Chapter 44: Elena Ward Watched Coldly

Elena Ward watched coldly as Agnes Ward groaned in pain, a smirk playing on her lips. The old hag deserved it. She hadn’t intended to go this far—Elena held grudges, but she wasn’t a monster who resorted to murder.

She preferred subtle revenge, the kind that left no trace. But Agnes had insisted on provoking her. If the old woman wanted to play sick, Elena would make sure she suffered a real illness. Let’s see how much her precious son would "care" for her then.

A sudden chill ran down Elena’s spine—the backlash from using her healing force. This time, it was mild. Reversing her power was different from healing, but compared to what she’d endured dealing with Paul Mercer, this was nothing.

"Elena, have some water." Vera Ward pushed aside the curtain, carrying a bowl of sugar water, her face plastered with an unnatural smile. "You’ve been taking care of Grandma all night. Drink up and rest."

Elena accepted the bowl, instantly noticing Fanny’s nervous gaze. The woman pretended to look away, but her eyes kept darting back, watching Elena’s every move.

A faint sniff nearly made Elena laugh. Cheap sleeping pills—how amateurish. This had Agnes’s fingerprints all over it.

"Why aren’t you drinking?" Fanny fidgeted, wringing her hands. "Not sweet enough? I can add more sugar—"

Elena took a small sip and nearly gagged. The water was sickeningly sweet—did they want to drown her in sugar?

Fanny visibly relaxed once she saw Elena drink.

Elena set the bowl down after two sips. She wasn’t about to force herself to finish that syrup, but Fanny only needed to believe she’d taken the drug.

With a quiet pulse of her healing force, she neutralized the sleeping pills effortlessly.

"Elena? You okay?" Fanny asked cautiously when Elena’s gaze grew unfocused.

Elena feigned drowsiness, her eyelids fluttering. "Auntie… I’m… so tired…" Before she could finish, she slumped against the edge of the bed.

Fanny’s face lit up with triumph. She gave Elena a theatrical shake. "Elena? Elena!" When there was no response, she called out, "Come in! Get her out of here!"

Vanessa Ward and Derek Harlan burst in. Derek had been lurking next door, peeking through the window crack the whole time.

They hauled the "unconscious" Elena up. Vanessa gritted her teeth under the weight—How is this starving brat so heavy?!

They dumped Elena in Vanessa’s room. Vanessa smirked at Derek. "Lucky you. My little sister’s one of the prettiest girls in the village. Enjoy." She turned to leave.

Derek grabbed her wrist. "Vanessa, I’m doing this for you. Don’t forget what you promised."

Vanessa forced a smile, hiding her disgust. "Don’t worry. I’ll keep my word." She yanked her arm free and hurried out.

She wasn’t stupid. Agnes had warned her about Derek—a gambling, womanizing beast in human skin. All she cared about was getting rid of Elena.

Derek rubbed his hands together, humming a vulgar tune as he approached the bed. His fingers had barely brushed the covers when an ice-cold hand clamped around his wrist.

His blood turned to ice. He tried to muffle Elena’s mouth, but his limbs went weak—he couldn’t even scream. His eyes darted in terror as the "unconscious" girl slowly sat up.

Elena held a silver needle, her smile chilling. Derek had done plenty of vile things in his life, but he’d never been this afraid.

Now he understood why he couldn’t move.

This delicate-looking girl wasn’t prey—she was the predator.