Chapter 969



Elma’s eyes betrayed a hint of reluctance, which Lacey noticed all too clearly.

Lacey inwardly scoffed, her mind already cooking up a plot.

“I accept your apology,” Lacey said lightly, but her gaze turned cold.

“But next time, be more careful.”

Though her words seemed casual, her eyes were icy, locking onto Elma with the coldness of someone eyeing a lifeless body. With Lacey facing away from Jake, he failed to notice the coldness in her expression.

As Lacey left the room, her chin high with an air of victory, Elma suddenly felt a chill creep down her spine. She promptly darted to Jake’s side and whispered, “Dad, perhaps you should find me a different doctor, please? I just can’t get along with Lacey. I don’t like her. You can’t force me to, can you?”

Jake sighed, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.

“Elma, you know how much progress you’ve made with her medical help. That’s a good sign. Don’t you want to get better and resume school soon? Once you recover, you can return to your mom. I promise I won’t stop you.”

Elma was torn, her feelings in turmoil. Of course, she wanted to recover.

Sensing her reluctance, Jake reassured her.

“You’re safe with me. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Elma glanced up at Jake’s sincere face and gave a reluctant nod. Perhaps her worries had been unfounded. Though Lacey disliked her, Lacey’s desire to become Jake’s wife meant nothing would happen to her, at least not within this month. Otherwise, Jake would undoubtedly send Lacey away. With this thought, Elma felt a weight lift off her shoulders, her fear easing.

Once back in her room, Lacey collapsed onto her bed, completely drained. Her eyes were clouded with coldness and a seething, overwhelming hatred. Every time her eyes closed, memories of the previous night’s humiliation played on a loop in her mind, each recollection cutting deeper into her pride.

Lacey longed to lash out, but the fear of drawing attention held her back. She pulled a small vial from her bag, Cody’s words echoing in her mind. This poison was perfectly suited for harming a defective child like Elma. At first, it would show no signs, but in a month, anyone who had succumbed to this poison would slowly weaken, fading away until death, leaving no trace behind.

A month was all Lacey needed. After all, Elma would return to Kallie’s side, be it her illness cured or not. By then, the poison in Elma’s system would have run its course. If Elma died at Kallie’s place, it would allow Lacey to distance herself from the situation. Lacey hadn’t meant to be so ruthless, but Elma was too irritating. Besides, Cody was right. No matter how things unfolded, Kallie and Jake couldn’t truly be torn apart with the kids in the picture. The children were the thread that kept them tied together. Only when the child was gone, and if one of them was the cause, would the blame unravel everything between them.

Cody had pointed out that if Jake believed Kallie was responsible for Elma’s death, there would be no chance for them to get back together. Only when Jake had completely let go of Kallie would he begin to shift his focus to those around him, granting Lacey a chance.

When Lacey decided to harm Elma, a flicker of hesitation lingered within her. Yet, her resolve soon solidified. She had sacrificed too much already, and pulling back now would render all her efforts meaningless. There was no turning back now. She could only press forward.

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