"...Multiple soft tissue contusions, immediate surgery is required... we need a family member's signature."

"Understood, I will contact her family immediately."

The nurse first dialed Ethan Woods' number.

"Hello, Mr. Woods? This is the General Hospital. Your sister, Summer Woods, has been in a car accident. Her injuries are severe, and we need you to come and sign the admission papers..."

On the other end of the line, Ethan’s voice was laced with obvious impatience. "Summer Woods? A car accident? Tell her to stop acting. I don’t have time to play these boring games with her!"

Without waiting for the nurse to explain, he hung up with a sharp click.

The nurse stood stunned and helpless. She tried again, dialing Julian Rivers' number.

"Hello, Mr. Rivers. Summer Woods has been in a car accident and is currently being rescued in our hospital. We need a family member..."

"A car accident?" Julian’s voice sounded tired, carrying a hint of weary annoyance. "Summer, I am very busy right now taking care of Skylar. You were indeed in the wrong this time; please stop making a scene."

That call was also cut short.

The nurse held the receiver, looking at the deathly pale Summer on the hospital bed, her eyes filled with sympathy and frustration.

She turned to the doctor. "The family... they don’t believe it. They refuse to come."

The doctor sighed, checked Summer's vitals, and shook his head. "Forget it. Save her first; a life is at stake. The paperwork... we’ll deal with it when she wakes up."

Summer lay on the bed, her mind in chaos, yet she heard every word of those two phone calls with agonizing clarity.

They didn't believe her.

They refused to come.

They told her to stop making a scene.

Each word was like a red-hot iron, searing itself into her already shattered heart.

An unknown amount of time passed. The surgery was successful, and she finally fully regained consciousness.

Her body was encased in plaster and wrapped in bandages; even the slightest movement brought a piercing pain.

A nurse came to change her dressing and mentioned that her medical bills had accumulated significantly and needed to be paid as soon as possible.

Propping herself up and enduring the agony, Summer moved toward the billing counter, step by agonizing step.

As she rounded a corner, she collided with Ethan Woods.

Ethan looked her up and down. There was no trace of concern on his face, only mockery and anger. "Summer Woods, I have to hand it to you. You’ve even brought your acting to the hospital now?"

Without another word, he stepped forward and grabbed her arm. "Perfect. Julian and I have business at the office to handle, and Skylar just had a fright and needs company. As her sister, you will go and look after her for a few days to atone for what you’ve done."

With that, he practically dragged Summer toward Skylar’s VIP ward.

The pulling caused Summer’s wounds to throb with violent pain, and sweat beaded on her forehead, but she couldn't break free.

Inside Skylar’s ward, Julian Rivers was also present.

He saw Summer’s hospital gown and the plaster casts, and his expression flickered slightly. "Summer, did you... did you really get into a car accident?"

Ethan immediately sneered. "How is that possible? Julian, don't forget she used to play this card all the time! Just to get our attention and make us stay with her, she’s faked illnesses and run away from home—she has a million tricks! Look at her; aside from the plaster, she looks fine, doesn't she? She can even walk!"

Hearing this, the look in Julian’s eyes grew cold, filled with disappointment and reproach. "Summer, you are being far too immature. Skylar needs quiet rest right now, and you’re still using these methods to cause trouble!"

Summer watched them go back and forth, pronouncing her guilt. She lowered her eyes, no longer looking at them, and no longer explaining.

Ethan pulled her to Skylar’s bedside and spoke to the timid-looking Skylar. "Skylar, Julian and I have to deal with some work. Summer will stay here with you. Don't worry, I’ve left bodyguards at the door to watch her; she won't be allowed to hurt you again."

After delivering a warning glare to Summer, he and Julian left the room.

The door closed, leaving only Summer and Skylar in the ward, with the faint silhouettes of bodyguards visible through the glass.

Skylar leaned against the headboard, watching Summer’s wretched state. The timid expression on her face slowly vanished.

