Chapter 3

When I finished speaking, all that was left in my eyes as I looked at Carl was a dead stillness.

I understood perfectly that from this moment on, this family was not one I could ever trust.

They were scheming against me—specifically, against the assets and shares in my name.

The instant my words fell, Carl's expression changed.

He stared at me hard and said, "Catherine, do you even know what you're saying?"

"You clearly stole it, and you won't admit it!"

"And you still want to control the money?"

I couldn't be bothered to deal with Carl. I just stared at him and said, "Carl, are you sure you won't take me to the hospital?"

As I said it, my face had already gone pale, and the sharp pain crashing over me made me realize I had to get to the hospital right now.

That kind of pain nearly made me pass out.

Carly rushed over and suddenly grabbed me. "Catherine, stop putting on this act."

"My brother is doing this for your own good!"

"You'd better sign it!"

"Otherwise, there's no way you're leaving here!"

As she said it, she planted herself directly in my path.

My eyes stayed fixed on this family.

At that moment, the three of them stood there blocking me.

Even though they knew I was already in so much pain I was about to pass out.

Yet this family not only refused to take me to the hospital, they were forcing me to sign documents.

In that moment, I finally understood—this family had been scheming against me from the very start.

They were taking advantage of me while I was gravely ill to force my hand.

I took a deep breath and tried to speak again, but a sharp pain tore through my belly, and I nearly fainted from it.

I collapsed right there on the floor; the pain left me without even the strength to stand.

"Carl... I'm begging you..."

I lifted my head, looked at Carl, and pleaded, "Take me to the hospital, I really am in so much pain I feel like I'm dying!"

But the moment I finished, Carl simply held the document out to me.

"Sign it, and I'll take you to the hospital!"

He said it as if he were completely in the right.

Looking at him, I opened my mouth, but I couldn't get a single word out.

I had never imagined that the person I thought I could rely on for the rest of my life would treat me like this.

"Catherine, hurry up! If you don't sign, there's no way we're taking you to the hospital!"

Beside me, Carly spoke up quickly.

And she kept her eyes fixed on me.

I raised my head and glanced at the time on the screen.

I knew that, going by the time, my cousins would be here any moment now.

And at that, strangely, I stopped panicking.

I took a deep breath, looked at Carl, and with a trace of anger now in my eyes, said, "Carl, are you sure you really want to do this?"

"Do you have any idea this is illegal!"

When I finished, I looked at Carl.

Carl clearly flinched for a moment, then said to me, "Catherine, you'd better sign it!"

"Don't worry—even if you sign, I'll still treat you well from now on!"

I looked at Carl, the pain leaving me unable to say a word.

I didn't even have the strength to pick up a pen and sign.

Trembling, I stretched out my hand toward Carl and said, "Carl... take me to the hospital first, I really am in so much pain I'm dying!"

But the moment I finished, Carl's gaze only grew colder. "Catherine, if you don't sign, there's no way I'm taking you to the hospital!"

"Sign it, now!"