Chapter 23
Victoria stepped out of the elevator and immediately saw several people gathered at a hospital room door.
That was Yara's room!
Had something happened to Yara?
Her heart tightened, as she immediately quickened her pace and ran over.
The door was wide open, giving a clear view of what was inside.
Rhea stood to the side, coldly watching a man pinned to the ground by two bodyguards, while on the nearby bed, Yara sat up in confusion, quietly shrinking back.
Victoria stood at the doorway and hesitantly spoke up, "What are you all doing?"
She had originally thought this group was going to harm Yara.
But now it looked like something else was going on.
Hearing her voice, Rhea suddenly turned around, her gaze quietly examining her for a few seconds.
This was Rhea's first time seeing Victoria, and she couldn't help but size her up.
Though she seemed a bit thin, she had a nice appearance and looked like a good person.
No wonder she could give birth to such a sweet child like Yara.
"I was passing by when I noticed this man acting suspiciously, trying to do something to the child in the bed, so I had the bodyguards restrain him first."
Rhea withdrew her satisfied gaze and explained, "He's carrying drugs on him, no telling what he did. Do you want to go check if the child is okay?"
Victoria had never seen her before and didn't recognize who she was.
Before she could question the truth of her words, her attention was diverted by the second half of the statement.
Victoria hurried to the bedside, carefully supporting Yara's shoulders to examine her.
She asked worriedly, "Yara, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere right now? Are you hurt anywhere? Tell Mommy, what just happened, okay?"
Victoria didn't dare to think about it.
If something happened to Yara too, if she was no longer in this world.
She might also break down and leave with her.
Victoria's eyes turned red, and even her hands were trembling.
A soft, warm little hand rested on the back of her hand. Yara obediently leaned her body against her, her big eyes like they held a pool of clear spring water.
Her voice was childish, "Mommy, don't worry, nothing happened to me. The bad person was knocked down as soon as he came in. Yara wasn't touched."
As Yara spoke, she placed Victoria's hand on herself.
Victoria's eyes were red, and she looked so sad.
She didn't want to see Victoria sad.
Victoria's heart trembled, and tears nearly fell.
She took a deep breath, barely managing to steady her emotions, though her eyes still brimmed with red.
Looking at the small child before her, her heart was incredibly soft.
This was her child.
Her only child.
Victoria forced a smile, showing a gentle expression, "Mommy's not sad. As long as Yara is okay, Mommy can relax."
She carefully pulled Yara into her arms and let out a long breath.
Thank goodness Yara was okay.
The scene was so warm that no one interrupted the moment.
Rhea blinked, pushing back the sourness welling up inside.
She hadn't misjudged this person after all.
A mother who cared so much about her child couldn't be that bad.
But Rhea's gaze shifted, and her eyes turned cold. It seemed she needed to arrange for DNA testing as soon as possible.
Victoria held her for a while, and her emotions gradually calmed down.
Only then did she remember there were other people in the room. She slowly released her hold, tucked Yara's blanket in properly, then turned around.
"Could you please tell me exactly what happened?"
Victoria casually wiped the corners of her eyes, her expression serious. "This concerns my daughter's safety. I want to know all the details. Thank you."
She lowered her eyes, discreetly sizing them up.
The woman before her looked either rich or noble, with clothes that cost at least four figures.
The two people beside her must be this old lady's bodyguards.
But she didn't know why.
This old lady looked somewhat familiar.
Victoria's brow furrowed slightly, but she couldn't remember when she'd seen someone like this.
"Actually, I don't know much either. He won't say anything."
Rhea glanced at the man on the ground. "We'll have someone take him to the police station later. I'll help investigate this matter and make sure we find who's behind it."
She said this seriously.
Her tone sounded unquestionable, full of authority.
What was her identity exactly?
Victoria looked thoughtful but didn't refuse.
She just showed a faint smile and said gratefully, "Thank you so much. You're really a good person. Without you, I don't know what might have happened to Yara."
Rhea smiled kindly and changed the subject. "When I came in just now, I saw her just getting up from bed. Is everything alright?"
Victoria looked at her and pressed her lips together.
The concern in the old woman's eyes didn't seem fake.
Could it be that she was overthinking?
Were they really just being good Samaritans, trying to protect Yara?
Victoria temporarily buried her doubts and smiled, "Thanks to you, Yara was just startled but not hurt. Would you like to come in and see her? Yara can thank you properly."
Rhea couldn't have asked for more.
She pretended to hesitate, then agreed after a few seconds, "I won't be disturbing you, will I?"
Victoria shook her head and glanced to the side. "Yara just woke up, she's quite alert."
With that said, Rhea naturally walked into the room and even gave the bodyguards a look.
Although there weren't many people in the hospital today, having so many people standing here would inevitably attract attention.
Better to send this man to the police station for investigation first, so they wouldn't disturb them.
The bodyguards understood her intention, exchanged glances, and dragged the man out.
Victoria noticed but said nothing. She just took two chairs from the side and placed them by the bed.
"Yara, this is the grandma who just helped chase away the bad person. What should we say now?" Her voice was gentle, her expression very tender.
Yara looked over and said timidly, "Thank you, Grandma."
Rhea's heart was about to melt.
Seeing Yara up close for the first time, she couldn't help but blink.
She looked just like Edward, like they were carved from the same mold!
Exactly the same!
She smiled and coaxed her with a few words, then casually asked, "Where's Yara's father? Are you raising the child by yourself now?"
Victoria's brow furrowed, and alarm rose in her heart.
For a stranger they'd just met, this was too personal.
She pressed her lips together and replied evasively, "The child's father is very busy. I can handle raising Yara by myself."
Rhea didn't get the answer she wanted, but she wasn't angry.
She carefully studied both their faces and secretly made a decision.
When she got back, she'd have someone prepare for DNA testing!
She had to bring this adorable granddaughter home!