Chapter 865
Kenneth let out a heavy sigh and shook his head.
Ruby, clearly upset, blurted out, "This has Jackson written all over it. He must have Anouk hidden somewhere. Honey, Anouk is our daughter, the one we raised and loved. We can't just leave her like this. Why aren't the cops searching Jackson's place? Why haven't they questioned him? They need to make Jackson bring Anouk back."
"Calm down. I've been to the police station. The driver who crashed Anouk's car into the lake has been grilled multiple times. He swears it was a brake failure. Anouk's car stopped suddenly, and he couldn't brake in time, causing the accident. The cops found no link between the driver and Jackson. Without evidence, they can't just raid Jackson's place or question him."
Tears streamed down Ruby's face. "So we're just supposed to do nothing? Anouk could be suffering right now. She did nothing wrong, and the police cleared her. How can Jackson do this? Is there no justice in Miracalia?"
Ruby was so emotional she looked like she might faint again. She had already fainted once by the lake, so Kenneth quickly helped her lie down.
Lying on the pillow, Ruby turned her head and cried silently. "How did it come to this? It's all my fault. I shouldn't have asked you to bring Lilian home for dinner that day. If I hadn't, Lilian wouldn't have been in trouble, and Anouk wouldn't have been framed for murder and gone missing. It's all my fault."
Ruby pounded her chest, her face full of pain and regret.
Kenneth had been suspicious about the events of the past few days. But seeing Ruby's self-blame and sorrow, his doubts vanished.
He grabbed Ruby's hand to stop her from hitting herself and comforted her. "You only have one kidney and are already weak. Don't do this to yourself. I think it's all Lilian's fault. She was always disrespectful to her adoptive mother, which made Mary hate her enough to want her dead. This has nothing to do with you or Anouk."
He took a towel and wiped Ruby's tears. "You rest. I'll go to the hospital and check on Lilian."
Ruby nodded quickly. "Yes, go to the hospital. Ask the doctors about Lilian. If she wakes up and is okay, please talk to her. You're her biological father. Maybe you can convince her to let Anouk go. Anouk is innocent."
Kenneth patted Ruby's shoulder and left after seeing her close her eyes.
As soon as he left, Ruby sat up and took out her phone. She made a call, and it was quickly answered.
"Dad," Ruby said.On the other end, Ronan's voice, old but urgent, replied, "How's it going?"
"Lilian was taken to Frane Hospital. Security there is super tight, and it's the Frane Group's private hospital. Since Lilian's incident, they've doubled down on security. I couldn't bribe any staff to get info. But Jackson hasn't left the hospital since it happened. When we visited, he was extremely aggressive. Now he's kidnapped Anouk. He's acting recklessly, so Lilian must be in bad shape and still unconscious."
Ruby's judgment wasn't just based on this. She had also learned that Jackson's car was seen heading towards Mirror Lake long after Lilian fell in. Based on the timing, even if Jackson saved Lilian from the car, she would have been in critical condition. She had consulted doctors who said that drowning victims could suffer brain damage after five or six minutes without oxygen. If Lilian hadn't drowned but was still unconscious after all this time, her chances of waking up were slim.
Ronan sighed. "Such a young life, what a pity."
Ruby's lips curled in a mocking smile. "Dad, how are things in Seaspring Valley City? Can Oberon handle this bad news?"
"Not well. When I told him about Lilian, he fainted and was rushed to surgery. He's now in the ICU. Ambrose has hurried back to Seaspring Valley City, but Oberon is still in critical condition. Oberon has faced many challenges, but I didn't expect him to be so fragile now. Time really does wear people down."
Ronan's words sounded regretful, but his tone was dripping with disdain and satisfaction.
Ruby sighed hypocritically. "Oberon is old now. The company can't be left leaderless. Dad, you need to step up. The Kelly Group has many employees who need their jobs. You have to take responsibility."
Ronan chuckled. "You're right. It's time."
He had called to confirm that everything in Miracalia was under control. Ruby's report that Lilian was still unconscious reassured him. Oberon must truly be unable to handle the shock, or he would have rushed to Miracalia by now.
But before taking over the Kelly Group, Ronan had one more concern. "Jackson is a formidable opponent. If he gets involved because of Lilian, it could complicate things. Do you understand?"
Ruby understood that Ronan was worried that Jackson might help the Kelly family through this crisis. Although it wouldn't be easy for Jackson to interfere with the Kelly Group's internal affairs, he could still cause trouble."Dad, you want me to keep Jackson occupied so he can't interfere, right? Don't worry, I'll handle it."
Before hanging up, Ronan asked, "What about Kenneth? Is he suspicious?"
