"Don’t feel sad. We’ll visit him again in a few days," Lauren said with a cheerful smile, her eyes brimming with joy.
For her, even the slightest improvent in Henry’s condition was a reason to celebrate.
"Thank you, Lauren. You’ve been a huge help during this ti," Ella said gratefully. If it weren’t for Lauren staying by Henry’s side, he would have been even lonelier.
"What are you saying? You’re making blush!" Lauren said with a laugh. This ti, Ella and Eric stayed to have dinner with her.
During the al, Lauren wheeled Henry out to join them, feeding him as they ate.
Ella also blended so at and porridge into a smooth consistency for Henry and handed it to Lauren.
The day passed peacefully at Lauren’s place. Ella spent ti pushing Henry’s wheelchair around for so fresh air, with Eric silently accompanying her, patient and uncomplaining.
...
At 3 p.m., LXL’s official Twitter account announced the news of Tiffany’s death.
The statent attributed her death to injuries sustained in an accident involving a fleeing criminal, as concluded by the Country W police. She had succumbed to severe blood loss.
Unbeknownst to the authorities, the gunman’s true target had been Tiffany all along.
The announcent sparked a wave of sympathy and mourning in the comnts. However, there were also many who criticized Ella, blaming her for giving Tiffany a supporting role, which they claid led to her unhappiness and subsequent trip back to Country W to relax.
So went further, accusing Ella of bringing tragedy to everyone around her: Robert’s murder, Brianna’s imprisonnt, and Henry’s disfigurent and vegetative state.
Mia scrolled through these comnts, her anger boiling over. Robert’s death was caused by Brianna—what did that have to do with Ella?
...
Though Ella had no fondness for Hannah, she admired Tiffany.
Hannah had reinvented herself, enduring incredible hardships while leveraging her talent and opportunities to beco soone entirely new. She was no longer the weak, delicate Hannah but a bold, celebrated actress.
Ella posted a ssage of condolence on Twitter, which only fueled more attacks from bots and angry fans.
She chose not to respond. Whether or not she was in her current position, she had no intention of engaging with people who lacked decency.
Setting her phone aside, Ella rubbed her slightly sore eyes—only to notice Henry’s eyes shift slightly.
She gasped, drawing the attention of Eric and Lauren, who were equally stunned and delighted.
It seed Henry’s consciousness and body were indeed gradually recovering.
...
When they returned to the hotel, Ella imdiately spotted Lucas sitting in the lobby with an unfamiliar man.
"Mr. Nelson, Ella, you’re back," Lucas said as he stood, his expression warm and inviting.
"Mr. Anderson, waiting for soone?" Eric asked nonchalantly.
Ella nodded politely but remained silent.
"I was waiting for you two. How about coming over to my house as guests?" Lucas’s eyes sparkled with genuine delight, his warm smile surprising even Luke, who had never seen him so animated.
Luke couldn’t help but steal a serious glance at Ella.
Ella and Eric were dressed in matching black athletic outfits. Her long hair was tied back, her bangs slightly damp from sweat. She exuded youthful vitality, her exquisite features striking and perfectly balanced.
What stood out the most were her large, luminous eyes, sparkling with intelligence and energy.
Ella carried herself with a unique blend of elegance and commanding presence—a regal air tempered with a hint of cool confidence.
Luke stood quietly, his sharp, hawk-like eyes reflecting Ella’s radiant beauty.
"Sorry, we just got back and aren’t quite ready to go anywhere," Eric began to say, but Lucas cut him off.
"We’ve been waiting for you and Ella here for a reason. I need to discuss sothing very important with you," Lucas said firmly, leaving little room for argunt.
Lucas was a seasoned strategist, well aware that Ella didn’t want to see him. However, his position and influence weren’t so easily dismissed.
"The Miller family has set their sights on you. I imagine Mr. Nelson would be interested in knowing so of their secrets?" Lucas said with a faint smile.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Anderson, but I’ve already gathered plenty of information. While it might not make them submit, it’s enough to make them wary," Eric replied, curling his lips into a smile. He was growing increasingly irritated by the way the younger man kept casting glances at Ella.
Sliding his arm protectively around Ella’s waist, Eric added, "We’ll be heading back to rest now."
As Eric and Ella began to leave, Lucas’s expression darkened slightly. "Ella, I’ve just learned about our connection."
An hour ago, Lucas had received the DNA report confirming that Ella was, indeed, his daughter. The revelation had shaken him, and he’d imdiately brought Luke—who had just returned from Country D—to et her.
Lucas knew he wasn’t welco. If he wanted Ella to speak with him at length, he needed to offer her sothing that would pique her interest.
Ella stopped in her tracks but didn’t turn around. After a mont’s pause, she continued walking.
"Ella! Your mother left many things with . Don’t you want to see them?" Lucas called out, urgency lacing his tone as he quickly followed her, causing a stir among the other hotel guests.
It was the first ti anyone had seen Lucas so flustered about soone. Who was this woman? So began speculating whether Lucas was pursuing a much younger partner.
Eric frowned, annoyed that Lucas had gone as far as obtaining Ella’s DNA for testing.
He understood Lucas’s urgency—after all, she was likely his only daughter—but if Lucas mishandled the situation, it might lead to trouble. And if Ella did reconcile with Lucas, what if her father ended up disapproving of Eric as her husband?
"Mr. Anderson, regardless of the results, I’d like us to maintain the status quo. I don’t want you disrupting my life," Ella said icily, her expression tightening as her tone turned cold.
Her mother had been gone for so many years. Even if she were curious about her belongings, she had no intention of visiting Lucas’s ho.
So what if he was her biological father? For over twenty years, he had never fulfilled his responsibilities, never saved her or Isabella from their suffering.
A father like that—a coward—she didn’t need.
Lucas’s face fell, his expression pained. "Ella..."
Without looking back, Ella hooked her arm through Eric’s and strode toward the VIP elevator.
Lucas could only stand there, helplessly watching them leave. He was paralyzed, afraid of pushing too hard and driving Ella to despise him even more. But the idea of giving up on her? That was unthinkable.
Luke stepped forward. "Father, let’s go back. Miss Davis seems too stubborn..."
"Luke, she’s my only daughter..." Lucas said, his voice heavy with sorrow. Everyone in the world seed to chase fa and fortune, yet all he wanted was a connection with his only child.
"Then let’s talk in the VIP lounge," Luke said softly, gently supporting the despondent Lucas as they walked away.
Lucas was aging. In Luke’s eyes, the once-vibrant man who had commanded imnse wealth and power was now quietly worn down by ti. Facing the reality of his only daughter, he looked lost—like a helpless child.
Luke’s heart ached. A surge of frustration overca him, a sudden urge to drag Ella back to Lucas so they could reconcile.
Reviews
All reviews (0)