"It''s not like you don''t know how much I''ve sacrificed for this family. And yet, you''re ming everything on me even though it''s Rita''s fault for getting herself into this situation. I know myst name isn''t Russell, but haven''t I done enough to be considered part of your family?"


    Vince embraced Karen and patted her back. "Alright, I shouldn''t have been so harsh. I didn''t mean what I said. I was just very worried about Rita. But can you stop making a fuss for my sake since there''s an outsider here?"


    Karen finally stopped crying after that, but her lips were pale, making her look weak.


    "You don''t look too well. You should get yourself checked too when we send Rita to the hospital." Vince then turned to his stepdaughter. "Sadie,e help your mother." However, Vince did not expect Sadie''s attention to be fully focused on Sherman. She was watching him intently as if she was afraid to miss any of his expressions. Sherman noticed her gaze but chose not to engage with her. Sadie''s stare made him ufortable.


    Seeing this, Vince understood Sadie''s intentions very well. ''So that''s why she came to Sherman''s defense. Pity that she doesn''t see that he doesn''t care about her at all.'' Throughout the whole ordeal, Sherman did not even spare a single nce at Sadie.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Vince started to look down on his stepdaughter. ''She can''t evenpare to my daughter, not even by a finger.''


    Vince became anxious. "Enough wasting time here. We need to quickly take Rita to the hospital. I''m going to make whoever did this to her pay if anything happens to her!"


    After making the threatening remarks, Vince hurriedly arranged for Rita to be taken to the hospital, though Sherman intervened briefly to prevent other men from entering. What if someone said something inappropriate and it got out, harming Rita?


    It seemed Vince only then noticed Sherman was still present.


    "Mister Sherman, I think you should leave now. This is ultimately our family affair. Although you''re Rita''s good friend, your rtionship is only that of friends. It might lead to gossip if others catch you here," said Vince firmly.


    Seeing Vince''s determination, Sherman had no choice but to leave. He did not understand why Vince was so fickle.


    Initially, Vince seemed determined to stand up for Rita, but as soon as Karen and Sadie shed a few tears, he immediately lost his determination.


    ''It doesn''t take much to figure out that those two women have something to do with this. How could he have believed their lies? Does he really think Rita likes to y around?'' thought Sherman. Nevertheless, it was ultimately a family matter, and he had no right to interfere too much on Rita''s behalf.


    Karen sighed in relief as she watched Sherman leave, but she quickly sensed her husband staring at her and her daughter with a hostile gaze.


    ''I wonder what tricks that little vixen had used to manipte Sherman into siding with her,'' thought Karen.


    When Sadie had shown interest in Sherman, Karen had also thought they were a good match. She would be his mother-inw if Sadie married him, which would only add to her prestige. Thus, it was unfortunate that Sherman had fallen under Rita''s spell.


    After Rita was taken to the hospital and examined, the doctor confirmed that she had been drugged with a small amount of sedatives, but there were no serious side effects. Only then did Vince rx. Sitting by Rita''s bedside, he looked deeply concerned. Karen, noticing his distress, tried to show some thoughtfulness by suggesting he take a break and get something to eat.


    She gently ced a hand on Vince''s shoulder. "Darling, you''ve been here for a long time. Why don''t you take a break and get something to eat? Il look after her while you''re gone. Besides, you sitting here isn''t going to make her wake up any faster."


    However, Vince did not respond as he normally would to Karen''s gentle voice.