Chapter 240

Edith's body had mostly recovered, but the two elders wouldn't hear of letting her leave. They insisted she stay at the hospital a while longer.

So Edith remained hospitalized for two more days.

Two days later, the day arrived when Maria had promised to reveal the truth.

Anna and Ethan showed up at the hospital early in the morning to accompany her.

The three of them were just about to head out when Christopher arrived as well.

"Mr. Hale shouldn't be here right now."

Ethan calmly positioned himself in front of Edith, eyeing the man before him.

Seeing his protective gesture, Christopher's expression darkened slightly.

But thinking of the child in Edith's belly, he swallowed his displeasure.

"I'm coming with you," he said.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, about to say something.

Behind him, Anna gently tugged at his sleeve.

She understood Ethan's concern—he was afraid Christopher would side with the Langley family again and hurt Edith.

But based on her observations over the past two days, Anna was certain Christopher wouldn't do that anymore.

Christopher continued, "If it weren't for me last time, you would've already gotten the truth you wanted. For that reason alone, I should see this through."

Ethan glanced back at Edith.

Edith pressed her lips together. "If that's how you feel about it, then come along."

At her words, Christopher's eyes softened slightly.

After saying that, Edith didn't look at him again. She simply walked ahead with Anna. Christopher didn't mind, silently following behind the two women.

Ethan walked beside him.

"If Mr. Hale is only now thinking about making amends, it's far too late."

"You already know she's Emily. You should also know what she gave up for you."

Christopher didn't need the reminder. He'd been living with that guilt these past days.

Hearing Ethan's words, his expression grew even darker.

"So? What's your point in telling me all this? Want me to stay away from her?"

The menacing aura radiating from him was almost tangible.

Ethan looked at him in confusion, unsure where this hostility was coming from.

The next second, Christopher turned to face him, his tone full of warning.

"I'll respect Edith's feelings, but if you wrong her, I won't let it slide."

Ethan froze for a few seconds. It wasn't until after they'd entered the elevator that realization finally dawned on him.

Christopher was warning him—because of the child in Edith's belly—not to abandon Edith and the baby.

At that thought, Ethan cast a complicated glance at the man beside him.

Christopher's attention had already shifted to Edith, completely oblivious to Ethan's strange look.

The awkward atmosphere persisted until the elevator doors opened.

Maria had sworn she would confess everything at Dione's grave, but just to be safe, they planned to escort her from the hospital themselves.

But the moment they stepped out of the elevator, they saw two groups of people facing off outside the hospital room.

Christopher's men stood guard at the door, meeting the opposition with calm professionalism.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hughes, but without Mr. Hale's authorization, no one can enter."

Facing them was a tall, middle-aged man in an impeccable suit, his posture straight and commanding. Gray streaked his temples, and his entire bearing radiated authority.

Mike stood behind him, his expression conflicted.

After Christopher's man finished speaking, Mike's face immediately hardened.

"You know this is Mr. Hughes, and you still won't open the door? Don't you realize even Mr. Hale has to call Mr. Hughes 'uncle'?"

The guard looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, Mr. Hughes..."

Mike was about to lose his temper when the man's glance silenced him.

The man spoke in a deep voice. "Then call Mr. Hale. Tell him I need to see the person inside."

The guard was about to contact Christopher when Christopher himself appeared beside them.

"Mr. Hughes." He greeted the man.

Orion Hughes turned around, his gaze falling on Christopher with the weight of authority tempered by an elder's warmth.

"A few years ago, I heard you'd been in a car accident. I see you've recovered well."

Christopher nodded slightly. "I apologize for causing you concern, Mr. Hughes."

Ethan also came over to offer his greetings.

Orion had met him a few times abroad and didn't bother with excessive pleasantries.

He looked at Christopher. "Since you're here, have them open the door. Let me in."

Christopher's brow furrowed, his gaze shifting to Mike behind Orion.

Orion's appearance at the hospital at this particular moment seemed too coincidental.

And Mike's attitude made it impossible not to be suspicious.

"Does Mr. Hughes have business with the person inside?" Christopher asked.

Orion's expression remained unchanged, though his eyes darkened slightly.

"This is a private Hughes family matter. I'm not at liberty to discuss it."

Christopher's frown deepened.

He was about to press further when the hospital room door opened. Maria stood in the doorway.

"Mr. Hughes is here for Abby. Christopher, where have you taken Abby? Have your people bring her here at once!"

In just one day, Maria's attitude toward him had completely reversed.

Christopher's sense that something was wrong intensified, his eyes growing darker.

"The Langley family and I still have unfinished business. Until that's resolved, my people will continue looking after Abigail."

He turned to Orion. "If Mr. Hughes needs to see her, I'm afraid you'll have to wait."

Maria rushed out of the room, trying to grab Orion's arm.

Orion coldly stepped aside.

Maria bit her lip and spoke up. "Mr. Hughes, we can't wait! Abby has a heart condition—she's been resuscitated twice already! Right now she's alone, watched by the Hale family's people. Who knows how terrified she must be? If we wait any longer, she could die!"

At those words, Orion's expression turned grave.

"I need to see her now. Bring her here." He released the full weight of his authority.

Christopher was about to refuse when Edith's voice sounded beside him.

"Have them bring her over."

She knew Christopher was doing this for her sake. That was precisely why Edith didn't want him going up against the Hughes family.

If this caused friction between the Hale family and the Hughes family, Edith's conscience wouldn't allow it.

Christopher glanced back at her. Seeing no distress in her expression, he relented and had his people bring Abigail over.

In just one day, Abigail looked like a different person—hair dull and yellowed, face haggard.

It made people wonder what Christopher had done to her in such a short time.

Seeing Maria and Mike, Abigail burst into tears.

"Mom, save me. I don't want to go back. I'll die..."

Maria held her tightly, heartbroken. "Don't be afraid. Your father's here to get you. Everything will be fine soon."

Abigail huddled in her embrace. At those words, she didn't even lift her head.

She assumed Maria meant Mike. Against Hale Group, what could Mike possibly do? It would be a miracle if he didn't make things worse.

She could only pin all her hopes on Maria.

Abigail was about to ask Maria about the solution she'd mentioned earlier when suddenly, an unfamiliar male voice came from above her.

"Are you Abby?"