Chapter 257: Violet got angry

**【Max's Perspective】**

I stood by the window in the hospital corridor, watching white curtains billow in the gentle breeze. My family had gathered outside Luna's room.

I sensed Orion approaching before he spoke, his white cane tapping rhythmically against the floor.

"Max," he greeted quietly.

I turned slightly. "Orion."

He folded his cane and leaned against the windowsill beside me. "What's happening between you and Luna? She seems... distant toward you."

"You can tell that just from her voice?" I asked bitterly.

Orion shrugged. "My hearing has become more acute since losing my sight." He paused. "This isn't just about missing the birth, is it? Luna isn't the type to hold unreasonable grudges."

The question caught me off guard. In truth, I didn't understand my wife's complex emotions. I exhaled heavily, unable to answer my brother's perceptive question.

The doctor emerged from Luna's room, clipboard in hand. I straightened immediately, moving toward the door, but he held up his hand to stop me.

"Mrs. Morrison needs rest," he announced. "She asked me to tell everyone except the nursing staff to go home."

"I'm her husband," I protested. "Let me stay with her."

My mother quickly added, "Yes, please let my son stay. It would be safer."

The doctor shook his head firmly. "Mrs. Morrison specifically requested that her husband attend to his own affairs and not disturb her rest."

A stunned silence fell over the group. Every face turned toward me, expressions ranging from confusion to pity. Something cold settled in my chest as I stared at the closed door, feeling more distant from Luna than ever before.

Without explanation, I turned away. My mother called after me, "Max, you're really leaving? Luna's just upset—you can't take it seriously!"

Orion intervened. "Mom, Luna has professional care. Let it be."

"What's going on with them, Orion?" my mother demanded.

"I don't know," he replied, then walked away.

My father took my mother's arm gently. "Come on, let's go."

As my family dispersed, I pulled out my phone and called Kevin.

"What room is Violet in?" I asked when he answered.

A few minutes later, I arrived outside Violet's hospital room. The door stood open, revealing a space filled with fruit baskets and flowers. Kevin sat at her bedside, carefully peeling an apple.

"You brought enough fruit to open a store in here?" Violet asked, eyeing the elaborate gift boxes covering nearly every surface.

Kevin glanced nervously at his offerings. "I didn't know what you liked, so I brought a variety. If I could have carried more—"

"What, you'd have brought the entire supermarket?" Violet interrupted, though her tone held more amusement than irritation.

Kevin smiled sheepishly, continuing with his task.

"At least you know how to buy flowers," Violet continued, admiring the pink gradient roses in a vase. "Not like Mr. Morrison, always giving Luna chrysanthemums."

"Doesn't Mrs. Morrison like chrysanthemums?" Kevin asked, confused.

"It's actually a misunderstanding," Violet explained, accepting the sliced apple. "When Luna was still suffering from amnesia, she worked at a flower shop. Mr. Morrison came asking what flowers would be appropriate for a woman. Luna thought they were for the imposter Isabella, so she suggested chrysanthemums. She never imagined they were meant for her."

"Why hasn't Mrs. Morrison told him?" Kevin asked seriously.

"It doesn't matter. Luna would appreciate any flowers from Mr. Morrison. It's just a harmless misunderstanding."

Kevin leaned forward earnestly. "In the future, please tell me directly if there's something you don't like, or something you want."

Violet swallowed her bite of apple nervously. "W-why?"

"Men think straightforwardly. We can't guess women's subtle thoughts. Those who spend time analyzing every woman's mind are usually players, not trustworthy."

"I meant, why should I tell you what I want?" Violet's cheeks flushed pink.

"So I can get it for you," Kevin replied with obvious frustration.

"And why would you do that for me?"

"Because... because I..." Kevin stammered, visibly struggling with the words.

He suddenly stiffened, glancing around until he spotted me leaning against the wall outside the door.

"Mr. Morrison?" he called out, standing quickly.

Violet peered out, confirming my presence.

Kevin approached me. "Sir, why didn't you come in?"

I looked up with a faint smile. "I didn't want to interrupt your confession."

"I wasn't—" Kevin protested, his ears turning red.

Inside the room, Violet greeted me with forced politeness. "Mr. Morrison."

"How are you feeling?" I asked, taking position at the foot of her bed. "Is your injury severe?"

"Nothing vital was hit. It's not serious."

"Tell me exactly what happened that night," I requested.

As Violet described the sniper attack in detail, Kevin's face grew increasingly concerned. I listened intently, processing each element of the incident.

"Sir," Violet finally asked, "could William be trying to kill Luna?"

"No," I replied firmly. "He's the least likely suspect."

Kevin frowned. "Why not? The man is ruthless—he even killed Mrs. Blake. What wouldn't he do?"

"William killed Mrs. Blake partly as a warning to Luna, but mostly out of resentment. Mrs. Blake never liked her adopted son and made it clear he wouldn't inherit anything from the Blake family." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "If William wanted Luna dead, he's had countless opportunities. Instead, he's repeatedly saved her life. He... also loves her."

The admission tasted bitter in my mouth.

"Then who?" Violet pressed.

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. "Lily's kidnapping, with specific instructions for me to rescue her—it was clearly a diversion. Luna was the real target all along."

Violet snorted derisively. "Don't mention that woman around me. She makes me sick."

Kevin looked puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"I said, don't mention that woman," Violet repeated.

"You dislike Lily?" Kevin asked cautiously.

Violet nodded firmly. "Very much."

"I... I don't like her either," Kevin offered nervously.

Violet rewarded him with a small smile before turning back to me. "Who do you think wants Luna dead, Mr. Morrison?"

"Who benefits most from her death?" I countered.

"That nauseating woman, obviously!" Violet blurted out.

"You mean Lily wants to kill Mrs. Morrison?" Kevin asked, shocked.

When Violet nodded, Kevin shook his head emphatically. "No way. However much Lily might care for Mr. Morrison, she'd never hire an assassin."

Violet's face darkened instantly. She tossed her apple into the trash can and growled, "Get out."

"Violet, I just meant—" Kevin stammered.

"I don't want to hear it. Get out." She yanked the roses from their vase and thrust them at Kevin's chest, pushing him toward the door. "Get out, both of you!"

Before we knew what was happening, Kevin and I found ourselves standing in the hallway, effectively banished from Violet's room.