Chapter 141
"Layla, who taught you to lie?" Arthur demanded. "When you do something wrong, you must admit it. Don't you know that?"
Layla was startled by his cold voice, her body trembling as tears streamed down her face.
"I didn't do anything wrong," she insisted, biting her lip. "I'm not lying. Why should I apologize?"
"Layla!" Arthur's tone sharpened.
Heidi intervened with perfect timing. "Arthur, she's just a child. If she's made a mistake, we can teach her gradually. Don't frighten her."
The gentler Heidi sounded, the more furious Layla's glare became.
"I hate you both!" she burst out.
She used to love spending time with her dad and Heidi, but now she desperately missed her mom.
Her mother had always believed her, no matter what. But her father was blindly accusing her.
Why? Her father should have been her strongest defender.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Layla sobbed. "Why don't you believe me? I don't like Daddy anymore." She turned and ran from the hospital room.
Arthur moved to follow, but Heidi suddenly let out a whimper, her pale face contorted with pain.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
She clutched her chest. "I don't feel well, but I'll be fine after resting. Please go after Layla—I'm worried about her."
Seeing her in such distress, Arthur couldn't leave. Instead, he called his assistant. "Layla just left the hospital room. Take her back to the Windsor Manor."
After hanging up, he touched Heidi's forehead. "I'll get a doctor."
"No need," Heidi caught his hand. "I'll be fine after some rest."
She leaned into his embrace, strategically revealing a glimpse of her delicate collarbone and her cleavage. Her pale complexion only made her appear more fragile and endearing.
"Can you stay tonight?" she asked softly. "I'm afraid to be alone."
Arthur gently removed her hand. "You're still injured. You should rest properly."
Heidi's expression fell, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Are you still upset that I asked for the Deputy Manager position?" she asked. "I only wanted it because I love you so much. I wanted a status worthy of you, to become your right hand."
Arthur pressed his lips together. "Don't overthink things. You saved my life, so I'll protect you and ensure you never suffer harm again."
"If you want to marry, I'll help you find a suitable match. I'll always support you."
Heidi wasn't satisfied. She didn't want his gratitude—she wanted to be Mrs. Windsor. But she couldn't find an opportunity to make that happen, which frustrated her immensely.
Still, she had no choice but to be patient.
"As long as I can stay by your side, I'm content," she said softly.
Arthur patted her back. "Sleep now. I'll leave after you fall asleep."
---
Meanwhile, at the Windsor Manor, Isaac's expression was grim as he tried to keep his voice gentle.
"Layla, tell me, where did these bruises come from?"
Logan stood nearby, wiping away tears. "Who bullied you? Tell us, and we'll beat them up!"
Layla looked terrified, still reeling from what had happened.
After the assistant brought her home, the maid had tried to give her a bath and discovered large bruises on her waist.
She didn't know what to do. Heidi had forbidden her from telling anyone, but now the bruises had been found. She was too scared to speak.
"I... I..." she stuttered between sobs. "It was Ms. White. She told me not to tell anyone. Great-Grandpa, I'm scared."
She threw herself into Isaac's arms, her tiny body trembling.
Isaac's face darkened with fury. "Heidi! How dare she! Tell Arthur to get back here immediately!"
The butler replied, "Mr. Windsor is already on his way home."
"This doesn't make sense!" Tiffany exclaimed, heartbroken at the sight of Layla's bruises but skeptical.
"Dad, Heidi is such a considerate girl. She adores both children—how could she possibly hurt Layla? There must be some misunderstanding."
Isaac exploded. "Is it because you're not the one being hurt that you don't understand pain? You're Layla's grandmother! Your granddaughter has been abused, and you're defending the abuser?"
"Dad, I wasn't—"
Before she could finish, the butler announced, "Mr. Arthur Windsor has returned."
The door opened, and Arthur appeared.
"So you finally decided to come home?" Isaac glared at him.
Arthur rubbed his temples. "Grandpa, what happened?"
"Look at how many injuries your daughter has! You take the children out every day and don't notice someone's hurting her?"
Seeing Layla's bruises, Arthur's pupils contracted. "Layla, who hurt you?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Isaac snapped. "Don't you know who she spends every day with?"
Arthur knew perfectly well what Isaac meant, but he refused to believe Heidi was responsible.
"Grandpa, Heidi would never do this. It must be a misunderstanding. Children are playful—she probably bumped into something."
The flicker of hope in Layla's eyes died. Just as she'd expected—her father wouldn't believe her.
If only Mommy were here. Mommy would have protected her.
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Are you even her real father?" Isaac roared. "She's only five! Do you think she's making this up?"
"Look at how many bruises she has! Do you really think she got these by accident? Why don't you try bumping into something and see if you get bruises like these!"
Arthur's expression darkened. "Layla, are you certain Ms. White did this to you?"
His tone was so severe that Layla trembled and couldn't speak.
Isaac grew even more furious at Arthur's skepticism. "You've been completely bewitched by that woman! You're even doubting your own child! Get out! Get out now!"
Arthur remained calm. "Rest well, Grandpa I'll visit another day."
---
Caroline knew nothing of what was happening at the Windsor Manor.
She had just returned to the research facility when Connor intercepted her.
"Dr. Q, returning so late—busy with something?" he asked with a hint of curiosity.
"Just handling personal matters," Caroline replied, pausing briefly. "Did you need something, Dr. Cox?"
Connor smiled. "There's an issue with the special medication data. I have a few questions I'd like to ask you. Do you have time now?"
Caroline returned his smile. "Of course."
This was perfect—she wanted to engage more with Connor to figure out exactly what he was planning.