After Phoebe agreed, Maddox immediately approached each person individually, mentioning plans to visit Derood Summit next week and asking if they wanted to join.
James was busy filming and couldn’t make it. Milton had a variety show commitment, so he was also unavailable. Lexie, Jimmy, and Quintus were free next week, and all agreed to go. Although Andrea had no work scheduled, she couldn’t join because her father was ill
Maddox didn’t ask Reece or the Jenkins brothers–if they went, no one would have a good time. After finalizing the group. he updated Phoebe.
Phoebe paused for a moment. “Andrea’s dad is sick? Should we visit him at the hospital?” She had stayed in touch with Andrea and even spoke over voice chat just a few days ago.
Maddox nodded. “Sounds good!” He thought, Pheebs and Andrea have a good relationship, and visiting a sick farmily member is the right thing to do.
Phoebe called Andrea. Hearing that Phoebe and Maddox wanted to visit her father, Andrea felt a warmth in her heart. She then shared the hospital and room details with them.
As Phoebe and Maddox arrived at the hospital and approached the ward, they suddenly heard a sharp female voice. “I can care for him, but you must give me 300 thousand dollars.”
Andrea’s voice followed. “Are you out of your mind? That’s your legal husband lying there, and you’re asking for money to take care of him? What do you even need the money for? Let me guess–covering yet another business loss for your brothers?”
“I’m telling you now–don’t even think about it. I could hire several top–tier caregivers to care for my dad with that money. Why would we need someone as careless and irresponsible as you? Just leave. My dad doesn’t need your fake concern or so- called care. And from now on, don’t bother coming to the hospital again.
Andrea’s tone carried an anger she had never shown before. Unfazed, the woman started cursing and ranting, calling Andrea ungrateful and making other accusations.
Still unwilling to give up, the woman turned to Andrea’s father and asked, “Do you not need me to take care of you either? Think carefully–if you miss this chance today, even if you beg me in the future, I won’t step foot in this hospital again.”
Then, a weak male voice interrupted, “I’ll listen to Andrea. If you don’t want to come, then don’t. And I’m asking you–please stop using your family to harm Andrea.”
The woman angrily shouted, “You worthless man, you
Soon, the door to the room opened. Andrea stepped out, holding onto a woman dressed head to toe in designer labels. With flawless makeup, she gave the impression of a woman in her thirties.
“You’re truly unbearable. We can’t afford someone like you, so you’d better leave. She then turned to the woman and threatened, “If you disturb my dad’s rest again, Ill cut off your allowance.”
The woman was about to retort when she spotted Phoebe and Maddox. Wanting to maintain her image, she swallowed her
words
With a sour expression, she glared at Andrea and said, “I think you’re the one with a problem. You don’t even care about your uncle, yet you insist on caring for this worthless man. I don’t know what you’re hoping for.”
Andrea was livid. “Leave! Get out of here now!”
The
1/3
e woman sneered. “Fine, I’ll leave. But don’t come begging me later.” With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off.
Chapter 11
Andrea noticed Phoebe and Maddox standing there. She looked at them apologetically and said. “This is my mother. I’m sorry you had to see that.”
Phoebe said, “She’s making a fool of herself. Just ignore her.
Hearing Phoebe’s words, Andrea couldn’t help but recall the recent rumors. She thought, ‘Pheebs’s mother moved out of the Jenkins family to protect Sienna. Unbelievable!
She nodded. “Exactly, we just ignore them. Please, come in.
As Phoebe and Maddox entered, they saw an older man lying on the bed, his body frail and thin. His hair was graying, and his energy seemed to be drained. Though only around fifty, he appeared to be in his sixties. Despite his condition, his eyes were gentle and precise.
Frankie Morse greeted them with a warm smile. “Hello, I’m Andrea’s father, Frankie. Thank you both for coming to see me. Please, make yourselves comfortable!”
Phoebe and Maddox smiled and greeted him. “Hello, Frankie!”
After they had sat down, Frankie chatted with them for a while. It was clear he was an engaging and cultured person. However, his energy was low, and after a short conversation, he became tired.
Phoebe couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. She glanced up at Frankie, and after a careful look at his facial features, she thought, ‘As expected, there’s something wrong
Under normal circumstances, Frankie’s life should have been smooth. He might not have been extremely wealthy, but he should have lived comfortably with a happy family.
However, he had been plagued by illness and a streak of misfortune. His children’s fate appeared bleak, and signs of disruption in his marriage suggested his wife had been unfaithful. With no heirs of his own, his circumstances seemed grim. Yet, his demeanor reflected a generous and open–hearted nature.
Despite enduring so much pain and hardship, he remained resilient and determined. He had little resentment and had not grown bitter, which earned Phoebe’s admiration.
Unsurprisingly, although Frankie was not Andrea’s birth father, she treated him as if he were. Their bond was no different from that of a birth father and daughter. Frankie’s outcome, however, was undoubtedly influenced by someone behind the
Phoebe then noticed that Frankie had a darkened hue at the corners of his lips and a faint trace of evil energy. A spell had afflicted him.
This poison was created by inscribing a talisman with evil energy, burning it to ashes, and dissolving it in water. Once consumed, it would turn into a toxin that could impair the organs and lead to severe illness.
Medical treatment could alleviate the symptoms but would only be a temporary solution. Unless the toxin was utterly purged from Frankie’s body, his health would continue to deteriorate.
Phoebe pondered for a moment before speaking. “Frankie, may I ask you a question?”
Frankie smiled and said. “Of course.”
サ
Phoebe asked, “The day before you suddenly fell ill, did someone give you a glass of water or drink? After drinking it, did you feel an unexplained chill in your body?”
Frankie was surprised. “How did you know? The day before I fell ill, Andrea’s mom handed me a glass of juice. After drinking it, I felt a bit cold then–1 just thought she had added ice.”
Andrea trembled. Unable to hold back, she hurriedly asked, “Pheebs, is something wrong with the juice?”
2/3
