Chapter 217

A screech of tires shattered the silence over Kingsbury's Longping Avenue.

An out-of-control truck barreled into traffic like a rabid beast, triggering a chain reaction of collisions. The sickening crunch of twisting metal filled the air as shattered glass glittered like deadly diamonds under the sun.

The emergency dispatch reported two critically injured passengers—a man and woman—in a black sedan, with minor injuries to the front occupants. Strangely, the truck driver walked away without a scratch.

Madeline Kingsley swayed behind the police tape, her legs buckling.

She tried to rush forward, but her security detail blocked her path. "It's too dangerous, Madam!" The guard's voice boomed in her ears.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

When paramedics carried past a bloodied victim, the old woman's vision darkened. She collapsed onto the pavement, tears blurring her sight. "It's over..." Her lips trembled. "The baby... it's gone..."

The surgical wing hummed with unbearable tension.

The moment Alexander Kingsley appeared at the corridor's end, Eleanor Kingsley staggered toward him. "Alex!" She clutched his sleeve with desperate strength.

Mr. Kingsley pressed both hands against his son's chest. "Listen to us first—"

"Move." Alexander's voice could freeze hell.

Eleanor's tears fell like rain. "Your grandmother is devastated enough. Don't—"

"Devastated?" Alexander's lips curled into a mirthless smile. "She deserves worse."

Mr. Kingsley paled. "How dare you!"

"What should I say then?" Alexander's gaze turned razor-sharp. "Congratulate her for killing my child?"

The words struck like a sledgehammer, making Mr. Kingsley stumble back. His mouth opened, but no sound emerged.

Eleanor sobbed harder. "We're grieving too, but—"

"But what?" Alexander cut in. "But she's old, so murder gets a free pass?"

At the corridor's end, Madeline curled into herself on a bench like a chastised child. Spotting Alexander's approach, she shrank behind her husband.

The patriarch tried to stand tall, but his shoulders slumped under his grandson's glacial stare.

"Grandmother." Alexander stopped before her, his calm tone more terrifying than any shout. "Look at me."

Madeline raised tear-swollen eyes.

"You claimed everything was for Evelyn's sake." Each word fell like a hammer strike. "Are you satisfied now?"

Tears gushed down the old woman's cheeks. "I never meant—"

"Never meant?" Alexander's voice cracked like a whip. "You forced her into that car with perfect clarity!"

The hallway plunged into silence.

Alexander drew a steadying breath. "I want your word."

Madeline nodded frantically. "Anything—"

"If Evelyn survives," he locked onto her watery gaze, "you will never interfere in her life again."

Her lips quivered. "I promise—"

"Swear it." Alexander stepped closer, invading her space. "On Grandfather's health."

The old man's head jerked up, but he shut his eyes in resignation when he met his grandson's stare.

Madeline gasped between sobs. "I swear... on my husband's life... I'll never meddle again..."

Alexander's rigid shoulders eased slightly.

Then a roar echoed down the corridor: "Alexander Kingsley! Look what your family has done!"