Chapter 3

They had twisted everything, turning me into a violent freeloader who married into his wife's family.

The chat confirmed it. Strangers were cursing at me. Even the police, caught up in the holiday spirit, tried to persuade me–saying families should stay harmonious during the New Year, that I should think about Lily.

It was absurd.

With the crowd backing her, Vera used brute force to pry Lily out of my arms.

Only the chat–those who knew the truth–were on my side, cursing Vera nonstop.

[Can this vicious woman just die?!]

[I can't take it anymore. How can someone be this disgusting? She already applied for an operating room. She's made up her mind, she's going to take Lily's heart!]

I was frantic, but to outsiders it looked like Vera was holding me in a close embrace.

Only I knew that where no one could see, she was pressing hard over my mouth, stopping me from making a sound.

My mother-in-law saw Lily alone and quickly got up, grabbed her, tucked her under her arm, and ran.

The crowd burst into cheers, but no one noticed how tightly she was gripping Lily's wrist–so hard it left a bloody mark.

I struggled desperately, trying to call for help, but no one paid attention.

Applause broke out around me. They thought they had 'saved a family.'

However, no one cared how my daughter felt.

Vera was a surgeon. If she wanted to operate, she could do it anytime.

The fact that she chose New Year's Day meant Ace's condition had already reached a critical point.

I did not dare imagine what would happen to Lily after she was taken away.

After the crowd dispersed, I bit Vera hard and demanded hysterically,

"Why?! Lily is your biological daughter! Why are you choosing him over her?!"

Vera only glanced at me coldly and locked me in the hotel.

Luckily, it was only the second floor. I jumped down and escaped.

When I reached her hospital, I searched room after room.

Not here.

Not here either.

Just when I was about to lose hope, I finally saw my daughter.

Her eyes were tightly shut, her small face pale as she lay quietly on the bed.

I did not think, I immediately yanked the IV needle from the back of her hand.

Just as I picked her up and turned to leave, Vera suddenly appeared, blocking my path.

Her voice carried a threat. "Levi, what are you doing? I only brought her here for a check-up."

The chat flashed again.

[This shameless woman already had Lily tested for compatibility. This surgery is for a direct heart transplant.]

I completely broke down and shouted,

"Vera, do you even have a heart?! Lily is your own daughter!"

A trace of hesitation flickered in Vera's eyes–but the next second, her gaze hardened.

"Put Lily down. I'll perform the surgery myself. She won't feel any pain.

"Levi, trust me."

My blood ran cold. At that moment, I was completely done with her.

I grabbed a scalpel from the nearby tray. Holding my daughter in one arm, I waved the blade wildly with the other.

"If you dare touch a single hair on my daughter's head, I'll kill you!"

Vera's expression turned cold and heavy. She hadn't expected such a reaction.

Gritting her teeth, she prepared to force her way forward.

"Levi, you brought this on yourself. You could have just handed her over.

"Why did you have to push things this far?"

She stared at me like a predator, closing in step by step.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door.

I shouted at the top of my lungs,

"Help! Someone's trying to kill us!"

The door was slammed open. Police and reporters rushed in.

Vera stared at me in disbelief.

"You actually called the police?!"