CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: LIES

Grace Lynch spent an hour in the hospital room, but Hugo Quinn still hadn’t arrived. She noticed that the child was becoming more silent, even somewhat afraid of her, and it made her fume with anger.

She decided it was better not to see and directly left the place.

However, just downstairs, she ran into Hugo Quinn and Eleanor Hollis, and her heart shook instantly. Why in the world were these two together?

"Eleanor, how come..."

She pretended to ask in concern, immediately walking to Hugo Quinn’s side, with a demeanor befitting a lady.

"I just went back to rest, fearing my grandmother would wake up and not find me. I slept for a while and rushed over. I didn’t expect to run into Mr. Quinn outside."

Logically, having grown up together with Grace, because of their relationship, she should call Hugo Quinn brother-in-law.

But in her heart, ever since Grace married into the Quinton Family, she was no longer her sister, so Hugo was no brother-in-law.

"So that’s how it is, Eleanor, now that you’ve divorced Nathaniel, have you found a place to rent outside?"

"I’m staying with a friend right now, I haven’t found a place for rent yet."

A friend?

Grace furrowed her eyebrows. She didn’t recall this person having any friends, her lips curved slightly.

"If you encounter any difficulty, just let me know. I’ve already transferred the money for grandmother’s surgery. If it’s not enough, tell me anytime."

She was just acting in front of Hugo to let him know she was a kind person.

Eleanor had enough of her hypocrisy over the years, but with Hugo present, she could only nod, "Hmm, I understand, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head up first."

After speaking, she lifted her foot into the elevator and pressed the close button, not wanting to linger even a moment longer.

"Is Marcus asleep?"

Hugo finally asked, his face full of indifference.

"No, he’s still playing puzzles. Hugo, the hospital smell is very uncomfortable; bring Marcus back home early."

"Hmm."

Hugo agreed, lifted his foot, and also planned to enter the elevator.

"Hugo, Nathaniel came to the hospital today and said some bizarre things to me."

Grace said with a face full of distress, grabbing Hugo’s hand.

She needed him to know many men liked her, so he would have a sense of crisis and pay more attention to her.

"Just don’t cross the line."

Hugo had already entered the elevator by now, casting a light glance at her.

Grace’s face almost twisted with anger. This person was always like this, surrounded by coldness, never showing a hint of emotion.

Everyone envied her for marrying the most outstanding man in Serenford, but only she knew that although she could have all the glory and wealth, she couldn’t get this man’s heart!

Grace’s hands clenched tightly, nails deeply embedding into her flesh, her lips biting until they bled.

If this person could be as gentle and passionate as Nathaniel, her life would be complete.

It looks like she needs to slowly train him, anyway, she still has plenty of time.

Grace rearranged her expression, finally leaving.

As Hugo stepped into the hospital room, he could sense Marcus’s displeasure. When he’s unhappy, he likes to stare into space, his eyes unfocused.

Getting closer, he noticed the puzzle in the trash bin, his eyes flickering.

"Marcus, weren’t you planning to continue the puzzle with Miss Hollis? Why did you throw it away?"

Marcus didn’t speak, still staring blankly out the window.

Hugo had no choice but to call Eleanor over again.

Eleanor thought this father and son had issues, but given her fondness for Marcus, she patiently sat down beside him.

When Marcus saw her coming, he was at least willing to shift his gaze.

"Marcus,

why did you throw the puzzle away?"

Eleanor bent down, picked up the puzzle, wiped it with a tissue, and then placed it aside.

"It’s... she threw it."

Marcus hurriedly tried to explain, but his voice was fragmented, making Eleanor find it hard to understand.

She patted his head, "Try to talk more with your dad when you can, alright? He’s very worried about you."

She had seen Hugo’s care for this child, otherwise, he wouldn’t have repeatedly asked her to come and help.

Marcus bit his lip, slowly nodded.

Hugo felt relieved, though he was a bit concerned about what Marcus just said. Was the puzzle really thrown away by Grace? Why would she do something to make the child unhappy?

"Is the elderly lady’s heart better? I heard her heart wasn’t in the best shape. I just happen to know a few experts in this field. Want me to invite them to check on her?"

He suddenly spoke, recalling what Grace said the other day.

Since Eleanor was willing to accompany his child, he ought to show some gratitude. Besides, asking someone to come over wouldn’t cost much.

"Who told you grandmother’s heart wasn’t in good condition?"

Eleanor almost blurted out. Her grandmother’s heart had always been fine; she had lived happily with her grandfather.

Hugo was stunned, pursing his lips without speaking. Didn’t Grace say the elderly needed a heart surgery?

"Grandma has uremia and has been on dialysis for years. The kidney donor is already on the way. Once it arrives, she can undergo surgery immediately. Grandmother’s heart is fine."

Eleanor said with a smile, taking a fruit knife to peel an apple for Marcus.

"Is that so."

Hugo replied blandly, a hint of suspicion in his heart.

Once the seed of doubt is planted, there might be a crack between the two.

However, Eleanor had no idea that one inadvertent comment nearly destroyed all Grace’s years of efforts beside Hugo.

That evening, Hugo called Grace.

"Why throw away the puzzle."

His tone was mild, merely seeking a reasonable explanation.

Grace’s heart skipped a beat, today she was so focused on venting that she forgot Hugo would see the trash in the hospital upon return.

"Hugo, I saw Marcus staring blankly at the puzzle. I thought it was making him unhappy, so I threw it away."

This reason seemed valid, though slightly far-fetched.

"What exactly is your grandmother’s illness."

Hugo narrowed his eyes slowly; as someone raised by the elderly lady, shouldn’t Grace know exactly what illness she was suffering from over the years?

"It’s just heart trouble, nothing else. Don’t worry, I’ve already given Eleanor a sum of money; she’s worked hard all these years."

Ha, heart trouble, still lying even now.

"Grace, I spoke to the attending physician. Your grandmother has uremia; what she needs is a kidney transplant, nothing to do with the heart."

He didn’t say the rest, but Grace should understand.

Grace felt her whole body stiffen, her complexion turning ugly. Over the years she hadn’t cared about the elderly’s life or death, so how would she know what illness they had. She only heard surgery was needed, and since Eleanor had no money, she seized the opportunity to strike a deal with the latter.

"I remembered wrong, Hugo, I’ve been too exhausted lately, searching everywhere for ways to treat autism, it’s wearing me out."