Chapter: 282

The doctors shared a hesitant Look.

“Out with it! Why did this happen? Who was she with?" Exhausted, Bethany leaned heavily against the wall, her voice hoarse from shouting. “I need to see the surveillance footage from the room. You two, get back in there and help my mom, or I swear, the hospital will hear about this!"

She was baffled by her mother's sudden outburst. Nothing recent could have triggered such distress.

Despite her objections to Bethany and Jonathan's relationship, her mother had never shown such extreme reactions before. She had even taken the time to speak with Jayson, clearly still concerned about Bethany's future.

It just didn't add up.

“Unfortunately, the surveillance cameras in that room aren't working today, so there's no footage available."

The news struck Bethany like a cold shock, draining her color as she slid down the wall in defeat. Desperate for answers, she pulled out her phone and dialed Jonathan's number repeatedly.

One, two, five, ten times... Still, there was no response.

Meanwhile, in Francine's room, Jonathan's phone lay forgotten on the balcony, set to silent. The screen flickered on and off, unnoticed.

"Francine..." Maddie's voice was gentle as she spotted the phone.

Francine turned, a sneer of triumph playing across her features. "She refused to see reason. Now, she's going to learn the hard way. Everything is unfolding perfectly. We just need to make sure Jonathan remains clueless."

Maddie nodded in agreement. "Okay, I understand."

Footsteps resounded outside the ward.

The door swung open, and Jonathan entered to see Maddie clutching his mother's hand, her cheeks wet with tears.

Maddie's gaze met Jonathan's, her eyes swollen from crying. "Jonathan, the doctor says Francine's condition is critical. It's best you don't head to the office today. She might wake up, and I think she'd want to see you."

Jonathan remained aloof, his brow furrowed, making no move to comfort her.

"You can go now. There's nothing more to be done here."

“Okay, just call if you need anything," she replied reluctantly.

As the conversation shifted towards communications, a spike of fear shot through Maddie. At the same moment, Francine, feigning unconsciousness, subtly squeezed her hand.

“Have you seen my phone?"

Jonathan began rummaging around, the tension in the room mounting.

Maddie and Francine remained motionless, holding their breath.

They could not afford for him to discover the ongoing situation with Bethany.

Seizing the moment, Maddie discreetly slid Jonathan's phone into her purse.