Chapter 303

"Everyone out. I need to rest!"

Vanessa Hart's sharp command sliced through the tension.

A month ago, she might have faked politeness. But now? With her world collapsing and stress gnawing at her sanity, she couldn't spare even a shred of patience for the Hayes family.

The moment the hospital door clicked shut, Margaret Hayes bit her lip. Her thoughts spiraled to Evelyn Carter—caught in last night's storm too. "I hope Evelyn's alright."

Richard Hayes scoffed. "It's Christmas Eve, and she couldn't even send a text. Why waste concern on her?"

Margaret stayed silent, but Oliver Hayes' fingers twitched. His gaze flickered with unease.

"Mom, can I use your phone?"

Margaret handed it over, frowning. "Where's yours?"

"Gone." Oliver shrugged, jaw tight.

Strange. His phone had vanished two days prior. No trace. No explanation.

Margaret's eyes narrowed. "Calling your sister, aren't you?"

The call went straight to voicemail again. Margaret sighed, shaking her head. "You're wasting your time. Evelyn blocked both me and Richard months ago."

Oliver's voice was icy. "Feeling guilty now? You and Dad did more than enough to earn this."

Richard's brows furrowed. "Watch your mouth. What exactly did I do wrong?"

"You really don’t know?" Oliver snapped. "While I was studying overseas, you sent my sister to prison and lied to me, telling me she was deployed with no access to phones. Sound familiar?"

Richard scoffed. "She brought it on herself by crossing Vanessa!"

Oliver let out a bitter laugh. "Vanessa sheds a single tear, and you jump to her defense every time. Do you even remember who your real daughter is? Choosing an adopted child over your own flesh and blood? No wonder Horizon Enterprises is always one step away from collapse."

Richard's face darkened with rage. "Oliver! How dare you speak to me like that!"

"Unless you fix things with Evelyn, you're not my father. If you keep letting her suffer, you mean nothing to me."

Margaret quickly stepped between them, her voice strained. "Both of you, stop this. Let’s just take a breath."

Richard turned his fury on her. "Look what you've done—spoiled him rotten until he thinks he can talk back to me!"

Richard's rage burned hot, but he couldn't bring himself to discipline Oliver. Instead, he redirected his fury toward Margaret.

Margaret recoiled, the injustice of it slicing through her.

"Spoiled him?" Her voice trembled with indignation. "I raised a son who earned a full scholarship to an Ivy League school. That’s my unforgivable sin?"

The mention of Oliver’s academic achievement momentarily cooled Richard’s temper.

Only a handful of students received such an honor each year. Richard had basked in the pride, his chest swelling as word spread through their social circles.

It was one of the reasons he’d always indulged Oliver.

Oliver’s gaze was icy as it flickered between his parents.

"I’m bringing Evelyn home myself." His tone left no room for argument. "You will apologize to her—properly. This is your last chance. If you waste it, neither of us will ever step foot in this house again."

The silence that followed was thick with tension, the weight of his ultimatum settling over them like a storm cloud.