Chapter 194 Are You Sure You Want To Go With Him?
The moment Christopher appeared, everyone’s expressions shifted multiple times. Only Jerry exuded unbridled hostility.
Austin's anger dissipated entirely, leaving only the composure and shrewdness of a businessman. "Mr. Valence, is your wife Ms. Royston?"
As he finished speaking, he looked at me.
Christopher’s voice was as cold as winter’s grip as he retorted, “Who else can she be?”
"Mr. Valence, it's better to distinguish between your wife and ex-wife." Jerry reminded with a calm firmness.
"Don't worry, when we remarry, I'll definitely send you an invitation." As Christopher spoke, he tried to pull me away from Jerry.
Jerry held on, the tension thickening like a storm cloud.
The previous fear of having my blood drawn made me temporarily ignore my physical discomfort. Now, with Christopher's appearance, a semblance of calm returned.
But the itch was unbearable.
I struggled to free my wrist from Jerry's grip. "You should handle Bella Harris's matter first."
Given the current situation, if Jerry and I left and something happened to Bella, Jerry would probably feel guilty for the rest of his life.
"Are you sure you want to go with him?" Jerry asked, his dark eyes flashing with an emotion that branded me a traitor.
Austin slapped Jerry's arm and admonished, "What are you being stubborn about? Let go of Mrs. Valence!"
"I said, ex-wife!" Jerry barked, his voice brimming with frustration.
"Jerry," Bella called weakly, her pale face turned towards Jerry as she sat in a wheelchair pushed by a servant. She looked as though she could stop breathing at any moment.
Taking advantage of Jerry's distraction, I yanked my arm free and looked at Elissa. "Let's go."
Austin arranged a VIP room without hesitation and I welcomed the luxury. Already feeling abysmal, I grasped at any semblance of comfort.
Soon, I received the IV.
Daniel stood at the door, conversing with Austin. Austin apologized, "Mr. Martinez, I'm sorry. Please inform Mr. Valence that had we known Ms. Royston was Mrs. Valence, we wouldn’t have allowed any harm to come to her.”
Daniel’s smile was laced with sarcasm. “Is Maple Valley always this opportunistic?”
Austin chuckled and said something inaudible.
Daniel wouldn’t push too hard. Although the RF Group was currently robust, it had only recently entered the domestic market and couldn’t afford to make enemies, especially not with influential families like the Hammers. Overstepping could prompt a coalition against RF, leading to numerous challenges and potential disaster.
I pursed my lips and looked at Christopher. "Why are you here?"
Christopher replied pointedly, "To find you."
Seeing me fidget uncomfortably with the IV in my wrist, Christopher adjusted the drip rate. “At the Harris family estate, you vanished in the blink of an eye. Daniel found out you came to the hospital.”
“Why are you looking for me?” I probed, genuinely perplexed by Christopher’s newfound clinginess.
Christopher gently placed the back of his hand against my forehead and massaged my wrist. “What’s going on with you? Why do you have so many rashes? Is it a yam allergy again?”
“How do you know I’m allergic to yams?” I asked, bewildered.
He reminded me, "Didn't you have an allergic reaction in college?"
I looked at him. "I remember you weren't there that time."
That time, I had gone out with Elissa, Cecil, and a couple of other classmates, and, unfortunately, ate something I was allergic to.
Christopher's blue eyes narrowed at me, his voice chillingly cold. "Cecil Lewis didn’t come back until the break of dawn, causing quite a commotion. When I confronted him, he said you had an allergic reaction, and he was taking care of you. Mind you, it was just freshman year, and already you were close to him.”
"That's not true." Elissa interjected after a moment’s thought. “That incident happened in the afternoon. We left the hospital by evening, had dinner out, and returned to campus afterwards.”
I recalled the details and found agreement in her recount.
Christopher’s expression darkened upon hearing this, but he chose to remain silent.
He requested that Elissa return to the hotel first. Elissa, however, stood her ground, eyeing him warily. “What’s your game? They might fear you, but I don't. Mess with me, and your chances with Hope are toast!”
Christopher glanced at her, his eyes hinting at his displeasure. “Don’t you think it’s a bit cramped here?”
Elissa continued to apply the ointment. “No, it's just fine.”
I mustered the strength to speak. "Christopher Valence, you should leave."
"Leave?" Christopher glanced outside. "Do you want to be dragged off for a blood draw again?"
I understood his point. Despite the Hammers' awareness of the situation’s gravity, Kimberly and Skylar remained uncontrollable. Their loathing for me meant they'd seize any chance to create trouble.
Christopher, calm and composed, pulled up a chair and sat by the bed, crossing his long legs. "Do you want some water?"
Elissa, seizing the moment to vent her frustration with Christopher over past grievances, mocked, “Who could ever order you around?”
Christopher smiled, his reply tinged with sarcasm. “Isn’t that what you’re here for?”
With a huff, Elissa poured me a glass of water.
Post-IV, the evening was still young, and my itchiness had abated. As I exited the hospital, intent on hailing a cab back to the hotel, Christopher stopped me firmly. “I’ll take you back.”
"No need..." Before I could finish, Christopher had slipped off his coat, draping it over my shoulders before lifting me effortlessly.
“You have a slight fever. Catching a cold in the night wind could make it worse,” he said softly.
Elissa, stunned, murmured to Daniel, “Does he think he’s in a movie?”
Christopher deposited me into the car. Elissa took the front passenger seat, and Daniel assumed the driver’s position.
Inwardly, I felt a twinge of annoyance. Human nature, it seemed, was immutable. Beneath the veneer of civility, Christopher’s innate arrogance, decisiveness, and domineering aura had surfaced once more. Even now, I questioned whether I had ever truly known him.
The following day, Elissa made calls diligently. She queried and took notes meticulously. All the goods ordered by those wealthy women the previous night were bespoke creations. We had to schedule fittings and ascertain their preferences and styles. Though their patronage was largely out of respect for the Hammer and Harris families, we needed to establish a credible reputation.
As I poured myself a glass of water to take my medication, the doorbell rang. It was Avery, bearing a concerned expression. “Hope, I heard you had a severe allergic reaction last night. How are you?”
I smiled. "I'm fine."
As I opened the door wider, surprise flickered across my face. “Cecil, you’re here too?”
Feigning displeasure, Cecil remarked, “What do you think? You had a severe allergic reaction and didn’t inform me. Are you really okay now?”
"Much better." I smiled and let Cecil and Avery in.
"What kind of allergy was it?" Avery asked with evident concern.
Knowing the cause of my allergy, I hadn’t disclosed the specifics to the doctor, simply stating I’d ingested something I was allergic to. I touched the still-present rash. “Food allergy. I must’ve unknowingly eaten something containing yam.”
"Yam? Hope, you're allergic to yam?" Avery's eyes widened as if she had stumbled upon a revelation.
I nodded. "Yes, what's wrong?"
Avery shook her head dismissively. "Nothing."
Cecil noticed the untouched medicine on the table. “You haven’t taken your medicine yet? Go ahead and take it.”
I agreed, "Okay."
I had just swallowed the medicine and was about to drink some water when Cecil suddenly asked, "Who are you messaging?"
Avery, still engrossed in her phone, responded, “My brother. I’m updating him on Hope’s condition.” Without much thought, she continued, “He and my father argued all night. Now they’re at home, both getting scolded by my grandfather.”
Cecil probed, “Did you tell your brother that Hope is allergic to yam?”
Avery seemed puzzled. "Yes. Is that something I shouldn't say?"
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