Chapter 7

Elise's heart felt like it was being ripped apart as she watched her own son choose another woman over her. Aaron was the child she had nearly died giving birth to, having suffered massive blood loss during delivery. Alexander was also the man she had loved for six years, yet he discarded her as if she were nothing more than trash. Fortunately, she had never truly placed her hopes in either of them. If no one would save her, she would save herself. While the kidnapper pushed Alicia forward and everyone's attention was on her, Elise made her move. Gritting her teeth, she lowered her head and rammed straight into the kidnapper with all the strength she had left. The sudden impact caught him off guard, causing him to stumble back and release his grip. Elise lost her balance as well and tumbled down the stairs. The security guards arrived just in time to restrain the kidnapper, but Elise paid a heavy price. The stitches on her arm split open, and blood quickly gathered beneath her. Both of them were rushed back to the hospital. Due to the severity of the kidnapping, the police needed to question them, so they were temporarily placed in the same room. Elise's mother-in-law, Amanda Lane, and her sister-in-law, Avery Bennett, hurried back from their vacation the moment they heard what had happened. However, the first person they fussed over was Alicia, who hadn't even been injured. "Alicia, are you alright? We were scared to death when we heard the news," Avery said with a worried look. "Make sure Alex gets you something nourishing to help you recover," Amanda added. "Your hands are your greatest asset. They weren't hurt, were they?" Alicia smiled graciously, then turned toward Elise, who looked pale and frail, sitting quietly on the hospital bed. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Amanda, Avery. Actually, the one who is more seriously injured is Elise." Amanda and Avery cast Elise a look of disdain. "What could possibly happen to her?" Amanda said coldly, "She's built like a rock. A few injuries won't hurt her." Avery gritted her teeth and added, "Someone like her is better off dead. At least then she wouldn't be clinging to my brother with that pathetic look on her face. I never agreed to their marriage in the first place. With a background like hers, she's not fit to be part of the Bennett family." Ever since she married Alexander, Amanda and Avery had never stopped criticizing her. Having once lived on the streets with no knowledge of her origins, Elise was someone they looked down on completely. All these years, Elise had lived in the Bennett household like a maid. She found it all incredibly ironic. She had once been the daughter of the most powerful family in the country, yet she had spent six years serving others. However, none of it mattered now. Soon, she would be gone. The television was airing a news report that the son of the country's richest tycoon had gone missing for seven days after his private jet encountered extreme weather while returning from abroad. Elise's heart leapt into her throat. No wonder Cyrus had taken so long to find her. Thankfully, the latter half of the report confirmed that the jet had been located and everyone on board was safe and unharmed. She finally let out a breath of relief. Now that Cyrus was safe, he would probably come for her soon. Noticing her anxious expression, Avery let out a mocking laugh. "Look at her getting all worked up. Anyone would think the richest man's son was her relative or something." She then turned to Alexander and smiled. "They say the tycoon's daughter is a well-known painter of classic fine art. No one has ever seen her face in public, but her work is said to be amazing. You love classic fine art, don't you, Alex? Have you ever come across any of hers?"