Chapter 6: Where Is the Wound? Show Me!

The man’s gaze was icy, filled with suspicion and hostility—like a venomous snake assessing its prey. I had clearly helped him, so why this? Was he insulted, unable to bear the humiliation? Instinctively, Yunice stepped back, lowered her head to adjust her clothing, and ignored his stare. Without her support, he seemed unsteady, leaning heavily on a black cane hidden behind him.

Yunice had no intention of interfering, yet the man radiated an air of nobility. His status was clearly extraordinary. His captors obviously wanted no witnesses; as an eyewitness, I could be implicated. I'd sneaked out that day, wanting only to avoid trouble. Helping him was, in a way, self-preservation.

Fortunately, he was crippled. Whatever he planned, as long as I grabbed the bank card and ran, he wouldn't catch me. As expected, he didn't chase her. Yunice relaxed. Now, she could process what happened. The man’s face flashed in her memory; besides a sense of familiarity, something else… a peculiar herbal scent. She didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she rushed to the auction house, grabbing a box of Alphasirox pills before buying a new phone and unregistered SIM card.

Owen and Lily were still at the hospital. In the ward, Giana tidied Elsie’s things, muttering, “If Ms. Saunders had returned earlier, Ms. Elsie wouldn’t be ill. Now she’ll stay longer…”

Owen frowned, looking towards the hallway. Yunice was nowhere to be seen. Annoyed, he snapped, “She’s heartless! How precious are her legs that she won’t even visit?”

Lily’s eyes were red with exhaustion. Wiping Elsie’s hands, she defended Yunice, “She just got home. Maybe she’s tired. Don’t be too harsh.”

Owen scoffed, “She had good food and sleep at the psychiatric hospital. How tired could she be?”

In this household, Mother managed everyone’s needs; Elsie studied and worked in place of her incompetent sister; Oscar was overseas; and I managed the hospital and earned money. None of us dared claim tiredness. Yet Yunice, squandering the family’s money in a psychiatric hospital, had the nerve to call herself exhausted?

Just then, Giana cheerfully approached, holding a box. “Mr. Owen, this necklace must be worth a fortune! It’s so beautiful!” She took it out, turning to Elsie. “Let me help you put it on!”

Elsie, thinking it was for her, was overjoyed. But before she could wear it, Owen realized something. Seeing the necklace about to be placed around Elsie’s neck, he blurted, “That’s for Yunny!”

Giana froze. Lily was startled, then her brow furrowed slightly, as if understanding something. Elsie’s face flushed crimson, and she hastily pushed Giana’s hands away. Owen felt awkward. “Elsie, this one isn’t valuable. I’ll buy you a better one next time.”

Elsie sighed enviously, “It’s not about the price; it’s about the sentiment. This pendant has three stars—two large ones protecting a smaller one, like you and Oscar care for your sister… I wish I could be part of that bond, but I’m always an outsider.”

Owen flicked her forehead, “Why compare yourself to her? Oscar and I care about you most.”

Elsie glanced at the necklace Owen casually pocketed, her expression darkening. If they truly cared, they would have given it to me.

Owen called Giana outside. In the hallway, he stared coldly. “Remember—you’re just a housekeeper. Overstep again, and leave.”

Giana felt wronged, “But the gifts from you and Mr. Oscar were always for Ms. Elsie…”

Owen cut her off, “Do I have only one sister?” Giana wanted to mention Yunice stealing her phone, but Owen was too irritated to listen. “I’m going home to get Elsie’s clothes.”

Returning to the Saunders mansion, the lights were on, but Yunice was absent. Elsie was ill, yet Yunice slept soundly? Owen knocked on Yunice’s door. After a minute, it opened. She wore an oversized, damp T-shirt. Up close, he noticed something—her unnatural pallor, her weight loss. The oversized shirt made her seem like a fragile paper doll. Then something struck him. A faint odor of decay lingered.

A twenty-year-old should be vibrant; hair smooth and flowing, movements light and lively, a warm smile, bright eyes. Like Elsie. But Yunice was sluggish, her gaze downcast. Her hands hesitantly pressed against her stomach, her back hunched. Even a seventy-year-old had more energy. Elsie’s image flashed through Owen’s mind, and he snapped, “This isn’t a psychiatric hospital. Stop acting like an old lady! Straighten your back!”

Yunice frowned. My internal injuries were already painful; movement worsened it. At the black market, I'd pushed myself too hard. It was agony. She tried to explain, “I can’t straighten up; it’s too—”

Before she could say “painful,” Owen grabbed her shoulders, forcibly straightening her, refusing to let her hold her stomach. Watching her face whiten with pain, struggling, he still wouldn’t let go. He stubbornly wanted to force her back to her old self.

“I said it hurts! It hurts!” Yunice shoved him away, panting, her eyes cold. Owen stumbled back, grabbing the doorframe for support.

“Owen! Yunice! Don’t fight!” Elsie coughed, hurrying over with Lily’s help.

Owen came to his senses, snapping at Yunice, “Where does it hurt? Your arms? Your legs? Show everyone! Otherwise, people will think I’m bullying you!”

Yunice had no visible wounds. The psychiatric hospital was skilled at tormenting people without leaving external injuries.

Yunice replied coldly, “I have internal injuries causing slow hemorrhaging. To see my wounds, you’d have to slice me open. Would you dare look?”

Lily’s eyes reddened. Choking up, she said, “Yunny, your brother cares about you. He’d never hurt you. Saying such things will break his heart!” Tears welled. She instructed Giana, “Prepare the car. We’re taking Yunny to the hospital, just in case.”

Unexpectedly, Owen remained stubborn. “Yunice, our family owns a hospital. Think before you lie! Internal bleeding causes unbearable pain, yet you haven’t even cried out and still have the strength to push me? I think you’re making things up!”