Chapter 254

Chapter 254

The incident at the airport was captured and posted online, quickly going viral.

Many people were speculating about their relationship.

"That's Mr. Hale and Emily, right? What's going on? Did Mr. Hale fall for Emily?"

"But doesn't Mr. Hale already have a fiancée?"

"The fiancée caught up in that plagiarism scandal? Mr. Hale's not blind. He only suppressed the story before to protect Hale Group's reputation. He probably dumped her privately ages ago."

"But what about Mr. Sanchez? Emily's carrying Mr. Sanchez's baby. What's Mr. Hale doing..."

Just as the discussion was heating up, someone anonymously leaked a photo of a marriage certificate.

In the photo, their spousal relationship was clearly stated.

That single photo set off another massive wave.

[I know their faces look great together, but shipping them doesn't work like this. Did someone really photoshop a marriage certificate?]

[I want to ship them too, but Emily already has a baby with Mr. Sanchez, and Mr. Sanchez is really handsome too.]

[Wait, that marriage certificate looks real. Even the official seal is clear!]

[It's actually real? Then what was all that news before? What about Emily and Mr. Sanchez's baby?]

[If I remember correctly, after the rumors about Emily and Mr. Sanchez came out, Sanchez Group said they'd sue anyone spreading lies...]

At the hospital, Abigail had just finished her examination. Wanting to confirm whether Edith had been sent away, she checked online and saw the trending topics.

Seeing the news about Edith and Christopher's marriage, her previously stable heartbeat spiraled out of control. Her whole face turned green.

She'd thought that with the Hughes family intervening, Edith would definitely be sent far away.

But now, not only had that bitch not left, Christopher had brought her back, and now everyone knew about their relationship!

The story had been trending online for half the day. Christopher must have seen it, yet the buzz hadn't died down—it was even rising. Christopher's position was crystal clear.

He was backing Edith!

No!

No matter what, she had to make that bitch disappear from her sight!

Abigail sat on the hospital bed, unconsciously biting her fingers. Her fingertips were mangled and bloody, but she felt no pain. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of making Edith leave.

Just as anxiety overwhelmed her, Orion walked in.

He'd also seen the news online and felt he needed to give Abigail an explanation in person.

"Dad." Abigail's face was pale. "What brings you here?"

She put away her phone and looked up at him with feigned innocence.

Orion noticed her bitten fingers. His brow furrowed, displeasure in his voice.

"What happened here?"

Abigail lowered her gaze nonchalantly.

"It's nothing. My heart was just uncomfortable. I wanted to distract myself."

At that, Orion's expression eased slightly, though worry lingered in his eyes. "What did the doctor say after this morning's examination?"

Abigail said, "Same thing. Told me to get the transplant surgery as soon as possible."

She looked at Orion with sadness. "But there's still no suitable donor. Dad, I might not be able to stay with you much longer..."

Orion's brow furrowed deeply. "No matter what it takes, I won't let anything happen to you!"

Abigail's lips curved faintly as she changed the subject.

"I saw the news online. Did you come because of that?"

Orion was still worried about her heart. Hearing this, he explained casually.

"Yes. Today's timing wasn't right. If you're really worried about the Langley family, after we go abroad, I'll have someone keep an eye on them."

Abigail's hands clenched beneath the blanket. She couldn't help wanting to say something when footsteps sounded outside.

They both turned to see Maria hurrying in from outside.

"Abby..." She'd seen the news online and wanted to tell Abigail, but hadn't expected Orion to be here.

Maria's steps faltered, guilt flashing across her face. "Mr. Hughes."

Orion's gaze settled on her. "Your timing is perfect."

In front of Abigail, his expression was relatively mild, yet Maria's heart still tightened inexplicably. "Did you need something, Mr. Hughes?"

Orion's eyes narrowed. "Does Edith's mother's death have anything to do with you or not?"

Maria's eyes trembled almost imperceptibly. "We've already answered this question many times..."

Before she could finish, Orion cut her off coldly. "In the recording Edith produced, you personally admitted her mother's death was connected to you."

Maria's expression turned ugly. She forced herself to say, "That was because she threatened us. That's the only reason we said those things."

Orion looked at her with cold eyes. "From now on, you and the Langley family are forbidden from appearing in front of Abby."

His reaction was within Maria's expectations.

The recording Edith produced was too convincing. It was normal for Orion not to believe her.

She just hadn't expected Orion to directly ban her from seeing Abigail.

"Dad..." Abigail wanted to speak up for her.

Orion's tone left no room for argument. "I've already made concessions for you, Abby. You should understand my decision. As a member of the Hughes family, you need the ability to judge right from wrong."

Abigail glanced at the person by the door but ultimately said nothing more.

"I'll have people search for a donor for you as quickly as possible. Until then, don't worry about anything. Keeping your emotions stable is most important."

After giving Abigail a few more instructions, Orion turned and left.

Maria was also escorted out of the room by his people.

Once she confirmed he'd left, Abigail bit her lip, came out of the hospital room, and found Maria in the stairwell.

"Abby..." Seeing her, Maria's expression was clearly anxious.

Abigail cut her off coldly. "Does Edith's mother's death actually have anything to do with you or not?"

This question had been weighing on her for a long time. Now it was about to explode. Abigail had to get to the bottom of it.

Maria knew she couldn't hide it anymore. After confirming no one else was around, her face turned ugly as she nodded.

Abigail's expression changed instantly.

Maria looked at her. "Abby, only Mr. Hughes can help us now. He values you so much. Think of something..."

"Think of what?!" Abigail snapped. "You killed someone and didn't even bother covering your tracks. What can I do? Get dragged down with you?"

Maria looked at the person before her with unfamiliarity.

"Abby, how can you say that? I'm your mother. I've helped you solve so many problems before, and you won't help me even once?"

Abigail's tone was condescending. "You helped me before because you already knew I was the Hughes family's heiress! If it weren't for you, I would have reunited with my dad ages ago!"

Looking at her like this, Maria felt something lodge in her throat. She couldn't speak.

She'd taken such a huge risk to get Abigail into the Hughes family, and in the end, this was her reward.

"I'm your biological mother." Maria couldn't help blurting out the truth.