Chapter 983 The Hidden Truth in the Phone
"Mr. Hall has had the kitchen prepare broth three times a day," Briar said with a smile. "Finally, it's put to good use. I'll wait outside—just call if you or Ms. Medici need anything."
Lola hadn't expected that during her unconsciousness, Henry had still arranged for her portion to be prepared, waiting for her to wake up.
Henry carefully spooned up some broth, blew on it gently, and brought it to her lips.
Having gone days without food, Lola tasted the broth and was amazed by how delicious it was! Back at the Medici family estate, she'd grown accustomed to elaborate delicacies, never knowing a simple bowl of broth could taste this good.
Had the Medici family starved her so long that she'd forgotten what real food tasted like? Or had she become so jaded by luxury that she'd lost appreciation for simple pleasures?
She found herself craving another spoonful, then another...
"Easy now, there's plenty more," Henry said, delighted to see her appetite returning. "If you like it, I'll feed you every two hours."
Soon, Lola had finished the entire bowl.
Henry gently wiped her mouth with a tissue. "The doctor said you can't eat too much at once. Shall I bring you another bowl in a while?"
Though still hungry, Lola nodded for the sake of her health.
"How are you feeling now?" Henry asked tenderly. "Does the broth help? Do you feel warmer, more energized?"
"Where's my father?" Lola suddenly looked up. "Has he contacted you? I mean Jacob, the former butler of the Medici family."
Henry hadn't expected this question, his expression becoming hesitant.
"Something's happened to him, hasn't it?"
The memory struck her—the Medici family had used her as bait to force Jacob out. To save her, had he... Otherwise, why hasn't he shown up? No father would abandon his own daughter.
"Lola, don't get upset." Henry feared her fragile condition couldn't handle the truth.
"Tell me." Lola gripped his hand with her bandaged fingers. "Did the Medici family capture him?"
Finally, Henry stood as if making a decision. "Wait here."
Lola held on desperately, ignoring the pain in her hands. "Tell me—something's happened to him, hasn't it?"
"He left something behind... before he died. I'll get it for you."
"Before he died?" The words hit Lola like a thunderbolt. Her birth mother Maria had just fallen to her death from that unfinished building, and now, just days later, Jacob was dead too?
"What do you mean 'before he died'? What did the Medici family do to him?" Lola broke down, tears streaming as she grabbed Henry. "Did they kill him?"
"No..." Henry struggled to explain. Though he'd rehearsed this moment countless times, facing it was still heartbreaking. "Just wait here."
He brought Jacob's phone to Lola. "Your father said when you woke up and asked about him, I should give you this. He said you'd understand everything after seeing it. The password is your birthday."
Tears flowed down Lola's cheeks.
She recognized Jacob's phone—she'd bought it for him three years ago as a birthday gift when he was still the Medici family's butler. She'd thought he was simply a kind man who looked after her, never imagining their true connection. She'd even taught him how to use all the features, worried about his age...
Now, three years later, this phone was all that remained of him.
Lola didn't immediately open the phone. Instead, she cradled it in both hands, staring at the wallpaper—a photo of her and Jacob from his birthday celebration—as tears fell freely.
"When I went to the Medici family to demand your release, they refused." Henry tried to explain the circumstances. "You'll understand everything once you see."
Lola wept until her heart ached, forcing herself to calm down before entering the password with trembling fingers.
As she read, Henry stayed beside her, occasionally wiping her tears without looking at the screen. He'd only opened the phone once before to find Abella's number, respecting Jacob's privacy otherwise.
Lola's emotions swung wildly—crying, laughing, then devastated again, like riding an emotional roller coaster.
After reading Jacob's first pinned memo, Lola understood everything.
Her voice hoarse, she said, "He was coerced into taking poison. He'd already swallowed it before you delivered him to the Medici mansion. Even in his final moments, he wanted to trade his remaining life for mine."
The tears came again. She'd known no father could truly abandon his daughter—he'd face death itself to protect his child.
Henry's heart broke watching her cry for the second time since waking. Each tear felt like a knife through his chest.
"Who forced him to take the poison? Did he say? Do you need my help?"
Lola could see Henry wanted to seek justice for Jacob, to avenge him. She wrapped her arms around this man who'd given her everything, saying nothing, only crying silently.
Her silence told Henry everything—this couldn't be discussed. Speaking of it might endanger them both. Jacob had been caught up in something complex and terrifying, something even Henry might not be able to handle.
"Did your father leave anything he needed us to do?"
Perhaps final arrangements, or unfinished business?
"He told me to stay with you." Lola looked up at Henry.
Henry gazed down at Lola in his arms, holding her closer. "I promised your father I'd take care of you, ensure you live the rest of your life healthy, happy, and safe."
Lola realized that now, Henry was all she had left to depend on.
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