Mrs. Evans stared at Jane's face.

An inexplicable sense of familiarity washed over her.

She was about to speak.

Justin Evans sneered, "How could she possibly get into the Nora Research Institute? Even if her hand wasn't crippled, her education and experience aren't nearly good enough!"

The New York Nora Research Institute is a top-tier institution.

Jane glared at Justin.

Evelyn Ross said calmly, "Why couldn't she get in?"

"Someone who was fired from a hospital would never be accepted by the Nora Research Institute! Miss Ross, perhaps you don't understand the prestige of the Nora Research Institute?"

Jason Evans chimed in, "The Nora Research Institute is the dream workplace for every research physician!"

Evelyn looked at him as if he were a clown.

Although Evelyn was officially "deceased," the Nora Research Institute held significant meaning.

After arriving in New York, she had secretly sent an email to let the Institute know she was still alive.

Both domestic and international branches of the Nora Research Institute were operating normally.

There was no need to share this with these people.

She took Jane's hand and prepared to leave.

Justin blocked their path. "Who said you could leave?"

Evelyn looked up. "Looking for a fight? Or is your skin itching for another lesson?"

Justin smirked. "Jane disturbed a guest in the VIP suite. Shouldn't she apologize?"

Evelyn took a deep breath.

Her hands itched intensely.

If they weren't in New York, she would have punched him already.

This was utterly frustrating!

Evelyn asked coldly, "What exactly do you want?"

"It's simple."

Justin smiled. "Have Jane kowtow to Jason and admit her mistake. Then we'll let it go. Otherwise, I'll have her expelled from school!"

He turned to Jason. "Jason ended up like this because of her. Is an apology too much to ask?"

Jane bit her lip hard.

Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

She glared fiercely at Justin, feeling completely powerless.

Why?

Did having power and influence mean you could do whatever you wanted?

What had she and her brother done wrong?

It was Jason who went to their home, attacked her brother, and tried to assault her... Evelyn only acted in defense... Why was everything suddenly her fault?

Her entire body trembled, her blood running cold.

The person before her seemed like a demon.

She choked back a sob.

Evelyn refused outright. "Impossible!"

Justin looked at her. "Miss Ross, don't overestimate your importance. Having her apologize today is a courtesy to you. Otherwise, given her lowly status, I could make you both disappear from New York anytime."

He turned back to Jane. "Don't refuse a favor when it's offered! If you don't kowtow, I'll have your brother dead on the street tomorrow!"

He could say such things so openly...

Evelyn was shocked.

Jane's eyes grew even redder.

Evelyn frowned. "Justin, do you have any respect for the law?"

Justin laughed. "I'm a law-abiding citizen. But what if someone has a grudge against Jane's brother? If he accidentally falls down the stairs, or tumbles from a rooftop, how is that my concern?"

Evelyn was speechless.

This was clearly about hiring thugs to kill, then shifting the blame to them!

Jane frantically waved her hands.

Her brother was all she had. She couldn't let anything happen to him because of her!

Justin continued, "Jane, Evelyn is from the Ashcroft family. I can't touch her. But you and your brother are easy targets. Would the Ashcrofts go to war with us over lowlifes like you? Besides, you're distant relatives of the Evans family! This is an internal Evans matter. The Ashcrofts can't interfere. So, will you kneel or not?"

"She will not kneel!"

Evelyn refused directly, holding Jane's arm. "We're leaving. I will protect you both!"

But Jane pulled her hand away.

Evelyn was startled.

Jane's eyes were resolute and angry, filled with stubbornness.

Though she couldn't speak, Evelyn understood her meaning...

She didn't want to burden Evelyn, and she feared for her brother's safety.

Otherwise, she would never forgive herself...

So...

She turned to Jason on the hospital bed and without hesitation, dropped to her knees with a loud "thud!"

Evelyn was stunned. "Jane!"

She wanted to say people must have dignity. She wanted to help Jane up.

But she suddenly realized this was Jane's life, not hers.

She couldn't protect Jane and her brother every moment... Unless she kept them sheltered, but was that truly what they wanted?

Evelyn felt conflicted, frozen in place.

After kneeling, Jane looked at Jason.

A perverse sense of pleasure surged within Jason.

This was the lost daughter of the main branch...

The high-and-mighty daughter of the main branch, kneeling before him...

Jason sneered. "Kowtow!"

Justin added, "Yes, kowtow!"

Jane closed her eyes tightly and slammed her forehead against the floor.

The sound made Evelyn's heart tremble.

She couldn't help but shout, "Enough!"

She stepped forward to help Jane up.

Jason snarled viciously, "Not enough! I want ten kowtows! Ten!"

Justin stopped Jane. "Nine more. Once you finish, we'll let you go."

Despair flashed in Jane's eyes.

Thinking of her brother, her future, the power of the Evans family...

She did not rise, but kowtowed again with great force.

"Jane!"

Evelyn's eyes reddened.

Jason felt secret delight.

Justin looked disdainful.

Mrs. Evans frowned, her thoughts still preoccupied with finding her daughter.

Suddenly, someone rushed in through the doorway. "Jane, your phone has been ringing nonstop in my bag..."