CHAPTER 3: CHAPTER 3: AREN’T YOU AFRAID I’LL EXPOSE YOU?!

After finishing her words, Cynthia hung up the phone. Ann Vaughn looked at her mobile, lips tightly pressed together.

Half an hour later, inside the VIP room of the First Hospital.

Ann Vaughn placed the get-well gifts on the table, raising her eyes to look at Cynthia sitting by the bedside.

Her face was gentle yet pale, her body like a fragile willow swaying in the wind, delicate and feeble. Dressed in a hospital gown, she seemed to evoke a strong protective instinct in others.

"Sister, you stole my man and took the position of Young Madam Hawthorne. It seems you’re living quite comfortably," Cynthia remarked softly, casting a glance at Ann Vaughn’s clothes and jewelry, her tone mocking.

Although simple, they were all custom-made, worth a fortune. Altogether, they cost nearly a million.

And all these things should have belonged to her.

Ann Vaughn sat down, thinking she misheard when she heard those words, her gaze seemingly pierced, "Do you not understand why I married into the Hawthorne Family?!"

It was only after marrying in that she found out her beloved brother had fallen for her own sister.

How ridiculous.

"Hehe." Cynthia laughed innocently, her beautiful eyes mocking as she looked at Ann Vaughn, "So should you thank me? If it weren’t for the rumors back then that Cian was severely injured in a car accident, left disabled, life endangered, who else would marry him but you?"

If it weren’t for those rumors that Cyrus might not survive, leading to the Hawthorne Group almost being divided cleanly by the Hawthorne Family, how could Cynthia have given anyone else an opportunity?

The Hawthorne Family is one of the most prestigious noble families in The Imperial Capital, tracing back to the hundred-year-old The Veridian Dynasty.

Nowadays, under Cyrus Hawthorne’s management, Hawthorne Group’s industries spread nationwide and even globally, now advancing into the pharmaceutical sector, with a limitless future.

Ann Vaughn’s brows furrowed tightly, suddenly realizing something as she widened her eyes, "You weren’t trying to find true love when you escaped the marriage, were you?"

"Only you would believe such words." Cynthia raised her chin, "With what I had back then, should I stay and wait to be widowed in that situation?"

She did like Cyrus Hawthorne, but she didn’t want to ruin herself at a young age.

"So, you returned to the country suddenly because you already confirmed Cyrus Hawthorne is fine!" Ann Vaughn trembled with anger, struggling to suppress the rage in her chest, "Cynthia Vaughn, aren’t you afraid I’ll expose you?!"

Cynthia was indifferent, smiling innocently, "Sister, who do you think would believe your words? A heart patient like me risking it all to escape a marriage and flee the country?"

"Besides, do you think it was just me planning this?"

Ann Vaughn watched her lips moving up and down, feeling as though the pent-up resentment within her was about to erupt, her vision in a dizzy haze, a metallic taste even surging up her throat.

Cynthia did have a heart condition, frail since childhood, she couldn’t possibly joke with her life, nor would their parents allow it.

Besides, Cynthia was the future heir of Vaughn Pharmaceuticals, her talent in Western medicine always a source of pride for their parents.

Unless...

Seeing Ann Vaughn’s pale face, Cynthia’s smile grew even sweeter, "When Dad and Mom suggested you go replace me as a widow, I truly thanked you. But now that I’ve returned, you’d best propose divorce on your own if you know what’s good for you, or don’t blame us for not saving face."

She had hidden abroad for half a year, fearing the Hawthorne Family would find out, while the despicable Ann Vaughn occupied the wealth that belonged to her, and her man.

Now that she was back, she would make sure Ann Vaughn paid back tenfold!

Ann Vaughn took a deep breath, pushing down the bitterness in her eyes, coldly curling her lips, "Cynthia Vaughn, do you think I will still let you manipulate me?"

"Hehe, is that so?" Cynthia paused, let out a cold snicker, and suddenly grabbed the fruit knife on the table, slashing hard at her arm!

The knife dropped in front of Ann Vaughn, and to anyone, it appeared as if Ann Vaughn was the attacker, causing harm. Before Ann Vaughn could react, someone swiftly grabbed her shoulder, pulling her back hard.

Caught off guard, Ann Vaughn’s lower back hit sharply against the pointed edge of the table with a "bang," the stabbing pain making her face change, her red lips parting with not a single sound able to come out.