Chapter 7

As the anesthesia wore off, Scarlett slowly began to regain consciousness. The moment her eyes fluttered open, she saw Calvin and Eugene exhale in relief. "Scarlett, we had blood banks brought in from across the city for your surgery. Thank goodness you're alright." "Are you in pain? We'll get the doctors in here right away to check on you." Their faces were etched with unmistakable concern and care, but all Scarlett could feel was exhaustion. Her thoughts slipped back to the scene she'd seen before losing consciousness. It sent a chill through her. She remained silent, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Her quietness only deepened Calvin and Eugene's concern, prompting them to summon a team of doctors to check on her. Still, Scarlett said nothing. In the end, the psychiatrist concluded that she was probably suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and developed a comprehensive treatment plan. After reviewing the plan, Calvin and Eugene both wore deep frowns. "How could a car accident cause something this severe?" The doctor weighed his words before answering, "It might not just be the car accident. There's a possibility that a series of events leading up to this have had a lasting impact. "I suggest you both take some time to reflect on what she's been through in the past few years. That way, we can get to the root of what's affecting her." But hadn't Scarlett been in prison all that time? What could have happened to her there? Lost in thought, Eugene and Calvin remembered the scars they'd seen on her body before the concert. While they didn't suspect Sharon, they were certain Scarlett must have endured something difficult during her time in prison. They immediately called for Olivia. "Head to the prison and retrieve the surveillance footage from the past few years." A flicker of emotion finally crossed Scarlett's face as she lay in the hospital bed. Just as she lifted her gaze, she spotted Sharon, who had stopped Olivia and was now wheeling herself into the room. Her eyes locked onto Scarlett, her voice filled with pity. "Scarlett, why did you suddenly hit me in the car? Did I do something to upset you?" The moment the words left her lips, the room seemed to freeze. Eugene and Calvin turned to Scarlett in disbelief. Their voices grew harsh as they demanded answers. "Sharon went home with you out of kindness, and yet you hurt her behind our backs again?" "I thought the car accident was just bad luck, but now it's clear it was all driven by your jealousy." Under their icy, accusatory glares, Scarlett clenched the edge of her hospital gown, struggling to keep the surge of anger within her from breaking free. "She was the one who sent the driver away first, locked the car doors to keep me from leaving, and then played that footage of me in prison on the car's screen—" Sharon cut her off at the perfect moment, tears streaming down her face in a heartbreaking display. "I'll admit, I've made my share of mistakes, but I've spent years trying to atone for them. "I've been involved in so many charity projects. Eugene and Calvin can vouch for that. All I ever wanted was to confront my fears, to see if I could get back behind the wheel…" Without missing a beat, Calvin and Eugene pulled Sharon into their arms, offering comfort as they wiped away her tears. Scarlett's fists clenched, her patience breaking as her voice grew cold. "You're still spinning this story? You're the one who tried to kill me in the accident! It's all on the dashcam!" Sharon's sobs grew more desperate as she turned her tear-filled eyes toward Eugene and Calvin. "I'm not lying, Eugene and Calvin. You can check the dashcam footage." Soon enough, the dashcam video from before the accident was brought over. Watching Scarlett lose her composure in the car on the footage, Eugene couldn't hold back anymore. His eyes turned cold as they fixed on her. "The truth is, you set this whole thing up out of spite. You distracted Sharon while she was driving and caused the crash! What's left for you to say in your defense?" Scarlett hadn't expected the dashcam to have only recorded the final moments. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but then she suddenly remembered the surveillance camera she was wearing. In a panic, she grabbed the necklace around her neck, the one hiding the pinhole camera. "I still have proof—" "That's enough!" Calvin cut her off, his eyes brimming with disappointment and a quiet rage. "How far are you willing to take this? Back when you hurt Sharon, I brushed it off as petty rivalry and let it go. "But you almost got her killed yesterday. Do you really hate her that much for taking your place? Let me remind you—she's the Swain family's true daughter!"