Chapter 577
After hearing the servant’s explanation, Cora and Jagger looked in the direction of the dining table and immediately saw Stella lying face–down on the still cluttered surface.
Upon closer listening, faint sobs could be heard.
Seeing their daughter in such a state, they couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache and walked over.
Jagger was the first to speak, “Stella, what’s wrong? This is the first time we’ve seen you like this. Tell us what’s going on, sweetheart. This is really alarming.”
Cora chimed in. “Yes, Stella, what happened?”
Stella remained silent, continuing to lie there, and no one knew what had happened.
The commotion had been so loud that Lydia had also come downstairs and was standing beside the dining table, her gaze falling on the phone lying next to Stella.
Turning to the servant, she asked, “You’re saying Aunt Stella changed like this after answering a phone call?”
The servant didn’t hold back and replied honestly, “Yes. After the call, she became quite temperamental.”
“Lydia, do you know what’s wrong with Stella?” Cora inquired, knowing that the two had a decent relationship.
Lydia shook her head, but in the next moment, she picked up Stella’s phone, unlocked it, and glanced at the screen. A cold, knowing smile played on her lips as she saw it was from her father’s assistant. She instantly understood what had happened.
Just as she was about to speak to her grandparents, Stella lifted her head. Her tear–streaked face was now visible to everyone.
Jagger and Cora felt even more distressed. “Stella, why are you crying like this? Lydia, did you find anything when you looked at Stella’s phone?”
Lydia turned to her aunt, who was now speaking slowly, “It’s about the boy named Hank, isn’t it, Aunt Stella?”
At Lydia’s words, more tears streamed down Stella’s face.
“Who is Hank?” Jagger asked assertively, clearly puzzled.
Lydia looked at Jagger and Cora, “You two might not b
aware of what’s been happening outside.
“Hank is a boy, not even 15 years old, a student at Betrico University. That in itself isn’t particularly surprising, but his identity is quite astonishing.”
“What is it?” Jagger asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
Lydia’s lips curled into a faint smile as she replied, “He’s Arthur’s son.”
“What?” The moment the words left her lips, Jagger and Cora’s faces simultaneously registered shock, disbelief, and confusion, as they exclaimed in unison.
“Is this true? How could it be? We’ve known Arthur for years, and not once have we seen him with a woman,” Jagger said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Stella, now standing, nodded vigorously. “It’s true. I’ve seen the boy a few times. He looks exactly like Arthur–so much so that there’s no room for doubt.
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Chapter 577
“And he’s been coming and going from the Jarrett residence freely. It’s undeniable.”
Cora’s face clouded with concern. “This news has been kept far too tight. If the boy’s mother is someone of no consequence, then there’s nothing to worry about.
“If she were from a respectable family, the Jarrett family would have boasted about it by now. There’s nothing to fear.”
Cora’s words seemed to strike a nerve with Lydia, who looked at her sharply. “Grandmother, what do you mean by that?”
“What? Is there a problem?” Cora was puzzled by Lydia’s sudden question.
Lydia, thinking back to what her father had said about her a few days ago at the forest villa, replied, “My mother wasn’t known to everyone either.”
Cora sighed, “That’s not the same thing. Your father told me that your mother was a top graduate from Fresburg’s most prestigious institution–talented and virtuous. Her death during childbirth was unavoidable. You’re different.
“If my daughter–in–law were of unknown origins or some unsavory character, I’d be upset too. Bloodline matters.”
Lydia let out a bitter laugh at herself and said nothing further.
Her father hadn’t described her mother the same way. He had called her the child of a prostitute, and in fact, her mother had been just that.
Cora turned back to Stella. “Anyway, Stella, don’t worry so
situation before you jump to conclusions.
much. this long; take the time to understand the
“There’s no need to wallow in self–pity at home. At least you ha, 4.
brother. We’re here for you, aren’t we?”
have the Walton family behind you–your parents, your
Stella seemed to find some truth in Cora’s words. She had waited this long, and she didn’t mind waiting a little longer.
*****
At Betrico Hospital, it had been two
days since Claire’s
S surgery was successful. So far, there was no sign of her waking up.
Crow and Cherise came over to relieve Hank from
shift.
As Hank was about to say goodbye and leave, Chce spoke up, “Try to avoid the road to the right of the main entrance. Someone’s lying in ambush there. You know what they’re after.
bike. Just kee
“Take the back door on your a low profile and be cautious.”
по
in b
Upon hearing this, Hank showed fear eyes. He nodded his thanks, turned, and left.
Cherise glanced at his retreating figure, then turned to Crow and said, “Let’s go.”
Inside the general ward, there was a faint, pleasant scent of herbs that filled the room.
“Boss, as you instructed, we’ve been burning this incense in the ward these past two days. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have realized how refreshing and comforting it is!” Crow remarked.
Cherise stared at him without speaking.
“Why are you staring at me like that? Your gaze is making me feel a bit awkward,” Crow said, clearly uncomfortable under her gaze.
The next moment, Cherise reached out and patted his shoulder, “Thanks for all these years.”
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Chapter 577
Caught off guard by Cherise’s gesture, Crow felt even more embarrassed.
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“Ab, Boss, you’re making it sound formal. We’re practically family. Without you, there wouldn’t be me. Let’s not dwell on this, let’s go see your mom,” he said.
Cherise nodded and smiled. Indeed, there was no need for such formalities between them. When one needed help, the other would step up without hesitation.
By Claire’s bedside, she was still sleeping deeply as she had been before the surgery. However, the medical equipment showed that all her vital signs had returned to normal.
The blood clot in her brain had been completely removed, and even the scalp that had been shaved for the surgery was beginning to sprout hair.
After approaching, Cherise took Claire’s warm hand and gently called out, “You’ve been sleeping for so long. It’s time to wake up. Many people are waiting for you. Please don’t sleep any longer.”
“How about waking up after one more acupuncture session?” Her voice was soft and gentle.
Crow had already prepared the acupuncture needles, and the two of them began simultaneously, one starting from the head and the other from the soles of the feet, their movements almost perfectly synchronized.
“Ah! Our mom…ah no! Boss, your mom is awake!” Crow shouted.
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