Chapter 146

“What kind of answer do you plan to give? If Candy doesn’t make it, are you really going to hand over Miss Hawthorne to pay for it with her life?” Richard clenched his fists, his voice laced with fury.

Gerald was at a loss for words. Mara was the only descendant left in the Hawthorne family. For the sake of his family, he couldn’t possibly hand her over.

Pressing his lips together, he finally said, “I believe Cassandra’s strong enough to pull through. She’ll be saved. And I meant it when I said I’d give your family an explanation—you have my word.”

Richard let out a cold snort. He clearly didn’t buy it. As far as he was concerned, Gerald’s so-called “explanation” wouldn’t mean a thing.

And honestly… deep down, he didn’t really think Cassandra would survive.

Especially since that strange doctor had showed up more than two hours after she was declared dead. It was a long shot.

The afternoon sun slowly dipped westward, its fiery light fading into the