731 Dancers

The lively scene instantly made passersby stop and watch. Everyone pulled out their phones to record the performance.

Dancers carried the meaning of bringing blessings, making them especially fitting here.

The videos spread online through reposts, and with them came attention to Saunders Hospital’s grand opening ceremony.

The phrase “Saunders Hospital reopening, senior doctors making their return” quickly became a trending topic.

The dancer troupe, of course, was Wyatt’s doing.

But when Wyatt got out of his car, he didn’t see Yunice come out to watch the dancers.

That wasn’t right…

Could it be that she already knew the troupe was his gift, so she deliberately stayed away?

With one hand in his pocket, Wyatt walked through the crowd and headed backstage.

He casually stopped someone and asked, “Where’s your director?”

The person glanced back without thinking, but was momentarily stunned by Wyatt’s aura of authority. After a brief pause, their mouth outran their brain and they blurted, “I don’t know, I haven’t seen her. She’s probably at the front.”

Wyatt let them go and decided to look for her himself.

He hadn’t seen Yunice at the front earlier, but with how hectic things were today, and knowing her habit of handling everything personally, she could be anywhere lending a hand.

Meanwhile, Victor and Yunice had already arrived at the intersection where Gill’s Porsche had been struck.

But the other vehicle involved in the crash was nowhere to be seen.

From a distance, the two of them could see Gill’s car. The door was badly damaged, caved in deeply.

Victor quickened his pace, gesturing for Yunice to stay back. Since the door was likely jammed, he was prepared to force it open.

He yanked on the door, bracing his foot against the body, kicking twice before finally wrenching it loose.

Then he leaned inside immediately to check on Gill.

Her head was slumped against the passenger seat, completely motionless.

Seeing this, Victor climbed further inside to examine her condition.

At that moment, the car door behind him suddenly shut.

Victor froze, twisting around. Through the window, he saw Yunice standing outside.

But the stunned look on her face told him the door hadn’t been closed by her.

Yunice realized the same thing instantly. She whipped her head around—

And caught sight of a figure.

Just as her expression shifted with surprise, a sharp pain pierced her neck. Yunice staggered, clutching the spot, her eyes fixed on the syringe being withdrawn.

“Yunice!”

Victor barked, straining against the door, but it had automatically locked, trapping him inside.

Cold sweat ran down Yunice’s body as she stumbled back, leaning heavily against the car.

Her voice came out steady, though her eyes burned with betrayal. “Margaret…”

Margaret’s eyes reddened, brimming with tears, though her mouth curved in a bitter smile. “… Didn’t expect you’d still call me Margaret.”

“When Dad wasn’t home, it was you who picked me up, who looked after me, cooked for me, braided my hair. Back then, I envied Paul for having a mother like you… I always relied on you. Seeing you made me feel safe–like seeing my own mom.”

Margaret’s tears threatened to spill, but her smile remained twisted. “Yunice, I’m a mother first. I hope you understand that.”

Yunice knew the moment Margaret’s hand drove the needle into her that she had chosen a side.

The only people who could force Margaret into this were her ex–husband Jensen, or her son Paul.

When Margaret noticed Yunice trying to reach her phone, she swiftly snatched it and tossed it on top of the car where Yunice couldn’t reach.

With her other hand, she drew a knife and slashed toward Yunice’s shoulder.

Yunice cried out, both hands gripping Margaret’s wrist. The blade pierced just enough to draw blood before Yunice managed to hold it back.

Her voice was strained, trembling, but she forced the words out anyway. “Madam Mar…”

Even now, she was trying to call back a shred of Margaret’s conscience.

But Margaret held firm, not loosening her grip. “Yunice, I don’t want this. But don’t make me choose. You’re Wyatt’s weakness. If he sees you bleed, he’ll finally agree to let Paul go.”

With that, she yanked the knife free and tossed it aside. One hand clamped Yunice’s shoulder, shoving her into another waiting car.

Victor pounded against the glass, roaring, but helpless to stop it.

Ten minutes later, Wyatt stood at the scene.

He bent down and pulled the knife from the dirt. Even with soil clinging to it, the fresh bloodstains made it clear what had happened.

A note was tied to the handle. Wyatt unfolded it in silence.

It read: “A life for a life.”

Victor’s fists bled as he growled, “A life for a life? Whose life–Paul’s?”

If they wanted anything else, he could give it.

But Paul was already dead. What could they possibly want in exchange–his corpse?