"He has his doubts, but he trusts us more. Don't worry. With Oberon down and Ophelia gone for years, Kenneth knows where his loyalties lie now."
Ronan finally felt reassured and hung up the phone.
Ruby, after some thought, got out of bed and went to the walk-in closet. Half an hour later, she was standing outside the Frane Mansion, supported by a maid.
The maid explained their visit to the security guard, who then called inside to inform Lyra.
Lyra was in the living room chatting with Peggy, who was wearing reading glasses and had a bridal magazine on her lap.
Lyra pointed to a strapless wedding dress in the magazine and said, "Peggy, don't you think this one would suit Lilian? She has a great figure, fair skin, and a cool demeanor. This strapless, cinched waist design would make her look both pure and sexy. What's that word again?"
Peggy smiled and leaned over to look. "Mrs. Frane, it's 'innocent allure.'"
"Yes, that's it. Lilian is perfect for this style. Note it down, and I'll show it to Lilian later."
Lyra had been eagerly anticipating Lilian and Jackson's reconciliation since Lilian returned to Miracalia. With nothing else to do, she had even started picking out wedding dresses.
Just then, a maid entered. "Mrs. Lyra Frane, there's a Ms. Lawson outside. She says she's Mrs. Lilian Frane's stepmother and wants to see you. Should I let her in?"
Lyra looked at Peggy, frowning slightly. "What does she want?"
Lyra knew about Ruby. When Lilian was taken in by the Kelly family, Lyra had someone investigate them. She knew Lilian's biological father had remarried, and his new wife was supposedly a well-respected woman in Seaspring Valley City. But Lyra didn't trust appearances.
Still, since Ruby was at the door, Lyra decided to see her. "Peggy, bring her in."
Peggy nodded and soon returned with Ruby.
Lyra, dressed in a modified cotton dress with a cashmere shawl, sat regally on the sofa. Her silver hair was neatly tied in a bun with a single hairpin, exuding an air of authority.
She glanced at Ruby, noting her tear-streaked face and sorrowful expression, and quickly understood the type of person she was dealing with.
"You didn't have to bring so many things," Lyra said, noticing the maid behind Ruby carrying several gift bags.Ruby forced a smile. "Lyra, you raised Lilian. My husband and I should have visited you sooner, but..."
Ruby sighed, looking troubled. "Lilian's grandfather is stubborn and still upset about her past with Mr. Frane. We didn't want to upset him by coming here. Now that we're here, we hope you won't hold it against us. I couldn't come empty-handed."
Lyra frowned and waved her hand. "If Oberon is still angry and doesn't want our families to interact, why are you defying him? Are you trying to provoke him? Or do you want him to hold a grudge against the Frane family too? Take your things and leave. Peggy, show them out."
Lyra had seen all kinds of people. Ruby's subtle insults towards Oberon were clear to her. She knew Oberon trusted and loved Ruby, treating her like a daughter after Ophelia's death. But Ruby badmouthing Oberon behind his back made Lyra lose any interest in her visit.
Lyra's tone was sharp, and Peggy immediately moved to stop Ruby's maid from setting down the gift bags. "Please leave. Mrs. Frane needs to rest."
Ruby hadn't expected Lyra to be so blunt. Her expression stiffened, and she quickly said, "Mrs. Frane, I'm here because my foster daughter Anouk has been kidnapped by Mr. Frane. Please, Mrs. Frane, you have to do something. You can't let Mr. Frane commit a crime!"
Lyra's frown deepened, and she gestured for Peggy to step aside. "What are you talking about? Jackson kidnapped your foster daughter? Who is she, and why would Jackson do that?"
Peggy stepped back, and Ruby sighed in relief. She had feared Lyra wouldn't listen. "Mrs. Frane, it's true. Lilian fell into the lake and nearly drowned. Mr. Frane thinks Anouk is responsible and kidnapped her in revenge. Anouk might already be dead. Please, Mrs. Frane, you have to help."
Lyra felt a wave of darkness in front of her as she stared at Ruby.
Ruby, looking anxious, said, "Mrs. Frane, don't you know? Lilian has suffered so much. After finally finding her family, before she could even enjoy it, her adoptive mother tampered with the brakes, and she fell into the lake. It's been three days and nights now; I'm afraid she might never wake up."
Tears streamed down Ruby's face, truly looking heartbroken.
Lyra's face turned pale as she looked at Peggy. "Is what she said true?"
Peggy looked confused. "I'll call Mr. Frane right away."
It was clear Jackson had kept this from the family. Peggy hurried to get her phone, but Lyra suddenly swayed and collapsed.
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