Chapter 177
Even while resting at home, Quentin couldn’t stop thinking about the company. On top of that, the project he’d been working on for over two years was about to launch, so he felt the need to review every contract carefully.
Still in bed, he coughed a few times and glanced at Carmen. “Bring me my laptop.”
Carmen sighed. “You’re not in any condition to work. Alice is already handling everything at the company. Don’t you remember how capable she is? She’s been working nonstop all week, and I’m worried she’ll wear herself out.”
He smiled contentedly before rubbing his forehead. “Alice is certainly capable, but this project has been two years in the making. It’s key to the Lambert family’s international expansion. I’ve invested everything in it and can’t let it fail now, especially with the higher-ups watching closely.”
She sat next to him on the bed and took his hand. “Alice took your laptop. She said you’d never resist checking work messages. She even turned off your phone. Take it easy this week, and don’t worry about anything else. She’s even handling Grace’s funeral, poor thing.”
Quentin fell silent. The mention of Grace hit him like a wave-the pain in his chest sharp and sudden, draining the strength he’d been holding onto.
Only then did Carmen notice the tears in his eyes. He had always been the family’s pillar, and the last time he’d cried was when Albert passed.
Her heart ached with sympathy, but she also felt a bitter resentment toward Grace. If only Grace had passed sooner, their family might not have been in this situation.
…
When Grace arrived at Amity Hospital, she found Paul and Maria cleaning together.
The hospital still had flowers in bloom. There weren’t many, but each sat perfectly, adding a subtle warmth to the space.
Paul spotted her right away and smiled. “Grace, you’re here.”
Maria was facing away and sweeping the floor when she heard him call out to Grace. She quickly dropped the broom and was about to run when Grace’s words stopped her.
“Ms. Vickham, you found this hospital in just one day. That shows you’re not as out of your mind as you’ve been pretending. You were faking it, weren’t you? I have mentioned that things could turn around, but only if you’re willing to cooperate.”
Maria hesitated, then slowly turned around at her words.
Grace quickly noticed how much older Maria looked. Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion and hopelessness, as though life had worn her down.
Before she could say anything else, Maria suddenly dropped to her knees, lowering her head in desperate gratitude. “Ms. Lambert, thank you for taking care of Taylor. I don’t know how to repay you. I really don’t. Thank you.”
Grace helped her up, her discomfort growing as she saw the tears streaking down Maria’s face. Only someone who had been through unimaginable pain could cry like that. “Ms. Vickham, if you have something to say, just say it.”
Turning to Paul, she continued, “Mr. Brown, I came here today to confess something to you as well.”
They sat on a stone bench in the garden, Maria trembling as if she had just received terrible news. Meanwhile, Grace remained patient, waiting for Maria to regain her composure before continuing.
Grace turned to Paul, her voice serious as she said, “Mr. Brown, last time I was here, I didn’t tell you something important. I was in a car accident and lost all my memories. I didn’t even remember who Taylor was. When I came that day, I had a task from Henderson Group, but after hearing your words, I hesitated.
“Recently, I had another accident, and it made me realize how much I’ve been at a disadvantage. I’m being honest with you now, and I hope you’ll share everything you know.”
Paul sat in stunned silence for a long moment before finally sighing deeply. “No wonder. I knew something was off that day, but I didn’t know how to ask.”
He continued, “Well, I don’t know much. You’ve always been so decisive, doing things your way. Then, out of nowhere, you showed up with Taylor, bringing in all that expensive equipment and saving his life. Taylor and I are from the same hometown. I’ve known him since he was a kid, and I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”
Grace didn’t speak, still processing Paul’s words. So, Paul had taken Taylor in simply out of kindness? She shifted her gaze to Maria, who clutched her coffee cup so tightly it might shatter.
She reached out and gently held Maria’s calloused hand. “Ms. Vickham, back at the Lambert residence, I heard Alice grew up abused by you. But looking at you, I can’t picture it.”
Maria’s eyes widened in shock, her expression full of disbelief. “What did you say?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Grace sipped her coffee before answering, “Alice has been seeing a psychologist for years, claiming you abused her as a child and left her emotionally scarred.
“Recently, someone claiming to be your relative barged into the Lambert residence and demanded 30 million dollars, threatening to kill himself if they didn’t comply.”
Maria jumped to her feet, crying, “That’s impossible!”
She gripped the table so hard her knuckles turned white, her body trembling with disbelief. “Alice would never say that. We never hurt her. Never…”