Chapter 281 Gratitude and Conspiracies

Chapter 281 Gratitude and Conspiracies

William was at a loss for words. He had only come for a check-up, and somehow it had turned into another treatment session.

Would their planned intimate evening still be possible after this treatment?

He cast a plaintive look at Anna, who struggled to hide her amusement as she nodded, "Well, since you're already here, William, please lie down."

Hearing Anna's instruction, William reluctantly removed his pants and lay back on the hospital bed.

This treatment took up the rest of the afternoon. By the time they returned to the Sterling estate, darkness had already fallen.

Irene wasn't worried about William's extended hospital stay, but Victoria was suffering. She had returned from the prison visit, exhausted after a long day, and was now starving. Yet for William's sake, she forced herself to wait.

"Mrs. Sterling, Mr. Sterling and Ms. Rice have returned," announced the servant.

At this news, Irene rose with delight. "They're back! Wonderful. Let's go greet them."

She stood and walked toward the entrance with Victoria reluctantly trailing behind.

William was being pushed in his wheelchair from the car by Anna, with Richard and Atticus following behind.

Seeing the procession, Irene's gaze immediately fell to William's legs.

"Is it true? Can you feel your legs?" she asked, her voice choked with emotion.

William nodded. "Yes, I have some sensation now."

"Thank God!"

Tears that Irene had been struggling to contain finally rolled down her cheeks.

She turned to Anna, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Anna, you are truly our family's savior. I was blind not to see your worth before and misjudged you terribly. It was all my fault. Thank goodness you didn't hold a grudge and were able to help William. Otherwise, I would have been the greatest sinner in the Sterling family!"

Irene's words were both sincere and urgent. Hearing them, Anna quickly responded, "Mrs. Sterling, you're too kind. This is also William's own good fortune."

"Yes, indeed. And isn't meeting you the greatest fortune of all?"

"Anna, you are truly heaven's best gift to William. I thank you for being by his side."

Irene took Anna's hand in one of hers and William's in the other, her face beaming with joy. "Come, let's have dinner!"

The meal was a joyous occasion for everyone—except Victoria.

Now that Anna had improved William's condition, she had become the Sterling family's greatest benefactor. Victoria could see why Grace had lost her fighting spirit. William's affection and Irene's gratitude were formidable advantages that Anna possessed, likely her strongest assets for securing a place in the Sterling family.

At this point, not only had Grace retreated, but Victoria also felt herself giving up.

She glanced at Alexander beside her, who was happily oblivious to the power dynamics at play. Victoria had to admit that she would never be able to reclaim the company from William's control.

At this moment, she felt nothing but disillusionment and uncertainty.

Since marrying Alexander, Victoria had spent half her life fighting with the Sterlings. When William's parents were alive, she fought with them.

After William's parents died in an unexpected car accident, they left behind only their disabled son, William. Victoria hadn't considered him a threat. But as the years passed, this seemingly ordinary boy transformed into a formidable force.

He could take a bite out of anyone at any time, and by the time Victoria realized the danger, it was too late.

Now she had nothing left. What could she use to fight William?

If she chose to be a leisurely society wife, she could still maintain her position in the Sterling family. But if she dared to harbor any more thoughts of seizing power, Victoria knew that even if William didn't act against her, Irene wouldn't spare her.

Her gaze fell on Alexander. Seeming to sense her attention, he quickly ladled a bowl of her favorite seafood soup.

"Darling, have some. It's good for you—I specially asked the chef to make it for you," he said.

As the soup touched her lips, its sweet and savory flavors filled her mouth. Victoria felt a complex mix of emotions.

Perhaps if she didn't obsess over power and status, happiness was actually within reach.

After all, she still had a husband who loved her deeply.

With this thought, Victoria's expression softened.

After dinner, Irene invited Anna to stay the night.

Unable to refuse, Anna followed William back to his bedroom.

The bedroom remained exactly as Anna had left it.

Though Anna had expected a difficult night ahead, especially after William's earlier promises not to "let her off," she was surprised to find that he quickly fell asleep, his eyes closing heavily.

Of course, he had just completed a treatment session that afternoon. Despite the physical pain, William had endured the entire dinner without complaint for Irene's sake. He had even insisted on drinking some red wine against everyone's advice. Such exertion would wear out even the strongest constitution.

Anna lay beside him, quietly holding his hand, watching his profile with a smile.

The warm amber light cast a gentle glow on William's face, highlighting his sharp, handsome features.

Anna reached out, tracing the contours of his face with her fingertip. How she wished time could stop at this moment, giving her and William more time together.

As time passed, Anna felt drowsiness overtaking her. She leaned forward and placed a kiss on the corner of William's lips.

Raising her head again, her eyes filled with tenderness. "Goodnight, William."

The next morning when William woke, Anna was already gone.

He sat up, his mind still foggy, only becoming alert when Brad entered with the staff.

"Good morning, Mr. Sterling."

"Where's Anna?" William immediately asked.

"She left early this morning. She said she had an appointment to discuss some matters and asked us not to disturb you."

As Brad spoke, he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

Seeing William and Anna reconciling, he hoped the Sterling family would soon be planning a wedding.

She'd gone to work again, William thought with a sigh, feeling somewhat abandoned by Anna.

After getting up and completing his morning routine, William went to the office. His first order of business was to find Anna.

However, he was informed that Anna had left with Caspian and wasn't at the company. Hearing this, William didn't dwell on it.

Meanwhile, Anna was meeting with Caspian and Lucy. The two were sharing their recent investigation findings with her.

After hearing Lucy's report, Anna gave a cold laugh. "So it was Jonathan who went to find Wesley?"

"Yes. Although the surveillance footage isn't very clear, after comparison, it's definitely Jonathan."

After hearing Lucy's confirmation, Anna was perplexed. "But how would he know we're looking for Marigold? And was that missing person notice really posted by Jonathan?"

Neither of them could answer Anna's questions. Seeing this, Anna scoffed, "Since we can't find out, let's have someone who can investigate this."

Lucy asked excitedly, "Anna, do you have a plan?"

Anna nodded. "Yes, let's leave this to Hayden."