Chapter 250

Chapter 250

Christopher drove them back to Silvercrest Heights.

Anna still hadn't figured out what was going on and planned to stay over so Edith could explain everything.

Christopher stood at the door of the apartment across the hall.

"I'll be staying at Silvercrest Heights for the next few days, just until this whole thing blows over."

He looked at Edith. "If it bothers you, I'll make sure to avoid running into you when you're coming or going."

Edith didn't look at him.

"I've already let go of what happened before. Mr. Hale doesn't need to tiptoe around me."

With that, Edith led Anna into the apartment.

Christopher stood at the door for a moment before finally going inside.

"Edith, have you really let it go? Does that mean you've forgiven Christopher?" Anna followed close behind her.

Edith's voice was flat. "It's not about forgiveness. I just don't want to think about it anymore."

She didn't like how she felt every time those memories surfaced—like she was being torn apart inside.

Anna understood and dropped the subject, turning instead to ask about what had happened on the terrace.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, the emergency room doors swung open.

A nurse stepped out.

"How is Ms. Hughes?" The hospital director stood beside Orion in the hallway, immediately speaking up when he saw the nurse emerge.

Anyone who didn't know better would think Abigail was his long-lost daughter.

The nurse said, "Ms. Hughes has a minor fracture in her arm, which has been treated. But more than the physical injury, we need to focus on her heart."

"What's wrong with her heart?" Orion's expression turned grave.

"Anyone who falls from a height experiences shock, and Ms. Hughes is no exception," the nurse explained. "She fainted primarily due to the trauma, and her heart was inevitably affected."

She looked at Orion respectfully. "As I've said before, if at all possible, it would be best to arrange a heart transplant for Ms. Hughes as soon as possible."

"Mr. Hughes, have you found a suitable donor?" the director asked.

Orion's face darkened. "Not yet."

The director hesitated for a few seconds.

Orion could tell he had something to say. "You have a lead?"

The director finally spoke. "Edith's heart would be a match for Ms. Hughes."

"You want me to trade her life for Abby's?" Orion caught the implication, his gaze turning icy.

The director said, "From what I understand, Ms. Hughes's attacks have all been connected to her. If you don't intend to go that route, I strongly suggest you keep them from having any further contact."

Just then, the nurse caring for Abigail hurried over.

"Director, Mr. Hughes, Ms. Hughes is awake."

The director stopped mid-sentence and told her, "Take Mr. Hughes to her."

Orion glanced at him. "Thank you for today. You can get back to your work."

The director agreed and excused himself.

Orion followed the nurse to see Abigail.

In the hospital room, Abigail had already changed into a patient gown and lay pale in the bed.

The nurse's respectful voice came from the doorway.

"Mr. Hughes, we're here."

Right after, Orion's slightly hurried footsteps echoed.

Abigail bit her lip, and her eyes quickly reddened, filling with tears.

"Abby, how are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Orion stood by the bed, his face full of concern as he looked at her.

Abigail's eyes were red. "Dad, I was so scared..."

Orion touched her hair apologetically. "This is my fault. I didn't protect you."

Abigail buried her face against him and shook her head.

"No, it's my fault. I knew Edith didn't like me, but I still invited her."

Her voice began to break.

"I just… I never thought Edith would hate me so much that she'd want me dead."

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have grown up with the Langley family, stealing all the love they should have given her. Dad, why didn't you come for me sooner?"

Orion's heart sank with each question, his expression growing heavier.

"Don't cry. I'll make this right."

He gently wiped away Abigail's tears, the tenderness in his touch at odds with the hard set of his face.

"What happened between you two on the terrace?" he asked.

Abigail lowered her eyes, tears streaming silently down her face.

"I just wanted some fresh air, but I didn't expect Edith to be there too. I was a little scared, so I tried to be nice to her, but somehow she still got angry."

"I saw she was about to come at me, and I tried to get out of the way, but she pushed me. After that, I don't remember what happened. I only know I woke up in the hospital."

Though she didn't say it outright, she was clearly telling Orion that Edith had pushed her off the terrace.

Orion's face darkened.

While Abigail was in the emergency room, he'd already reviewed the security footage from the terrace. The sequence of events generally matched what Abigail described.

But in the footage, Edith's sudden shift in emotion struck him as abrupt.

"Dad, did I fall from upstairs? My arm hurts so much—is it broken?"

Abigail's anxious voice pulled him back.

Orion collected himself and reassured her in a low voice. "The doctor said it's just a minor fracture. It's been treated. With some rest, you'll be fine."

Abigail bit her lip. "But..."

Orion placed his hand on her head. "Abby, once you've recovered, we'll go back to Sylvanor. Your grandparents want to see you."

The director's words had given him something to think about. Given Abigail's condition, she really shouldn't have any more contact with Edith. Sooner or later, they'd have to return to the main family anyway.

Abigail nodded without hesitation, about to speak when something suddenly occurred to her.

"Dad, does that mean you're just going to let what happened today slide?"

She'd gone through all this trouble to stage this scene, and yet Orion hadn't said a word about Edith. Had she gotten hurt for nothing?

Orion's voice was low. "This won't just slide. But she's your sister, and you still care about her... What do you want me to do?"

Abigail never imagined that after all the effort she'd put into this act, instead of making Orion resent Edith, she'd only convinced him that she genuinely cared for her sister.

Hearing his words, she almost lost control of her expression.

"You're right. She is my sister. Even though she hurt me, I won't hold it against her. But I'm worried that after we leave, she'll go after the Langley family."

Orion frowned. "I told you, I won't get involved in whatever's between her and the Langley family."

Abigail looked up at him, her eyes full of pleading.

"I'm not asking you to stop her investigation. I just hope... could you make her leave Starlight City?"

"I grew up with the Langley family. Even if I leave with you, I can't just abandon them. Otherwise, just let me go back. I'll come visit you and Grandma and Grandpa regularly."

As she spoke, her face paled and she pressed a hand to her chest.

Orion's expression tightened. Worried that her agitation would trigger a heart attack, he finally agreed.

"I'll talk to her."

Only then did Abigail's color improve.