Chapter 579 Assassination by Gun
"Just leave it there," Michael said, stepping out of the bathroom and glancing at the glass of milk in Cordelia's hand.
Cordelia hesitated as she set the milk down. "Dad's getting discharged tomorrow..."
"We'll talk about it tomorrow," he cut her off coldly, his eyes briefly flicking to her flat stomach.
The next morning, Cordelia found Michael's room empty. The bed was made, looking like no one had slept in it, and his phone was turned off.
Panic surged through her. Had he really left without a word?
Not even a goodbye? Had he gone back to Aurora Bay?
"Ms. Murphy, the security footage shows Mr. Thomas left alone at 3 AM," the butler said cautiously.
Cordelia's legs gave out, and she had to lean against the wall to keep from collapsing.
Just then, her phone rang. A servant handed it to her.
She glanced at the screen; it was an unknown number.
Her brow furrowed, instinct telling her it had something to do with Michael.
Taking a deep breath, she answered.
"Do you want to see Michael?" The voice on the other end sent chills down her spine. "Trade your father's life for his."
In the hospital corridor, Cordelia walked mechanically, the thermos in her hand feeling unbearably heavy.
"Cordelia!" Zander stopped her. "Your dad was just asking for you."
She didn't seem to hear him and pushed open the door to the hospital room.
Gerald was on the phone, furious. "You must find Michael for me!"
Seeing his daughter, Gerald quickly hung up. "Why are you alone? Where's Michael? Isn't he supposed to be with you? How could he let you come to the hospital by yourself?"
"Dad, Michael had something urgent come up. The bodyguards and servants are with me. I'm not alone."
Cordelia forced herself to stay composed as she opened the thermos. "Dad, the chef made your favorite soup. Let me help you sit up and have some."
Gerald eyed her suspiciously. "You look terrible."
Cordelia nodded slightly. "My stomach's been upset. I didn't sleep well last night."
She scooped a spoonful of soup and brought it to Gerald's lips.
Gerald took a sip. "It's a bit bitter."
Cordelia's hand trembled as she scooped another spoonful. "Dad, maybe it's because you've been taking so much medication lately."
"Forget it, I don't have an appetite." Gerald pushed the spoon away. "Tell me the truth, did Michael run away?"
Tears suddenly welled up in Cordelia's eyes. "He said he was going to buy you a discharge gift."
"Rubbish!" Gerald slammed his hand on the bed, then suddenly clutched his chest and collapsed.
"You put something in the soup..."
The thermos fell to the floor, soup spilling everywhere.
Cordelia watched her father's face contort in pain, her whole body shaking.
Gerald's eyes widened in anger as he glared at Cordelia, struggling to speak. "Cordelia, why..."
Hearing the commotion, Zander burst into the room and grabbed Cordelia. "Cordelia!"
Cordelia gave a bleak smile. "Dad, I'm sorry. But Kirk said if I didn't do it, Michael would die."
Zander let go, staring at her in disbelief. "Cordelia! You're so foolish! You actually believed Kirk? He and Michael are in this together!"
As if to confirm his words, the door swung open again.
Michael, dressed in a sharp suit, stood in the doorway with Kirk right behind him.
"Perfect timing!" Zander grabbed an IV stand and charged.
Michael sidestepped and struck Zander on the back of the neck, knocking him out cold.
As Zander fell, Cordelia threw herself into Michael's arms, sobbing. "Michael, I did it. I saved you."
Michael coldly pushed her away, his eyes fixed on Gerald's lifeless body on the bed. "I'm going back to pack. I'm leaving for Aurora Bay tonight."
Cordelia touched her stomach, hesitantly asking, "What about us..."
"There is no 'us,' and there never will be," Michael said, walking out without looking back.
Cordelia collapsed by her father's bed, crying uncontrollably. "Dad, tell me, did I do the wrong thing?"
The servant sighed deeply. "Ms. Murphy, you were so foolish! Michael has a wife and kids back home. How could he ever truly care for you? How could you kill your own father for him? Who will protect you in Majestic City now?"
Cordelia shook her head, crying. "I thought Michael would stay for the baby. This baby is his, after all."
Neither of them noticed Zander suddenly getting up and striding out of the room.
Two gunshots echoed down the corridor.
Cordelia's crying stopped abruptly. She lifted her head, panic-stricken.
The servant held her tightly. "Ms. Murphy, don't be afraid. It's just gunfire. You used to go shooting and hunting with Mr. Murphy all the time. There's nothing to be scared of."
Cordelia was about to relax when a thought struck her. She bolted out of the room, the servant close behind.
In the corridor, she stared blankly at the man lying on the floor, unmoving, in a pool of blood.
Zander stood against the wall, breathing heavily, a gun in each hand.
Kirk knelt beside the man, frantically calling out, "Michael!"
He shouted towards the nurse's station, "Someone, help! We need a doctor!"
Doctors and nurses rushed over with a stretcher, quickly lifting Michael onto it.
Cordelia nearly collapsed, but the servant caught her just in time.
"Ms. Murphy!"
Cordelia's voice trembled. "That wasn't Michael, was it?"
The servant sighed. "Ms. Murphy, who else could it be?"
She helped Cordelia back to the room. Zander followed, still catching his breath.
Hearing his footsteps, Cordelia turned sharply, glaring at him. "Zander! Why did you kill Michael?"
Zander's jaw clenched. "Cordelia! He caused your dad's death! I had to avenge him!"
Cordelia raised her hand and slapped Zander hard. "Zander! How dare you! You saw it clearly! Michael had nothing to do with Dad's death! You're just taking it out on him!"
Zander held his cheek, pain in his eyes. "Cordelia! Are you brainwashed by Michael? Don't you see? He wanted your dad dead! He and Kirk set this up to make you kill Gerald! They used you!"
"Think about it! With Gerald gone, what good does it do you? Without Gerald's control, do you think Michael would stay with you? He doesn't love you! He loves Elizabeth! He'd never be with you! If I hadn't broken his leg, he'd be back home with Elizabeth right now!"
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