"What are you talking about? Why would I beat and curse you? Chantel, tell me. Is someone bullying you?" Concern laced Blair's tone as she searched the young girl's face for any hint that would help her understand.
However, Chantel closed her eyes and shook her head. Tears that had earlier threatened to fall, now flowed freely down her cheeks. "No," she whispered between sobs. She glanced sideways and saw the patient in the next bed, staring at them intently. Aware that there was no privacy in this small ward, the young girl hesitated.
At once, Blair understood why Chantel had not continued. She patted the girl's hand and reassured her, "We'll talk about it later. Take it easy."
"Okay," the young girl managed to say between hiccups and sobs.
Wesley returned in less than ten minutes, accompanied by two nurses. They walked up to Chantel and helped her stand. A nurse cooed, "Come with us, Miss Ye. Step carefully."
Chantel stared at the nurses in bewilderment. "Where are you taking me?"
Wesley, who stood at a distance, remained silent. But, Blair explained, "Your uncle has arranged for a better ward for you. Can you walk?"
'Changed my ward…' The Li couple's kindness moved Chantel deeply. They had already done so much for her. And now this. How would she ever repay their generosity and kindness? "I'm okay. I can walk."
The intravenous injection the nurse had administered a few moments ago had taken effect by now. Chantel felt some relief. In the VIP ward
As soon as the nurses left, Chantel, who had already sat on the bed, stood and walked straight to the Li couple. To their astonishment and utter confusion, she fell to her knees before them.
Wide-eyed, Blair glanced at Wesley, who frowned and asked, "What are you doing? Get up!"
"Chantel, the stress of not knowing is too much. Please, just tell us what happened." Blair wanted to help the girl stand, but she vigorously shook her head and refused.
Mustering all her courage, Chantel finally raised her head and met Blair's gaze. "Uncle Wesley, Aunt Blair, it was all my idea. Gifford is not at fault. He doesn't even know that I'm pregnant. Please don't blame him. This is all my fault!"
"Gifford?" Blair exclaimed. She was so stunned that she was rendered speechless. 'Gifford? My son…and Chantel? Perhaps I misunderstood. Could it be?'
Realizing that the situation was complicated, Wesley frowned and asked, "Gifford got you pregnant, and he doesn't know?"
Tears streamed down Chantel's face. She hung her head and explained, "No, he doesn't know because I didn't tell him. We slept together…but it was because of me. He was the victim." At this moment, she was filled with regret over her impulsive action. She shouldn't have conceived Gifford's child without the Li family's consent. But it was too late. She only hoped that Wesley and Blair wouldn't be too angry with her.
"What do you mean? Why was he the victim?" Blair was confused. Was her son that weak? "Don't tell me… you seduced and forced Gifford?"
"It's not like that…" Chantel felt embarrassed, but on second thought, she realized that Gifford hadn't been a willing participant. So, she corrected herself. "Sort of. You may think of it this way."
It was Wesley's turn to be rendered speechless. He couldn't imagine how a weak girl like Chantel could force a brave and strong colonel.
Blair helped the young girl to stand. "If you have something to say, just say it. You cannot kneel forever," she coaxed as she led the girl to the bedside.
Chantel lowered her head and shook it. "Auntie Blair, although you and Uncle Wesley are not my biological parents, you are better than them, and you have treated me better than they ever did. As I have wronged you and your family, it is only fair that I kneel and ask for forgiveness."
"Well, Wesley and I need some time to discuss this. In your condition, kneeling for extended periods is not advisable. Please, rest. And don't worry. I will speak with Gifford about taking responsibility for this child. So, don't worry too much. The most important thing for you now is to rest well and take good care of yourself." Blair had wanted a grandchild for so long that the news overjoyed her. Why would she blame Chantel? Besides, the first time she saw this girl, she had mistaken her to be Gifford's girlfriend.
There was a moment of silence in the ward. Finally, Chantel added, "Well, Uncle Wesley, Aunt Blair, don't be angry with Gifford. If he likes another girl, he can bring her home even if I have his child. I'll be okay with that arrangement. Really!"
Chantel hoped to convey that it didn't matter if Gifford married her or not. She just wanted to have his child.
But Wesley and Blair didn't understand. They looked at each other in confusion, unsure of what she meant.
She took the initiative to make a baby with Gifford, but she wouldn't force him to marry her? Was she considerate or did she have hidden motives?
While Blair and Chantel chatted for a while in the ward, Wesley went out and lit a cigarette. He called his son. "Come back when you are free in the next few days."
"Why? Did something happen?" Gifford asked.
"Yes." Mixed emotions coursed through Wesley at the thought that he was going to be a grandfather.
In the next few days, Chantel was cared for and protected by the Li family. Blair had always been nice to her, and now, she treated the young girl even better.
She made all kinds of food and drinks for Chantel to replenish her health. She also asked Wesley to inform Chantel's teacher in private that the girl was unwell and needed special care.
Erica was in the middle of a shooting activity when she learned that Chantel had told Wesley and Blair everything.
She immediately called Wesley. "Dad, you have to ask Gifford to be responsible for Chantel! None of the men in our family are irresponsible, right?"
Since she couldn't persuade Gifford, she decided to let her father do it!
"How do you know about this matter?" Wesley felt suspicious.
"Chantel just told me!"
"Well, I have a plan." Just as Erica thought, there were no irresponsible men in the Li family.
"Dad, add oil!"
Wesley frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, nothing. I was just encouraging you. I know you can do it!"
Wesley was speechless. His youngest daughter was still so naughty.
After ending the call with Wesley, Erica wasn't interested in the activity anymore. She decided to go to the ZL Group.
Hyatt noticed her leaving and ran to catch up with her. "Erica, where are you going?"
"I'm going to make a baby with my husband!"
Hyatt shook his head helplessly.
Erica did mean what she said. Her brother would have a baby very soon, and she wasn't even pregnant yet.
Matthew was speaking on the phone when she reached the office. After locking the door from inside, Erica ran to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.
Matthew held the phone with one hand, circled her waist with the other, and lowered his head to give her a deep kiss.
After a while, when the person on the other end stopped speaking, Matthew broke the kiss and replied, "Leave it to Paige. If you have any questions, contact her."
Erica didn't stop there. She hurriedly untied his tie. Matthew immediately grabbed her small hand, put the phone on speaker mode, and threw it on the nearby desk.
The man on the other end of the line continued to report to the CEO, oblivious of what was happening in his boss's office. "I haven't replied to their requests yet. According to my observation during this period, the stock price is indeed rising…"
Every so often, Matthew would reply with a single word to show that he was listening.
Meanwhile, he and Erica were busy undressing each other.
A few minutes later, the disheveled man held the passionate woman in his arms and picked up the phone on the desk. "That's it. I'll visit them tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Mr. Huo."
After ending the call, Matthew threw the phone on the desk. He wrapped an arm around Erica's waist, pulled her close to him, entangled his fingers in her hair, and continued to deep kiss her. Step by step, he walked her toward the big French windows. Finally, he spun her around, placed her arms against the windows, and pulled her hips toward him. He couldn't control the passion she had aroused in him a minute longer!
After a long time, Erica was carried into the lounge. Oh! She felt like she was dying. If she didn't get pregnant, she would really die!
