?Chapter 88:


    Lise’s voice was sharp and filled with urgency, indicating she was on the verge of panic.


    “Come to the hospital now. Mom has just been taken to the operation room.”


    Katelyn felt a sudden tightness in her chest, yet her eyes betrayed a flicker of skepticism. Just this morning, Sharon had enough energy to show up at her doorstep, yelling at her. How could she be in the hospital all of a sudden?


    Sharon had always been vignt about her health, attending regr check-ups every year. Other than slightly elevated blood pressure, she was supposedly healthy.


    Katelyn managed to keep her voice steady. “You must have dialed the wrong person. I’ve already said we’re no longer family.”


    “How can you be so indifferent at a time like this? Don’t you realize you might miss yourst chance to see Mom?” Lise’s grip on her phone tightened, her words forced out through clenched teeth. “Despite any past grievances, she’s been your mother for over twenty years. Can you really miss thisst opportunity to see her?”


    Lise’s tone was exceptionally serious, sounding nothing like a joke at all.


    Frowning, Katelyn asked sternly, “Exactly what is going on?”


    Lise balled her hands into fists and recited her rehearsed lines. “After we left your ce today, Mom startedining of heart pain and then she just copsed. The doctors are saying it’s critical, and she might not wake up. You need toe—you might regret it forever.”


    Heart pain? Confusion deepened. Sharon had never had heart issues. How could she suddenly develop heart problems?


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    Just then, the background noise on Lise’s end became audible.


    “Who is Sharon Bailey’s rtive? We need someone to sign some documents urgently. The patient’s condition is critical!”


    Lise hurried forward, her steps quickening, and her voice tearful.


    “Doctor, please, do everything you can to save my mom. I can’t lose her.”


    “Don’t worry, we’re doing all we can.”


    Hearing this, Katelyn involuntarily clenched her fists, imagining the frantic and hectic scene just outside the operating room through the phone. Lise wouldn’t make up something so serious.


    A pang of concern tightened Katelyn’s chest, prompting her to ask, “What hospital are you at?”


    Through tears, Lise responded, “Renan Hospital—Please hurry. The doctor said Mom might not survive.”


    “Okay, I’ll be there soon.”


    Katelyn ended the call, lost in thought. How could Sharon suddenly copse and end up in the hospital? And knowing her, why would she reach out to Katelyn immediately unless she needed something or was plotting another scheme?


    All of these assumptions were based on the premise that this was just another scheme. But what if it was real?


    Katelyn closed her eyes, remembering the affection Sharon had once shown her. Those days unfolded before her—the time before her identity as a wealthy heiress came crashing down, when she was the gem in Sharon’s crown. The pain and disillusionment that followed were undeniable. Yet, the love Sharon had shown her couldn’t be simply undone by those events.


    Her childhood had been filled and shaped by that affection. After deep contemtion, her emotions took over. Missing the chance to see Sharon—possibly for thest time—would be a lifelong regret.


    Vincent, sitting beside her, had overheard the phone call.


    “I’ll go with you!” Vincent said.


    Katelyn, pulled from her reverie, regarded Vincent with concern.


    “No, you’re still recovering. I can manage on my own. True or not, I’ll understand the reality once I get there.”


    Meanwhile, at Renan Hospital, Lise ended the call, her expression breaking into a wild grin. She could sense the shift in Katelyn’s feelings and was confident that Katelyn’s nature would lead her right to them.


    At that moment, a man stood next to her, seeking approval with eager eyes.


    “Miss Bailey, was my performance convincing?”


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