Chapter 447 Oliver Explodes: Who Dares Touch My Son? (3)
Nicholas's face darkened with anger.
Matthew's lips twitched uncontrollably. He had chosen Hestia for her refinement and education, but now she thought she could dismiss Sarah with a mere $50 million.
"You fool!" Matthew finally erupted.
Tears welled in Hestia's eyes. "I was only thinking of the Moore family."
Isabella could no longer remain silent. "Sarah is still Dad's child. How could you treat her this way?"
Hestia bit her lip stubbornly, unwilling to reveal her true motives in front of others.
Oliver gave her a cold, mocking smile. "Fifty million dollars? Do you think I'm short on cash like that?"
Filled with contempt, he pulled out a wad of cash from his wallet and threw it at Hestia's face. The sharp edges of the bills cut two thin lines across her pampered cheeks.
Hestia cried out, covering her face.
"Try something like this again," Oliver threatened, his eyes boring into hers, "and I'll tear your face apart."
With that, he scooped up Jacob in one arm and took Sarah's hand with the other.
The night grew deeper. The hospital corridor fell eerily silent, with only the fading footsteps of the family of three breaking the stillness.
On the hospital bed, Isaac began to cry.
Hestia rushed to comfort him, cradling him gently. "It's alright, it's alright," she soothed.
But Isaac squirmed in her arms, his eyes betraying a hint of fear.
Hestia looked up at Matthew, her voice breaking. "The blood bank is critically low, and this blood type is impossible to find. What if Isaac has another crisis? Grandpa, please talk to Sarah, convince her—"
"Convince her of what?" Matthew's face turned ashen. "To let Jacob be Isaac's personal blood bank? You've already taken so much blood from a seven-year-old child. If I hadn't shown up, were you planning to draw another 500 milliliters for backup?"
Hestia fell silent.
Matthew turned away from her and approached Nicholas. Without warning, he delivered a stinging slap across Nicholas's face.
"This is all your doing," Matthew said, his voice cold with authority. "Your rebellion years ago, your failure to manage your marriage, making your children suffer... your inability to care for your wife. Every mistake traces back to you."
Nicholas remained silent. His face was a mess of blood—Oliver had already broken his nose, and now Matthew's slap had added to his injuries.
Isabella felt sorry for Nicholas, though she was equally disappointed in both him and Hestia. She had loved Sarah too, once upon a time.
She sighed inwardly. Sarah would likely never return to the Moore family in this lifetime.
Oliver led his wife and children downstairs.
Once in the car, Jacob regained some energy. From the back seat, he wrapped his arms around Oliver's neck. "Daddy, you were amazing back there! You're so tough when you fight."
Still shaken, Oliver forced a smile through his anguish. "Wasn't all that blood too scary for you?"
"I wasn't scared," Jacob replied, then added softly, "Not with you there, Daddy."
"Silly boy," Oliver said with a laugh, though his voice trembled.
He pulled out a white cigarette but didn't light it, just held it to his nose for a moment before putting it away. Fastening his seatbelt, he said gently, "Let's go home."
The night was still.
Jacob fell asleep against Sarah's chest, finding comfort there, though his sleep was restless after losing 500 milliliters of blood.
"It hurts... it hurts," he mumbled in his sleep.
Sarah's heart shattered. Silent tears streamed down her face.
Behind the wheel, Oliver clenched his jaw so hard it might break. He wished he could round up everyone in the Moore family and execute them one by one.
Thirty minutes later, they pulled up outside Sarah's building.
Oliver got out and opened the back door. Jacob was asleep in Sarah's arms, his shirt damp with sweat. Oliver removed his jacket and wrapped it around the boy before lifting him up.
Sarah followed behind.
The night was silent as they entered the apartment.
The nanny was still awake, holding a startled Nicole in the living room. Half-asleep, Nicole called out softly for Jacob when she heard the door open.
Oliver carried Jacob into the master bedroom.
Sarah brought Nicole in as well.
Jacob remained asleep, his handsome young face exhausted.
Nicole called out again, "Jacob."
Oliver tucked Nicole under the covers next to her brother, then turned to Sarah. "Stay with the children. I'll make some soup in the kitchen to help Jacob recover."
He clearly intended to spend the night.
Sarah was too preoccupied to object and nodded her consent.
In the soft lamplight, she sat by the bed, watching her children with a still-trembling heart.
Oliver touched her face, his voice hoarse. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Sarah started, looking up into his eyes. She saw strength and tenderness there. Something stirred within her, but the wounds of the past had left deep roots that couldn't be easily removed.
"Oliver," she whispered, "can I trust you again?"
After a moment of silence, he murmured, "Time will prove everything, Sarah. I won't abandon you or Jacob again. For the rest of our lives, I'll protect you all. As long as I'm alive, no one will hurt you."
Sarah lowered her eyes, pretending disbelief. "That sounds too good to be true."
He wanted to say more but held back.
A real man didn't waste words on empty promises.
An hour later, Oliver returned to the master bedroom with the soup.
Sarah was just coming out of the bathroom, freshly showered and wearing a moon-white silk nightgown that clung to her body in a way that was impossible not to notice.
Oliver couldn't take his eyes off her. "You showered?"
Sarah took the bowl from his hands. "The guest room has a shower too. You can manage with your shirt and trousers for one night. Zoey can bring you fresh clothes in the morning."
His blue eyes darkened. "I want to sleep here."
"There's not enough room," she refused.
He nodded, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Then bring me a light blanket. The guest room only has thick ones, and I'll be too hot even with the air conditioning..."
Sarah suspected nothing.
After feeding Jacob the soup and making sure he was asleep, she carried a light blanket to the guest room.
She heard water running in the bathroom and assumed Oliver was showering. As she began to make the bed, strong arms suddenly encircled her slender body.
Oliver pressed her against the door, his rough hands sliding under her nightgown. "I've been wanting to do this to you for so long," he growled.