Chapter 257

Chapter 257

Edith thought Orion would say something to her, but he only returned the watch to her and turned to leave.

Had she guessed wrong?

Edith's eyes dimmed.

Christopher vaguely guessed something but didn't point it out. He only said, "Let's go."

Edith gathered her thoughts and followed him to Mike's room.

Christopher's efficiency was high. When they arrived at the room, two police officers were already taking statements.

After the police finished, Christopher led Edith forward.

Mike saw Edith, his eyes full of nostalgia and guilt.

"I'm sorry." It was unclear who he was speaking to. "It's my fault. I'm a sinner. Don't forgive me..."

Hearing this now, Edith only felt it was ironic. "So why didn't you let my mother go back then?"

Mike's eyes were full of bitterness.

"I loved her too much. When her family had problems and sent her to me for money, how could I let go?"

"But even though I was so good to her, she refused me, so I never touched a hair on her head. Yet before long, she got pregnant. Looking back now, she was panicked then too. She suggested divorce, but I refused."

He'd imposed his emotions on her, imprisoned her for his so-called love, and eventually love turned to hate.

"Recently, every time I close my eyes, I see her coming for me," Mike said.

With this, the full truth of what happened years ago had come to light.

Emotions surged in Edith's heart, but in the end, she only said flatly:

"Now you should pay for what you've done."

With that, she turned and left the room.

Mike watched her retreating figure, his mind full of how Dione had looked back then.

He slowly closed his eyes. That knife he'd taken for Edith just now—after he died, would she forgive him...

After leaving the room, Edith stayed alone for a while.

Once her emotions settled, she found Christopher.

"Thank you for your trouble these past few days. As repayment, for our collaboration with Turner Group this time, I'll give all the profits to Hale Group."

Christopher studied her face. "I never thought about repayment. If I had to say, you know that's not what I want."

Edith pressed her lips together and didn't respond.

Christopher took a step closer to her. "Now that things are resolved, are you leaving?"

Edith didn't hide it from him. "I'm planning to develop my career in Marigoldia."

When she first became known as Emily, it had been in Marigoldia. All her business was there too.

Looking at the relieved expression on her face and thinking of everything she'd experienced while with him, Christopher wanted her to stay but ultimately couldn't bring himself to ask.

In the end, Christopher only said, "I wish you success."

Edith smiled at him calmly.

The two came down from upstairs. As they were about to leave, they ran into a group of hurrying medical staff.

The lead doctor stopped when he saw Christopher.

"Mr. Hale... Ms. Langley had a heart attack. About that donor you have..."

Surprise flashed through Edith's eyes. She turned to look at Christopher.

Christopher's face showed no expression. "It's already been given to someone who needs it more."

The doctor seemed to have anticipated his answer. He nodded and quickly entered the elevator.

Edith was somewhat dazed. "Why didn't they go to the Hughes family?"

Christopher said, "Maybe Abigail's heart attack was because of the Hughes family."

Edith thought again of Orion's reaction when he saw the photo in her watch. Something stirred in her heart.

As they reached the hospital entrance, hurried footsteps sounded behind them.

Edith instinctively turned to see Orion striding toward them with his people.

Meeting her gaze, Orion's steps quickened.

Watching him stop before Edith, this time Christopher didn't step forward. He only stood quietly beside Edith.

"Mr. Hughes." Edith looked at the person before her, her eyes complex.

Orion also seemed unsure how to face her.

Edith should have been the daughter he cherished, yet because of the Langley family's deception, he'd nearly wronged her.

"When I came down just now, I ran into the doctor. He said he'd just encountered you two and asked Chris about the donor."

He glanced at Christopher, then returned his gaze to Edith, for the first time not knowing how to begin.

"Edith, you must have already guessed what's going on. Will you forgive me?"

Orion's eyes were bloodshot.

In just a few minutes, Edith had imagined countless times what Orion might say to her. Hearing him ask this in person, her emotions were calmer than she'd expected.

"There's nothing to forgive. I've always understood your feelings."

She paused. "I heard you've been searching for my mother all these years. I buried her in the suburban cemetery. Would you like to see her?"

Orion's tone was heavier than ever. "Of course."

Edith took Orion to Dione's grave.

Standing before Dione's tomb, looking at the blank space for a portrait, Orion took out a photo from his wallet. In it, the young Dione smiled warmly and brightly.

Father and daughter talked for a long time at Dione's grave.

When they emerged from the cemetery, both their eyes were reddened.

"I've learned about your situation with Chris. Will you come back to the Hughes family with me?" Orion asked her.

Edith told him her plans.

Learning she wanted to develop her own career, Orion expressed understanding.

"If there's anywhere the Hughes family can be of use, contact me anytime."

He glanced at Edith's abdomen. "But when it's time to give birth, you must come back to the Hughes family."

He didn't care who the child's father was. As long as the child's mother was Edith, this child would be the Hughes family's future heir.

Edith knew he was worried about her and obediently agreed.

A week later, Edith boarded a flight to Marigoldia.

Anna reluctantly saw her off. Turning from the airport exit, she saw Christopher also preparing to leave.

He'd come to see her off too, but when Edith left, he hadn't shown himself, afraid she wouldn't want to see him.

Anna snorted. "Coward."

Christopher saw her mouth the word but didn't respond.

Anna walked up to him and pulled an envelope from her bag.

"Edith asked me to give you this. Whether you want to chase after her or not is up to you!"

Christopher's heart stirred. He opened the envelope to find a paternity test inside, and his whole body froze in place.

Perhaps because the Hughes family had given Edith confidence, in the end, she'd chosen to be honest with Christopher.

"You let Edith suffer for so many years. If you want to make it up to her, what you're doing now isn't nearly enough."

Anna looked at him with disdain.

If Christopher weren't the baby's father, she wouldn't bother with him at all.

"If Edith wanted to completely sever ties with you, she probably wouldn't have asked me to give you this," she said.

Hearing this, Christopher's fingers tightened sharply around the paternity test.

"Arrange my upcoming schedule. Within a week at the latest, I need to be in Marigoldia."

Christopher said to Frank.

Frank respectfully agreed.

Christopher handled work much faster than expected.

In just three days, he boarded a flight to Marigoldia.

Looking at the clouds passing by the window, Christopher had only one thought.

No matter what, he would never disappoint Edith again.