Chapter 196

Yvonne and Thomas parted ways at the restaurant entrance. Instead of going back to the Spencer estate, she went to the hospital. Marina had been moved from the ICU to a regular room. The severe trauma from the accident had caused extensive brain damage, and she had been diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state.
In the quiet room, Marina lay still, her once-vibrant face now pale and gaunt.
Yvonne looked at her, her voice calm. “Marina, Lucien was cremated two days ago. His parents took his ashes back to their hometown. If there is a next life, I hope you two find each other again.”
Yvonne and Sandra had attended the funeral. Lucien’s parents, heartbroken,
blamed Marina for their son’s death, calling her a jinx. They had taken his ashes without leaving anything behind for her.
The woman in the bed remained motionless. The doctors had said only a miracle could wake her. But miracles were rare.
Yvonne didn’t stay long. Sandra was waiting for her outside the room.
“I just spoke with Marina’s doctor,” Sandra said with a sigh. “He said the chances of her waking up are almost zero. Her organs could start failing at any time
“Sandra, you must have misheard,” Yvonne interrupted, her eyes shining with sudden intensity. “The doctor told me Marina is recovering well and should wake up soon.”
Sandra understood immediately. “You want to lure the snake out of its hole?”
“Exactly,” Yvonne nodded. “As long as Marina is alive, she’s a threat to George. We’ll force his hand.”
“I get it. I’ll make the arrangements. By tomorrow morning, everyone will have heard that Marina is waking up.”
With the plan in motion, Yvonne drove back to the Spencer estate. George and Teresa were out, likely at the office and a card game, respectively. Jeffrey Was working a long shift at the hospital. Queena was on a date with Oscar, their engagement was apparently imminent.
The only person home was Joseph, who was sitting on the sofa eating snacks. He flinched when he saw her, like a mouse seeing a cat, and offered her the bag. “You’re back. Mom just bought these for me. Do you want some?”
Yvonne glanced at the bag of potato chips in his chubby hand. They looked good. She took the bag and ate one. Seeing this, Joseph seemed to relax, figuring she wouldn’t hit him today.
“If you promise not to hit me
anymore, I’ll share all my snacks and toys with you” he said bravely. “And
if youre nice to
me, when grow up and take over the family company, I’ll give you all the best projects.”
He looked up at her, a picture of adorable cluelessness. Yvonne almost laughed. She reached out and pinched his chubby cheek. “You’re dreaming, little one. Spend less time dreaming and more time studying.”
She didn’t have the heart to tell him the cruel truth: George planned to give the company to his illegitimate daughter, Queena, Besides once she bad enough evidence, George would be in prison, and the company would likely cease to exist.