Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 261: Riya’s cruelty

Chapter 261: Riya’s cruelty
"You ask too many questions," Riya snapped, clearly annoyed. "Think about the money. Do it, then I’ll transfer your payment. Leave this place and never come back — understood?"
She shot the nurse a warning look and walked away.
The nurse fished her phone out, stopped the voice recording, and immediately forwarded it to Zara before dialing her number. "Hello, ma’am," she whispered. "She is planning to poison Mrs. Grant. I recorded everything and sent it to you. Please check it and do something quickly."
"I’m coming." Zara’s panicked voice replied. "Don’t do anything stupid before I come."
"Relax. I won’t do anything," the nurse assured her. "I’ve kept the vial and I’ll send it to a lab to identify the chemical. Once we have proof, Riya won’t be able to deny it."
"Do it. And keep this between us for now."
"Understood."
After hanging up, the nurse turned to leave, but she froze when she noticed Riya standing a short distance away. Her legs felt as if they were glued to the floor.
Riya’s smug expression made it clear she had overheard everything.
The nurse stumbled back, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
"I knew it," Riya muttered as she stepped closer. "I knew you were plotting against me, but I still called you here. I wanted to catch you red-handed."
"No, please... I’m sorry," the nurse stammered, backing away.
"Sorry?" Riya scoffed, taking another deliberate step forward, forcing the woman to retreat. "It’s too late for that. I warned you—betray me, and you’ll face the consequences. But you didn’t take me seriously."
Realizing there was no point in denying it, the nurse straightened slightly, her fear giving way to defiance. "Yes, I betrayed you," she shot back. "What you are doing is wrong. I won’t be part of it. I don’t want your money."
"Fine," Riya said with a cold shrug. "There are plenty of others who’d kill for that kind of money. But you? You just lost everything. And your family—well, they’ll pay for your foolishness."
The nurse’s face drained of color, though anger flickered in her eyes. "I have enough proof against you," she snapped. "Our entire conversation is recorded. You are exposed."
Riya’s expression hardened, rage flashing across her face. "You shouldn’t have challenged me," she hissed.
In a blur of motion, she closed the distance, grabbed the nurse by the hair, and plunged a syringe into her neck, emptying its contents in one swift motion.
"Uh..." The nurse gasped, feeling a sharp sting spread through her neck. Her legs trembled, her veins burning as numbness crept up her body. She clutched her throat weakly. "What... what did you do to me?"
But her voice faltered. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the cold floor. Within seconds, her body went still, and darkness claimed her.
Riya stood over her motionless form, her expression twisting menacingly.
The head nurse appeared behind her, horror flashing in her eyes. "Is she dead?" she asked.
"You should go and check," Riya muttered. "Make sure she remains silent forever."
With that, she turned and walked away, her expression tight. ’The next is you, Zara,’ she thought. ’The time has come for you to leave the Grant family.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nathaniel’s phone buzzed with an urgent call from the office. "Alright, I understand. I’ll be there soon," he said before hanging up.
Turning to his father, he added, "Dad, I need to head to the office."
The gravity in his voice made Vincent frown. "Is everything okay?"
Nathaniel hesitated for a moment. The documents he had signed the previous night at the party had somehow leaked, causing unrest among the board members, who were now demanding an explanation.
"Just some pressing business issues," he replied evenly. "Nothing I can’t handle."
Vincent nodded, knowing his son’s capability. "Go ahead. I’ll stay here with your mother."
Nathaniel left.
From a distance, Riya watched him go, a sly glint flickering in her eyes. With Nathaniel out of the way, her plan would be much easier to execute.
Putting on a look of concern, she walked into the room. "Dad," she said softly, approaching Vincent, "you look exhausted. Why don’t you take a short rest? I’ll stay with Mom."
Hearing Riya’s voice, Gracie’s eyes fluttered open. The instant she saw her, her entire body tensed with fear. Panic rushed through her as she tried to reach out to her husband, her trembling hand lifting slightly.
"Uh..." Gracie tried to warn him, to beg him to send Riya away, but only a weak groan escaped her lips.
"Mom, I understand your pain," Riya said, taking Gracie’s hand before Vincent could. "I can feel your frustration. But you need to stay strong. You’ll recover soon, I’m sure of it."
"She is right," Vincent agreed gently. "You have to keep a positive outlook."
Gracie opened her mouth wide, desperate to warn her husband about how dangerous Riya was. She wanted to tell him everything Riya did.
"Mom, listen," Riya soothed, cutting her off. "We can talk when you’ve recovered. I’m right here. For now, rest." She bent down and hugged Gracie, whispering in her ear, "Don’t do anything foolish, or your husband will be in danger."
Gracie froze, terror washing over her. She was already helpless and had no desire for anyone in her family to be harmed. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Don’t lose hope," Vincent said, rising. "Your daughter is here. Talk to her. I’m going to get something to eat."
He left the room.
As the door clicked shut, Riya’s smile turned venomous. Gracie’s face drained of color; panic tightened her chest at what Riya might do next.
"I know what you are trying to do," Riya murmured. "Thinking of exposing me? Don’t even consider it if you want to live."
Every fiber of Gracie trembled. She longed to bolt from the bed, but her body would not obey.
Riya hissed, leaning closer, "I never wanted to hurt you, but you stood in my way. I had no choice. Keep quiet and nothing will happen to you."
Gracie’s fear hardened into fury. "You... I won’t let you harm my family," she managed.
Riya contorted her face. "Please. I can’t understand your groans. Hear me clearly — don’t open your mouth. This way, you can save your family. If you disobey me, I have ways to deal with you and your family. Remember, I already poisoned your husband. I can do it again."
Gracie’s eyes flashed with fury as she stretched her trembling hand toward her, fingers reaching to strangle Riya.
Riya stepped back coolly. "I could inject the poison into you and put you in a coma. Then you can dream all you like about exposing me."
Gracie fell silent, her face draining of color. Her hand dropped on the bed limply.
At that moment, the head nurse came in. "Hello, Mrs. Grant," she announced. For a second, Gracie felt a surge of relief. At least Riya couldn’t act while someone else was there. But that hope vanished soon.
"Time for her medicine," the nurse said, producing a syringe and throwing a sly look at Riya.
Gracie’s blood ran cold; she understood too late that the nurse was with Riya. She tried to move away, fearing they would hurt her. But her weak body wouldn’t follow her instructions.
The nurse opened the IV and injected the drug. Gracie grabbed the bedcover, glanced helplessly toward the door for Vincent, but no one came. Numbness crept through her limbs, and she closed her eyes.
The nurse watched impassively, tapping her fingers against Gracie’s cheeks. There was no response. A satisfied smile surfaced on her face.
"It’s done," she ed as she stepped back. "I used a small dose — it should keep her asleep for forty-eight hours. Afterwards, she may wake, though her condition could worsen. But using it again could kill her. Do you want me to continue?"
"If necessary," Riya said dismissively. "Do as you must. You’ll be paid."
The nurse didn’t ask any more questions. She was being paid, and that was all that mattered to her. Gracie’s fate wasn’t her concern. She was just another patient beyond saving. Tossing the syringe into the trash can, she quietly left the room.
Riya sat down on the chair beside the bed and pinched Gracie’s chin. "I warned you to stay out of my way, but you refused to listen," she murmured coldly. "You were so eager to expose me, and now look at you. Lying here helpless, trapped in a coma."
She let out a low chuckle. "I wonder how your husband will handle the shock. And your son..." Her lips curved into a wicked smile. "Don’t worry. I have special plans for him. I’ll make sure to keep you updated."