The twilight was blood-red as Ian stepped through the Carter family’s house.
His shadow stretched across the marble floor.
Smack! A medical report, reeking of disinfectant, was flung hard against Vanessa’s face.
The sharp edge of the paper left a red welt on her pale cheek.
Vanessa, who was curled up on the leather sofa, shuddered violently like a frightened fawn caught in the hunter’s gaze.
“Your serotonin levels are normal. Dopamine receptor activity is stable. Every indicator is perfectly fine.” Ian’s voice was cold.
“Vanessa, you were never depressed. Why did you lie to us?” The air felt dense.
Ryan, standing off to the side, crumpled the report into a ball and tossed it into the trash.
“Who do you think you are, checking Vanessa’s private medical records? Mental illness isn’t something you can diagnose with a simple —- blood test”
“Then what about this?” Ian threw down a fraudulent diagnosis report, his gaze growing sterner.
“There’s no psychiatrist named Dr. Zayn.
“There were no appointment records under her name. I even checked the surveillance footage. She was at a bar in the south district that night. She was never sick. In fact, she’s healthier than any of us.”
Vanessa suddenly clutched her temples, tears welling in her eyes.
“I haven’t been sleeping well. That night, I just went out to buy melatonin-”
“Are you done with the act?” Seeing her still pretending at this point made Ian even more furious.
“Aren’t you supposed to be suicidal?” His voice dripped with contempt as he pulled a military knife from his pocket and tossed it onto the coffee table with a loud clang.
“Swiss-made. Sharp enough? Go ahead. Do it. I’ll sit right here and watch your performance. Don’t worry. If you change your mind, I’ll even call an ambulance for you.” Vanessa’s expression stiffened.
Her breath hitched under Ian’s suffocating glare.
—- “Enough!” Zachary’s roar made the crystal chandelier tremble.
He shielded Vanessa behind him, bloodshot eyes glaring at Ian.
“Ever since Selena disappeared, you’ve been running around biting people like a rabid dog.
“First, you ruined Vanessa’s banquet, and now you’re spewing all this nonsense. If anyone here is sick, it’s you! Get out. Get out of my house right now! Stop harassing my daughter!” Ryan stood as well, his face full of anger.
“Ian, even I think you’re delusional now. Just because you can’t find Selena doesn’t mean you get to take it out on Vanessa. She’s the one who’s sick. This has nothing to do with her!” Tan stared at the father and son in disbelief.
He had laid out the truth before them.
It was undeniable proof, yet no one believed him.
At that moment, he finally understood just how much Selena must have suffered in this house.
“You people are beyond salvation.” Seething, Ian turned to leave.
“Wait,” Ryan suddenly muttered.
“Dad, that woman left, —- but she never handed over the patent she promised to Vanessa, did she? Without it, wouldn’t Vanessa’s academic future be at risk?”
“She didn’t give it to us? But wasn’t there a gift box on her desk?” Zachary said.
“I opened it. There was only a tape recorder inside. Nothing else.”
“A recorder? Why would she leave that?” It was just idle chatter between father and son.
But Vanessa’s expression changed in an instant.
Her face was drained of all color.
Ian caught the reaction immediately.
Could it be that there was something incriminating on that recording?
