?Chapter 518:


    “Mm! Elyse… stop!” Bertha thrashed, but it was useless. The bitter liquid spilled past her lips, drenching her clothes and soaking through the fabric. She gasped, choking, her body trembling as she tried to spit it out.


    Elyse’s bloodshot eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction, her resentment simmering just beneath the surface.


    Everyst drop of the vile concoction was gone.


    With a satisfied smirk, Elyse tossed the bowl aside. She wiped her hands clean, watching as Bertha struggled to breathe.


    Bertha clutched her throat, her face contorted in agony. Her body convulsed and then slowly went still.


    About an hourter, a servant went upstairs to retrieve the bowl from Bertha’s herbal medicine. The moment she stepped into the room, she froze.


    Berthay still, unresponsive.


    “Mrs. Harper? Are you okay?” the servant called out, stepping closer.


    Panic surged through her as she rushed to Bertha’s side. Bertha’s body was slightly stiff. There was no rise or fall of her chest—no breath at all.


    The servant’s breath hitched. “Oh my God… She’s gone!” Her knees buckled, and she copsed onto the floor in terror.


    Shaking, the servant scrambled to her feet and bolted downstairs, yelling, “Oh my! Something awful has happened! Mrs. Harper… She’s dead!”


    Samira’s brows furrowed at the outburst. “What’s with all the noise? What did you just say? What happened to Bertha?”


    The servant trembled, barely able to form words. “She… She’s gone.”


    “What?” Samira shot up from the sofa, her pulse racing. “What kind of nonsense is this?”


    “I swear, it’s true!” The servant’s voice cracked as she shook her head frantically. “She’s not breathing. Please, you have to see for yourself!” Without wasting another second, Samira rushed upstairs. She burst into Bertha’s room, only to find her lying still,pletely motionless.


    Samira’s hand trembled as she ced it under Bertha’s nose. Only the faintest sign of life. Her chest tightened. “Someone—go get Alexander and Vince! Now!”


    Elena had barely stepped through the door when she heard the news. Her stomach dropped. Without hesitation, she grabbed Jolie’s hand and dashed next door.


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    Bertha’s room was already crowded with people.


    Alexander and Vince arrived first. Jeffry and his brothers stood nearby, their faces grim.


    At the doorway, Javier stood frozen, his head bowed, fists clenched.


    Elena’s voice wavered as she spoke. “Grandma… How is she? How did this happen so suddenly?”


    The moment Javier heard Elena, he lifted his head. His eyes were bloodshot, his face tense. His jaw clenched, but it was no use—his voice cracked. “I… I don’t know what happened. I swear, I have no idea.”


    Alexander turned to Elena as if she were hisst hope. “Elena! Get over here, quick!”


    Heart pounding, Elena stepped closer to the bed. She leaned in, pressing two fingers against Bertha’s neck, listening—waiting. Only a faint pulse. Swallowing hard, she gently pried open Bertha’s eyelids, checking her pupils.


    Vince’s voice was tight with worry. “What’s wrong with my mom?”


    Bertha was in a dire state. Her pupils were dted, and her heartbeat was barely there.


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