Chapter 329 Lost Contact
Grant nodded. "Yeah, you could say that."
My heart sank instantly.
"Hope!" Madison's voice suddenly cut through the air. I turned and saw her coming towards me, wrapping me in a warm hug. "I've missed you so much."
"Mom!" I called out, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. But before I could explain anything to Madison, the door behind me swung open. I watched in shock as Larry rushed over and hugged Madison tightly.
Larry grinned like a fool and shouted, "Honey!"
There was a brief moment of silence before Madison let out a scream that could've shattered the hospital ceiling.
Luckily, Larry was pretty weak, and Madison managed to break free with just a little struggle.
"What the heck?" Madison shuddered, brushing herself off like she'd touched something gross.
Larry looked hurt and turned to Claire. "Mom, why?"
Madison was even more exasperated.
Claire seemed to get what was happening, even if she hadn't fully accepted it. She explained, "You've got the wrong person. She's not your wife."
"She is my wife," Larry insisted.
He reached out to grab Madison's hand, but she quickly stepped back several paces.
"Why?" Larry grabbed me, standing nearby, and excitedly said to Claire, "Mom, look, this is our daughter. Madison is my wife."
Elissa quickly came over and separated me from Larry.
Larry started crying, his face red with frustration, and asked Claire, "Mom, why are they all ignoring me?"
We all looked at Grant.
Grant cleared his throat and said, "This is the situation you're seeing."
I wasn't ready to give up. "Is there really no cure?"
This was too terrifying, even more so than when Larry was lucid.
Grant shook his head. "It's good enough that he's alive. The damage is irreversible."
"Alright, thank you, Dr. Quill."
Grant nodded and went back to his work.
Madison couldn't take it anymore and said, "Hope, I'll wait for you in the car."
With that, Madison ran off.
I didn't really want to stay here either, but Claire was still here.
I met Claire's gaze. "Claire..."
Claire interrupted me, "You should go back. I'll stay here."
How could I be at ease? Claire was still sick.
Elissa saw my dilemma and whispered in my ear, "Leave a few bodyguards here. We'll go process this and come back later."
Alright, I might as well inform Jerry.
But what I didn't know was that Grant had already told Jerry about this before I could.
"He's gone mad?" Hearing this, Jerry stopped twirling his pen. "He's not faking it?"
Grant said, "If he wasn't really mad, he couldn't fake this. After all, he was once the head of the Harris family."
Jerry thought for a few seconds and said, "Alright, I got it. What about Claire's situation?"
Grant replied, "She's with Larry, and everything is normal for now. I've checked her, and there's nothing wrong. As long as Larry is fine, she should be too."
Jerry nodded, and just then, a call came in.
He glanced at the caller ID and said to Grant, "Dr. Quill, I have something to attend to. I'll hang up now."
I held my phone, feeling weak as the call connected. "Jerry..."
"Yeah, I'm here." On the other end, Jerry's voice was gentle, "Why do you sound so down?"
I didn't know how to explain and couldn't help but sigh.
Jerry chuckled, "Did you call me internationally just to let me hear you sigh?"
I took a deep breath and told him about Larry.
After I finished, I realized, "Did you already know?"
Jerry responded affirmatively.
I couldn't help but grumble, "Then why did you pretend?"
Jerry protested, "How was I supposed to know you were calling to tell me this? I thought you missed me."
I snorted lightly but answered honestly, "I did miss you, Jerry. It would be great if you were here. When are you coming back?"
"Soon, in a day or two," Jerry reassured me. "Don't worry about Larry. Claire definitely won't let him bother you."
"But what if Claire takes him back to the Harris Manor?" I asked.
"Then let them go back," Jerry answered decisively. "That's something you can't change. Given Larry's condition, Claire won't be at ease."
"But Claire doesn't want to make you uncomfortable or cause you trouble. So, the only option is to return to the Harris Manor and take care of Larry herself," I bit my lip and continued. "Do you think there's a more skilled neurologist?"
Jerry suggested, "You can ask Mr. Griffin first. If he says there's definitely no hope, then there's nothing more we can do. No need to look for foreign experts."
I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten about Declan. I quickly said, "Alright, I'll ask Mr. Griffin right away. Bye!"
