Chapter 361 Misunderstanding

Chapter 361 Misunderstanding

The atmosphere in the room was clearly off.

Daniela was leaning against the headboard, wearing an ill-fitting, oversized hospital gown. Her head was drooping.

Martha sat angrily on the chair by the bed, her face stern.

Neither mother nor daughter spoke, yet there was a sense that silence spoke louder than words.

Oliver's heart sank.

He immediately pushed open the door and walked in, pretending to be casual.

"Martha, you're here."

Both people in the room turned to look at him at the same time. Daniela's eyes were complicated, while Martha's showed a mix of calm and surprise.

"Mr. Oliver, Daniela doesn't know any better, but why are you going along with her nonsense?"

Martha's voice trembled as she spoke.

"Mom, this has nothing to do with Mr. Oliver."

Daniela immediately defended Oliver. This was her decision, and she couldn't let Oliver take the blame for her.

"Mr. Oliver, please go back first."

Daniela looked up at Oliver, signaling him to leave.

Oliver knew Martha's temper well. If he left now, Daniela had defied her, and she definitely wouldn't let Daniela off easily.

Oliver moved closer and set down the food. "Eat some while it's hot. Don't overthink things."

He affectionately ran his hand over Daniela's head.

"Martha, let's go outside and talk for a bit. Daniela hasn't eaten all day. Let her eat in peace."

Oliver said again.

Martha hesitated, but she felt sorry for Daniela. Seeing Daniela's pale, bloodless face, her eyes immediately reddened.

She let out a heavy sigh, then walked out of the hospital room.

Oliver gave Daniela a warm smile. "I didn't know what you like to eat, so I just bought some things. Eat first, and get a good sleep after you're full."

After saying this, he left the hospital room.

After he left, Daniela still maintained her previous position, leaning there.

She had deliberately hidden this from Martha because she knew better than anyone that once Martha learned the truth, she would definitely make a scene.

She didn't want that outcome, so she kept it secret.

But what she didn't expect was that Martha still discovered something was wrong.

Now that things had come to this, she had broken Martha's heart completely. The only thing she could do was stay silent.

She found the bowl of porridge from the food Oliver bought and drank it spoonful by spoonful.

After finishing the porridge, she pulled the blanket over her head.

Even if she couldn't sleep, she had to force herself to. Only this way could she slowly calm her heart.

Martha went to the garden behind the inpatient building, where there was a covered walkway. She plopped down.

Oliver bought two drinks and walked over. He handed one to Martha, but Martha didn't take it.

"Mr. Oliver, Daniela is confused, but are you confused too? Justin is a heartless bastard who just wants to use Daniela. You clearly knew this, so why didn't you stop her?"

As Martha spoke, she couldn't hold back her tears, which streamed down her face.

"Martha, I'm sorry."

Oliver quickly apologized.

"Justin did hurt you and Daniela, and he didn't fulfill his responsibilities as a father, but Sunny is innocent. I've met him, and his condition really doesn't look good. If he doesn't get a bone marrow transplant right away, he might really not survive."

Martha was very emotional. Before Oliver could finish, she immediately interrupted him.

"What does that have to do with Daniela? He has a father and mother. This is their problem to worry about. Daniela is my daughter and has nothing to do with their family. Besides, is extracting bone marrow a small matter? What if something goes wrong? Who's responsible? Mr. Oliver, you promised me over and over that you would take good care of Daniela, but I have to ask you—how exactly have you been taking care of her?"

Oliver really had no way to answer this question from Martha.

Besides apologizing, he seemed to have nothing to say.

"Martha, I'm sorry."

"You don't need to say sorry to me. Mr. Oliver, Daniela is my only daughter. I absolutely won't allow her to suffer any harm, especially from that scumbag. If pursuing Daniela just means constantly pleasing her and indulging her, then I don't think you're right for Daniela. I've said everything I need to say. I'm leaving now."

Martha angrily got up and left.

Oliver hurried forward to stop her. "Martha, listen to me."

But before he could speak, Martha saw the person she least wanted to see.

Caroline was holding Justin's arm, and the two were walking out of the inpatient building, laughing and chatting.

