Rebirth to take revenge
Chapter 146: Cozy

Chapter 146: Cozy

Mrs. Phillips looked disappointed but nodded. "I understand. This situation is tricky, and we may need professional negotiators to handle it."

Lucy sighed deeply. "Mom, I’ll try my best to find another way. But if things become unbearable, please take care of yourself and Dad. I’ll leave the company’s affairs in your hands while I figure something out."

Mrs. Phillips reached out, gently stroking Lucy’s face. "Don’t worry. I’ll do my best. And you... stay strong."

Lucy nodded. Despite the comfort, she felt the immense weight of their troubles pressing down on her. After Mrs. Phillips left the room, Lucy wasted no time and hailed a taxi.

"Take me to City A Central Hospital—please, hurry!" she told the driver urgently.

The driver nodded and quickly sped through the streets. Lucy’s heart pounded as she stared out the window, her thoughts racing.

When they arrived, she jumped out of the car and ran straight into the hospital lobby, searching frantically for information.

"Who are you looking for, miss?" a nurse stopped her and asked politely.

Lucy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I’m looking for Miss Claire Smith. It’s urgent."

The nurse looked confused for a moment. "Miss Claire is currently resting. She may not be able to see you right now."

Lucy’s heart sank, but she persisted. "Please, just tell her I have something important to discuss. I won’t take much of her time."

"Alright," the nurse said, nodding. "Please wait here. I’ll inform her."

Lucy waited in the corridor, every second stretching unbearably. She prayed that Claire would agree to see her.

"Nurse, has Miss Claire responded yet?" Lucy asked urgently.

"I’m sorry," the nurse said with a small shake of her head. "Miss Claire is not allowing any visitors at the moment."

Lucy’s shoulders slumped. The disappointment was crushing.

"I understand," she said softly, turning to leave. But halfway down the corridor, she stopped abruptly.

She spun around to face the nurse again. "Excuse me, can you at least tell me about Miss Claire’s condition? Has she been improving?"

The nurse seemed taken aback but offered a reassuring smile. "Yes, her condition has improved significantly. The doctors have developed an effective treatment plan, and she should be able to leave the hospital soon."

"Really?" Lucy asked, relief washing over her.

"Yes," the nurse confirmed. "She’s recovering well. With this progress, it won’t be long before she’s discharged."

Though Lucy was happy for Claire, the weight of her own troubles remained. She left the hospital with mixed emotions, determined to keep searching for a way to save her family’s legacy.

In the back of her mind, she knew that time was running out, and the Military Commander’s presence loomed large over everything. If she couldn’t find a solution soon, the Phillips family would lose everything they had worked so hard to build.

Lucy nodded happily. "Thank you. Sorry for the trouble."

The nurse bowed slightly in acknowledgment.

At that moment, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice came from behind.

"What are you doing here?"

Lucy looked up and saw Josh striding toward her, his expression cold and distant. His dark, piercing eyes locked onto hers, as if questioning her very presence.

She pursed her lips and stayed silent. In this situation, speaking up would only escalate matters. Choosing silence seemed her safest option.

Josh narrowed his eyes, letting out a cold snort. "Didn’t I tell you to stay away from Claire? Stop bothering her!"

Lucy clenched her fists tightly, rage boiling within her. Despite her anger, she chose to swallow it down, fully aware of the delicate situation she faced within the Smith family.

"This is a matter between me and Claire," she said evenly, before attempting to walk past him.

But Josh extended his arm and blocked her path.

She stopped abruptly, her displeasure evident in the frown that creased her face. "Move aside, Josh. I have no interest in talking to you!"

Josh smirked, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Lucy, don’t talk nonsense!"

"I’m not talking nonsense," Lucy retorted, her voice sharp and icy. "I just want to see Claire. Step aside!"

"And what gives you the right to meet her?" Josh sneered. "Who do you think you are?"

"This is a private matter between me and Claire. It’s none of your business. Now, step aside!" Lucy demanded, standing her ground.

Josh’s expression darkened. This woman’s arrogance was truly infuriating.

"You—" His voice erupted in fury. He reached out and grabbed Lucy’s slender neck, squeezing it fiercely.

