Chapter Fourteen: Grandma's Fury

As Alexander hurried back into the hospital, a commotion reached his ears, coming from the direction of his grandmother's ward. He quickened his pace, his steps echoing in the sterile hallway, while Aria struggled to keep up, her breath quickening with worry.

"All of you, get out!" Grandma's voice echoed loudly from the ward, filled with frustration and anger. The door to her room stood slightly ajar, and Alexander could see objects flying past the entrance as if someone had completely lost control. Nurses ducked out of the way, retreating into the hallway to avoid the barrage.

"What's going on here?" Alexander demanded as he stepped into the chaotic scene. The room was a mess—pillows, blankets, even a small lamp had been hurled across the room. His grandmother sat upright in bed, her face flushed with anger, glaring at anyone who dared come near.

Jessica, standing to the side with her arms crossed, quickly turned toward him, her face a picture of innocence mixed with desperation. "Alexander, I was just telling Grandma the truth," she said, her voice trembling as though she were the victim. "She deserves to know why she ended up in the hospital. It's Aria's fault—she's trying to poison her! I don't know what she's done to charm Grandma, but Grandma won't believe us. She threw us out instead!"

Alexander's gaze shifted to Aria, standing quietly by the doorway, shaking her head subtly in denial. He turned back to Jessica, his voice icy. "These things have not been fully investigated. Don't jump to conclusions or spread nonsense in front of Grandma."

Jessica's eyes widened in outrage, her voice rising in frustration. "Isn't it obvious? She put nut powder in Grandma's soup, knowing Grandma is allergic! Who else could do it if not her?" She pointed an accusatory finger at Aria, her face flushed with anger.

Aria stepped forward, her voice steady though her heart pounded in her chest. "I didn't put anything in Grandma's soup. I would never hurt her."

"The evidence is right in front of us!" Jessica snapped, her temper flaring. "How dare you argue?"

Alexander felt the weight of Lucas' earlier words pressing down on him. *The security system is broken,* Lucas had told him, *so we can't confirm who did it right now.*

Before he could respond, Grandma's voice cut through the tension in the room, firm and unwavering. "If Aria wanted to harm me, why would she mess with the soup in such an obvious way?" Grandma asked, her sharp eyes narrowing at the others. "This is clearly the work of someone trying to frame her. And I'm sure it's someone in this room who's pointing fingers at my granddaughter-in-law!"

Jessica clenched her fists, her teeth grinding together as she tried to hide her growing frustration. *Why is this old woman ruining my plans? Why would she suspect me for no reason?* she thought bitterly, fighting to maintain her composed exterior. Forcing fake tears to well up in her eyes, she faced Grandma again, her voice trembling with practiced innocence. "Grandma, I didn't do it. I swear."

She turned to Alexander, her expression one of wounded loyalty. "Alexander, you know me. I've known you and your family for so long. I would never hurt Grandma. You have to believe me!" Her tears glistened as she tried to garner his sympathy.

But Grandma was far from fooled. She rolled her eyes in irritation, her voice filled with disdain. "Stop shedding those fake tears in front of me, Jessica! I don't want to see your face. Get out of my sight, and don't ever step foot in my house again!"

Jessica's tear-streaked face twisted into a mask of shock and hurt as she looked to Alexander for support, desperate for him to defend her. "Alexander, please…"

But Alexander's patience had worn thin. His eyes were cold as he glanced her way, cutting her off sharply. "Grandma isn't feeling well right now. You should leave first," he said, his voice firm. "Before this matter is investigated properly, don't agitate her further."

Jessica's breath hitched, her eyes widening in disbelief. She stood frozen as Alexander turned his back on her, walking directly to his grandmother's side, dismissing her entirely.

Aria, who had watched the entire exchange silently, met Jessica's furious gaze briefly before following Alexander to Grandma's bedside.

Jessica's face contorted with rage as she clenched her fists, the fury bubbling beneath her surface.

"Bitch!," Jessica muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing with malice. "Just you wait."

Aria could feel Jessica's venomous stare burning into her back, but she remained focused on Grandma, who smiled warmly at her as if Jessica's outburst hadn't rattled her in the slightest.

Alexander gently took his grandmother's hand, his voice softening. "How are you feeling now, Grandma?"

"I'm better now that those people are gone," she muttered, shooting a pointed glance toward the door where Jessica had stood moments before. "That girl has always been trouble."

"I'll make sure she doesn't bother you again," Alexander assured her, his grip tightening on her hand.

"You better," Grandma said with a huff, but her voice softened as she turned to Aria. "You, my dear, have been nothing but kind to me. Don't worry about those snakes trying to bite at your heels."

Aria smiled softly, her heart warming despite the tension in the room. "Thank you, Grandma. I promise I'll take good care of you."

"You're already doing more than enough," Grandma replied, giving her a gentle pat on the hand. "Let them squabble all they want. The truth will come out eventually."

But as much as Aria wanted to believe those words, she couldn't shake the feeling that Jessica wouldn't give up so easily. The fight was far from over.