Chapter 3

As soon as Rachel arrived at the hospital, she woke up. The doctors examined her and confirmed that she was unharmed.

I hovered nearby and couldn't help but snicker. Rachel's fainting act worked every time—Mom never questioned it.

The doctors urged that Rachel undergo a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible. Only then did Mom remember me and ordered someone to return to the basement to find me.

The bodyguards returned quickly. "Madam, the maid Tammy is no longer in the basement, and we couldn't locate Miss Cassidy either."

Rachel's brow furrowed. "But didn't Tammy say her legs were ruined? How could she have left so quickly?"

Mom's face darkened, teeth clenched with rage. "Of course, Tammy was faking it! Cassidy must have taught her."

Seeing Mom provoked, Rachel's lips quivered, and suddenly tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Mom… please don't blame Cassidy anymore. It's fine. I've made peace with dying… I just can't bear to leave you."

Mom tenderly ruffled her hair.

"Darling, don't worry. It's just a little leukemia. No matter what it costs, I'll find a matching donor for you."

Her gaze hardened suddenly.

"As for Cassidy… even if I have to dig three feet into the earth, I'll find her!"

Rachel rested her head against Mom's chest, eyes glinting with calculating determination.

"Thank you, Mom. But I feel for you. If a new donor is available, you won't have to exhaust yourself searching for Cassidy. Once I recover, I can take over your work. You can retire and enjoy life."

Mom paused, startled, then shook her head.

"I have to find Cassidy! As long as Cassidy admits her mistake and voluntarily donates to you, I'll hand the company and the Porter family entirely over to her management. You just focus on recovering, and live carefree as a little princess."

I hovered, stunned, staring at Mom until I was certain her gaze was sincere.

I had always thought Mom had no love for me. For my sister, she had drugged me to make me miss my SATs. For my sister, she had driven me from home, leaving me to wander the streets.

Rachel shared my shock. She paused, then said, "I really miss Cassidy too… Where is she?"

But I could clearly see the venom behind her eyes, like a dagger laced with poison.

Mom patted Rachel's back gently, preparing to comfort her, when the assistant rushed in, panicked. "There's a video call!"

On the screen, a masked figure shook the water bottle containing my ashes, glaring at Mom.

"Your daughter's last ashes are with me. Want them? One million cash, and they're yours!"

Mom glanced at the bottle and snorted. "Another actor hired by Cassidy. That's not ashes—it's milk powder. I don't care; just dump it."

The camera cut to Tammy on the floor. Her eyes were swollen and red, her wails piercing.

"Madam! Miss Cassidy died such a tragic death! Please… don't destroy her ashes!"

Mom remained silent for several seconds.

Fearing Mom might soften, Rachel covered her mouth and cried out, "Mom, you just cut off Sister's living expenses, and now, she's working with outsiders to trick your money!"

Mom, still dazed, instantly relaxed at Rachel's words.

"Cassidy… you've stooped this low. You'd rather con me with strangers than save your sister. How could I have given birth to such an ungrateful child?"

She cut the video call and threw her phone aside.

Even as a ghost, I felt the familiar ache in my chest. Mom still only trusted Rachel, just like three years ago.

Shortly after, Rachel fainted again.

The attending physician's tone was grave.

"Currently, no donor matches except Cassidy's bone marrow. Madam, please have Miss Cassidy come immediately to donate, or Rachel's next fainting spell could be life-threatening."

Hearing this, Mom gazed at Rachel's sleeping face, worry etched deep.

A new foreign doctor approached.

"I just checked. Three years ago, the hospital stored leftover bone marrow from Cassidy. With her consent, the hospital can legally use it."

He scrolled through his data, then froze, his face turning pale. "What? Cassidy died three years ago?!"