Chapter 52
Chapter 52
“He called her a hundred times, but every single call went straight to a disconnected number. Did you even return her old phone?”
Worried the two people inside might overhear and have their mood spoiled, Bob kept his voice low. His tone, however, remained sharp and confrontational.
Lucas went pale. He knew perfectly well that Emily didn’t have a phone-why had he suddenly forgotten that?
Charles and Emily didn’t notice the ruckus at the door. Or maybe they did, but they just didn’t care.
Charles looked at Emily’s cheek, his eyes heavy with concern. “Does it still hurt?” he asked.
Emily shook her head with a smile. “I’ve put some cream on it. It’s fine now.”
Charles knew she was just trying to downplay things and keep him from worrying. She’d always been terrible with pain. There was no way her face wasn’t hurting after taking such a hard hit. But he didn’t push.
“I’m gonna get you the best bodyguards out there. Nothing like two years ago is happening again.” He squeezed her hand, his grip firm like a solemn promise.
Emily knew he was worried about her, but she couldn’t let the bodyguards follow her. Otherwise, he’d find out she was job hunting and planning to move out of the Bennett residence. His health couldn’t take more stress.
Emily quickly shook her head. “Grandpa Charles, now that they’ve brought me back, they won’t ship me overseas again. I don’t need bodyguards.”
Charles wouldn’t budge. What happened two years ago still haunted him. Ever since Emily came home, he’d been set on hiring the best guards to watch over her.
But Emily stood her ground. And Charles? He’d never been able to say no to his favorite granddaughter. In the end, he had to give in.
Still uneasy, he pressed, “Give me your new number. You have to check in with me every day, and I need to be able to reach you whenever I want.” He figured another scare like yesterday might just do him in.
This time, Emily didn’t refuse. Her paycheck was coming soon, and she’d buy a phone right away.
Lucas couldn’t even recall leaving. His head was spinning from all the questions Bob had thrown at him.
He wandered downstairs to Lydia’s ward. The door stood ajar, and through it, he saw a warm scene.
Andrew stood by the bed, talking to Lydia with gentle care; she sat in the bed, giggling at his words; Emma sat nearby, peeling fruit, watching them with a soft smile.
“This feels too familiar. Wasn’t Emily once the one at the center of all this warmth?’ Lucas thought.
Lydia must have felt his stare. She turned suddenly, eyes lighting up. “Lucas, you’re back.”
She waved, smiling. “Did you tell Emily I don’t need an apology? As long as she stops dragging Grandpa into her little plays and making Mom and Dad worry, I’ll take the blame. It’s fine.”
1/2
Chapter 52
Lucas paused. Bob’s words rang in his head, “No one fakes a near-death scare. If we’d been a second later, that ashtray
would’ve smashed into her head.”
The room went quiet.
Lydia’s eyes watered. “Lucas is right. No one would risk their life just to put on an act. I must’ve been wrong about Emily.”
Lucas finally snapped back to reality and realized he had just blurted out Bob’s words without thinking. Panicked, he rushed to explain, only to find Andrew and Emma staring at him with burning intensity.