Chapter 593 The Weight of a Favor

Yunice arched a brow. This tactic of using one force to counter another was exactly her style. Clearly, if someone truly wanted to solve a problem, there was always a way.

Not like some people–using decency and good intentions as an excuse to play the benevolent fool for everyone.

She commented idly, “So you’ve finally cut ties with the Johnsons? No more playing the grateful benefactor?”

Still working on his phone, Wyatt replied, “There’s a limit to paying back a favor. Who wants to carry a parasite on their back?”

Especially one so shameless.

He had already severed ties with the Powells and firmly established his footing. Four years of repaying the Johnsons was more than enough.

Yunice quirked an eyebrow. “Wow. What a selfless act of service to the people.”

After a moment, Wyatt asked, “What about you? When are you going to clear your own debt?”

“Melina,” he added, hinting at the woman she was still taking care of.

Yunice’s gaze dimmed. “She doesn’t ask for anything. Just giving her food is enough. I’ll take care of her until the end.”

After a while, she noticed Wyatt watching her. She lifted her eyes from the book, frowning.

What was he looking at?

Why was he staring at her with that sympathetic, pained expression?

She even glanced down at herself. Nothing seemed out of place.

Wyatt said in a low voice, “I looked into Melina. She had a granddaughter named Lauren who died in a psychiatric ward–an accident.”

So how had Yunice gotten entangled with Melina? What kind of bond made her feel indebted?

He’d tried to investigate, but the orderlies had changed too many times, and the rest were all mentally ill—nothing useful.

He wanted to know what had happened. What could have made Yunice, who hated owing favors and stepping into others‘ karmic messes, ask him to take care of someone else?

The only thread tying Yunice and Melina together was Lauren.

And Lauren was dead.

But how? And why?

Chapter 593 The Weight of a Favor

Yunice had never mentioned Melina publicly—afraid someone would tell the woman that her granddaughter had died. Only Owen, who had handled Lauren’s death certificate, had caught onto a few clues.

Back then, Yunice feared she wouldn’t survive the ward herself. If she died, Melina would be all alone. That’s why she’d asked Wyatt to step in.

Now Melina was terminally ill–stage four cancer. No cure, only a few months left. There was no need to keep hiding the truth.

Yunice said, “The patients there didn’t recognize people, only things. One day Lauren accidentally wore my bag, and they mistook her for me. During one of their ‘games,’ they got too rough. It ended in an accident.”

Her tone was light, but Wyatt’s expression grew heavier, even trembling slightly.

“What kind of game leads to multiple fractures and internal bleeding?” he asked softly.

He’d spent two days in that asylum. The patients had occasional scuffles, but most were stopped quickly by orderlies.

Lauren’s injuries clearly hadn’t come from one person or one brief moment.

Yunice’s face remained calm. “There’s no way to find out anymore.”

The truth was, the institution Owen had sent her to was high-end and strictly managed. Incidents like this weren’t supposed to happen.

But what could rules do against malice?

Elsie had bribed the orderlies. They deliberately encouraged the others to target Yunice—and when she tried to seek help, they cut off every possible avenue.

No one from the Saunders family ever came to check on her. No one cared.

She had no one in her corner.

She still remembered the one time she managed to reach Owen–it was only because he forgot to pay her hospital bill.

She remembered how her hand had trembled holding the phone.

Back then, she still foolishly believed Owen might care. She thought maybe he’d been deceived by Elsie, that he didn’t know the truth.

She’d only managed to whisper “Owen, help me…” before Elsie’s voice came through on his end of the line.

He got distracted immediately.

And the orderly behind Yunice had covered her mouth, ripped the phone away.

After talking with Elsie, Owen came back on the line and said, “Yunice, don’t be stubborn. The doctors are helping you. Get better soon, and I’ll bring you home.”

Chapter 593 The Weight of a Favor

Then he hung up.