsteps echoed down the hall.

Nathan strode toward them, his face as cold as winter. Oliver Sinclair followed closely behind.

"How is she?" Nathan demanded.

Before Leonard could answer, Margaret lunged forward, gripping Nathan's shirt. "Look what you've done to my daughter! Do you want her dead? Is that why you're crawling back to Evelyn?"

"Mrs. Sterling!" Oliver quickly intervened, pulling her away.

The commotion drew stares. Despite the bodyguards blocking the area, curious onlookers peeked around corners, hungry for drama.