Chapter 1

The moment I said it, the hospital room went dead silent.

Even my mother-in-law, Pamela Perkins, who was always warm and gracious with everyone, stared at me wide-eyed. She couldn't believe I'd say something like that to Amy Wheeler, the nanny who had saved my own son, Samuel Gable.

"Mabel, Amy was burned across 80% of her body saving Samuel, and all he felt was a slight burning sensation in his fingers because she protected him.

"She's lying in the ICU because she saved him, and you can still say something so heartless? You really are cold-blooded, just like when you drove your own grandmother to her death fighting your brother over the family inheritance."

Pamela looked at Sophia Locke with sympathy. Sophia was Amy's daughter and had taken time off from college to be at the hospital.

"Sophia, you've seen what your mother went through to save Samuel. If you're willing, I'd like to take you in as my own granddaughter and welcome you into the Gable family."

Tears streamed down Sophia's face as she shook her head. "No, Mrs. Gable Sr. My mom taught me never to take anything I haven't earned.

"I know you're only offering because she saved Samuel, but I don't want to benefit from her suffering. Besides, I don't want Ms. Sadler fighting with you because of me."

Seeing how considerate Sophia was only made Pamela think even worse of me.

Sophia's eyes reddened as she spoke, and the patients and visitors around us began glaring at me. A few even clenched their fists.

But with two bodyguards beside me, I wasn't worried that anyone would try anything.

Sophia spoke to Pamela with quiet maturity. "Mrs. Gable Sr., I'm just a college student. I have no money or connections, and I don't want this to cause trouble between you and Ms. Sadler.

"My mom took plenty of expensive supplements while she was working for the Gable family, so Ms. Sadler has every right to ask us to pay her back."

Then she turned to me. "Ms. Sadler, I'm sorry on my mom's behalf. She'll never take anything that doesn't belong to her from your home again."

I simply watched it all, my expression cold.

In my previous life, Sophia's meek and obedient act had won my sympathy. I brought her to every social event I attended and treated her like my own daughter.

But this time, I made a different choice, and everything changed. Amy had suffered burns across 80% of her body saving Samuel, only to be fired by me. The story quickly began trending online.

A crowd of reporters poured into the hospital corridor, microphones raised as they jostled to get close enough to question me.

One woman took advantage of her petite frame and quickly squeezed her way to the front. She immediately launched into her questions.

"Ms. Sadler! There are reports that Amy risked her life rushing into the fire to save your son and is still lying in a hospital bed. Yet this is when you've chosen to fire her.

"Aren't you turning your back on the person who saved his life? Amy's daughter, Sophia, told us that you fired her mother just because she poured your son a glass of water. Is that true?"