Over the next few days, Skylar was unexpectedly quiet.

She only had Summer perform trivial tasks like pouring tea or peeling fruit, and did not go out of her way to make things difficult.

Though Summer’s body was racked with pain and fatigue, she felt a slight sense of relief that she didn't have to face more direct humiliation.

Until the day Skylar was discharged.

Skylar sat on the edge of the bed and suddenly spoke in a soft voice. "Sister, thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

She pointed to the large pile of health supplements Ethan and Julian had sent. "I can’t finish all these, and they’re a hassle to carry. Since you’ve looked after me for so long, I’ll give them to you."

"No need," Summer refused, her voice raspy. "I'm allergic."

The smile on Skylar’s face vanished instantly, her eyes turning cold. "Summer Woods, no one has ever dared to refuse a request of mine."

Chapter Five

She clapped her hands, and the two bodyguards from the door immediately walked in.

"Take these supplements," Skylar pointed at a container of protein powder, her voice icy. "Force them into her mouth. Not a single drop is to be left."

The bodyguards stepped forward. One pinned Summer’s arms while the other grabbed the powder, twisted off the cap, and prepared to pour it down her throat!

"Let me go! Skylar!"

Summer struggled desperately, but with her fractures still healing, she was no match for two burly men.

The powder was forced into her mouth, choking her airway.

She coughed violently, struggling for air. Her face rapidly turned a panicked red from suffocation and the allergic reaction. Her throat felt as if it were on fire, and she gasped for breath.

Just then, the voices of Ethan and Julian echoed from outside the ward.

"Skylar, are you packed? We’re here to take you home."

"Are there many things? Do you need help?"

Skylar’s eyes flickered. She immediately adopted a frail appearance and hurried out of the ward, gently pulling the door shut behind her.

"Ethan, Julian, you’re here!" Skylar’s voice was cheerful. "I’m all packed! Let’s go!"

"Where is Summer?" Julian seemed to ask.

"Oh, Sister... she’s still eating. She told us to go ahead and not wait for her."

Outside, Ethan gave a brief grunt of acknowledgement and didn't ask further. Julian seemed to hesitate but said nothing.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

Inside the ward, Summer was held down by the bodyguards as more protein powder was forced into her.

She shook her head wildly, trying to call for help, but her throat was blocked by the powder. She could only make desperate, wheezing sounds of suffocation.

Her vision began to go dark, her lungs felt like they were about to burst, and an abnormal red rash began to break out across her skin. An intense itching and burning sensation swept over her...

Finally, the world went black, and she lost consciousness completely.

...

When she woke again, she was in a different ward.

Her throat burned like fire, and her body was covered in large patches of red rash, both itchy and painful.

From outside the room, she could faintly hear Skylar’s tearful voice. "...It’s all my fault. I just thought Sister was tired from taking care of me, so I gave her those supplements to help her recover... I didn't know... I didn't know she was allergic... or that it would be this serious... I truly didn't mean it..."

Then came Ethan’s comforting voice. "It’s okay, Skylar, stop crying. Your intentions were good. It’s fine; didn't the doctor say she’s out of danger? Summer... she won't blame you."

Then Julian added his gentle consolation. "Yes, it was an honest mistake. Don't be too hard on yourself."

An honest mistake? She won't blame her?

Lying on the hospital bed and listening to the warm conversation outside, Summer felt a surge of thick, nauseating irony.

The door was pushed open.

Ethan and Julian walked in, with Skylar following behind them, her eyes red like a frightened rabbit.

Ethan spoke. "You heard what was just said, didn't you? Skylar didn't mean it; she was acting out of kindness. Let’s just let this matter go. Don't keep dwelling on it."

Let it go?

Summer’s throat was hoarse; every word she spoke felt like a knife-cut, but she forced herself to ask, word by word. "Years ago... Skylar said I pushed her down the stairs, and you sent me to prison for three years."