Patricia groaned in anguish, her face full of fear and frustration. âEllinor, why did you push me?â
Haillie was taken aback, shooting Ellinor an angry look âItâs you again, Ellinor! You wicked woman, why are you always picking on Patricia?â
Ellinor stood quielly to the side, responding to Patriciaâs accusation and Haillieâs reproach with just a laugh.
Was this because Patricia had urgently asked her to see her birthday present earlier but failed?
Haillie carefully helped Patricia sit up âPatricia, how are you feeling? Where did you fall?â
Patricia looked at her with teary eyes. âHaillie, my foot hurts.â
âYour foot hurts? Oh no, did you break it? What should we do?â
Haillie hurriedly examined Patriciaâs foot but couldnât tell what was wrong. She cast a worried glance at Ellinor and noticed the sneer on her face.
âEllinor, how can you still laugh? Have you no humanity? Patricia never provoked you; she even invited you to her performance, but you pushed her! You vile woman, if anything happens to Patriciaâs foot, Balfour wonât let you off!â
Ellinor replied nonchalantly. âDo you have any evidence that I pushed her?â
Haillie retorted angrily. âI was there. Iâm a witness! Ellinor, if you didnât push her, would Patricia throw herself down the stairs? Do you know how long Patricia practiced for todayâs performance? She wouldnât risk injuring herself before going on stage.â
Ellinor chuckled coldly, âWeâll see about that!â
Patricia weakly tugged at Haillieâs arm, âEnough, Haillie. You canât reason with her. Help me up; I think I can still perform.â
Haillie shot Ellinor a glare before trying to help Patricia to her feet.
Patricia tried to stand but couldnât and she fell back to the floor in pain, âAh! It hurts.â
âPatricial Whatâs wrong?â
âI canât stand upâ
âWhat? What do we do?â
âWhatâs going on?â Balfourâs voice suddenly rang out, and his footsteps got closer.
Hearing Balfourâs voice, Haillie lifted her head, âBalfour, youâre just in time! Ellinor pushed Patricia down the stairs just now. Sheâs been complaining about her foot hunting: Iâm worried she might have fractured it.â
On hearing this, Balfour quickened his pace, rushing over to help Patricia up, âPatri, what happened?â
Patriciaâs voice was weak and she was trying hard to hold back tears so as not to ruin her makeup, âBalfour, Iâm fine. Itâs just a bit of pain in my foot. Balfour, can you help me up? I still need to perform for Grandpa.â
Balfour frowned with concern, âYou canât even stand up and you want to perform? Listen to me, letâs have your foot checked first.â
With that, he scooped Patricia up in his arms, turning his head to issue a stern command, âQuinton, call the family doctor!â