Chapter 226 Conspiracy
The Nightingale Mansion was elegantly decorated with an air of grandeur.
Freya and Russell warmly welcomed Elizabeth and Timothy.
Freya sat beside Elizabeth, looking at her gently, her eyes flickering with complex emotions.
They couldn't just sit there in silence forever.
Freya spoke up.
"Elizabeth," Freya asked gently, "can you tell us about your childhood?"
Although she had heard some things from Emma at the hospital before, she only got a general idea.
Thinking about how her daughter had resorted to any means necessary to sleep with Armando, Freya sighed inwardly, but still hoped to learn more about Elizabeth's past.
Elizabeth smiled faintly and said casually, "Calista raised me for a few years, sent me to an orphanage when I was eight, then remarried. She brought me back into the Howard family when I was fifteen. After that, there's really nothing much worth talking about."
Life's hardships can only be truly understood by oneself. Dwelling on those memories now would only cause unnecessary trouble, better to treat them lightly.
Russell was sharp-minded. Thinking that Elizabeth had actually been sent to an orphanage, he felt even more guilty and heartbroken.
He said warmly, "Elizabeth, I want to hold a party this Saturday to announce your identity to everyone."
The Nightingale family hadn't held a party in many years. Now that he and Elizabeth were reunited, he wanted to make it grand and announce Elizabeth's existence to everyone.
Freya agreed, "Yes, we should hold a party and let everyone know you're part of the Nightingale family."
Elizabeth had no objections to holding a party, so she nodded.
Russell looked at Timothy, a sharp glint in his eyes, "Are you two planning to get married?"
Russell scrutinized Elizabeth's future husband with a critical eye. He had reviewed the investigation materials, and although there wasn't enough time for a thorough investigation, he knew that Elizabeth's marriage history hadn't been smooth.
Timothy sat up straight and nodded politely, "Yes, we'll get married in a while."
Russell pondered for a moment. Jake had only died recently, but now that Elizabeth had the Nightingale family behind her, no one would say anything.
Russell turned to look at Elizabeth, his eyes gentle, "Elizabeth, from now on, the Nightingale family is your support. If anyone bullies you, come home."
Hearing this, Elizabeth smiled genuinely, "I understand, thank you, Dad."
She felt a bit shy calling Russell Dad.
Elizabeth could feel that Russell truly cared about her.
However, her feelings toward Freya were complicated. Not long ago, Freya had come to threaten her on Emma's behalf.
When Russell heard Elizabeth call him Dad, his eyes instantly reddened.
Elizabeth had dinner at The Nightingale Mansion before leaving with Timothy.
Russell wanted Elizabeth to live at home, but he knew that wasn't possible right now.
After Elizabeth and the others left, The Nightingale Mansion returned to its quiet state.
Russell turned to look at Freya, "Freya, remember to tell your family about finding our daughter."
Freya smiled slightly and nodded, "Okay, I'll call them tomorrow."
Russell had been married to Freya for many years and understood her emotions very well.
He keenly sensed something unusual in Freya's mood, "Freya, what's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
Freya shook her head, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes, "No, I'm very happy we found our daughter. I just feel like Elizabeth might be distant from me."
Russell took Freya's hand and comforted her gently, "Freya, don't worry. Elizabeth needs time to adjust. She can't become completely close right away. As long as we're good to her, she'll gradually feel it."
Freya's voice choked up a bit, "She called you Dad, but she didn't call me Mom. Seeing her so distant, I just feel a bit sad."
Russell sighed and gently patted Freya's shoulder, "Freya, let's give Elizabeth more time to adjust."
"There's one more thing," Russell's expression suddenly became serious, "From now on, we shouldn't be too close to Emma. Elizabeth and Emma already have issues between them."
Freya frowned, feeling conflicted, "Isn't that a bit unfair to Emma? After all, we've been with that child for five years."
Russell viewed things more rationally than Freya. He shook his head, his tone firm, "We're not going to abandon Emma completely, but things are different now. Elizabeth is the most important, and we must prioritize Elizabeth's feelings."
Freya understood what Russell meant, but still felt a bit guilty toward Emma. Freya sighed and nodded gently.
After leaving The Nightingale Mansion, Elizabeth and the others didn't go straight home but went to the hospital instead.
Wendy Caldwell, the woman who had suddenly rushed across the road today, had woken up.
"I've already sent someone to investigate that woman's background," Timothy said, holding Elizabeth's hand. "Joe can go to the hospital. You're already tired today. Do you want to go home first?"
Thinking about how Wendy's face resembled Freya's by about thirty to forty percent, Elizabeth pondered for a moment, "I'll go see her myself. There's something strange about this."
Timothy looked at Elizabeth, knowing she wouldn't easily change her mind once she decided something. He nodded.
Elizabeth shifted her body, crossed her long legs over, and sat on Timothy's lap. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him.
Timothy gently stroked her back.
"Mr. Robinson, I'm very happy today."
"I'm happy for you too."
In the hospital corridor, the lights were bright with a faint smell of disinfectant.
Elizabeth and Timothy walked to the hospital room door and saw Joe already waiting outside.
Joe pushed open the door, and Elizabeth and Timothy walked in.
Inside the room.
Wendy was leaning against the headboard, looking very pale. She looked at Elizabeth and Timothy walking in, her eyes showing a trace of confusion.
Seeing Wendy's face again, Elizabeth's doubts deepened.
She walked to the bedside and said softly, "Miss, you suddenly rushed out today and nearly caused us to have a car accident."
Wendy glanced at Elizabeth, lowered her eyes, then said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, and thank you for saving me. I wasn't feeling well mentally today and didn't notice I went the wrong way."
Joe brought over two chairs for Elizabeth and Timothy to sit down.
"What should I call you?" Elizabeth asked casually after sitting down, though her gaze was fixed intently on Wendy in the bed.
"My name is Wendy Caldwell." Wendy nervously fidgeted with her fingers, speaking in a very low voice, appearing somewhat uneasy.
Elizabeth nodded, "Ms. Caldwell, are you from Border Ridge City? Where is your family?"
Wendy replied with a trace of weariness, "I'm not from Border Ridge City. I came here for work and haven't been in Border Ridge City long."
Elizabeth looked Wendy over but didn't continue questioning. Instead, she said, "Ms. Caldwell, rest well and leave the hospital when you're better."
Wendy breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you. I'll pay you back for the medical expenses once I earn the money."
After they left the hospital room.
Elizabeth and Timothy stood in the corridor, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
Timothy's eyes turned cold. He put his arm around Elizabeth's waist, and they left the hospital together.
"We'll get to the bottom of this. Let's go home and rest first."