Chapter 398 The Family's Secret
Elizabeth held Francis close as she approached the front door of the Thomas family mansion.
Clio hurried over to open the door for her. "Ms. Jones, thanks for coming. Mr. Thomas is upstairs."
Elizabeth, still holding Francis, went straight upstairs and gently knocked on Michael's bedroom door.
Michael's voice, slightly hoarse, came from inside, "Come in."
Elizabeth entered, and Francis curiously looked around the unfamiliar room.
Michael was lying on the bed, fully dressed, with an unusual flush on his cheeks.
She frowned and walked over, "Michael, what's going on with you?"
Michael glanced at her, his face expressionless, "Why are you here?"
Francis made a sound, as if trying to say something.
Michael looked at Francis.
Francis had bright, wide-open eyes, staring at him without blinking, the corners of his mouth curling up as if he were smiling at him.
Since Francis had been discharged from the hospital, Michael hadn't seen him.
This was the first time he was face-to-face with Francis. His heart suddenly felt unusually soft.
At that moment, Michael abruptly sat up and coughed harshly. He quickly covered his mouth and turned away, "Take him out, now!"
Elizabeth hadn't even had a chance to sit down. She glanced at Michael calmly, "I'll leave right away. But you look like you have a fever. You should see a doctor before you end up burning out your brain."
Her words seemed to provoke Michael. He took a deep breath and pointed to the door, shouting, "Get out!"
Elizabeth remained unfazed. Her tone was steady, unaffected by his outburst, "I'll go. And I'll raise Francis well. He's just a baby, subjected to everything arranged for him, including his birth. What fault does he have?"
"Michael, we'll be fine without you. Just don't disturb our peaceful life anymore."
She held Francis and walked downstairs to leave.
Clio, surprised that she was leaving so soon, called after them, "Ms. Jones..."
Michael's strained voice came from the room, "Clio, let her go!"
Clio, her eyes red, stood at his door, "Mr. Thomas, why are you doing this? You clearly wanted to see Francis."
Michael lay back down, his expression unreadable, "I might have a cold. I don't want to infect Francis."
Clio suddenly understood, "Mr. Thomas, I'll go get Ms. Jones and tell her..."
Michael interrupted softly, "No, let her go. I'll bear this alone."
Meanwhile, Elizabeth reached the door and couldn't resist telling the Thomas family bodyguard, "Call your boss's doctor and tell him that he's on the verge of dying. Get him here quickly!"
The bodyguard, alarmed, immediately called the family doctor.
Elizabeth returned to Whispering Pines Estates and quickly prepared to head to the airport with Susan and Francis.
The family doctor, hearing that Michael's condition was critical, rushed to the Thomas family mansion. He took Michael's temperature and administered fluids.
Michael fell into a deep sleep.
When he woke up, his fever had broken, and the accompanying headache and muscle pain were gone. Feeling hungry, he went downstairs to order food.
Clio, hearing that he wanted to eat, was overjoyed and personally served him, staying by his side as he ate.
As he ate, Michael asked, "Clio, did Elizabeth come by while I was sick?"
Clio was surprised, "Mr. Thomas, don't you remember? Ms. Jones came with Francis."
Michael sipped his soup, "I wasn't fully conscious. It's a bit hazy."
Clio refilled his bowl, "Susan texted me. They're already at the airport."
Michael was shocked, "Where are they going?"
Clio's voice was full of regret, "Valoria. Susan said Ms. Jones plans to spend Christmas there before coming back. Mr. Thomas, you won't see Francis this year."
"Elizabeth took Susan and the kids?"
Clio shook her head, "No. Nolan and Pearl are still here. Susan said only she and Ms. Jones are taking Francis to Valoria."
She glanced at Michael's expression and added softly, "Mr. Thomas, Francis looks so much like you did as a child, just as charming. If Eloise were here, she would have adored him."
Hearing Eloise's name, Michael remained silent.
Elizabeth going to Valoria? And only taking Francis? Why didn't she take Nolan and Pearl?
Was she too rushed? Was she upset with him? Should he go to the airport and explain?
But what could he say to her?
Eloise's fate loomed between them. Until he found Eloise and ensured her safety, any words would be meaningless.
At the old mansion.
The lights were already on in the yard.
In the main house's dining room, Anthony and William sat at the table.
Anthony had returned secretly. His business in Luminous City had been completely uprooted by Michael. He was now penniless and deeply in debt.
Michael hadn't attended Karen's funeral, signaling that he had decided to sever ties with their family and cut off all familial connections.
Michael wanted to destroy him, but Anthony wouldn't go down without a fight. He wanted to turn his life around.
William, devastated by the loss of his wife, had taken to drinking heavily, numbing himself each day, no longer the father who constantly berated him for his lack of ambition.
But he was still young, and he didn't want to end up like William. Karen had paid for his sins with her life. For the rest of his life, he wanted to take a gamble.
Anthony poured wine into William's glass and handed it to him, "Dad, please."
William took the glass and drank it in one gulp.
Anthony refilled it, "Dad, what do you plan to do with our family mansion?"
William sipped his wine, "Of course, I'll leave it to you after I die, and you'll pass it on to your children."
"My uncle, Michael, won't try to take it?"
William squinted and shook his head, "No. He said long ago he didn't want this place. He has bad memories here. He doesn't like it."
Anthony sensed something and quickly asked, "Dad, why doesn't Michael like it here? What happened to him?"
William, already a bit tipsy, replied, "That's a family secret. I can't tell you. It would hurt Michael."
Anthony, more intrigued, poured more wine and held it to William's lips, "Dad, have another drink. This is special wine I brought back from the South."
William nodded in satisfaction, "It does have a rich flavor, very memorable."
Anthony pressed on, "Dad, what bad things happened to Michael when he was young?"
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