The doctor, armed with the lab results, came into the room to inform the patient’s family.
As soon as the doctor strolled in with the results, everyone got up and gathered around, eager to hear the news.
The doctor began, “The lab results for the pomegranate juice are in; let me break down what caused the patient’s stomach to bleed.”
Balfour nodded, “Alright, doc, shoot.”
The doctor glanced at his report and started, “The ingredients in the pomegranate juice...”
“Hold up!” Patricia suddenly barged to the front, cutting the doctor off, “Wait a sec, doc. I’ve got something to say.”
Balfour frowned, “Patricia, what are you doing? Let the doctor finish; you can talk later.”
Patricia looked at Balfour with a mix of hurt and determination in her eyes, “Balfour, no! Mom got the short end of the stick today, and I need to avenge her!”
Without giving Balfour a chance to respond, Patricia spun around and faced Ellinor, “Ellinor, you were suspecting that Mom’s homemade pomegranate juice made Byran sick, right?”
Ellinor didn't deny it, “Yeah, that’s right.”
Patricia turned to her mom, Xenia, trying to look heartbroken, “Now that the results are in and all that’s left is the doc’s final word, I need you to promise me something. If the pomegranate juice isn’t to blame, you have to admit you were wrong about my mom and apologize to her. Clear her name!”
That punishment seemed a bit over the top.
“Patricia, stop it!” Balfour scolded her.
Theo wouldn't stand for Ellinor being treated unfairly.
Balfour wouldn't allow his long-lost sister to kneel before anyone, right or wrong.
McNeil Howard just thought it was too extreme and inappropriate. He had some inexplicable feelings for this Ellinor girl; he couldn't bear to see her kneel in front of everyone.
However, having her daughter stand up for her and support her gave Xenia some comfort. She feigned injury, sobbing a bit and wiping away a couple of tears before saying, "Patri, let it go! Ms. Mendoza probably didn’t mean to accuse me; let’s chalk it up to fair suspicion. Let's not make a big deal out of it!"
Patricia knew her mom didn't really mean to let Ellinor off the hook; it was just for show.
She pretended to be heartbroken and said, "Mom, we can't just let it go! Just now, both Balfour and Dad didn't believe you. As your daughter, I have to seek justice for you. How could I stand idly by while a stranger unfairly accuses you? We can let other things slide, but I'll pursue this matter to the end!"
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