Chapter 82

My phone rang.

Matthew said in a serious tone, "The medical team has arrived. Come quickly."

The team of experts Matthew brought in gave Melissa a thorough full-body examination.

Based on Melissa's condition, the experts held a special consultation and developed a new surgical plan.

Over the next few days, I was busy handling the lawsuit while also taking care of Melissa, running around non-stop.

During this time, Michael didn't stay quiet either.

Although he didn't dare harass me directly with Matthew around, the phone calls and messages never stopped.

He tried to convince me to drop the charges against Austin.

I naturally refused, rejecting his proposal of "leaving the marriage with nothing and paying compensation," determined to see the lawsuit through to the end.

After Melissa's surgery, she was moved out of intensive care and woke up that same afternoon.

When she woke up, she seemed a bit confused, not clear about what had happened.

Joanna and I stayed by her bedside, and seeing her finally awake, we couldn't help tearing up.

I quickly leaned forward, "Mom, thank goodness you're okay. Otherwise I wouldn't know how to face Dad. This is all my fault. If it weren't for my problems, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

I choked up and couldn't continue speaking.

Melissa frowned, seeming to want to raise her hand, but couldn't muster the strength. She could only blink at me.

Her speech was still a bit slurred, "Alright, stop crying. I'm fine, aren't I?"

Joanna held her hand and asked in a trembling voice, "Mom, how are you feeling now?"

Melissa blinked and answered softly, "My hand is just a bit weak, but otherwise I'm okay."

"The doctor's here, let's have the doctor check." Matthew, who had gone to get the doctor, came back.

Joanna and I immediately made room for the doctor. After examining her, the doctor smiled and removed his stethoscope, "The patient is recovering very well. It looks like there won't be any major problems. The family can rest assured."

Hearing the doctor's words, Joanna and I finally relaxed completely.

Joanna wiped her tears and said with a smile, "Mom, I'll go call Dad. We can't hide your hospitalization from him. Telling him will put his mind at ease too."

Melissa nodded, but her attention turned to Matthew nearby.

Joanna seemed to notice and quietly reminded her, "These past few days, Mr. Griffin has been busy arranging your hospital room and bringing in specialists. Otherwise you might not have woken up this quickly. You should be nice to him later."

After saying this, she glanced at me and quietly slipped out.

I was worried Melissa would get angry again. Nervously fidgeting with my hands, I quickly said, "I really had no choice. Your situation was so urgent, and Mr. Griffin knows a lot of people in Seaside City with good connections. I could only go ask him myself. If you want to blame someone, blame me. I'm the one who's useless."

Melissa still didn't speak, staring straight at Matthew.

Seeing this, Matthew smiled politely and said, "Mrs. Guise, you just woke up. You probably don't want to see me, so I'll leave now."

"Wait."

But Melissa stopped him.

I immediately tensed up.

Melissa sensed it and patted my hand reassuringly, then said to Matthew, "I'm not ungrateful. Mr. Griffin, you helped me, and I'll remember this favor."

Hearing this, Matthew's expression softened slightly, "Mrs. Guise, you're Claire's mother. Just for that reason alone, I couldn't not help you. I'm just glad you woke up, so she can have peace of mind."

He paused, then continued, "Besides, I didn't do this to make you grateful. I was worried she'd be heartbroken, so you don't need to think about it. Please rest well. I won't disturb your conversation."

With that, he nodded at me and politely left.

I was still uneasy. Melissa had been so opposed to me being involved with Matthew before, and now I felt even less certain. I could only promise repeatedly, "Mom, I owe Mr. Griffin a favor this time. I'll repay it in the future."

Melissa looked at me coolly, "What will you repay him with? With yourself?"

My cheeks flushed, and I mumbled somewhat embarrassed, "Mom, what are you saying? Didn't you not want me to be with him? How would I dare go against your wishes?"

I had already fought with my family over marrying Michael. Now I didn't want to make my parents sad again.

Besides, I couldn't figure out what Matthew was really thinking, so I'd rather not overthink it.

"I'll be able to repay this favor eventually, as long as he needs my help with something."

Melissa sighed softly, took my hand and patted it, "I'm not against you two. Before, I thought he was up to no good approaching a married woman. Now it seems I misjudged him."

"Either way, he helped us this time, and our family can't be ungrateful. As for what happens between you two, I won't interfere, but it must be after you've completely divorced Michael, clean and clear, before you talk about anything else."

Melissa's sudden words made me feel a bit embarrassed. I lowered my head and adjusted her blanket, saying quietly, "He might not even have those intentions. We might just be overthinking it."

Afraid I really was overthinking, I quickly changed the subject, "By the way Mom, I took Austin to court. He pushed you, so I have to make him pay."

Hearing this, Melissa closed her eyes and said wearily, "Indeed, those who do wrong should pay the price. But you need to be careful. That family has evil intentions."

Hearing Melissa's words, I nodded, "I know."

Melissa's health improved, and her spirits got better and better.

When Clayton learned Melissa was hospitalized, he ignored his poor health and bought a train ticket to come. I couldn't spare time today, so I had Joanna pick him up, because today was the court hearing.

With solid evidence and the fact of Melissa's hospitalization, the Sinclair family had no room to argue.

Austin was ultimately sentenced to six years for intentional injury. Michael seemed to know that even an appeal wouldn't change the verdict, so he didn't even try, just accepted it directly.

As I was leaving the courthouse, gratefully thanking the lawyer, a figure suddenly rushed out and grabbed me.

"You really want to send Austin to prison? I might as well beat you to death!"

Matthew reacted quickly, immediately stepping forward to pull Heather back the instant she lunged at me. The slap ultimately didn't land on me.

I frowned and shook off Heather's hand, stepping back to look at her carefully.

She looked much more haggard than a few days ago, her face terribly pale, glaring at me viciously.

I felt physically disgusted looking at her. I pressed my lips together and said seriously, "This is a courthouse. Touch me, and you're going in too."