---- Chapter 79 Edward shot to his feet, his chest heaving in anger. He gave mea sharp, icy glare. I stood there, stunned, my head pounding. I hadn't expected Aria to go that hard. I followed him as we rushed to check on Alicia. Inside the bedroom, she lay on the bed, tears streaming down her face. Several long scratch marks marred her cheek- broken skin, bloody, and raw. The wounds were clearly fresh and brutal. Edward's face twisted with distress the moment he saw her. " Call a doctor!

Get someone in here now!" "The doctor already came by," someone whispered. "They're just surface wounds, but... they said there's a high chance they'll leave scars."" "Where's that wild brat Aria now?" "She's been locked in the isolation room. The Guzman family said we can deal with her however we want." My heart sank. I turned and ran out. Sure enough, Mr. Guzman and his wife were long gone. Only Frederick was still there, pacing outside the locked room, blocked from going in.

'The moment he saw me, his expression darkened. "Have you ---- seen Aria?" "No, Ijust came from checking on Alicia. What the hell happened?" Frederick rubbed his temples, clearly exhausted. "Exactly what you heard. My mom dragged her out, and she turned around and came straight back -jumped Alicia and pinned her to the floor. No one could pull her off. Now my parents are pissed and basically left her here to be dealt with however the Zimmers see fit." I felt a weight settle in my chest.

"They wouldn't actually lay hands on her, would they?" Frederick let out a bitter laugh. "You think the Zimmers are merciful? If Alicia's face is scarred, they're not letting Aria walk away untouched." I frowned, unsure of what to say. He looked at me for a moment, then sighed. "I'll need you to help keep an ear out. See what they're planning." Inodded. "Don't worry. I will." Then I headed back into the Zimmer residence. Edward's face was dark as storm clouds when he saw me.

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" What are you doing here again?" "Keeping you company, of course." I shrugged. "After all, I'm still married to Jonathan. That makes you my grandfather , doesn't it? You're not exactly young, so it's only right I keep an eye on you." ---- Even I felt how fake that sounded as it came out of my mouth. Edward clearly didn't buy it. He snorted coldly through his nose. "You're just here to snoop around about that wild Aria." Ismiled but didn't deny it. Why bother?

Everyone knew that was exactly why I stayed. He stepped closer, disappointment etched into his features. " Elise, you know I'm your grandfather. You're part of the Ford family. You shouldn't be siding with outsiders ! I don't care how close you are to Aria-Alicia is one of us!" Lalmost laughed out loud. "Oh, I wouldn't dare claim we're 'one family." Ilooked over at Alicia, still lying in bed. "This is the 21st century.

I'm not into that whole 'share a husband with another woman' thing." Alicia's eyes filled with tears. "Mr. Ford Senior, I never meant it like that..." Edward exploded. "Elise! Watch your mouth! Yes, Alicia and Jonathan have a deep bond-and I did want her to be my granddaughter-in-law. But Jonathan married you, and I never objected! All I ever asked was that you treat Alicia like a sister! And what did you do? You bullied her!" Alicia's expression changed slightly at his words.

After a pause, she said softly, "Edward, please don't scold her .. Elise's probably still upset about what happened at the pool. ---- Jonathan saved me, not her... | understand why she's angry with me."