I could only throw myself over Margaret, using my own body to shield her and taking several hits on my back.
Sharp stones scraped my cheek, and warm blood immediately streamed down my face.
Margaret’s eyes welled up with tears as she gently touched my face.
“Good child, you’ve suffered so much. It’s the Parker Family that wronged you. That beast doesn’t deserve you.”
She handed me the phone.
“Call your father—tell them to come save us.”
I shook my head, eyes red.
I had tried at the start, but Ethan had apparently cut off all communication signals to the outside world.
Right now, my phone could only dial his number.
Before I could say more, Lily came tumbling toward me, crying hysterically:
“Sister-in-law! It’s bad—Uncle Robert can’t hold on!”
My mind buzzed loudly.
Uncle Robert was the most respected elder in the family! He had always treated me well, teaching me hand-in-hand how to handle family affairs. He could not be allowed to die!
I rushed over and saw Robert’s face turning purple, his lips pale, clutching his chest and convulsing in pain.
It was a heart attack—he needed a defibrillator immediately!
I dialed Ethan again.
“Robert is in critical condition! Send over a defibrillator now or this will end in tragedy!”
On the other end came the sound of clinking glasses and Sophie’s coquettish laughter.
Ethan’s voice was lazy and impatient.
“Still at it, Rachel? Addicted to your little drama? My uncle hates snow—he’d rather sit by the fireplace than come to this damned place!”
“Come on, make up a more believable lie!”
This time Lily couldn’t hold back and shouted through tears.
“Ethan Parker! Haven’t you had enough? You’re killing him! Uncle Robert is dying!”
Hearing Lily’s voice, Ethan froze.
“Why does that sound like Lily?”
Sophie quickly leaned closer.
“Wow, Rachel’s really pulling out all the stops—using AI voice clones to trick you now!”
She hung up the call for him.
This time Ethan frowned slightly.
He had a good relationship with Lily and naturally recognized her voice.
He suspiciously walked to the window and looked down, but the ski suits below covered everyone completely, making it impossible to tell who was who.
Sophie seized the moment and handed him her phone. The screen showed Lily’s freshly updated Instagram post—sunny beaches, bikinis, smiling brightly, location tagged in Hawaii.
Ethan immediately dismissed his doubts, his anger burning hotter.