Chapter 649
Shirley first stumbled upon a video of Star getting beat up that was making the rounds in the Miracalia socialite group. She thought about sharing it with Lillian to lift her spirits.
But now, she figured it might be best to never bring up Jackson or anything related to him again for Lillian's sake.
Shirley looked down, ready to close the paused video, but in her fluster, she accidentally hit play.
"Help, get away! It's not me!" Star's screams filled the room instantly.
Shirley watched as the smile on Lillian's face vanished.
Kicking herself for not being more careful, Shirley quickly turned off her phone and was about to pocket it when Lillian raised her hand. "I want to see it," she said.
With no other choice, Shirley walked over.
The video showed the back of a heavyset woman beating Star, but it clearly captured Star being held down and kicked.
Lillian watched the video closely, while Shirley kept an eye on Lillian, worried that seeing Star might bring back bad memories and upset her.
But Lillian stayed calm, her expression like she was watching some random video.
When the video ended, Shirley tried to lighten the mood. "It's really not much. Her screaming is so annoying."
She was about to take the phone away, but Lillian reopened the video and smiled. "It's actually pretty satisfying and entertaining."
Shirley let out a sigh of relief. "Since you're in a good mood, I'll get you some more breakfast. Eat up quick, don't waste Star's heartfelt performance."
Lillian smiled and nodded. As Shirley turned to get more soup, Lillian's eyes stayed on the video, a bit more focused.
She had noticed earlier that the places where Star was beaten matched her own injuries.
Looking again now, she was even more sure.
Taking the bowl of soup, Lillian asked, "Where did this video come from? Why was Star beaten?"
Shirley shrugged. "Remember the Price Family's banquet I went to? I joined a socialite group chat there, and that's where the video came from. Who knows what happened? The group is full of speculation. Maybe Star did something shameless, like seducing someone else's husband. She's got a reputation for that kind of thing."
Shirley set up the dining table on the hospital bed, placing various nutritious foods on it. As she spoke, she realized she might have said something wrong again.
Feeling annoyed, she lowered her head, wishing she could bite her tongue.
Lillian seemed to sense her reaction and leaned in to hold her chin.
Shirley looked up, and Lillian put down the phone, smiling. "Shirley, I'm not that fragile. You don't have to be so cautious. Really, since I woke up yesterday, I realized how foolish I've been. I have so many friends who genuinely care about me, dreams yet to be fulfilled, and so many things left to do. It's not worth staying in the past for anyone! I believe Taylor would want me to be strong, and I will get better!"
Shirley felt a lump in her throat, nodded, and hugged Lillian. "I believe in you!"
Lillian smiled too, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
She knew someone had avenged her, returning the beating she got at the Price Mansion with interest.
Lillian knew exactly who was aware of her injuries, but she felt nothing—just found it laughable.
It was too late. Belated compensation meant nothing to her.
Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open.
A nurse walked in, holding a few flowers, and smiled. "A new flower shop opened across the street. The owner is promoting it and sent a bunch of free flowers to the department this morning. Every room got some, and I brought a few for you."
"Thank you," Lillian replied.
Shirley took the flowers, and the nurse left. Shirley turned and said, "That's so nice. These flowers are really pretty."
"No wonder I saw so many people around the nurse's station when I came back with breakfast. The scent of flowers was everywhere. The owner is quite generous. I'll find a vase to put them in. Our room could use a bit of color," Shirley said as she opened the cabinet to find a vase.
Lillian had come to the hospital on short notice yesterday, and it was already evening when she was admitted, so no one thought to buy flowers.
Today, these flowers, though only five, were very beautiful and bright, bringing joy.
"They smell nice. Take a whiff. I'll go wash the vase." Shirley found a vase under the bedside table, handed the flowers to Lillian, and ran to the bathroom with the vase.
Lillian looked down at the flowers in her hand: two yellow roses and three sunflowers.
They weren't wrapped beautifully, but as Shirley said, the flowers were fresh and beautiful, each petal full of vitality, bringing a sense of joy.
Lillian smiled, touching the petals, her eyes showing a hint of happiness.
In the next room...
"Mr. Frane, the flowers have been delivered," Harry said.
When he came in, Jackson was leaning on the hospital bed, about to have breakfast. The breakfast on his table was identical to the one on Lillian's table in the next room.
Shirley had ordered a nutritious meal package from a well-reviewed restaurant near the hospital, but when she went to pick up the breakfast, the delivery had already been swapped.
The breakfast inside was specially prepared by Jackson, with cleaner and more nutritious ingredients, and it tasted better.
"She didn't notice, did she?" Jackson asked.
"I don't know. I'll check later. If Mrs. Frane puts the flowers in a vase, she didn't notice. If the flowers are thrown out, she did," Harry replied honestly.
Jackson remained silent.
At Mystic Meadows...
The Kelly Family was also having breakfast. Anouk was wearing a new dress today, a light purple long dress she bought while shopping yesterday, accentuating her slender figure.
She had put on matching makeup early in the morning, with her long curly hair draped over her shoulders, looking particularly charming and gentle.
She sat next to Oberon, holding his arm and acting coquettishly. "Yesterday, I bought gifts for you and Grandma too. Although I used Ambrose's card, the thought was mine. After breakfast, come upstairs and see the surprise I prepared."
Before Oberon could speak, Flora frowned and said, "No, I have to go to the hospital to see Ophelia!"
Anouk's smile froze uncontrollably, visibly unhappy.
Ambrose, sitting across from Anouk, noticed her change in expression and tapped his phone with his finger.
Last night, he had sent the DNA samples to the testing agency for expedited processing.
By now, the electronic report should be ready.
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