Chapter 752

With a single word from Joe, their lives could be extinguished. Peter and Samuel froze, rigid with fear. They couldn't comprehend how Skylar had completely won Joe's affection.

Skylar approached Joe. Witnessing violence was nothing new to him.

"Does your hand hurt?" Joe asked softly, his concern evident.

Skylar glanced at her slightly reddened palm, still stinging from the slaps.

"Mr. Martin…" Peter stammered desperately. Regaining his composure, he ignored the throbbing pain in his swollen face and pleaded, "Mr. Martin, my mother's condition is critical. This hospital is inadequate. Given that she's Skylar's biological mother, please help us. It's a small favor for someone of your stature."

Samuel remained silent, his mind racing, but he dared not speak.

Sadie groaned. "It hurts… so much… unbearable… I don't know how much longer I can live. Skye, I'm your mother. Mr. Martin, please have mercy and save me." Terrified of dying, she rejected the doctors' grim prognosis. She wouldn't die.

Seeing Skylar unharmed, Joe turned to Sadie and her sons. Hope flickered in their eyes as he glanced at them, but he merely took Skylar's hand and left.

Stunned, they were speechless.

"They left? Just like that? What's happening?" Samuel finally exclaimed.

Peter's frustration boiled over. He stormed to Sadie's bedside and, unable to control his rage, slapped her repeatedly, venting his anger. "Didn't you say you were sure Skylar could help us? I heard everything outside. You completely lost your temper. Are you doing this on purpose? Are you trying to get back at us? Do you have any idea how difficult things are right now?"

"It's all your fault, Mom!" Samuel shouted, barely restraining his fury. "You've dragged us down, destroyed our hope. Are you even our mother? This is all your fault!"

Thankfully, Samuel stopped himself from striking Sadie. The other patients watched in shock.

One finally spoke, his voice trembling. "That woman… your mother… she coughed up blood and died! You beat her to death…"

"Murder! Murder!" the others echoed.

Peter froze, ashen-faced, staring at Sadie. He staggered back, collapsing to the ground. Blood flowed from Sadie's mouth and nose; her eyes bulged. Her face was deathly pale.

Samuel was horrified. "Peter… you killed Mom…"

"It can't be! She couldn't have died from my beating! Doctor! Get in here, now!" Peter screamed, rushing from the ward.

Doctors and nurses arrived. Initially stunned by Sadie's condition, they immediately began emergency procedures. After ten minutes, they confirmed her death.

The ward's patients informed the doctors of the events, who immediately called the police. Upon their arrival, Peter was taken away. With several witnesses, Samuel confirmed Peter's guilt, establishing his own innocence.