After hanging up, I realized I didn't have Declan's contact information.
Previously, it was always Neil and Jerry who contacted Declan.
Just as I was about to call Jerry again, he sent me a string of numbers.
I didn't need to ask to know that it was definitely Declan's number.
The next day, Declan came to the hospital. After examining Larry, he spoke honestly, "We can try to treat him, but I can't guarantee a cure."
The reason I wanted to cure Larry was to avoid burdening Claire.
Skylar and Kimberly couldn't be released, and with no one around Larry, Claire would be the one to take care of him.
Before I could respond, Claire was more at ease than I was. "Let's just go with the flow."
Hearing Claire's words, I understood what she meant. Claire was prepared to take care of Larry.
I couldn't help but speak up, "Claire..."
Claire held my hand, tidied my clothes, and tucked the stray hair behind my ear, looking at me with loving eyes.
I held her hand tightly and said, "Claire, you've been having some health issues. You're not capable of taking care of him."
Claire said, "I have someone I trust who has been with me. She can take care of the daily chores and I can take care of Larry."
I bit my lip and continued, "Claire, you can't take care of him for the rest of your life."
Claire replied, "I'll take care of him while he's being treated. If he recovers before I pass away, he can live on his own. If not, you can send him to a special care facility. You don't need to worry about him."
I didn't agree, but Claire was insistent. At this point, what else could I say?
Claire added, "I know you're worried about me. How about I video call you every day? I'll make sure you know my whereabouts. I'll also tell the person taking care of me to notify you if I don't call. You need to take good care of yourself now. You're not alone anymore. If you've decided to have the baby, you need to be responsible for it. I also want to see your baby born, so I'll take good care of myself."
I had no argument left, so I said, "Claire, you don't have to avoid me. Since things are like this now, I'll visit you every week."
Claire knew I was compromising and agreed, "Alright, I'll have someone prepare your favorite dishes then."
Elissa accompanied me as we took Claire and Larry back to the Harris Manor.
Larry, in his current state, clung to Claire, occasionally glancing at me and grinning foolishly, but he didn't say anything to me.
When Larry saw Madison, he called her "honey." Madison managed to control her eye-rolling impulse thanks to years of facial expression management.
As for Skylar and Kimberly, Larry never mentioned them again.
"Mrs. Harris, you're back." As we escorted Claire into the Harris Manor, a woman approached us. She looked a bit younger than Claire but was clearly around the same age.
Taking care of Claire alone wouldn't be a problem, but now there was Larry too.
I suggested, "Claire, let me find someone else to help take care of you, to share the burden."
The Harris Manor used to have many servants, each with their own duties.
Now, I didn't know what Skylar had done, but there wasn't a single servant in sight.
"I'll have Ellen come over first," I added.
"No need," Claire said. "It's just cooking. You don't need to worry."
How could I not worry?
I continued, "If you don't agree, then come back to Tranquil Haven with me."
Claire knew I was worried about her and didn't argue, "Alright, you find someone."
"Okay."
Claire said, "Alright, go back now. Come over again on the weekend. Don't worry during the week. Worrying is the worst thing during pregnancy. It not only harms the baby but mainly hurts you."
I reminded, "Promise me you'll tell me if anything happens. Don't keep it from me."
"Okay."
Only then did I leave with Elissa.
In the car, Elissa seemed hesitant, shaking her head and sighing from time to time.
I found it amusing and asked, "What's up with you? Anyone who doesn't know might think something's wrong with you."
Elissa slapped the steering wheel and replied, "I just find it strange. How did Larry end up like this? Do you think he might be faking it?"
I hesitated for a moment before dismissing the idea. "Larry cares about his image. Even if he conspired with Skylar, he couldn't fake it this well. Besides, Mr. Griffin examined him and confirmed the brainstem damage."
Elissa thought for a moment and nodded. "True. A doctor doing the examination could be bribed, but Mr. Griffin is trustworthy."
Back at Tranquil Haven, I stepped out of the elevator, and Madison came out to meet me.
Madison knew I had gone to take Claire and Larry back. She was so uncomfortable with Larry calling her "honey" that she came back early.
Madison asked, "He didn't gross you out again, did he?"
