Chapter 239

Chapter 239

The news of Edith reaching out to the Langley family quickly made its way to Christopher.

After mulling it over, Christopher went to the hospital the next day.

The moment he arrived, he ran into Richard and Mira, who were also there to visit Edith.

Richard and Mira walked side by side, trailed by several young people carrying bags full of prenatal supplements.

Seeing Christopher empty-handed, both of them looked at him with obvious disdain.

"Edith's pregnant and her health is fragile. If you're going to visit her, you should at least bring something. What's the point of showing up like this? To upset her?"

Mira scolded.

Christopher's brow furrowed, but he didn't dare remind them that this was a hospital—those supplements they brought might not even be useful here.

If he said anything, he'd just get another lecture.

He said, "The baby Edith's carrying is Ethan's."

From the way Richard and Mira were acting, it was obvious they thought the child was his.

The moment the words left his mouth, Richard's cane swung toward him again.

This time Christopher sidestepped it.

Seeing him actually dodge, Richard was furious.

Mira's expression darkened as well. "So what you're saying is, you're not planning to claim this child?"

Christopher sighed. "I just don't want you to resent Edith or the baby once you learn the truth later."

Mira studied him suspiciously. "Is that really what you think? You're only worried about Edith?"

Christopher glanced at Richard, his tone calm yet utterly convincing.

"All these years, I took care of Abigail because I thought she was Edith."

"Richard should know what Edith means to me. Once I learned the truth, I made up my mind. No matter whose child it is, as long as she's willing to accept me, I'll treat that baby as my own."

It didn't matter who the father was. As long as the mother was Edith, Christopher wouldn't care.

Mira finally seemed satisfied. "That's more like it."

The three of them talked as they reached the hospital room door.

Christopher stopped.

Mira looked at him, puzzled.

Christopher stood in the doorway, watching Edith inside as she chatted with Anna.

Seeing her safe and sound, Christopher felt a weight lift from his chest.

"I won't go in," he said.

Edith probably didn't want to see him right now.

Richard huffed in disapproval. "Thoughtful when it doesn't matter."

With that, he pushed the door open and walked in.

Hearing the noise, Edith turned her head and saw the man standing in the doorway.

Their eyes met for a few seconds. Just as Edith was about to speak, Christopher looked away and turned to leave.

Edith's brow creased slightly.

She wanted to talk to him about his investigation into Dione's death.

Richard noticed where her gaze had gone and glanced toward the door.

Christopher's figure had already vanished. Richard frowned again, exasperated.

"Edith, don't worry about him. Look what I brought you."

He drew her attention back.

Edith gathered her thoughts and turned to chat politely with Richard and Mira.

Christopher headed downstairs to Abigail's room.

"Mr. Hale."

His men greeted him respectfully.

Christopher nodded slightly and glanced into the room.

The Langley family had all left. Only Maria was inside keeping Abigail company.

Hearing the commotion outside, Abigail whipped her head around.

The instant she saw Christopher, her eyes reddened and her face crumpled with hurt and grievance.

When Christopher stepped through the door, she threw off the blanket and scrambled out of bed, desperate to throw herself into his arms.

"Chris..."

A flash of undisguised disgust crossed Christopher's eyes. He sidestepped her.

Abigail collapsed onto the floor, looking up at him with wounded eyes.

Christopher didn't spare her a second glance. His gaze locked onto Maria.

"Who killed Edith's mother?"

Maria had been about to help Abigail up. At his words, she froze.

"Mr. Hale, I already told Edith. The day after tomorrow, I'll reveal the truth in front of Dione's grave."

As she spoke, she kept her head down, pretending to help Abigail while avoiding Christopher's eyes.

Christopher looked down at them both.

"If you've already decided to confess, what's the difference between today and the day after tomorrow?"

"What are you scheming now, Mrs. Langley?"

Maria's back broke out in a cold sweat under his stare, but she held firm.

"Abby's heart donor is still in your hands, Mr. Hale. How would I dare scheme? It's just that what happened back then wasn't simple. I need time to sort it out."

Christopher's eyes narrowed. The room filled with crushing pressure.

"Seems Mrs. Langley hasn't given up yet."

He gave his men a look.

Footsteps echoed in Maria's ears.

Before she could react, two men grabbed Abigail by the arms and hauled her up from the floor.

"Abby!" Maria shot to her feet. "Let her go! What are you doing?"

The men ignored her, dragging Abigail toward the door.

"Let me go! Help! Chris, I was wrong, please make them stop..." Abigail begged Christopher frantically.

Maria finally understood. She turned to Christopher. "Chris, Abby has a heart condition. Don't scare her like this. I'm begging you."

Christopher said, "I'm just moving her to another room. Once you've thought it through and told the truth about what happened back then, she'll be fine."

The implication was clear. If Maria tried anything, he couldn't guarantee Abigail's safety.

Maria's face went pale, then flushed.

"Mom, save me, I'm scared..." Abigail cried out to her.

Maria bit her lip, hesitating over what to do, when Christopher's phone rang.

He answered. Frank's respectful voice came through.

"Mr. Hale, word from overseas—the Hughes family is on their way back to the country. Does the Hale family need to make any preparations?"

Surprise flickered in Christopher's eyes.

As one of the country's top elite families, the Hughes family was different from the Hale family. Beyond their wealth, they had deep family heritage—an aristocratic lineage spanning a century.

Over twenty years ago, the Hughes family had suddenly decided to move abroad.

The reason remained unknown to outsiders. All anyone knew was that the current head of the Hughes family was still unmarried with no children.

Before leaving the country, the Hughes family had some ties with the Hale family. Now that they were returning, the Hale family should acknowledge it.

Christopher said, "I'll discuss it with Grandfather."

Frank agreed.

Christopher hung up and swept a glance over the room.

"Until Mrs. Langley makes up her mind, don't expect to see Abigail."

With that, he turned and left.

His men took Abigail with them.

Maria tried to chase after them, but the guards at the door blocked her way.

Watching Abigail's figure disappear from view, Maria's expression turned ugly. Then, thinking of the Hughes family's imminent return, she felt a small measure of comfort.

At least once the Hughes family came back, they wouldn't have to bend to Christopher's will anymore. And Abby would be saved.