Martha had been full of anger with nowhere to vent. Now seeing this scene, she was instantly furious.

"Justin, you heartless traitor! It's one thing to scheme against me, but you even schemed against my daughter! I'll fight you!"

No one knew what force suddenly possessed Martha. She rushed over and swung her palm at Justin's face.

"Martha, what's wrong with you?"

After taking several slaps in a row, Justin grabbed Martha's wrist and pushed her away.

"Justin, are you okay?"

Caroline sweetly checked Justin's wounds, her eyes glaring at Martha with disgust.

"You and Justin have been divorced for so many years. Why are you still coming here to cause trouble?"

Caroline stood up for Justin.

When Oliver rushed over, Martha was pointing her shaking finger at them with her hands on her hips, cursing.

"Cause trouble? You pair of cheating scum! After doing such shameless things back then, it's been almost twenty years—why did you come back to bother us? If you want to save your son, figure it out yourselves! Going after my daughter—you people are truly shameless!"

"Who went after your daughter? My son's bone marrow match was successful. It has nothing to do with your daughter."

Martha was shouting, and Caroline wasn't backing down either.

"Caroline, let's go."

Justin had several red marks on half his face. Seeing Oliver walking toward them, he grabbed Caroline's arm, wanting to leave with her.

But now that Caroline had nothing to ask for, she just wanted to stand up for Justin.

"Nothing to do with her? You dare say it has nothing to do with my daughter? The only reason your son is safe and sound now is because my daughter donated bone marrow to him. She's really so foolish—helping people like this, saving lives like this."

The truth couldn't be hidden anymore.

"Martha, let's go back."

Oliver quickly grabbed Martha's arm, wanting to take her away.

An expression of disbelief appeared on Justin's face. "Martha, what did you say? You said Daniela donated bone marrow to Sunny?"

"What did you think? Justin, why isn't it you lying in that hospital bed? Why don't people like you get what they deserve?"

Martha continued cursing.

Justin stood frozen in place, not saying a word.

Oliver quickly helped Martha leave.

"Caroline, don't listen to that crazy woman. How could Daniela possibly help Sunny? It's definitely not like she said."

But once a seed of doubt is planted in someone's heart, it takes root and grows.

Although Justin was pulled away by Caroline, doubt had formed in his heart.

Early the next morning, he came to the hospital bright and early.

"Doctor, I'd like to ask you something. Was the person who matched with my son a girl named Daniela?"

The doctor looked up at Justin. "I'm sorry, we can't disclose information about donors."

Although they couldn't disclose it, Justin knew that if he wanted to find out, he could definitely get to the truth.

So he started from the twenty-first floor, searching room by room.

Finally, on the twenty-second floor, he ran into Daniela, who was about to check out and leave.

"Daniela."

Justin called out loudly and walked quickly toward Daniela.

Daniela was very weak, her face still pale and bloodless. She wore a baseball cap pulled down low. She gently looked up and saw Justin walking toward her.

As if to avoid him, she quickened her pace and walked straight toward the elevator.

"Daniela, I'd like to talk to you for a moment."

At the elevator, Justin blocked Daniela's path.

Daniela was about the same height as him. Standing close, they could look directly at each other.

"I don't think we have anything to talk about. Please move aside."

Daniela's tone was ice-cold. She reached out to push Justin away, but her body was weak and she didn't push very hard.

"Daniela, did you donate bone marrow to Sunny?"

Justin asked.

Daniela leaned against the wall. She felt the veins on her forehead throbbing.

"You're overthinking it. Why would I donate to him?"

At that moment, the elevator doors opened.

She pushed hard against Justin, then stepped into the elevator.

Just as she entered, Justin followed her in.

"Daniela, I know everything now. Thank you. I know you hate me, and I really am a piece of trash. This card has a million dollars in it—it's a small token from me. It probably can't make up for anything, but please take it."

Daniela looked at the card mockingly. She didn't take it, just looked at Justin playfully.

"I didn't know my bone marrow was worth so much."

As she spoke, she reached out with two fingers and took the card.

Seeing Daniela accept the card, Justin felt much more at ease.

"Daniela, let's have lunch together."

Daniela glanced at him coldly. "Sure."

