Worship The Ground You Walk On

Ann brushed the hair that blocked her view and revealed her benign face. Though her face had changed with age, one could still believe that she must be pretty when she was young. She held Claudia's hand and let her sit in front of her. But Claudia was surprised that Ann, with a benevolent gaze and a kind smile, was acting like a normal person now.

Ann stroked her face and said gently, "You must be scared about what has happened, right? Sorry, darling. I just want to drive them away."

Claudia was still in a puzzle. She couldn't believe that a man could have such a rapid change in only a few seconds.

"I'm not crazy!" Ann wrapped her arms around Claudia, "How can I forget my lovely daughter? You are my world, Claudia..."

Hearing that, Claudia couldn't hold her tears anymore.

Ann released her from her arms and wiped her tears on the face, "Don't cry, babe. Mama is fine."

A mother would always regret most for not giving the best care and the greatest happiness to her child.

But Ann not only couldn't offer these to Claudia, but also was used as a pawn to impede her daughter. That really put her into shame and even made her want to kill herself, but every time she was about to do it, she hesitated.

She missed her daughter. She wished she could see Claudia one more time, even in a distance.

"Why are you coming to such an evil place? Don't come here anymore! I can survive all of this, so leave me alone!" Ann said with sadness and woe in her heart.

Claudia shook her head heavily. How could she leave her mother in misery?

She expressed in sign language, "Mom, I can't live without you. Don't worry, I will do everything to get you out of here!"

But before she could finish it, she was stopped by Ann. She hugged Claudia with tears running down her face, "Why are you still dumb, my girl? Back then, you were the healthiest baby I ever had! What has happened to you?"

She couldn't accept that her daughter had to live a life that couldn't speak. Therefore, once Claudia became dumb, she had been doing her utmost to cure her and restore her vocal cords.

That was why Blair put her into custody. If Claudia could speak, the secret would be known to everyone.

Claudia knew what Blair was thinking, and that was why she didn't make any move but became submissive to Blair and Amber, like a puppet under their control.

She gazed at Ann with a smile and said in sign language, "I'm all right, mom. Do you know I have a child? He's a lovely boy called Conrad. I will bring him to you next time!"

Ann felt a little surprised, "You have a child? With Ben?"

She nodded.

It was like a dream to her, that she could marry the man she had been loving since childhood and had a child with him.

Ann realized and held her hand hurriedly, "Listen! Don't ever come back here! Just enjoy your life with Ben, raise your child, and nurse your throat problem! Remember to get your voice back, Claudia! You are not a dumb girl!"

"Don't ever think about me, and don't ever deal with Blair! To be what you used to be, Claudia! I know you are not a coward. Instead, you are a strong, independent, and clever girl. Go live your life! I can only feel relieved when you are happy."

It felt like it was not only a conversation but also her dying speech.

Claudia held her hand hastily and shook her head, "Mom, if you were gone, I wouldn't have any reason to live at all! Dad has already passed away, so please don't leave me here!"

Seeing her hand gestures, Ann was painful as her heart was scratched by a knife. She promised her and held Claudia in her arms tightly.

They were clinging to each other and crying bitterly. "How did we get into this mess? I just want you to be happy, my girl!" Ann said.

Claudia promised her that she would obtain her happiness. She would strive for it!

"You must win Ben's trust first and ask him for help. Only in this way can you have the chance to fight against Blair and Theodore!" Ann told her.

Claudia smiled gently. She knew she needed his help, but more she expected was that one day Ben would fall in love with her.

This was the dream she had since her childhood, and one day she would make it come true.

Soon, Ann heard the subtle sound of footsteps coming from the hallway. She gave a signal to Claudia, messed up her hair, and continued playing her role as a lunatic.

Then, the nurse and Amber walked in. Amber took a look at Ann and said, "Well, you have seen your mother. She is mad, and she can't recognize you anymore. It's time to go!"

Claudia wanted to spend more time with her mom, but she didn't want to expose the truth either. So she took one last look at Ann and left with Amber.

Claudia looked preoccupied on their way home.

But Amber was delighted about seeing her in such a condition and gloated, "You see, I didn't intend to separate you from your mother. In contrast, I was worried that you couldn't accept the fact that your mother had gone mad. It was all for your own good!"

Claudia couldn't believe she was so shameless that she could tell a lie like this.

"So, how do you feel about seeing your mother going crazy?" Amber poked fun at her.

Claudia turned to look at her and started making gestures, "How did she end up like this?"

Confronting her questioning, Amber bewildered for a minute and said, "What do you mean? I did nothing to her."

"You did nothing, but what about Blair? My mother used to be a normal person, and it was all because of you that she would lose her mind like this!" Claudia argued fiercely with sign language. Amber felt a bit sense of risk, but decided to respond more aggressively, "Bullshit! Now I'm giving you a warning, Claudia. If you want Ann to stay alive, be nice and show some respect!" "That's my line! Don't forget that the Evans Group is going to acquire a sum of working capital from the Crawford Group every season. If you want this project to be canceled, then so be it!" Paused for a moment, Claudia continued making gestures, "Oh, the fund is going to be transferred in a week. If the Evans Group doesn't want it at all, you can do whatever you want." Amber jammed on the brakes.

Claudia had prepared for this and stayed steady when the car was slowing down. Once the car was stopped, she got out of it immediately and slammed the door. Watching her silhouette in the distance, Amber ground her teeth angrily. How dare you threaten me, you little bitch!

One day, she would let Claudia kneel down in front of her and beg for mercy. Amber grabbed the steering wheel with a murderous look, like she was clamping someone's neck.0000