Chapter 3 Stephanie Disappeared

"Stephanie!" Erik caught up, his anger palpable.

"What, afraid I'll harm her?" Stephanie's tone dripped with disdain.

Erik's gaze landed on Vivian, comforting her. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you."

A triumphant smile flickered in Vivian's eyes, yet she put on a pitiful one when she turned to Erik. "Erik, it hurts so much..."

Stephanie pressed her fingers against her abdomen. "You want it?"

"Stephanie, I don't hold it against you. If you're unwilling to donate your kidney to me, I totally understand." Vivian's words belied her tears.

"You want it. You have to be severely hurt first." Stephanie's demeanor turned icy as she approached Vivian.

She lifted the sterile cloth, revealing Vivian's wound to everyone.

Erik's expression turned grim in an instant.

On Vivian's abdomen, there was only a minor scratch, hardly even two inches long, and no longer bleeding anymore.

As Stephanie had expected, the eyebrow razor was neither sharp nor sizable, and Vivian lacked the resolve to truly harm herself.

In the past, Stephanie had been concerned about Erik's feelings, avoiding angering him or engaging in conflicts. Thus, she tolerated Vivian's manipulations.

Her heart, once malleable, had solidified into steel. She no longer cared how Erik felt about things, and she refused to tolerate Vivian's slander.

"Miss Howard, do you think you can demand my kidney by merely scratching yourself? You're deluding yourself." She advanced, her finger hovering over Vivian's wound.

"No..." Vivian had never seen this side of Stephanie, as sinister as a demon emerging from hell. "I... I don't know anything. Perhaps the doctor erred. Please, stay calm."

"Really? Then let me enlarge it for you, so Erik can ascertain if your kidney is really ruptured." Stephanie pressed harder, causing blood to spurt from Vivian's wound.

Wide-eyed, Vivian appealed to Erik. "Erik, save me! For Phil's sake..."

At the mention of that name, Erik softened slightly.

He approached, gripping Stephanie's wrist. "That's enough!"

Stephanie released her hold on Vivian, feeling defeated.

"Fine! Erik, I'll prepare the divorce papers and send them to you. We're finished from now on," Stephanie said as she walked away, leaving Erik feeling hollow inside, uncertain why.

"Erik..." Vivian's voice quivered.

Erik dismissed those unsettling thoughts. Stephanie was an orphan, and if she parted ways with him, she would be left without a place to call home.

He had misjudged her this time.

He would make amends later.

For now, he had to handle the present situation.

Turning to the doctor, Erik asked, "Kidney rupture? The situation is critical?"

The doctor, nervous, glanced at Vivian. "It wasn't a misdiagnosis, Mr. Palmer. Please forgive us. It was Miss Howard's idea. She said if your wife passed away, she..."

"Get out!" Erik erupted.

"I've been too lenient with you all these years!" His eyes darkened.

"Erik, I was wrong. Please, remember my brother? Forgive me this once," Vivian pleaded tearfully.

Erik sighed. "This is your last chance, Vivian. I won't marry you, ever! If you deceive me again, not even Phil's return from death can save you."

After leaving the hospital, Erik made several calls, but Stephanie didn't answer any of them.

It was as if Stephanie had vanished from the face of the earth. Her home, workplace, usual spots-all searched to no avail.

In the Gilbert family's residence.

A man sat on the sofa in the living room, legs crossed. He wore golden-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of nobility. "You've finally decided to return home?"

Stephanie glanced at him, her lips pouting, tears flowing down her face. "Eddie!"

"Why the tears? If someone bullies you, stand up to them. You're my little sister and I've always got you back, alright?" the man said nonchalantly.