CHAPTER 4

WHEN GREED SPEAKS

The hospital ward is quiet except for the steady beep of the heart monitor and the soft hum of fluorescent lights. Reiyal lies still on the bed, her face pale, eyelashes fluttering slightly in restless sleep. Grenard and Nazia sit close by, their chairs pulled up to her bedside, shoulders slumped with exhaustion and grief.

Nazia’s hands are clasped tightly in her lap, her fingers twisting the edge of her shawl. She glances at Grenard, her eyes red-rimmed and shadowed with worry. “Nicole’s husband… Kim. Is he coming to the hospital?” Her voice is low, barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disturb Reiyal’s fragile peace.

Grenard shifts in his chair, his jaw tightening. He rubs a hand over his tired face before answering, his voice gruff. “Yes, he’s coming. But I don’t think he’s grieving Nicole’s death.” His gaze flickers to Reiyal, then back to Nazia, his expression darkening.

Nazia sighs, her shoulders sagging further. She reaches out and gently brushes a stray lock of hair from Reiyal’s forehead. “I just hope he doesn’t make a scene when he gets here. Reiyal has suffered enough.”

Grenard straightens, his posture protective. He places a reassuring hand on Nazia’s arm, his touch firm. “Don’t worry. I’m here. He won’t cause any trouble.”

Nazia nods, offering a small, weary smile. “Hmm.” She looks back at Reiyal, her eyes filling with fresh tears as she watches the rise and fall of her granddaughter’s chest.

The room falls into silence again, the weight of loss and uncertainty pressing down on them both. Outside, the hospital corridor bustles with activity, but inside this room, time seems to stand still, waiting for the next storm to break.

It was barely past 3 PM when Kim walked into the hospital room, a stack of documents clutched in his hand. His polished shoes clicked on the linoleum floor, and his eyes darted briefly to Reiyal, still asleep in her bed, before settling on Grenard and Nazia. He forced a polite smile. “Good afternoon, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. I am here to take—”

Nazia shot up from her chair, her face flushed with anger. “Shut up!” she hissed, her voice trembling. “Where were you? It’s already 3 pm ! Nicole had an accident in morning and you—” She broke off, her gaze dropping to the papers in Kim’s hand. Her eyes widened in alarm, and she turned to Grenard, silently pleading for him to intervene.

Grenard rose slowly, his movements deliberate. He snatched the folder from Kim’s grasp and flipped through the pages, his brow furrowing as he read. The documents were custody papers for Reiyal and legal forms demanding that all of Nicole’s shares, assets, and wealth be transferred to Kim. Grenard’s hands shook, but he kept his voice low, not wanting to disturb Reiyal. “What is this? What does this mean?” he asked, his tone controlled but edged with fury.

Kim slid his hands into his pockets, a smug half-smile on his face. “I am Nicole’s husband and Reiyal’s father. Reiyal is only ten, and Nicole is dead. That makes me the rightful owner of all her property.”

Without hesitation, Grenard tore the documents in half, right in front of Kim’s eyes. The sound of ripping paper filled the tense silence.

Nazia crossed her arms, her eyes blazing. “We’re still alive, not dead yet. Sky Tech Company is ours—my daughter is gone, but I am not.”

Grenard nodded firmly. “Yes, we’re both still here. Everything that belonged to Nicole is Reiyal’s, and until she turns eighteen, we’ll take care of it for her.”

Kim’s composure shattered. “You can’t do this! Reiyal is my daughter!”

“No, she was Nicole’s daughter,” Nazia shot back. Before Kim could react, she slapped him hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed in the room.

Kim’s face twisted in rage. He raised his hand to strike back, but Grenard was faster. He stepped between them, grabbed Kim by the collar, and dragged him out of the room like a stray dog. At the doorway, Grenard shoved Kim into the corridor with such force that he stumbled and nearly fell. “Get lost before I kill you,” Grenard growled, his voice shaking with barely contained fury.

Outside, the hospital corridor had filled with staff and visitors drawn by the commotion. They watched, some laughing openly, others shaking their heads in disgust. The whispers were clear—Kim was nothing but a greedy gold digger, unmoved by his wife’s death or his daughter’s fragile state.

Kim scrambled to his feet, dusting off his jacket, his face burning with humiliation. He shot one last glare at the room before storming off, the echoes of laughter and judgment following him down the hall.

Inside, Grenard and Nazia stood side by side, breathing heavily, their resolve stronger than ever. They turned back to Reiyal, their only thought to protect what remained of their family.

ENJOY!! FOLLOW MY ACCOUNT!! SUPPORT!!

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***