"Ah!" Lucy gasped in shock, terror flooding her eyes. She struggled desperately, her voice trembling. "Let go of me... now!"

But no matter how hard she fought, she couldn’t match Josh’s overwhelming strength.

He sneered, his gaze as cold and sharp as a blade. "Lucy, you better start being smart. Otherwise, don’t blame me for taking harsher measures against you."

Her face flushed red as she gasped for air. Coughs rasped from her throat, her body trembling from the lack of oxygen.

It wasn’t until Josh noticed her weakening state that he realized he had overdone it. His grip loosened slightly before he released her entirely.

Lucy slumped against the wall, gasping desperately for fresh air, her hands clutching at her chest as she struggled to steady her breath.

For a fleeting moment, Josh felt regret seep into him. He hadn’t intended to go this far. Watching her pale face and trembling form, a pang of guilt tightened his chest.

"Lucy..." His voice softened slightly. "Are you okay?"

But as her wide eyes bore into his with barely concealed rage, he dismissed the thought and waved his hand impatiently.

"Forget it. Just leave. I don’t want to see you anymore!"

Lucy’s voice was cold as she stood up unsteadily. "Josh, don’t you think you’re going too far? I don’t owe you anything, yet you always find excuses to bully me!"

"Bully you? You’re the stupidest woman I’ve ever met!" Josh snapped before turning sharply on his heel and leaving without a second glance.

Lucy stood there, fists clenched, seething with quiet fury as she watched him walk away. She gritted her teeth and turned to leave.

We’ll see about that, Josh, she thought bitterly.

---

Lucy returned home later that evening, collapsing onto her bed. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t push his cruel words out of her mind.

The stupidest woman... is that really what I am?

She tossed and turned in frustration, the memory replaying in her mind like an unwanted film. Why did she let his words bother her so much?

She sighed, rising from her bed. Reaching for her phone on the bedside table, she hesitated briefly before dialing a familiar number.

"Hello, Anna," Lucy said, her tone weary.

Anna’s voice brightened on the other end. "Lucy! Finally, you called. It’s been a while."

"I’m sorry about earlier," Lucy said with a faint smile. "I was hoping you could help me with something."

"What is it? Just tell me!" Anna replied eagerly.

"Could you find out where Claire is staying once she’s discharged from the clinic?" Lucy asked directly.

"Of course," Anna agreed without hesitation. "I’ll get the information and let you know when she’s out."

"Thank you," Lucy said softly before ending the call.

As she lay back on her bed, a wave of relief washed over her. She didn’t know what she’d do without Anna’s support. Yet, unknown to Lucy, Anna had a determined glint in her eyes as she hung up the phone.

Anna had no intention of letting Lucy meet Claire.

Lucy’s persistence in seeking out Claire, her determination to mend their relationship—it was a dangerous game, one that Anna couldn’t afford to lose.

There could only be one person who stood by Claire’s side, and that person wouldn’t be Lucy.

After hanging up the phone, Lucy lay back down on the bed. All her hopes were pinned on Anna.

However, she was unaware of the resolve hardening in Anna’s eyes. Lucy thought she could avoid trouble by seeking Claire out, even mending fences to build a closer relationship. But for Anna, this was unacceptable.

Anna couldn’t take the risk. She wouldn’t gamble on such slim odds. There could only be one person between her and Claire who would come out victorious. And for the other, the end would be disastrous—death.

Anna gripped her phone tightly. Give up revenge? That wasn’t something she could do. Absolutely not!

Her expression turned fierce.

Claire had to be dealt with—locked away in prison, enduring torment and pain until she met her inevitable end.

---

The following day, Lucy sat on the balcony, basking in the warm sunlight. A magazine rested in her hands, but she only flipped through it absently.

A sudden knock at the door broke her thoughts. Lucy paused momentarily, then got up and hurried toward the door.

When she opened it, a flash of delight spread across her face. "Anna! What brings you here so early?"

"I came to see you," Anna replied with a smile.

"Come in," Lucy said, stepping aside to let her in.

Anna entered, glancing around the modest living room. A faint smile touched her lips. "You’ve done well here, Lucy. This place is cozy."