Chapter 209

Victoria arrived at the hospital in no time, as it wasn't far from her place.

Dr. Tony Myers was already waiting in the hallway. Seeing her rush in, he immediately approached her. "Ms. Carter, your mom's condition is pretty serious."

Victoria listened to Tony's explanation, her brows furrowed tightly the entire time.

"You're her only designated guardian. We need your consent for the next steps in her treatment."

Tony glanced at her before continuing, "Her body's been showing warning signs for a while now. The hospital didn't recommend her discharge in the first place. Right now, we need to prepare for a transplant surgery."

Victoria suddenly asked, "What about Bobby? Did he come with her?"

"He did. But after dropping Nora off at the hospital, he disappeared. The nurses have been trying to reach him, but no luck so far."

"Dr. Myers, I understand. Please go ahead with your plan."

"Alright."

Victoria turned and walked into the hospital room.

It hadn't been long, but Nora had become so emaciated that her features were distorted. Her cheekbones jutted out, making her look like a frail old woman. Her lips were pale and bloodless.

Nora glanced at her and let out a cold laugh, which quickly turned into a violent cough.

Victoria watched her expressionlessly and silently poured her a glass of water.

Nora's voice was hoarse as she asked, "Was it you who posted the video online, making us a laughingstock? Are you proud of yourself?"

Victoria remained silent. She had indeed posted the video. At the time, she was so furious that she just wanted to teach them a lesson.

Nora continued, "You're a worthless piece of trash. I should have killed you the moment you were born, saved myself the trouble. Letting you live is my biggest regret!"

Victoria had heard such words so many times that she was numb to them. She calmly picked up a wet wipe and gently cleaned the spittle from the corner of Nora's mouth.

But Nora wasn't grateful. She even tried to bite Victoria's hand.

Victoria pulled her hand back and looked at her coldly. "Dr. Myers said they'll arrange your surgery soon."

"What surgery?" Nora's eyes widened, her expression not of joy but of suspicion.

"A transplant surgery."

Nora blurted out, "You've come around? You're willing to donate your kidney to me?"

There was a hint of hope in her voice.

Victoria lowered her eyes and let out a soft laugh. "How could it be me? Why would I take away Bobby's chance for medical parole?"

Nora's face changed dramatically. "No! It can't be Bobby! Bobby is absolutely out of the question!"

Victoria slowly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were sharp and piercing as she stared at Nora. "He can't, but I can? What's the logic in that?"

Nora struggled to sit up in bed, but she was too weak to support herself. "Bobby has nothing now! If he loses his health, how will he survive?"

"And what about me?" At that moment, all of Victoria's long-suppressed emotions burst forth like a flood.

She pointed at herself, tears welling up in her eyes. "Don't I need a healthy body? Don't I deserve to live well? I'm your daughter. Why have you never seen me? If you only gave birth to me to abandon me, why didn't you just kill me as a baby? Do you think I would be grateful to you today? No! Never! I only hate you!"

"What right do you have to hate me? You shouldn't have been born in the first place. If the doctor hadn't said that an abortion was risky, do you think I would have wanted to have you?" Nora snapped.

Nora's words once again made Victoria see through her so-called "motherly love."

There was no turning back now. What more was there to say?

Victoria nodded slightly, her tone firm and resolute. "Since this mother-daughter relationship disgusts you so much, let's stop torturing each other from now on. I won't take care of your affairs anymore. And I hope you won't interfere in my life either."

"In your dreams!" Nora sneered, her face twisted with rage. She propped herself up with one hand, struggling to sit up. "As long as I have a breath left, you won't get rid of me! I'm your mother. No matter what I've done, you have to take care of me! Otherwise, I'll make your life a living hell!"

She laughed maniacally, but her laughter was cut short by a violent cough. She glared at Victoria with bloodshot eyes. "I'm disgraced because of you, you wretch! What do I have left to lose? Victoria, mark my words, I will never let you go! Even if I die and become a ghost, I'll haunt you forever!"

Victoria lowered her gaze, unwilling to look at that twisted face any longer.

"Maybe you don't know me well enough." She slowly stood up and looked at Nora with cold, calm eyes. "Dad is the only person I care about in this world. For him, I would do anything. As for you, you're nothing to me. I won't be threatened by you."

"Not take care of me? Aren't you afraid of being scorned by everyone, of being fired from the gallery?" Nora screamed.

In the past, this would have been Victoria's weak spot. Starry Studio Gallery was her last lifeline when she had nowhere else to turn, her spiritual support.

But now, Victoria lowered her eyes and chuckled softly. "Fine, then I'll just become an independent artist. It would be more freeing, and the income wouldn't be bad either."

"What makes you think you can be an artist? After what you did to Bobby, you still want to be an artist?"

"Did you forget who painted those award-winning pieces? If someone like him can make it, why can't I?" Victoria said, curling one side of her lips in disdain. "Don't think of the art world as your backyard. Not only will I enter it, but I'll also become famous! You'll only be able to look at my works in envy and jealousy!"

Nora was utterly disgusted by her pursuit of art. "Do you have that kind of talent? Do you think anyone can become famous?"

"If Bobby can, then the bar must be pretty low." Victoria knew exactly how to hurt her, so she smiled and said, "Everything you've ever wanted, I'll hold in my hands!"

"You're delusional!" Nora was so enraged that her chest heaved violently, her face turning pale, her eyes filled with venom.

Victoria turned and walked towards the door. When she reached it, she paused and looked back, speaking slowly, "You should contact Bobby soon. Since there's a surgery to be done, all pre-op checks are crucial and must be taken seriously."

She smiled slightly and walked out the door.

"Come back! Get back here!" Nora was furious and tried to get out of bed to chase her, but as soon as she swung one leg over the edge, she collapsed to the floor.

Victoria didn't pause for a moment.

Nora lay on the floor, fists clenched, pounding the ground in a fit of rage. "Bobby can't! He can't donate! Do you hear me? Do you hear me?"

The door had already closed. Victoria walked down the hallway, hearing the curses from the room behind her, a bitter smile of self-mockery on her lips.

She had always favored Bobby, from childhood to adulthood, it only got worse!

She could force Victoria to donate her kidney to save her, but she would rather die than use Bobby's kidney!