Chapter 148

The hospital room was eerily quiet, with only the faint hum of medical equipment breaking the silence.

Zoey had gone to wash some fruit for Cecil, leaving him alone in the room.

When Raymond walked in, Cecil's demeanor shifted from weak to cold and defiant. "Raymond, what brings you back?"

Raymond slowly approached the bed, his eyes as cold as a winter's night. "Are you happy now? Using Zoey to keep Amelia around?"

A twisted smile crept across Cecil's pale face. "Aren't you trying to use the kid to keep Amelia close, too? What gives you the right to judge me?"

Raymond couldn't help but scoff, his tone dripping with disdain. "I'm the kid's biological father. What are you?"

Cecil remained unfazed, calmly retorting, "I was there for them when they needed someone the most. Where were you?"

Raymond's face fell instantly, like a storm cloud rolling in. 

This was a sore spot for him, the biggest issue between him and Amelia. Cecil's blunt reminder ignited Raymond's anger, his fists clenching in his pockets.

But he knew that continuing to argue would be pointless and only make things worse. 

So, he suppressed his rage and issued a final warning. "I don't care what you're planning, but if you hurt them, I won't let you get away with it. You'll pay."

With that, Raymond turned and swiftly left the room.

Carl was waiting outside the door and quickly approached Raymond. "Should we restart the plan against the Powell family? Everything's ready. Just say the word, and we can begin."

To Carl, anyone who dared to provoke Raymond deserved to be dealt with. But Raymond shook his head, stopping him.

"Going after Cecil now will only make Amelia hate me. If he wants to play sick, I'll let him play it to the fullest."

Raymond then arranged for the best medical team and equipment to be stationed around Cecil, along with a dozen caregivers and bodyguards to ensure his well-being and emotional support 24/7.

Raymond knew Cecil was trying to gain Amelia and Zoey's sympathy. So, he decided to play the role of the considerate husband, taking care of everything Amelia cared about.

When Amelia heard about this, she didn't say much. But Zoey was very resistant to Raymond's arrangements. 

Despite being only five years old, she was the smartest five-year-old around. She knew about the conflict between them and was certain Raymond would try to harm Cecil. 

But being so young, she didn't understand what emotional harm was.

Zoey acted like a little bodyguard, staying by Cecil's side every day but never catching anything suspicious. 

The doctors and caregivers Raymond sent were incredibly kind, giving them everything they needed. One night, when Zoey had a nightmare, a caregiver even sang her a lullaby. 

Gradually, Zoey's vigilance weakened, and she became confused. If Raymond sent so many people over and didn't want to harm Cecil, what exactly did he want to do?

Raymond came to visit Zoey one day, bringing her some things. Unable to figure it out, Zoey directly asked him, "Why'd you send all those people here?"

Raymond was arranging her lunch and looked up at her, surprised by her inquisitiveness at such a young age. He didn't dismiss her question but instead asked calmly, "What do you think I'm trying to do?"

Zoey shook her head, feeling confused. If she knew, she wouldn't have asked.

Raymond divided the food and handed her the utensils. "Zoey, you don't know what I'm trying to do because those people haven't done anything bad to Cecil, right? Have you considered that I sent them here for you?"

Zoey's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't thought Raymond sent those people for her.

Raymond patiently explained, "Even though I haven't been around while you grew up, I'm still your father. I love you and want to be your dad. But since you don't want to come back, I had no choice but to send people to protect and take care of you here."

Zoey was skeptical. "So, you're saying those people are here to protect and take care of me?"

Raymond nodded and gently fixed her hair. "Yes, and Cecil too. Even though I don't like him, since you do, I'll help take care of him for you."

Raymond seemed like an angel, radiating kindness. But inside, his heart was clouded with dark intentions. 

Zoey, lacking Amelia's experience, couldn't see through Raymond's facade. She felt she might have misunderstood him.

But Zoey wasn't ready to accept Raymond completely, especially with Cecil in the picture. Cecil was the dad she truly wanted. She sat up straight and said, "No, you can't trick me. I'm Cecil's child, and he's the best dad for me."

Zoey then ran into the hospital room, hiding from Raymond.

Raymond sat outside the room, feeling lonely. Carl offered to help him pack up, but Raymond refused, slowly gathering his things himself. 

Zoey watched from inside, feeling guilty for Raymond, who seemed like a discarded puppy.

Unbeknownst to her, Raymond's face turned cold as soon as he left the room, throwing the items into the trash. 

Carl asked, "Mr. Adams, will you come back tomorrow with lunch?"

Raymond had been bringing lunch every day, then taking the empty boxes back. If that were all, he would be a good dad. But his words earlier made Carl think it was too much for a five-year-old.

Raymond knew what Carl was thinking. He looked at him coldly. "Feeling sorry for Zoey? Think I'm heartless?"

Carl quickly lowered his head. "No, sir."

Raymond scoffed and got into the nearby car. "If Cecil wants to play mind games, I'll play along. My child will call me dad."