Chapter 5: I've Put Up with You for a Long Time

A scream and a thud echoed at the same time.

Clara hit the ground sideways before she could even react, her shoulder cracking with a sharp pain.

Then, a searing pain shot through her scalp as a strong force yanked her head up.

Victoria squatted in front of her, one hand gripping her hair.

"You want me to take the blame so badly? It'd be a shame if I didn't live up to this little play my dear sister has set up!"

Victoria's cold, beautiful face twisted into a sneer, sending chills down Clara's spine.

"You dare!" Clara screamed through the pain.

"Why wouldn't I? I've put up with you long enough!" Victoria shot back.

"It hurts!" Clara yelled in agony.

Victoria tightened her grip, then yanked Clara up by her hair.

Clara felt like her scalp was being torn apart, the pain worse than her shoulder injury, like someone was slicing her scalp with a knife.

Victoria dragged her to the edge of a nearby pond.

She looked down at Clara's pained, pitiful face, her own cold, beautiful face showing no sympathy.

"Victoria, if you dare throw me in, Lucas won't forgive..." Before she could finish, there was a splash.

Victoria tossed Clara into the pond like she was throwing out trash, then crossed her arms and watched Clara struggle in the water.

"Help."

Victoria had chosen this spot because it was secluded.

Everyone thought Clara couldn't swim, but her swimming skills were actually top-notch.

On the second floor not far away, two people had been watching the whole scene.

Three minutes later.

Victoria's sharp ears picked up the sound of urgent footsteps.

She saw Lucas, accompanied by his assistant Gavin Brown, appear before her. He shot her a glare and asked coldly, "Where's Clara?"

He had just finished his work and returned to Clara's ward, only to find her missing but saw the text message Victoria had sent to Clara, so he came looking.

Victoria rolled her eyes at him. The cries for help were so obvious; was he deaf?

She didn't answer him but slightly turned her head to look at the pond.

The two men followed her gaze, but it was pitch black, and they couldn't see anything.

Gavin's eyes widened as he stuttered, "Mr. Tudor, I think I heard Clara's voice."

Lucas was stunned and took a few more steps forward.

Gavin took out his phone and turned on the flashlight, scanning the area. He really did see a figure struggling in the middle of the pond.

"Lucas, save me, Lucas."

It was indeed Clara's voice.

"Clara, don't be afraid, I'm coming to save you."

Lucas quickly took off his clothes and jumped into the pond without a second thought, while Gavin called for a few medical staff and security guards.

Although it wasn't winter yet, it was already autumn, and the night air was chilly.

"Clara, wake up, don't scare me," Lucas anxiously called out, holding Clara in his embrace.

A nearby nurse said worriedly, "Mr. Tudor, let's take Clara back to her room first and have the doctor check her."

Clara had gotten into trouble at their hospital, and these two were members of a wealthy family. They couldn't afford for anything to go wrong.

At this moment, Clara woke up.

She weakly opened her eyes and said to Lucas, "Lucas, don't blame Victoria, this has nothing to do with her."

After saying that, she glanced at Victoria and then fainted again.

Victoria squinted her eyes; this trick always worked.

Only then did everyone notice Victoria standing nearby. Dressed in black and silent, she had blended perfectly into the night.

Lucas, his eyes red, glared coldly at her and said icily, "I have something to say to you later."