After saying this, she put the earbuds hanging around her neck into her ears.

When Justin tried to talk to her, he ended up talking to himself.

Outside the hospital, Justin enthusiastically offered, "Take my car. It's just up ahead."

"I prefer taxis."

Daniela ignored him and hailed a cab herself.

She rode in the taxi ahead while Justin followed behind.

On the way, she called Oliver.

"Come to the address I'm sending you. Now."

After saying that, she hung up.

It was a seafood restaurant.

Daniela went in, and Justin followed.

Daniela chose a seat by the window and sat down. Justin quickly sat across from her.

"Waiter, please bring us all the most expensive specialty dishes here."

Justin was loaded and had the air of a nouveau riche.

Daniela frowned slightly and called over the waiter. "Please bring me a bowl of porridge. Thank you."

"Daniela, you're weak right now. You should really build up your strength. I ordered all the specialty dishes here. Make sure you eat more later."

Daniela leaned back in her chair and didn't respond.

Soon, the table was filled with dishes. Justin's eyes lit up. "Daniela, go ahead and eat."

While calling out to her, he had already started eating himself.

Watching him eat, Daniela rolled her eyes internally.

Soon, Oliver arrived.

"Over here."

Daniela stood up and waved at Oliver, and he walked over.

Justin turned around, and seeing Oliver, his face broke into a huge smile.

"Mr. Oliver, what an honor!"

He reached out to shake hands with Oliver, but Oliver acted as if he didn't see it and sat down next to Daniela.

"Here, take this. Help me contact an orphanage and donate it."

She gave Oliver the card Justin had given her and asked him to donate it to an orphanage.

Justin panicked. "Daniela, I gave that to you. Why are you donating it?"

Being selfish and self-centered as he was, he couldn't understand Daniela's actions at all.

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Daniela's mouth. "You said yourself that this money is for me. How I handle it is my business. Do I need your permission?"

"No, that's not it, Daniela." Justin was getting anxious. If the card wasn't in Oliver's hands right now, he would have grabbed it back.

"Daniela, listen to me. A million dollars isn't a lot, but it's not nothing either. I run a small company, and the annual profit isn't even a million. This money is for your wedding. You'll need it when you get married. Be good—let's not donate it, okay?"

He said to Daniela.

But before Daniela could answer, he looked at Oliver again. "Daniela is still a kid. She's too innocent and kind. She doesn't understand the value of money yet. Please don't listen to her. This money can't be donated."

"Donate it?"

Oliver's sharp gaze swept over Justin, then became especially warm when it landed on Daniela.

"Yes."

Daniela answered firmly.

Oliver took out his phone and called Lucas. "Help me contact an orphanage. I need to donate some money."

Lucas was helping Zachary handle company matters. Hearing this, he thought he'd heard wrong.

"Mr. Oliver, since when did you become such a do-gooder? How much are you planning to donate this time?"

"A million dollars."

"A million?" Lucas couldn't believe his ears.

He thought Oliver was joking around again.

"Stop messing around. I'm busy right now. I'm hanging up."

He was about to hang up.

"I'm not the one donating. Help me find a reliable organization. I need to donate today."

He wanted to donate, and urgently.

More urgent than him was Justin.

All his wishful thinking had come to nothing.

The reason he gave Daniela that card wasn't because he genuinely wanted her forgiveness.

He had originally thought that Daniela was so stubborn and hated him so much that she would never take his money.

So he had prepared himself for Daniela to throw the card in his face.

But now, Daniela was actually going to donate that million to an orphanage. Every stingy cell in his body came alive, wanting only to stop that money.

"Daniela, I know you think a million is too little, but I've done my best. My company isn't big, but I still have over a hundred people to feed. Your brother Sunny is sick, and everything costs money. This million isn't much, but it's all my savings."

He started getting emotional, trying to win Daniela's sympathy.

But his plan fell through again.

"But you said this money is for me. Since you gave it to me, how I use it is my freedom. You don't think that as your daughter, getting a million dollars from you is too much, do you?"

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant."

Justin waved his hands, constantly denying it.

But Daniela stood up and cut off his voice. "Good, as long as that's not what you meant. I'm leaving."