Chapter 4

I was utterly furious, wanting to tear her apart with my eyes. I had no choice but to reveal Eleanor's identity.

"You've gone too far! She is Julian Hayes's mother! If anything happens to her, Julian Hayes will never let you off the hook when he gets here!"

Tiffany burst into laughter, scoffing:

"You disgusting women will make up any lie! I just heard you call her 'Mom.' How did she suddenly become Julian Hayes's mother?"

"You've ruined my swimming fun today. I'm going to teach you a lesson. Next time you go out, remember to open your eyes!"

Eleanor was trembling slightly in my arms, her breathing growing weaker. Her heart condition had fully flared up.

If she didn't get her emergency heart medicine soon, she would truly die.

My eyes red, I screamed hoarsely:

"Help! Someone, please help us! Someone's going to die…"

But the entire pool area was empty; there was no one else around.

Mikey also started to panic. He said anxiously:

"Tiffany, what if…"

But she cut Mikey off, completely disregarding human life. She said nonchalantly:

"It's fine. Old ladies like her are stronger than young people. She's just faking it."

"My husband will be here any minute. We can let them out after he arrives. A few more minutes won't hurt. If something was going to happen, it would have already."

A few minutes could cost Eleanor her life if we missed the critical time for rescue.

Despair flooded my heart.

Just then, Mr. Davis, the hotel manager, rushed over. I yelled at him, my voice hoarse:

"Help! My mom is having a heart attack! Get her out of the water immediately and call an ambulance!"

The manager had seen Eleanor years ago, but he didn't recognize her now.

He saw Eleanor's condition and his heart sank. He had heard there was trouble and had come to ingratiate himself with Tiffany.

But now, with someone possibly dying, he quickly weighed upsetting Tiffany against losing his job over a death.

He then smiled at Tiffany and said:

"Ms. Blackwood, maybe we should let them out of the water first. If something really bad happens, you won't be able to use this pool ever again."

Tiffany shot him a haughty look.

"Fine. For your sake, I'll let them out."

The manager quickly had Mikey pull Eleanor and me out of the water.

Eleanor lay motionless on the ground.

Ignoring my own gasping for breath, I sprinted to the changing room, grabbing my bag as fast as I could.

I fumbled, spilling out the emergency heart medicine, and was about to put it in her mouth.

But Tiffany kicked the bottle, sending both it and the pills flying into the pool.

She looked at my furious face and sneered mockingly:

"Alright, stop faking it. I let you out. Now get lost. Next time you see me, remember to walk the other way. I'm feeling generous today, so I'll let you two off."

Rage propelled me forward. I slapped Tiffany hard across the face, my eyes red as I hissed:

"If anything happens to my mother, I swear I'll make you and Julian Hayes both pay the price!"

She hadn't expected me to dare hit her. She shrieked:

"You lunatic! I shouldn't have been soft-hearted. I should have let you two bitches drown!"

I lunged to hit her again, but Mikey and Mr. Davis grabbed my shoulders. Tiffany, meanwhile, slapped me over and over again.

The burning pain on my face cleared my head. I realized that any more delay would cost Eleanor her life.

Struggling free from their grip, I quickly found my phone and called Julian Hayes:

"Julian Hayes, Mom's having a heart attack! We're at the hotel pool in River City. Get the nearest medical team here now!"

"Any later, and Mom will be gone!"

But Julian replied impatiently:

"If your mom has a heart condition, shouldn't *she* be more careful? I'm in a meeting. Call an ambulance yourself."

He then abruptly hung up.

I was trembling with anger. Does he even know whose mother has a heart condition?

The next moment, Tiffany let out a delighted squeal, looking towards the entrance:

"Julian, honey, you're finally here!"