Chapter 220: Vanessa Bennett Lay Motionless in the Icu Bed

Vanessa Bennett lay motionless in the ICU bed. Her head was partially shaved from the scalp injury. Nine stitches held the torn skin together. The anesthetic had completely worn off now. A throbbing agony pulsed through her skull. She kept her eyes tightly shut against the pain. Two nurses moved around her room with cold efficiency. Their whispers cut through the sterile air.

“She brought this on herself.”

“A scalp wound? How convenient.”

“Most people hit their foreheads against walls.”

“Not our clever Miss Bennett.”

“She’d never risk her precious face.”

“Calculating witch.”

“Stealing her sister’s fiancé? Her sister’s company?”

“No shame at all.”

Vanessa’s fists clenched beneath the thin hospital blanket. How dare these insignificant nobodies judge her? She was still a Bennett heiress. She still mattered. The door clicked open.

“Leave us,” ordered Helena Bennett.

The nurses exited without another word. Helena and Philip Bennett approached the bed. They looked down at their motionless daughter. Philip’s voice was heavy with disappointment.

“Your daughter has become unpredictable, Helena.”

“This is not my fault!” Helena protested. “I called her every day in that wretched village! I welcomed her home! She deceived her own mother!”

She let out a weary sigh.

“I never imagined she was capable of this.”

“Cancel everything,” Philip stated flatly. “All appointments. All events. No visitors. For the family’s reputation, she remains here until this blows over.”

Helena frowned. “The Starlight Gala committee called. She’s nominated for Best Supermodel—”

“A publicity stunt,” Philip interrupted sharply. “They’re using her for ratings. Even if she won, could she show her face? Cancel it. All of it. Our focus must be on Sienna now. The media is slaughtering us over the wedding.”

The public had turned fiercely protective of Sienna Bennett. The adopted daughter neglected by her own family. Pictures circulated online. Helena delivering soup to Vanessa. Helena ignoring Sienna completely.

“I admit I failed her,” Helena conceded quietly. “She was always so difficult, so defiant… but it looks terrible.”

“The past is irrelevant,” Philip dismissed. “Damage control is everything now. Our family’s future depends on Sienna’s goodwill. You will accompany her to events. You will be seen together. Use our resources to support her at the Starlight Gala.”

He glanced at the still form in the bed.

“As for Vanessa… let her rest. A year, perhaps. Arrange for a psychiatrist. See if that helps.”

Beneath closed eyelids, Vanessa seethed. Their words were poison. Criticizing her. Praising that vile Sienna. Sienna had stolen everything. Their love. Their loyalty. Their respect. Sienna had orchestrated it all! She was the monster! Not Vanessa! This could not stand. She would not let Sienna win. The moment the door closed behind her parents, Vanessa forced her eyes open. A grim determination settled in her heart.