Chapter 4
Over the next few days, Ivy felt like she’d time-traveled into some ancient times—she was like a mistress being put in her place by the wife.
Shannon Lynn seized every chance to run her ragged.
The water was always either too cold or too hot; Ivy got splashed in the face countless times.
The bed was either too low or too high; whatever Ivy adjusted; it was never to Shannon’s liking.
Shannon refused dish after dish, said she’d eat “whatever,” then rejected that too.
In just three days, Ivy felt like she’d lived a year.
The one relief was that Landon Moore visited the hospital often. With him around, Shannon would be much less annoying.
Ivy was surprised to find herself actually looking forward to Landon’s visits.
Every day he came to see Shannon. After he arrived, Ivy could finally have a rest.
He personally fed Shannon her medicine and porridge, wiped her face, soothed her to sleep.
Ivy didn’t feel jealous at all— instead she felt light, almost joyful.
She simply watched, calm, even smiling sometimes.
She actually wished Landon could be by Shannon’s side every minute.
Everyone at the hospital knew Chloe was Landon’s wife. They couldn’t help whispering:
“My God, how can a woman be this magnanimous? She’s basically a saint.”
“It’s either no love at all—or love that’s too deep.”
“People say she loves Mr. Moore so much she even loves his adopted sister by extension.”
“If you ask me, being a society wife like that is Suffocating. What’s next—nursing the mistress through postpartum?”
“Mr. Moore’s relationship with his ‘sister’ is… questionable.”
“SHH… you dare gossip about Mr. Moore and Miss Lynn? You want to die?”
Usually, hearing that kind of talk would have offended Landon. But when his eyes fell on the slim figure in the ward, his anger fizzled.
Ivy was pouring water so Shannon could take her pills. Shannon nitpicked the temperature again and again. Ivy kept changing it without a flicker of impatience or grievance.
A strange feeling rose in Landon’s chest—sour, tight, with a pinprick of ache he couldn’t name.
He stepped into the room. “I’ve got it. You head home and make some seafood congee for Ivy.”
“Okay,” Ivy answered softly, and left without a fuss, driving back to the house.
She planned to shower first in her bedroom. But the moment she pushed open the bathroom door, she froze.
Her legs wouldn’t move.
A large snake, patterned head to tail, coiled on the tiles.
Snakes were the one thing she feared most.
Startled, the snake shot toward her and struck—sinking its fangs into the back of Ivy’s right hand.
“Ah!” The pain seared so fast she saw white. The snake didn’t slither away; it kept whipping around the bathroom.
Ivy bolted, screaming. “Help! Call 911! I was bitten by a snake!”
Even then she yanked the tie from her ponytail and cinched it tight above the bite.
Luckily it was evening and several house servants were around. Auntie Sue grabbed the phone to call 911 and sent a few groundskeepers to catch the snake.
By the time the ambulance arrived, the venom had begun to spread. Ivy’s vision blurred.
She stayed little conscious through the ride. The weather wasn’t hot—how was there a snake in a bathroom?
Someone had to have put it there.
But who? Only Shannon Lynn and Landon disliked her openly.
Landon wouldn’t.
That left Shannon. She must have bribed someone in the house…
The thought faded as Ivy blacked out.
When she woke again, it was the next day. She opened her eyes to a hospital room.
“Ma’am! You’re awake! You scared me to death last night,” Auntie Sue burst out.
“The doctor said it was a highly venomous snake. Without anti-venom serum you’d have been gone in two hours.”
“How could a snake show up at home?”
Aunt Sue was a little emotional.
Ivy’s temples throbbed. She thought of Shannon and felt more headache.
“Does Landon know?”
“The butler called Mr. Moore,” Auntie Sue said.
“What did he say?”
“He said it wasn’t a big deal. He’d have someone inspect the house.”
“Oh.”
“By the way, sir picked Miss Lynn up this morning. They… um… went straight to Tahiti for a vacation.”
Her voice grew smaller, as if afraid to wound Ivy.
“Mm,” Ivy murmured, expression calm.
“At first Mr. Moore didn’t believe it. He thought you were faking to get out of caring for Miss Lynn…”
Ivy gave a small, wry smile.
“He was too much last night,” Auntie Sue muttered. “I asked him to come see you. He said Miss Lynn couldn’t be left alone. You two were in the same hospital—just a few steps apart…”
“Auntie Sue,” Ivy cut her off gently. She didn’t want to hear it. What others couldn’t stand; she didn’t mind.
Besides, she would be leaving soon. Then she could go where she liked, do what she liked, be with who she liked. The thought warmed her. A little Suffering now was nothing.
Her phone had died. Auntie Sue charged it for her. When it powered on, messages from Landon flooded the screen. She scrolled from the top:
【How can making congee take you this long? Shannon’s starving】
【Well? You’re not answering. Get over here—her stomach hurts from hunger】
【You seriously made up a snakebite to avoid caring for Shannon? And got Auntie Sue to lie with you? Snakes in this season—really】
【Whatever. If you got bitten, rest. I’ll look after Shannon】
Those were from last night.
【Shannon’s being discharged today. She wants fresh air】
【I’m taking her to Tahiti. Don’t bother me unless it’s important】
At the last message, Ivy exhaled, strangely relieved.
Landon was exhausting enough. Shannon was malicious and unpredictable—impossible to guard against.
Ivy was discharged soon after. She quietly began preparing to leave. She didn’t have much to pack.
The Hayes family had already separated her and Grandma’s household registration.
Good. Once she left, she’d change her name too, honestly, she didn’t like the Surname Hayes.
Shannon seemed to afraid that anyone might miss how much Landon loved her, posted on social media nonstop. Nine-photo grids, every time:
【Landon took me to see dolphins. Wow—there are actually pink ones】
【Paragliding with Landon—my first time. I was so scared! Good thing he was right behind me】
【A Tahitian black pearl necklace from Landon—tens of thousands per bead. It’s gorgeous, just… so pricey】
Ivy didn’t feel sad. She scrolled seriously and even gave them likes.
She’d never seen any of it before. Consider it broadening her horizons.
