Chapter 287

"The patient has fractures in the third and fourth ribs on the left side, along with multiple soft tissue contusions..."

The doctor's words cut through the Stone family like a knife. Martha River's legs gave way, and she nearly collapsed to the floor.

Emily Johnson clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. The bruised and swollen face on the hospital bed bore no resemblance to the cheerful Jessica they all knew.

"She must divorce him," Michael Stone said, his voice icy.

John River's lips trembled. "But—"

"Dad!" Daniel River grabbed his father by the collar. "Are you waiting to collect her corpse?"

John Stone Sr. kicked over a chair in the ward. "If you don't agree today, I'll break your legs myself!"

"Mom..." A weak voice came from the bed. Jessica had woken up, tears mixing with blood as they trailed into her hairline.

Martha rushed to her daughter's side, her hands shaking too much to touch her. "I'm here, sweetheart. I'll make this right..."

Emily quietly slipped out of the room and retrieved a sponge cake and some spring water from her space. When she returned, she overheard Michael giving orders: "Daniel, get the tractor. Robert, find some rope."

The tractor roared to life, carrying a truckload of fury straight to the Garcia household.

Bang!

Michael kicked the Garcia's front door open to find the family gathered around a table of braised pork. The laughter died instantly.

"Smash everything!" Martha grabbed a stool and swung it at the dining table.

Amid the shattering of porcelain, Mrs. Garcia shrieked, "You crazy bi—"

Before she could finish, Martha seized her hair and delivered two sharp slaps that left her seeing stars. Elizabeth Stone yanked at Mrs. Garcia's waistband, tearing her pants and exposing her floral underwear to the room.

Emily wielded a baseball bat, targeting joints with precision—each strike sending the Garcias hopping in pain. When Lily Garcia tried to sneak away, Emily blocked her path, pressing the bat against her throat. "Move, and I'll break your legs."

Nearby, the Stone brothers had Christopher pinned. Daniel aimed kicks at his ribs while Michael's fists drew blood with every punch.

"Help! Murder!" Lily screamed—only to be silenced by Emily's backhanded slap.

"Scared now?" Emily stepped on her wrist, pressing the bat to her temple. "Did Jessica beg like this when you beat her?"

A few Garcia children lunged forward, but Emily slammed the bat onto a brick, splitting it clean in half. The kids wailed in terror.

"Enough!"

An old man's roar cut through the chaos as Mr. Garcia appeared with his cane. Michael wiped blood from his face and smirked. "Perfect. The old bastard's here."