Chapter 354

She pulled it out and tried to pick up the pace, but she was a step too late. Fay’s men were on her, tackling her to the ground.

One of the men in black gave Fay something to swallow, and the signs of poisoning began to subside. Meanwhile, her own condition worsened. Her breathing became labored. “Am I going to die here?” she wondered.

She couldn’t. She had to get home. She hadn’t even told Sienna she was leaving.

“Bring her to me,” Fay ordered.

“Yes, sir!”

Fay’s eyes were cold as he ripped the mask from her face, revealing her features. He knew that face instantly.

He took a deep breath. “Give her the antidote. Take her inside.”

“Yes, sir.”

Why was Winifred here? Fay picked up the photo from the ground. She must have become suspicious after seeing him with her sister’s picture and decided to track him down.

“So this is your family?” he thought.

He tore the photograph to pieces. Maybe this was his chance to get back to her.

“Don’t hurt her. Just keep her unconscious,” he said.

“Yes, sir.”

Rowena couldn’t reach Winifred and was starting to panic. Just as she was about to head to the Hart residence, she received a reply.

[I’m fine. Everything’s okay.]

Rowena sighed in relief. She turned around to find her mother, Yvonne, standing right behind her, walking into the house with a blank expression.

“What are you doing here?”

Yvonne surveyed the large, empty villa. “When are you going to stop this nonsense, Rowena? Do I need to remind you who you are?”

Rowena retorted, “My name is Rowena Clare. I’m a human being. That’s my identity.”

“You!” Rowena’s words were like thorns, catching in Yvonne’s throat.

“You are a Clare. Do you have any idea what kind of gossip you’re creating for the family? The disgrace you’re bringing on us? To see you parading yourself in front of a camera… it’s a slap in my face. I didn’t spend all that money on your education just for you to become some cheap actress. Do you know what they’re saying about me? That my well-bred daughter ran off to be in the movies.”

Yvonne’s voice was a torrent of fury, her words sharp and cruel.

Rowena was used to her mother’s belittling, but no matter how many times it happened, it still hurt. Her heart ached with a familiar sense of injustice.

“And! Did their words break your legs? Did they kill you?”

“Rowena!” Yvonne shrieked, raising a hand to strike her.

Rowena backed away. “My face is my livelihood now. Don’t even think about it. Please leave, or I’ll have security show you out.”

“Rowena! I am your mother! How dare you speak to me like that? It’s utterly disrespectful, absolutely shameless!”

Yvonne trembled with rage, her eyes red. Then she added, “It seems you’re not just living off your face, but your body, too. You left home without a penny, yet you’re living in a place like this. Your sponsor must be very wealthy.”

Rowena’s eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn’t imagine those words coming from her own mother’s mouth.

“Is that… is that really what you think of me?” Rowena demanded.

Seeing the hope in Rowena’s eyes fade and give way to crushing disappointment, Yvonne felt a jolt of panic.

“…” For a moment, Yvonne was at a loss for words.

“Get out!” Rowena suddenly exploded. “Get out of here, now!”

Rowena shoved her mother away and ran upstairs.

Yvonne opened her mouth to call after her, but the words wouldn’t come.

When Winifred woke up, she found herself bound hand and foot to a bed. The restraints were tight; she couldn’t move. She struggled, but they were locked solid.

“Let me go!” Winifred yelled.

Hearing her voice, Fay walked into the room.