Walter carefully rolled up Laura's sleeve, revealing the reddened skin on her wrist. “Let's get some cold water on this."

“Okay.”

Laura lifted the quilt and gingerly got out of bed. Unexpectedly, she lost her balance and stumbled forward, straight into Gerard's path.

“My dear daughter!"

A piercing voice rang out and a woman swiftly rushed to Laura's side, her arms encircling her. As she observed the reddened skin on Laura's wrist, her fury intensified. "Who is responsible for this?"

Upon spotting the woman, Walter's courage evaporated, and he yearned for a hiding spot to escape to.

His distant aunt seemed unchanged after all these years, he mused.

Regret gnawed at Walter for his decision to come here today.

“Mom, please don't act this way; you've frightened Gerard's girlfriend," Laura implored, swiftly clutching her mother's hand.

Hearing this, Tracy Rhodes cast a disbelieving glance at Gerard, then at Lilah, swiftly piecing together the situation.

Gerard and Laura had once shared a close bond. The reason Laura had become incapacitated was her act of saving Gerard. Could it be that Gerard's girlfriend's insecurity led her to target Laura?

"Gerard, do you truly have a girlfriend?" Tracy scrutinized Gerard with her keen gaze. Her demeanor exuded strength.

However, Gerard remained unperturbed. His handsome countenance remained calm and aloof. "Yes."

“How could you? Have you forgotten how Laura sacrificed herself for you? She's been bedridden for seven years because of you. Is this how you repay her?" Tracy's chest heaved with anger.

“Mrs. Rhodes, I don't understand. My girlfriend is my girlfriend. I'm deeply grateful to Laura for saving me, and I intend to make amends in the future," Gerard retorted icily, succinctly addressing Tracy's concerns.

Tracy remained dissatisfied. "You know Laura has feelings for—"

Laura interjected, “All right, Mom. I wanted to save Gerard, but I never intended to use it as leverage against him."

Tracy's expression softened momentarily, and then she turned her gaze toward Lilah. Tracy had heard about Lilah, believing her to be narrow-minded due to her humble origins.

In the past, Tracy believed Gerard fancied the novelty of being with someone Like Lilah, and she was convinced they'd soon part ways.

However, to her surprise, they had been together for quite a while.

Now that Lilah was aware of Laura's existence, it was natural for her to feel jealous, but that didn't excuse any harm she might cause to Laura.

Tracy swiftly raised her hand. But it was caught suddenly, followed by a searing pain coursing through her wrist. She snapped back to reality, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at Gerard.

“What are you doing, Gerard?"

After all, she held seniority here. How could he dare to intervene?