Chapter 242

Chapter 242

As Anna's words fell, a barely noticeable shift passed across the Langley family's faces.

Mike's gaze swept quickly over Edith before he strode to Orion's side.

"Mr. Hughes, this is the Collins family heiress—spoiled rotten by her family. She's always running her mouth."

He turned to Orion. "You've personally confirmed Abby's identity yourself. She's your daughter. Now that she's being slandered like this, surely you won't just stand by and do nothing?"

The Langley Group had been under relentless pressure lately, and the Collins family had played their part. Mike had been holding this grudge for far too long—he wanted payback.

Christopher was untouchable for now, but using Orion to teach the Collins family a lesson? That was perfectly doable.

Abigail quickly seized the moment, playing the victim.

"Dad, you heard them, didn't you? This is how they used to bully me. Even with you here, they still won't back off."

Orion had personally verified Abigail's background before showing up at the hospital.

Seeing how worn-down she looked, he felt nothing but guilt toward this daughter. All he wanted was to make it up to her.

He patted the back of her hand reassuringly.

"All these years, Dad failed you. Whatever happened before, Dad will stand by your side."

With that, Orion turned his gaze to the group across from him.

"I don't care about those things you're accusing her of, and I don't need to. All of that happened while Abby was with the Langley family."

"Now she's a Hughes family heiress. What she should or shouldn't do—I'll teach her myself. If you keep disrespecting her, the Hughes family won't be polite to you either."

Anna bristled. "So you're saying we should go settle the score with the Langley family instead?"

Orion didn't deny it.

Just like Anna said—how could his daughter have done those things?

And even if she had, it was only because the Langley family's upbringing had gone wrong.

What Abigail needed was proper guidance. That's all.

"Dad." Abigail's heart soared at Orion's unwavering support. She clung tightly to his arm.

Then she lifted her gaze toward Edith, triumph gleaming in her eyes.

"Edith, you heard him. My dad believes me. From now on, stay out of my business. I'll pretend everything before never happened."

Anna stared at her smug expression, fury boiling over. "Abigail, your shamelessness really knows no bounds!"

She lunged forward, ready to settle things with Abigail.

But Edith remained calm. She reached out, catching Anna's wrist and pulling her back. Then she stepped forward herself, meeting both Abigail's and Orion's eyes head-on.

"Since Mr. Hughes has decided to shield her no matter what, I'll just have to handle this my own way."

Orion's brow furrowed suspiciously.

Edith didn't bother explaining. She turned to Anna and the others. "Let's go."

"Edith..." Anna was still fuming, unwilling to let it go so easily.

Edith flashed her a faint smile, then glanced at Christopher.

Christopher stepped forward to join them.

Just as they were about to leave, Orion's voice rang out behind them.

"Chris, I heard you were planning to marry Abby before."

Christopher's steps faltered.

Every eye in the hallway locked onto him.

He glanced at Edith, then turned back to face Orion.

"Like Mr. Hughes said, that's all in the past. Once I learned what Abigail had done, I've regretted it ever since."

"I hope Mr. Hughes wakes up in time too—before she leads you around by the nose."

Orion felt Abigail's grip on his arm tighten slightly after Christopher finished speaking.

He assumed she'd been hurt by Christopher's words. Displeasure flickered in his eyes.

"I'll judge Abby's character for myself. Since you two were involved before, I hope you won't do anything to hurt her."

There was a clear warning in Orion's tone.

Christopher stood across from him, expression unreadable. "As long as she doesn't come after my people."

Orion's gaze flicked to Edith standing just behind Christopher. The air pressure around him dropped another notch.

Christopher was defying him now—all for that woman.

"You've grown up," he said flatly.

Christopher's face didn't change. "I've just seen through some things. I'm sure Mr. Hughes will see through them soon enough too."

The 'things' he meant were Abigail.

Abigail lowered her eyes, hurt written across her face as she clutched Orion's sleeve tighter.

"Dad, forget it. I trust Chris won't do anything to me."

"It's just... I've been stuck in this hospital for so long. I'm really uncomfortable. Could you maybe get Chris to let me and Mom go home?"

All this time, she'd supposedly been hospitalized—but in reality, she'd been imprisoned by Christopher.

Even with her heart condition, Abigail didn't want to live under twenty-four-hour surveillance anymore.

Besides, she believed Orion would find her a suitable heart donor soon and restore her health.

Orion turned to Christopher.

Christopher's eyes narrowed slightly. "Since she's Mr. Hughes's daughter, if you want to take her, I have nothing to say about it."

Hearing this, his men stepped away from the hospital room door and lined up behind him—a silent show of compliance.

"If Mr. Hughes has nothing else, I'll be going."

He gave Orion a polite nod, then turned and left with Edith and the others, his men following behind.

Soon, only Orion and the Langley family remained in the hallway.

"Mr. Hughes, we should also—"

Maria couldn't stand being there another second. She was desperate for Orion to take them away.

But the moment she opened her mouth, she met Orion's commanding gaze. The rest of her words died in her throat.

A nameless fear crept into Maria's chest.

Orion spoke. "Thank you for raising Abby all these years. Now that she's reunited with me, there's no reason to trouble you further. After she's discharged, I'll take her back to the Hughes family."

Maria's expression shifted. When she spoke, she forced a smile onto her face.

"Abby grew up in the Langley family, after all. Going to the Hughes family so suddenly—I'm afraid she won't adjust."

"The doctor said she needs a stable environment right now. If Mr. Hughes doesn't mind, the Langley family could set aside a room for you."

She didn't feel safe letting Abigail spend time alone with Orion.

Abigail still didn't know her identity as a Hughes heiress had been stolen. Maria was terrified she'd slip up and raise the Hughes family's suspicions.

"What does Abby think?" Though Orion was dissatisfied with how the Langley family had raised her, he still respected her opinion.

Abigail had no idea what Maria was worried about. She answered without hesitation.

"I want to go back to the Hughes family with Dad."

The Hughes family's fortune was staggering. Their estate in Starlight City had once been named a city landmark—even more luxurious than the Hale family mansion. Abigail had been envious for ages.

Now she could finally live like a real heiress. Why would she ever want to go back to the Langley family's cramped little villa?

Maria frowned, about to say more.

Orion didn't give her the chance.

"Since Abby feels the same way, it's settled."

With that, he had someone gather Abigail's belongings. He was taking her with him.