Chapter 155 The Heilbronn Group Successor
"Mr. Heilbronn, stop with the nonsense. You dreamt of her. You didn't see her." She wiped her tears away, clearly flustered.
Reed smiled warmly. "Don't doubt it. When you're weak, you can see people from another world. I really saw Penelope. She said she wanted to end our friendship. Nathaniel's grandmother and Penelope were in the same class when we got into college. That year, only three of us passed the exam, and my score was just a bit higher. We all applied to the Finance Department at Imperial University. We've been friends for decades!"
Tears rolled down his cheeks. "I failed. I didn't raise my grandchildren well and lost to her in the end. She's truly exceptional."
Aurelia sobbed uncontrollably. ""Mr. Heilbronn, please stop talking nonsense." She touched Reed's forehead, checking his temperature.
His clear eyes met hers. What she didn't know was that Reed had heard her conversation with Nathaniel on the first night by his bedside. They thought he was in a coma, but he was just too weak to speak after his ordeal.
His hearing was fine; Reed heard everything.
The young couple had discussed their divorce right by his hospital bed, even signing the papers and planning the day to file, all without his knowledge. Reed couldn't muster the energy to deal with them and understood their relationship was over.
Reed knew Aurelia well. She had always been devoted to Nathaniel. If it weren't for his unforgivable actions, they wouldn't have reached this point.
It was his fault for not educating Nathaniel properly.
After stewing over it for a few days, Reed had calmed down and accepted it. There was no point in staying in a bad marriage; it would only bring more pain. It was better to end it early and start anew.
If Nathaniel was unreliable, Reed would find a more dependable young man for Aurelia. He didn't believe there weren't any good men out there. With Reed's supportback, Aurelia wouldn't have to suffer.
"Aurelia, the house I promised you is at Whispering Willow Manor. It's a nice, quiet place, perfect for your work. There's a decent-sized yard where you can plant whatever you like. I came back to discuss this with you. I planned to take you to see the house, but now you'll have to go alone. The house will be in your name alone. Ted will take you to sign the papers. You can let anyone live there, regardless of his opinion."
Aurelia knew Reed was referring to Nathaniel, trying to defendingher.
She had already planned her future. She would distance herself from Nathaniel and the Heilbronn family. Reed's words filled her with immense shame. She could never repay Reed's kindness.
Aurelia cried, her eyes red, unable to speak.
Reed comforted her, "Alright, you're an adult now. Stop crying. I feel like eating something. All you do when you're on bedside duty is cry."
Aurelia wiped her tears and smiled, getting busy setting up the bed and table.
Nutritious meals from the Heilbronn Villa were delivered and kept warm.
Ted and two caretakers stood outside. Reed had finally managed to get some sleep, and no one dared to disturb him.
Aurelia laid out the dishes one by one, filling the small plates to the brim. They had a nutritionist prepare a variety of light and delicate dishes perfect for an elder's recovery. Each dish was crafted with care, offering a wide range of options in small portions to ensure Reed ate well.
Ted and the two caretakers stood by, unable to help. Aurelia took care of everything herself, wanting to show the utmost filial piety before she left.
Reed was the only relative she could truly rely on.
When Nathaniel arrived, Reed had finished dinner , and the two of them were sharing jokes. Aurelia wasn't a humorous people, and her jokes weren't great, at least not to him. Still, Reed couldn't stop laughing.
The room's atmosphere turned cold the moment Nathaniel appeared. No one spoke anymore.
Feeling helpless, Nathaniel realized they were truly isolating him, not even willing to share a joke with him.
"Grandpa, how are you feeling today?" He stepped forward, approaching the bed.
Disappointed, Reed replied, "I'd be fine if you weren't here."
Nathaniel chuckled. Reed scolding him meant things weren't as serious as they seemed. A few days ago, Reed seemed to want nothing to do with him.
Now, as long as he acknowledged him, it was enough.
Testing the waters, he asked, "Should I leave then?"
Reed waved his hand, saying, "Now!"
Nathaniel rubbed his forehead. 'Am I really this unwelcome?'
He started to doubt if he was switched at birth. Aurelia was supposed to be the Heilbronn family's child, Reed's granddaughter. Now, Nathaniel felt like a misplaced and unwelcome outsider.
Nathaniel's phone vibrated incessantly in his pocket. He took it out as he walked out of the hospital room, seeing it was Chelsea calling.
Meanwhile, in Chelsea's hospital room, Norman, holding the test results from Rivershade, was overcome with excitement. "Chelsea, it's a boy!"
Norman believed that as long as Chelsea gave birth to a boy, the title of Mrs. Heilbronn rightfully belonged to her. The family rejoiced, eager to share this good news with Nathaniel and see his excited reaction.
At this age, a successful man like him should have a child. Aurelia, a woman who couldn't bear children, should step aside.
After hanging up, Chelsea messed up her hair and lay back on the hospital bed, waiting for Nathaniel.
In the room, Maria tidied up and emptied the trash can filled with snack wrappers left by Chelsea. She double-checked everything inside and out, finding no flaws, and then settled down to wait for Nathaniel.
"Chelsea, do you think he'll come?" Norman couldn't contain his excitement.
Chelsea hid her hand under the blanket. "He said he would come. Let's wait a bit; if he promised, he will."
Norman paced back and forth excitedly. "When Nathaniel sees this test result, he will surely be very happy. The Heilbronn family will have a successor. Chelsea, it would be best if you took good care of yourself. The baby in your belly is the future heir of the Heilbronn Group!"
Chelsea felt her father got carried away. After all, they had only confirmed the baby's gender; Nathaniel hadn't divorced Aurelia yet, and the goal was only half achieved. Norman didn't know how this child came to be, but she knew it was her lover's child, with no relation to Nathaniel.
He had never touched her; she couldn't have his child.
Chelsea advised, "Dad, calm down. Let's wait for him to come. As for the company, it's still uncertain whether he will give it to the baby in the future."
Norman's eyes sharpened. "Why wouldn't he? Who else would he give it to instead of his son?"
Nathaniel arrived at the door of the hospital room just in time to hear Norman's bold statement.
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