Chapter 96: Agnes Ward Sat Quietly on the Hospital Bed at Last

Agnes Ward sat quietly on the hospital bed at last, and a cold smirk curled at the corner of Vera's lips. Still think you're the domineering old matriarch ruling the household? she thought. Now that you're bedridden, you should be grateful we're even feeding you.

Tears, murky with age, trickled down Agnes's wrinkled cheeks. Regret gnawed at her. If only she had known Calvin Ward and Vera would turn out to be such ungrateful wretches, she would have treated Daniel and Grace better. Now, she had no one to care for her in her final years.

Two days ago, when Vera had pinched her, Calvin had sat right there without so much as lifting an eyelid. It was then Agnes understood the torment Elena must have endured—helpless, voiceless.

"Mom, stop crying," Calvin said as he pushed the door open, keeping his voice low. "The doctor says you can be discharged today. Don’t worry, your son will take care of you."

Agnes frantically waved her hands. At least in the hospital, there were people around. Going home meant being at the mercy of these two. But her garbled whimpers were unintelligible.

"Looks like the old lady’s overjoyed," the elderly man in the next bed chuckled.

Calvin seized the opportunity. "Yeah, she can’t wait to go home."

As they packed, the door suddenly swung open. Two uniformed officers stood at the threshold, and the room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"Calvin Ward? Vera?" one officer asked sternly.

The bundle in Vera’s hands thudded to the floor. A cold sweat broke out on Calvin’s back.

"Your daughter, Vanessa Ward, is suspected of theft. She’s currently at the station," the officer said, his words landing like a thunderclap. "Come with us."

Vera’s legs buckled, and she nearly collapsed. "Impossible! My daughter would never—"

Calvin gripped her arm tightly, forcing a smile. "Officers, we’ll just arrange for the old lady’s care and come right away."

The moment the police stepped out, the room erupted in murmurs. Some patients hastily tucked their wallets deeper into their pockets, while others pointed and whispered. Calvin’s face burned with shame—he wished the ground would swallow him whole.

(The story will now explore why Vanessa appeared in town and the truth behind the theft. Meanwhile, what awaits Agnes after being taken home? How will Calvin and Vera handle this sudden crisis?)