Julia and Wendy had barely escaped from Dithoria and stolen medicine from Goodwill Pharmacy, yet in less than a day, they were forced to crawl back.


    When their car stopped at the gates of the Sinir residence, Wendy got out and opened the door for Julia.


    "Jul, I am warning you onest time. If you go back, leaving again will not be so easy."


    Julia coughed violently for a long time and spat out blood twice. With bloodshot eyes, she red at Wendy. "Even if I die, I will not abandon Ruby.


    "My body probably will notst much longer. Since Goodwill Pharmacy refuses to sell me medicine, my only hope is to find the miracle doctor, Dr. Elim. Edgar has been trying to contact Dr. Elim, but there has been no news at all.


    "Aunt Wendy, if I die, you must protect Ruby for me. I had her date Zane and nned for her to marry into the Holt family to keep Ivan from finding out the truth about her parentage."


    Julia looked at the Sinir residence, where she had lived for decades, and let out a bitter chuckle. "But Ruby was useless. She dated Zane for so long but couldn''t get him to marry her. Then I told her to get close to Zachary, but that was even harder.


    "Zachary has gone to Sophia''s side. Ruby has lost herst chance. I have left enough money for Edgar and Ruby. They''ll be fine as long as they do not get caught by Ivan.


    Julia coughed again as she spoke. Seeing her in such pain, Wendy couldn''t help but feel sorrowful.


    "me that wretched Natalie. Goodwill Pharmacy used to sell us medicine, but ever since she arrived, they cut off your supply."


    Wendy gnashed her teeth in frustration. "William and Charlotte must be blind. They took back a heartless ingrate instead of their real daughter. If Emma were still the Walker family''s daughter, we wouldn''t even have to beg. She would have helped us willingly."


    Julia wiped the blood from the corner of her lips with a handkerchief once her coughing fit ended.


    "Emma has been arrested. She will either get the death penalty or life in prison. I underestimate that little bitch, Sophia. She actually managed to bring Emma down."


    "Sophia has someone backing her. We both know she doesn''t have that kind of power on her own," Wendy said through gritted teeth.


    "Yes, Natalie is protecting her. And Marcus is protecting her."


    As Julia spoke, she reached out and rang the doorbell. Not long after, Ivan came out to open the door.


    In a short time, he looked as if he had aged ten years. His beard was unkempt, dark circles hung under his eyes, and his clothes were wrinkled and dirty


    Julia had dismissed all the maids before she left. With no one to help him, Ivan was forced to handle everything himself. The sight of Julia returning made his eyes burn red with rage. He opened the front door and red at her with pure hatred.


    Julia instinctively took a step back but quickly straightened her spine, forcing herself to speak with confidence. "Where is my daughter? Hand her over."


    "What is the rush? We were husband and wife, after all. Come inside and sit down. We can talk properly."


    Ivan sneered and rubbed the back of his head, which still stung from the blow Wendy had given him the night before.


    "There''s nothing left to talk about between us. Ivan, give me back my daughter," Julia said, barely suppressing her cough.


    Ivan looked her up and down. "Julia, do you really think you''re so powerful? If you''re so capable, thene inside. That little bastard daughter of yours is locked up in there. Let''s see if you have what it takes to take her away."


    After saying that, Ivan turned and walked into the vi.


    Julia stood at the entrance, staring at the familiar house. She had lived there for many years, yet an unsettling fear gripped her. The vi loomed before her like a beast, its jaws wide open, waiting for her to swallow her whole.


    "Wendy, let''s go."


    She turned to look at Wendy, who was still standing by the car. She was afraid to go in alone.


    "Jul, you go in first. I need to tell the driver something. If anything goes wrong, the driver wille inside to save us."


    As she spoke, Wendy bent down and whispered something into the driver''s ear.


    Julia narrowed her eyes. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and yanked Wendy back. "There is nothing to exin."


    "What if we both go inside and the driver runs off? Jul, all our things are in the car." Wendy shook off Julia''s grip.


    "And what if I go inside and you run off with the driver instead?"


    Julia stared sharply at Wendy. She knew all too well what kind of person Wendy was. Ever since she suggesteding back, Wendy had been acting displeased.


    Wendy widened her eyes in shock. "Jul, how could you think that? I have served you for so many years. How could you doubt my loyalty? You trust a driver over me?"


    "Then let the driver pull the car inside, and we can all go in together."


    Wendy suddenly let out a bitterugh. "Fine fine. Julia, are you walking into your grave? If you want to die, that is your business, but do not drag me down with you. I stole medicine from the Goodwill O Pharmacy for you. I have done my part. I have a right to go back and live my life in peace."


    She shoved Julia aside and climbed into the car. "Drive."


    The driver had already been bought off by Wendy earlier. Without hesitation, he


    locked the doors, reversed the car, spun it around, and sped away.


    "Stop the car!" Julia screamed. Another violent coughing fit overtook her.


    She screamed at the top of her lungs but was immediately ovee by another violent coughing fit. She spat out a mouthful of blood and watched helplessly as the car disappeared from view.


    "Fuckign traitor!"


    She cursed. She should have known. Wendy had always been selfish.


    "Julia, are youing in or not?"


    Ivan stood at the door, watching her with a sneer.


    He had heard everything between her and Wendy, but he didn''t care. As long as Julia fell into his hands, he could sell her and her daughter off to recover his


    losses.


    The Sinir Group was already ruined, and Julia had taken a fortune when she left. It was only right that she and her daughter paid him back.


    "Wendy ran off with my money. Did you not see? Ivan, you must send someone after her!" Julia was so furious that she could barely speak before another coughing fit wracked her body.


    "Send someone after her? Why would I do that?" Ivan burst intoughter. "Did you not fire all my people before leaving? And you'' expect me to send someone after her? Julia, have you lost your mind?"