Chapter 3 A dangerous Playfulness

Chapter 3

A dangerous playfulness

*Slap! Slap! Slap!* Three sharp strikes landed on Dakota Charles's face.

The entire room froze.

"Framing me again and again-do you really think I'll let it slide?" Charlotte's voice was strained but firm. "I know my health isn't perfect, but I get regular checkups. I'm fine now. You can't just accuse me without proof."

"I *have* proof."

"Proof?"

"Yes, proof. You've been faking this whole act, thinking Dad's threats would make everyone obey you? As family, we might forgive you-but not when you're wreaking havoc in the Conley household. You need to face the consequences of your actions. Play it."

Charlotte tried to stop them, but the USB drive was already snatched away.

Dakota Charles gripped her wrist and yanked her close. "Did you really think the Dakota family would stay down forever? That you could manipulate all of us? Let me make this clear-you *will* be kicked out of the Conley family. Three years ago, we sent you to the hospital. Today won't be any different. Dream on if you think you can win against us."

"You-"

"Those three slaps? I'll return them tenfold." Dakota Charles's tone was ice-cold, leaving no room for doubt.

The footage on the USB began to play.

To everyone's shock, it showed Conley murray and Dakota Charles conspiring together.

"This isn't real!" Conley murray roared. "The video's fake! Dakota Charles, what the hell is this?"

"I-I don't know! The content was supposed to be-"

"So it was my dear cousin's doing," Conley Pan cut in with a cold laugh. "All this effort just to drive my brother out of the Conley family. How touching. No matter what, we're still brothers. Was it really necessary to team up with an outsider like this? And on Grandpa's birthday, no less. Classy move."

"Grandpa, it wasn't me."

Conley Sage hurled a cup straight at Conley madison forehead. A crimson stream of blood trickled down his face.

"Grandpa, if my actions ruined your birthday, that's on me. I was wrong, and I promise nothing like this will happen again." Conley murray clenched his jaw, suppressing his anger. Then, turning sharply, he barked at Dakota Charles, "What are you still standing there for? Get out!"

But Dakota Charles knew-if she walked away now, she'd never get another chance. She couldn't let Charlotte keep winning. A fire of fury burned inside her.

"Charlotte, you're faking it! I'll kill you!"

In a flash, she lunged with a fruit knife, aiming straight for Charlotte.

Conley Crack moved faster, pulling Charlotte into his arms just as the blade sank into his back.

"Conley Crack!"

"Brother!"

Chaos erupted in the room.

Charlotte felt Conley Crack's body grow heavy, then collapse to the ground.

For the first time in three years, someone had risked their life to protect her-just like her mother once had.

Her vision blurred with tears.

Why... why would Conley Crack do this for her?

"Take him to the hospital!" The crowd hastily dispersed in a flurry of panic.

The chaos gradually subsided into an eerie silence.

The vast venue was now empty, leaving only the two of them behind.

"You've got some nerve, daring to let Young Master Conley get hurt for you. He actually-"

"Dakota Hurley was asking for death, and so are you." Charlotte lifted her head, her piercing gaze sending chills down the spine.

"You-you-"

In a flash, Charlotte seized her by the throat and slammed her head violently against the wall.

Blood trickled down as Dakota Charles reeled from the blinding pain. "Let me go! Help! Someone help!" she whimpered.

No one came to her aid.

"Why did you hurt my husband? Why did you make him bleed? Whoever harms him will pay the price." With that, Charlotte threw her to the ground, pinned her down, and rained merciless slaps across her face.

"Help... please help..." Dakota Charles's desperate pleas were barely audible.

Still, no one appeared.

Finally, Charlotte released her, exhausted. Staring at her disheveled, contorted face, she let out a cold laugh. "Dad still loves me after all. He kept his promise-he didn't lie to me. Good thing my husband and I were prepared."

"Dad still loves me?" What did that mean?

"What are you talking about?"

"Dad told me to pretend I was perfectly fine and chat him up skillfully, then act like I was following your script. But the truth is, he loves me. He helped me swap the USB drive and had my husband change the content. Dad said I'm Mrs. Conley now, and in the future, both he and the Dakota family will rely on me. You're nothing." She spoke with a sweet, venomous smile.

Keeping Dakota Charles alive was just to watch them tear each other apart like rabid dogs!

"You... you and Dad planned this together? No, that can't be." Dakota Charles refused to believe it.

"Who else would help me if not Dad?" Charlotte blinked innocently.

This...

So it was him after all.

It had to be. Before the birthday party, only Dakota Hurley had touched that USB drive.

They were in this together.

No wonder Anita had warned him not to scheme-now it all made sense.

"Charlotte, just you wait. I'll find the evidence and personally send you back to the asylum. And I won't let Dad off either!" Dakota Charles snarled, trembling with rage.

Her chin was suddenly seized in a vice-like grip. "You think sparing your life means you can send me away? No. I won't spare you at all. Anyone who dares lay a finger on my husband will pay with their life. I'll make sure you die."

"Just wait. This isn't over." Dakota Charles spat blood as she staggered away.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes, thoughts racing to Conley Crack. She sprinted toward the hospital.

But the moment she arrived, Conley Sage and Conley Lixiao blocked her outside the operating room.

"This is all your fault. He wouldn't be here if not for you."

"It's not because of me, it's because of Dakota Charles, because of my cousin. I'm the one to blame. I... I need to see my husband." Charlotte tried to rush inside.

She knew Conley Crack's condition better than anyone-only she could save him now. If they wasted any more time, she'd carry this guilt for the rest of her life.

"You're part of the problem too, not to mention-"

The door burst open with a loud bang as Margret Sonia hurried out. "Mr. Conley has lost too much blood and needs a transfusion. None of the immediate family members are a match, but I've seen Charlotte medical records-her blood type is compatible. She can donate."

"I'll save my husband. I need him to be okay." Without hesitation, she slipped into the operating room.

Conley Sage moved to stop her, but Margret Sonia cut in sharply, "Mr. Conley, your son's life is what matters most right now."

Though visibly displeased, the old man finally gave a stiff nod.

The operating room door closed again.

"Grandfather, do you see how vicious my cousin is? Bringing Dakota Charles here to cause trouble-he clearly has ulterior motives!" Conley Pan accused.

"Grandfather, I never wanted Conley Crack dead. I was framed today. If anything happens to him, I swear I'll pay with my own life."

"Easy for you to say now."

"Enough!" Conley Sage's voice cracked like a whip. "Do you think my birthday hasn't been ruined enough already? Stop this bickering right now-all of you, shut your mouths!"

The three fell silent, their eyes fixed on the operating room door.

Inside the operating room...

Charlotte, now in scrubs, faced the familiar doctor. "How is he?"

"Not good. Mr. Conley's pulse is dangerously weak. There's a chance he might..."