I shook my head and asked Elissa if she wanted to stay for dinner.
Elissa shook her head. "Now that I've handed you over to Madison, my job is done. I have an appointment to keep."
Elissa always loved socializing, but I couldn't join her in those lively places anymore.
I smiled. "Drive safely."
Elissa replied, "Don't worry. I'm off."
After Elissa got into the elevator, Madison and I walked in arm in arm.
Talking about Larry, I reassured Madison, "You won't see him again. You won't go to the Harris Manor, and Claire won't let him go far alone. He won't come to Tranquil Haven either. Don't worry."
Madison's frown relaxed, and she patted my hand. "Are you worried about Claire?"
I nodded. "A bit."
Although we were all in Maple Valley, I would arrange for someone to take care of Claire.
But after all, I couldn't be by her side all the time. Given Claire's health and having to take care of Larry, I couldn't help but worry.
Madison smiled. "I knew you'd be worried. I've already asked Juniper to find a suitable servant. Once she finds someone, we'll send them to take care of Claire."
I hugged her. "Thank you, Mom."
She patted my head. "No need to thank me."
Across the ocean, Steven received a call and hurried to report to Jerry.
Jerry was about to pick up his phone to call Hope when he saw Steven and frowned slightly. "You'd better have something important."
"It's very important," Steven said, sweating. "The place where Cecil was held exploded."
Jerry raised an eyebrow. "Exploded?"
Steven didn't dare wipe his sweat and reported truthfully, "The explosion was massive. The place is now a ruin, and it affected the surrounding area. I need to go back and handle it."
Jerry leaned back in his chair, something flickering in his eyes. He tapped his fingers on the desk twice and ordered, "Even if it's a ruin, make sure he's really dead."
"Got it."
Steven quickly turned to leave, but as he reached the door, he heard Jerry's usual lazy yet chilling voice. "Find out the truth, and you know what to do."
Steven didn't dare argue. He had previously assured that there would be no problems with Cecil.
He had only been out of the country for a few days, and this happened.
Thinking about having to go to a remote place in the future, he felt bitter.
"Okay, Jerry," Steven replied.
After the door closed, Jerry got up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, glancing at the glaring sun outside.
After a while, he opened Facebook to send a message: [No call today. I have something to handle. Go to sleep. Be good.]
Before he could send the message, the hotel room door was violently kicked open.
The news of the explosion in the suburbs was trending.
I was scrolling through videos, and nine out of ten were about it.
It was an abandoned chemical plant with many potentially toxic products left inside.
The explosion caused thick black smoke, polluting the nearby air.
Even though it was in the suburbs, there were still people living nearby.
I said, "It looks serious. If anyone was inside, they wouldn't have survived."
Madison came over with a plate of fruit and fed me a piece. "Try to watch happier things."
I nodded. "Okay, I know."
Madison, watching her figure, only ate a little and gave me the whole plate of fruit. "Finish it and then go to sleep."
I looked up uncertainly and asked, "Mom, I won't get really fat, will I?"
My days had been just a cycle of eating and sleeping.
Madison reassured me, "No, you're eating a diet carefully planned by a nutritionist. You won't gain weight. Don't worry."
Relieved, I pushed Madison towards her room. "Go get your beauty sleep. Otherwise, you'll be puffy in the morning, and it won't look good on camera."
Madison was about to join a film crew and wouldn't have time to take care of me. She told me to ask Jerry when he'd be back, and if he couldn't make it, to have Elissa stay with me.
"Don't stay up late either," Madison reminded.
"Got it."
I checked the time; Jerry hadn't called me yet today.
I thought he might still be busy. There was a time difference between here and abroad; it was night here and day there.
I sent him a message first, but after finishing my fruit, there was still no reply.
I couldn't help but worry, so I called him, but no one answered. I called several more times, but still no answer.
Feeling increasingly uneasy, I called Steven, but his phone was off.
I remembered Jerry telling me before he left that the people around me had a special way to contact him. I quickly called someone in. But even they couldn't reach Steven.
"Hope, don't worry. I'll go check."
"Okay, please hurry," I replied.
After the bodyguard left, I felt even more anxious and couldn't just sit and wait.
I decided to call Elissa and wanted her to ask Francis for information.
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