Chapter 372 – Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family

Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family

Before seeing her, Cornelia had imagined a timid cautious girl who would feel uncomfortable entering the ward, speaking in a soft voice, and possibly even shedding a few tears out of grievance.

But the girl before her, graceful yet spirited, reminded her of a plum blossom in the snow or a willow in the wind, making her feel extremely at ease.

“Thank God you’re back, giving us a chance to make up for the past.” Cornelia patted her hand again, “When I am discharged from the hospital, I will prepare a gift for you.”

Mirabella laughed, “The best gift for me would be the good health of you.”

Cornelia was delighted. She didn’t expect Mirabella to be so well-behaved and understanding.

She had heard that the Meltons were conscienceless, but they had raised this child well.

At this moment, Cornelia’s gaze fell on Serena, “Serena.”

“Grandma.” Serena, who was standing in the corner, didn’t draw attention to herself but waited until Cornelia noticed her. She seemed as gentle and obedient as always.

“Come over here.”

Serena sat down beside Cornelia, her eyes filled with joy, “I’m so happy to see you awake.”

Cornelia had heard that the family had finally decided to keep Serena and treat her as Mirabella’s sister, “The family can afford to feed you. Whatever your living conditions were before, they will remain the same.”

In the past eighteen years, Cornelia had come to see her as a genuine granddaughter, loving her deeply.

Though they were not related by blood, the bond they had was stronger than any blood tie.

The Collins family was influential and wealthy, so they could definitely accommodate one more girl.

Cornelia patted Serena’s hand, “I heard from the nurse that you often came over while your grandfather and I were unconscious.

Good girl, you are very thoughtful.” Cornelia held Serena’s hand in one hand and Mirabella’s in the other. She turned to Louisa, “Now that we have another girl in the house, it feels even more lively.”

Then Cornelia began to cough.

Seeing her cough, Mirabella picked up the water jug beside her and poured a glass of water, intending to hand it over.

It was just the very next moment.

Mirabella’s movement halted mid-air.

Louisa sensed something was amiss, she couldn’t help but ask, “Bella, what’s wrong?”

“There’s something wrong with this water.”

As soon as she uttered these words, everyone in the room was stunned. The water was tainted? What was wrong?

“There’s a slow-acting poison in it.”

Mirabella’s statement sent a wave of shock across the faces of everyone present, even Cornelia was visibly taken aback.

This was the Collins family’s private hospital!

Every single healthcare worker on this floor catered solely to the needs of the Collins family!

Under such circumstances, outsiders couldn’t possibly gain entry!

So, when could someone have possibly poisoned the water?

Mirabella, clearly aware of this dilemma, asked Louisa, “Has anyone else been here recently?”

“No one, just us, the doctors and nurses, and two nursing workers.”

Since Mirabella’s grandparents were in the same room, they were looked after by two nursing workers separately. Apart from them, no outsiders had been present.

Mirabella’s gaze swept over everyone present. Serena noticed her scrutiny and immediately felt a bit uneasy. Was Mirabella going to use this opportunity to slander her?

Out of the blue, why was Mirabella looking at her?

However, the next moment, Mirabella’s gaze shifted away from her and onto others.

Serena heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Mirabella didn’t seize the opportunity to create a scene.

“Ms. Bella, I had just replaced this water in the morning, it can’t possibly be poisoned.” The one speaking was Julie, she had been diligently caring for the old lady for months now and had come to regard her as family.

“What time did you replace it?” Mirabella’s tone was gentle. She was seemingly not intending to consider Julie a suspect.

“It was around eight. After the doctor’s morning rounds, I went to replace the water. No one else had been here till you guys arrived.”

“So, you replaced the water for everyone in the room?”

“No, the water I replaced was solely for the old lady. Helen and I both fetch water from outside. The old man’s water was replaced by Helen.”

Mirabella then opened her grandfather’s water bottle. It wasn’t poisoned. Could it be that the person who poisoned the water was targeting her grandmother alone?

“Besides you two, who else knew that my grandparents use separate water bottles?” Mirabella inquired again.

“The doctors and nurses probably didn’t pay attention to these details. Apart from us and the family, no one else should know.”

By this time, Helen’s face had turned somewhat unnatural. She knew Mirabella was knowledgeable in medical matters but she hadn’t expected that she could instantly spot what was wrong with the water.

Now, Mirabella turned her attention towards Helen. She was sitting beside her grandfather, her head bowed, trying to keep a low profile. However, Mirabella could make out a hint of panic in her demeanor.

“So, Helen is the one who poisoned the water.”

Mirabella’s words scared Helen, making her jump to her feet, defensively retorting, “Ms. Bella, you can’t speak recklessly!”

Julie, who was standing by, jumped to her colleague’s defense, “It couldn’t have been Helen. She’s always been devotedly taking care of the old man.’

“This potion, when mixed with water, becomes toxic. It will lead to a person feeling drowsy all day, losing their appetite, feeling weak, and becoming sensitive to the cold. In less than a week, the person would waste away.”

Mirabella’s gaze fell on Helen, “Being able to work here as a nurse indicates that you have some knowledge of pharmacology. Do you know why I suspect you? Because in the medicine I gave to my grandfather, there was an ingredient that could be easily extracted.

You’re smart. Instead of buying from an outside source, you chose to source it locally.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Helen’s expression became even more uneasy.

“Haley is loyal to my grandmother, so I don’t suspect her. As for you, what is your motive?”

“Helen, is it really you?” Louisa couldn’t believe it. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“Bella isn’t wrong. I believe her. As for you, my mother never bothered you. Why would you harm her?”

Kenneth was also very angry.

“It wasn’t me.” Helen’s face was growing paler, and she started to avoid their gaze.

“Still denying it? Do you know what the consequences are for harming a member of the Collins family?”

Serena scolded.

Cornelia, who was lying in the hospital bed, saw Helen’s uneasy expression and already had the answer in her mind.

However, she couldn’t understand, “We have no grudges. Why would you do this?”

True to her reputation of being a powerful woman for many years, she was still calm in the face of her assailant.

Mirabella suddenly saw her grandmother in a new light.

“With just one call, I can make you confess.” Louisa was almost certain, anger in her voice. “So, do you want to confess here, or at the police station?” At the mention of the police station, Helen couldn’t hold it in any longer and finally decided to confess everything.

Over the past few months, while taking care of Mirabella’s grandfather, she had grown fond of him and wanted to be by his side.

However, when she saw Cornelia wake up, she started to panic, fearing she would never have a chance, so she decided to kill.

She thought if Cornelia was dead, Cornelia’s husband would choose the person by his side.

With her knowledge of pharmacology, she thought she could do it flawlessly.

---