Chapter 126
Oscar's words left me so shocked I couldn't speak.
After a long while, I finally frowned and said in confusion, "How is that possible? I told you, I attended his funeral. I heard people say that he was burned down to just a skeleton. How could he still be alive?"
Oscar said in a low voice, "But no one can confirm that the charred body was Alan. Since it's all speculation anyway, why not think bolder - is it possible that Alan, like you, changed his face and changed his identity?"
"But why would he do that?" I still looked puzzled. "He was dearly loved in the Lopez family, groomed as the heir from childhood. Even Gregory was overshadowed by him his whole life. There's no motive for him to stay alive but stay hidden."
Oscar sighed, "That's why I'm still investigating. There must be reasons we haven't thought of."
"But... even if he is Alan, he could choose not to go home, but why would he come all the way to Solstice to find you and then help you go after the Lopez family? That doesn't make sense." It was completely contradictory.
Oscar reached out and stroked my hair, "Alright, don't worry about this. I'll tell you once I find out more."
Oscar stuffed the last bite of bread into his mouth, "I've made lunch. Just heat it up when it's time. I'll try to come back early this afternoon. Wait for me."
I looked at him with amusement, "Are you treating me like a child?"
"I'm afraid you'll blow up the kitchen again," Oscar teased with a smile.
I pretended to hit him, and he quickly stood up laughing to dodge. After watching me finish eating, he washed the dishes and wiped the table, "Be good and rest. Wait for me to come back."
After Oscar drove away, I didn't go back to the bedroom to lie down. After resting briefly, I drove to the hospital.
Robert was still in a coma. I asked the doctor, and his conclusion wasn't optimistic. The blood clot in his brain hadn't completely dispersed, and with his existing health problems, even if he woke up, the situation might not be good.
Looking at the person on the bed who had suddenly become so gaunt, my heart sank. After sitting for a while, just as I turned to leave, I saw Gregory walking over.
I pretended not to see him, but he blocked my way, "Emily, don't avoid me."
I couldn't help frowning. When I looked up at him, I had already composed my expression and gave him a slight smile, "I'm not avoiding you. I have other things to do. If you're here to see Mr. Robert Lopez, the doctor is inside and can take you there."
Seeing me turn to leave again, he blocked my path once more, "I'm not here to see Grandpa. I came specifically to find you. I guessed you'd come to the hospital. You..."
His gaze slowly moved from my face to my neck, where there were still bruise marks from last night's intimacy.
The humble smile on his face instantly froze, his brows furrowed deeply, and he reached out to pull my collar to get a better look.
I quickly pulled my collar up, "If it's about work, just contact the company."
Gregory looked at me with hurt in his eyes, "Emily, is he bullying you? I know I shouldn't have these feelings for you, but I really can't control it. When I first saw you in Solstice, if only I had understood my feelings earlier, maybe things would be different now..."
I interrupted him, "Mr. Robert Lopez is still unconscious in the ICU. Our relationship doesn't allow for feelings beyond family ties. I hope you can calm down."
We were standing in the hospital corridor, and passersby were giving us strange looks.
"Why not? If we're talking about who came first, didn't I also meet you two years ago? How much earlier did Uncle Oscar meet you than me?" Gregory spoke earnestly.
I looked at him, "What about Sophia? She's already carrying your child. If you're an irresponsible person, then I think I misjudged you before."
Gregory's expression was conflicted, "She... she..."
"Are you saying you don't love her? You ran away from your wedding for her before, and now you even have a child together," I said, each word sorrowful, especially when I noticed a white figure at the corner of the wall.
"Gregory, I suppose we were never meant to be. The timing was all wrong."
Gregory quickly said, "I don't love her. The child was just an accident. I know very clearly that the person I like is you, Emily. I keep dreaming about you. I've tried to stay away, but I can't lie to my own heart. I don't care if you have an intimate relationship with Uncle Oscar. Just say the word, and I'll take you far away from here."
I looked at Gregory with a mocking smile. Three years had passed, and his eyes were still clear, yet he had become coldly unfamiliar. Only now could I see clearly that nearly marrying him back then - Sophia had accidentally saved me.
"Will you?" He excitedly tried to grab my arm.
I stepped back two paces, "You're still too impulsive. This will make the whole world despise you. I can't harm you like that."
His expression brightened, and he gripped my arm tightly, "I'm not afraid. As long as you accept me, I'm not afraid of being enemies with the whole world. If you care about that child, I'll convince Sophia to have an abortion, or... or we can raise it, so you won't have to suffer through childbirth."
Looking at him like this, I really wanted to slap him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the white figure at the corner tremble. Suppressing my disgust, I didn't pull my hand away, "But... would Sophia be willing? She loves you so much, anyone can see that. What if she can't handle it?"
Gregory quickly said, "She won't. What she loves is money. At worst, I'll give her a sum of money. If that doesn't work... I have some things she's afraid of, so don't worry, she can't threaten you."
Watching Sophia walk toward us with a fruit basket, looking fierce, I smiled slightly, quickly shook off his hand, and stepped aside, "She seems to be threatening me right now."
Gregory turned around to see Sophia raising the fruit basket in her hand, looking crazed as she threw it at me, "You bitch, go die, why don't you just die!"