Chapter 76 You and Emma Are a Perfect Match
Lily was lying in bed, with one hand hooked up to an IV and the other wrapped in thick bandages.
Her face was completely drained of color.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her lips parched. "Liam..."
"What happened in the past is over. There's no need to apologize anymore." Liam cut her off.
Lily gave a bitter smile.
"Liam, it's good that you've moved on. Otherwise, I'd never forgive myself," she murmured.
Liam showed no reaction.
Seeing their intertwined fingers, Lily smiled with relief.
"You and Emma are a perfect match."
"Of course." Liam tightened his grip on her hand.
"Could you step out for a moment? I'd like to speak with her alone," Emma said with a smile, looking at Liam.
He hesitated, glancing at Lily, then turned back to Emma.
"Go ahead. I won't try again. Death leaves nothing behind. I must live well," Lily said.
"I'll wait for you outside." Liam gently rubbed the back of Emma's hand with his fingertips.
"Okay." Emma nodded.
Liam whispered instructions to the two bodyguards outside the ward before leaving.
He then called Ryan.
"Mr. Hayes."
"Got a moment? Need you to look up some info."
"Go ahead."
"I want all of Emma's records."
"If you still need to investigate Mrs. Hayes, you've already lost. Sorry, I have my principles," Ryan said.
Liam frowned.
Principles?
Wasn't money his only concern?
Sensing the prolonged silence on the other end, Ryan added, "How long have you even known her? Why not observe things for a while longer before jumping to conclusions?"
After hanging up, Liam smiled faintly.
My wife seems to have some secrets.
——
Meanwhile, Ryan opened his chat with Emma, typing rapidly:
[Hey, heads up—your husband seems suspicious and is digging into your past.]
By the time Emma left the ward, it was noon.
Lily glared at her retreating figure.
It was hatred for losing her mother and having her beloved taken away.
Liam was waiting outside.
Emma walked over and naturally took his hand.
"Let's go," she smiled.
No sooner had they settled into the car than Emma received a message from Rosalind: [You and Liam got married?]
Emma: [Yep.]
Rosalind: [Emma, this won't do. Everyone is gossiping about Liam having a mistress.]
Emma pressed her lips together and turned to look at Liam.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing."
——
Inside a lighthouse on a remote coast,
Eugene sat in a black chair with his legs spread wide and his hands braced on his cane.
His wrinkled eyes were fixed intently on the man before him.
Steven knelt before him, trembling.
“I never knew you had this talent!” Eugene shouted, his chest heaving and his teeth clenching.
“Sorry… I’m so sorry. I never imagined Eleanor would leave like this…” Steven’s voice trembled with remorse.
“You already have one, yet you still want to be with my daughter! I’ll kill you!” Eugene sneered.
Steven jerked his head up and crawled toward him.
The bodyguards beside Eugene immediately blocked Steven.
“Mr. Carter, I beg you! If I lose my leg, your granddaughter will be heartbroken! If she finds out how you treated her father, she’ll hate you!”
“Hate? Hah…” Eugene lifted his chin with the cane. “She probably hates you more than I do. You abandoned your wife, neglected your parents, and deserted your child. Bastard!”
“I’m the one who failed them. I’ll make amends…” Steven wept, his face streaked with tears.
“How long do you think you have left?” Eugene waved his hand dismissively.
Several bodyguards stepped forward.
“No! Please let me go! Mr. Carter!” Steven shouted.
“Today, I’ll break one of your legs. If my daughter still refuses to come back next spring, I’ll kill you!”
Steven screamed for help.
“Enough noise!” Eugene frowned.
A nearby bodyguard picked up a ragged, cement-stained rag from the ground and stuffed it into Steven’s mouth.
Several men pinned Steven to the ground.
Steven struggled violently, kicking up a cloud of dust.
“Break his legs—but not completely. I’ll keep beating him until my daughter comes back!” Eugene spat on the ground, stood up, and walked toward the car parked by the roadside.
He slid into the car, pulled out his phone, and stared at Emma’s photo.
The corners of his mouth twitched, revealing a faint smile.
Good girl.
——
Liam sat across from Emma as the grill sizzled before them.
He placed a perfectly seared ribeye steak on her plate.
“Eat up.”
Emma nodded and met his gaze.
After a moment’s hesitation, she spoke. “Liam, you…”
“What did you call me?” he asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
She pressed her lips together. “Honey…”
“Hmm, go on.” He smiled faintly.
“If I don’t reconcile with Steven, will you think I’m too ruthless?” she asked.
Liam reached out and took her hand.
“He hasn’t been in your life for over twenty years. What right does he have to talk about emotions with you?” he murmured, trying to soothe her. “Just follow your own feelings.”
“Got it.” She withdrew her hand and continued cutting the steak on her plate.
“Mr. Hayes! Emma!” Ethan froze in his tracks as he approached.
“You two…” he hesitated.
Liam’s brow furrowed.
To outsiders, their ambiguous relationship now undeniably looked like she was his mistress.
Emma reached out and gently took his left hand, raising it with hers.
Two plain rings shone brightly before Ethan’s eyes.
His eyes widened.
Oh my God!
Liam’s gaze first rested on their clasped hands and then shifted to Emma.
Is she willing to go public?
Or has she fully accepted it?
He smiled, a sudden warmth washing over him.