Chapter 271 The Mysterious Parcel
Chapter 271 The Mysterious Parcel
Emily didn't have a penny in her pocket. She looked at her ring and handbag.
Gritting her teeth, she handed the bag to the nurse. "Take this to cover the debt. It was worth seven hundred thousand dollars when I bought it! More than enough to cover your medical bills!"
"Well..." The nurse looked troubled. "The hospital has no precedent for accepting items as payment for medical bills. Besides, we don't even know if your bag is real or fake."
"I'm the daughter of the Lockhart family! How could I possibly buy a fake bag!"
The nurse didn't give Emily any face. "The daughter of the Lockhart family is Cynthia. It's all over the news."
"You!"
Emily was furious. "Whatever! The bag is all I'm giving you! Take it or leave it. Go ahead and kick me out if you dare! I'll expose your hospital online! You messed up my leg, and now you're bullying a patient!"
The young nurse was shocked. How could such a shameless person exist in this world?
But she didn't dare take the risk. If Emily really smeared the hospital's reputation, dealing with the public backlash would be a huge hassle.
"Fine, I'll take the bag to see how much we can get for it."
The nurse didn't want to stay there a second longer.
The hospital room fell quiet again. The oppressive atmosphere made Emily feel even worse.
She turned on the TV, hoping to distract herself.
The moment the TV came on, Cynthia's face appeared!
She was wearing the finest custom-made gown, standing in the spotlight, surrounded by people, her face radiating happiness.
The news headline read: [The Lockhart Family's Real Daughter's Homecoming Banquet Rivals the Year's Most Grand Event]
Damn it!
Emily angrily pressed the remote, but after switching through several channels, they were all covering Cynthia!
Don't these reporters have anything else to report on!
As Emily fumed, her phone suddenly rang.
Had Beatrice changed her mind? Softened up?
So... she was calling to check on her?
Emily excitedly grabbed her phone, only to see an unfamiliar number.
She instantly deflated and slumped back against the headboard.
"Who is this?"
"Is this Ms. Emily Lockhart? I'm from the courier company. You have a package sent from prison. Is it convenient to receive it now?"
Prison?
Emily was confused. She didn't know anyone in prison.
Wendy!
The name suddenly popped into her head, startling Emily herself.
That damn woman! She ruined her chance to be the Lockhart family's daughter, and even in prison, she won't stay quiet, still trying to contact her.
"Just throw it away. I don't need it."
She didn't want anything to do with Wendy anymore!
"I'm sorry, but because the sender's address is rather special, we don't have the authority to dispose of it or return it. We must deliver it to you."
Emily was extremely annoyed.
"I'm at Haven Healthcare Hospital. Just bring it here."
Meanwhile, after resting at home for a few days, Cynthia returned to school.
Because the homecoming banquet had been so grand, with all the media outlets competing to cover it, Cynthia had become a celebrity at school.
Every day, different people waited for her downstairs at her dorm or outside her classroom.
"Ms. Lockhart! I have a medical question. Can I ask you about it? I heard you can even cure people who've been in vegetative states for years. I really admire you!"
"Ms. Lockhart, can you take me as your student? I'm willing to carry your bag every day, do your homework, get your meals—I'll do anything!"
"Ms. Lockhart, can I take a photo with you? I think you're even prettier than a movie star!"
Being surrounded by these people every day was driving Cynthia crazy.
She asked Efrain for help, and the school issued a temporary rule that no one was allowed to disturb Cynthia's life, or they would be expelled. Only then did everyone settle down a bit.
Cynthia went home once a week. On weeknights when she had time, she would have dinner with Augustus. Life was peaceful and warm.
It was the weekend again, time to go home. Augustus's car was already waiting at the school gate early. He personally picked her up every week.
Opening the car door, she found only Frank in the driver's seat.
"Where's Augustus?"
It was rare for Augustus not to come fawning over her.
"Mr. Winthrop had something come up at the company today and had to deal with it, so he sent me to pick you up."
"Thanks for your trouble."
Cynthia handed over a large bag. "This is for you. I brought back some gifts when I went out of town for an academic conference a few days ago."
Frank looked at Cynthia gratefully. It felt really good to have someone think of him.
All these years working for Augustus, with Augustus being such a cold person, he had naturally gotten used to the taste of loneliness.
But ever since Augustus and Cynthia got together, Cynthia always brought him things. When he caught a cold or had a fever, he would receive medicine from Cynthia. On holidays, he would receive gifts from Cynthia too.
It was as if Cynthia really treated him like family.
This feeling warmed Frank's heart.
"Ms. Lockhart, thank you."
Seeing Frank's eyes turning red, Cynthia couldn't help teasing, "You're won over by such a small gift? That's too easy to please."
Frank scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, let's get going then."
"Okay."
On the weekend evening, when Cynthia arrived home, the sky was gradually darkening. Warm yellow floor lamps filled the entire living room, creating a gentle and relaxed atmosphere.
A rich, sweet rose fragrance hit her nose. Cynthia paused, her heart inexplicably stirring.
She closed the door, and suddenly all the lights in the house went out. Only a strip of lights on the floor extended into the house, as if guiding Cynthia.
She followed the light strip, her footsteps crunching. Looking down, she saw rose petals scattered all over the floor. Reaching the living room, speakers in the corner began playing Cynthia's favorite song. A warm lamp stood by the sofa, gently illuminating her parents and brothers sitting there, all smiling at Cynthia.
Cynthia stood frozen, somewhat at a loss.
What was going on?
Before she could process it, Augustus slowly emerged from the shadows of the entrance. He had been waiting there all along, wearing a well-fitted custom suit, his posture upright. His excellent physique and refined features gradually became clear as he stepped out of the shadows. The moment he saw Cynthia, a gentle smile spread across his lips.
Augustus walked toward Cynthia and took her slightly cool hand.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you in advance."
Cynthia's eyelashes trembled violently from nervousness. Looking at everything carefully arranged in the house, then at her smiling family nearby, joy suddenly flooded her chest, leaving her speechless.
Watching all this, Beatrice couldn't bear to interrupt and quietly took out her phone to record this beautiful moment.
Augustus led Cynthia by the hand to an open space in the living room, then slowly knelt on one knee under everyone's gaze. A velvet ring box rested steadily in his palm, the light falling on the diamond ring, reflecting a brilliant sparkle.
Augustus looked up, his gaze locked firmly on Cynthia, his eyes serious and earnest.
"Cynthia, will you marry me?"