Chapter 526
Anastasia lingered at the doorstep with Pattie by her side, taking in the scene. She'd only heard snippets from
Monica and caught a glimpse of the trending news online, but seeing it in person left her rattled. Gianna was
barely recognizable, her face, neck, and arms all wrapped in gauze. The severity of her injuries was glaringly
obvious.
Cynthia's eyes welled up with tears. "Oh, Gianna, sweetheart, don't be scared. Mom's going to find you the best
doctors. Don't worry, honey."
"There's no doctor who can fix my face now," Gianna said, her voice breaking. "I want Joey dead. It's the only
way I'll ever feel peace."
Cynthia nodded, her voice filled with anger. "That no-good Joey. The police will make sure he pays."
Gianna tried to touch her face, but the fear of worsening her wounds held her back. She didn't need a mirror to
know that her face was ruined for good.
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The more upset she got, the more she tugged at her bandages, which only amplified her pain and frustration,
trapping her in a vicious cycle.
Anastasia overheard Gianna's agony but didn't go in. She walked away with Pattie, deciding that whatever
happened to Gianna from here on out was none of her business. She wouldn't waste another thought on her.
Maybe, Anastasia thought, it was poetic justice.
Back in the hospital room, Gianna was a whirlwind of emotions, bordering on hysteria. She clung to Cynthia,
sobbing, "Mom, it's all Anastasia's fault. She cursed me, | know it! She's getting back atfor delaying her
rescue and losing the baby. She hates me. She probably even sent Joey after me."
Gianna shifted the blto Anastasia once again.
Colton walked in with smedication and caught the tail end of her tirade. "Gianna, why do you always blame
others when things go wrong? Have you ever considered your own actions? | told you not to take things too far.
You could've just divorced Joey and moved on, but no, you had to be ruthless. How could he not hold a grudge?"
Cynthia shot back, "How can you say that about our daughter? She's the victim here! Is Joey cheating somehow
justified?"
"That's not what | mean," Colton said, frustration evident. "Joey's paralyzed and you threw his parents out, took
their money. How did you expect them to survive? | always told you to show smercy. But you, Gianna, you're
beyond help now."
Gianna clenched her jaw. "I don't regret a thing. The Edmunds wrongedfirst."
"You're beyond saving," Colton said, his voice heavy with sorrow. He had once thought his daughter was just
headstrong and spoiled, but now she was unrecognizable.
Cynthia defended Gianna, "Why are you blaming her? Have you no heart?"
Placing the medication on the table, Colton said, "Too much indulgence ruins a child. Gianna, if you don't wake
up, you'll suffer even more. Hatred consumes you. You were merciless to a paralyzed man and harbored
murderous thoughts toward an unborn child. Look at yourself, Gianna. You've lost all your humanity."
Colton left the room, his heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. Gianna sat on the bed, silent and stunned.
Cynthia, frightened by her daughter's silence, tried to reassure her, "Gianna, don't scare me. Don't listen to your
father. It's not your fault. It's all their fault. | should never have agreed to your marriage with Joey or pushed you
towards wealthy men. This is all on me." Gianna looked at Cynthia, her voice hollow. "What is right? What is
wrong? Is loving someone wrong? Is cheating and betrayal wrong? What is right, Mom?"
Cynthia had no answers.
While Gianna faced her reckoning, Julie was also struggling, haunted by nightmares and looking dazed.
The wedding was just three days away, and Julie's six-month pregnancy was now clearly visible. Throughout
these months, Joseph hadn't shown up even once.
Devin was equally stressed. Brown Corporation's finances had completely collapsed, mirroring the dead-end that
Ledford Corporation had faced.
Herman's strategic move had left Brown Corporation an empty shell. Construction projects were halted, workers’
wages were two months overdue, and the banks were pressing for loan repayments.
If Devin hadn't managed to keep Brown Corporation's troubles under wraps, the company would have imploded
by now.
Devin clung to the hope that the union between the Brown and Lin families could still go ahead smoothly. If so,
there might still be a chance to turn things around for Brown Corporation.
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