“Martha, hang up that phone this instant!”

Her tone was no longer polite or cautious, and the fake widow facade had completely vanished.

Valerie’s face was twisted in desperation as every single word came out tight and sharp.

Martha held the phone slightly farther from her ear to hear better.

“Why are you so afraid of this call?”

The line was still active, sending a faint hum of static through the speaker.

Valerie kept her panicked eyes locked onto the glowing phone screen.