Chapter 468 This Matter Is Not Simple
Sweat dripped down Caleb's forehead as he clutched his phone, eyes burning with anger.
He never thought Grace would spread such a scandal about Candy all over the city.
Just then, his assistant called to say the Eilish Group's stock price had tanked.
Caleb didn't care about the stock price; he was worried about Candy. Scandals could haunt her for years, and he didn't want her to see this when she grew up.
"Get all those photos and news deleted, and lock up the reporters who covered this!"
"Yes, Mr. Eilish. But to stop this for good, you need to control Mrs. Eilish. Otherwise, she'll cause even bigger problems."
Caleb hung up.
His eyes darkened.
He took a quick shower.
As he reached the stairs, he heard Candy crying.
Rushing to the room, he saw another bruise on Candy's face, and Grace was trying to comfort her.
"Daddy, Daddy..." Candy cried harder when she saw Caleb, reaching out for him.
Caleb held her, looking at her wounds with worry. "How did you get hurt again?"
"She fell off the bed looking for you when she woke up."
Caleb frowned. This didn't look like a fall from the bed.
"Daddy didn't go out; I was just downstairs. Don't cry, Candy. Daddy won't leave..."
"Daddy..."
"Don't cry, Candy. Mommy will get you some cookies." Grace patted Candy's shoulder, and Candy flinched, avoiding her.
Caleb noticed and asked after Grace left, "Candy, tell Daddy, how did you get these bruises?"
"I... I bumped into something..." Candy sobbed.
"How did you bump into something?"
"I... I fell off the bed."
She had just said she bumped into something.
Caleb grew more suspicious.
"Daddy, I'm so scared..."
"It hurts, Daddy."
"What are you scared of? Daddy's here, Daddy will protect you."
"Don't be scared, Candy. Tell Daddy."
Under his gentle coaxing, Candy finally spoke through her sobs.
"I'm... I'm scared of Mom..."
"Candy, the cookies are here."
Candy quickly swallowed her words.
Caleb stared at her. Why was she afraid of Grace?
A terrifying thought crossed Caleb's mind: Could these bruises be from Grace?
"I... I don't want cookies..." Candy burrowed into Caleb's arms, avoiding Grace.
"Aren't these your favorite cookies? Eating them will make the pain go away. Be a good girl, Candy."
"I don't want cookies..."
"Candy."
"If she doesn't want to eat, don't force her." Caleb stroked Candy's head, and Candy buried her face in his shoulder.
"What do you mean by force? I'm doing this for our daughter!" Grace snapped. "Candy, be good. Come to Mommy."
"I want Daddy."
"Candy..."
"You should leave," Caleb said.
"I want to stay with my daughter. Who are you to tell me to leave?"
"She needs me right now."
"You really know how to play the good dad, huh? Who found a mistress and didn't want his daughter? Who said the daughter would be mine after the divorce?"
"Grace!"
"She'll find out sooner or later. What's the point of deceiving yourself? You dare to do it but not admit it, and you still want to play the good guy in front of our daughter. Caleb, you're so hypocritical, I despise you."
Caleb didn't argue. He soothed Candy to sleep before dragging Grace out of the room.
"Be gentle, you're hurting me." Grace yanked her hand away, glaring at him.
"How did our daughter get those bruises?"
"Isn't it all because of you? What else?" Grace shot back, full of righteous indignation, without a hint of guilt. Caleb couldn't tell if she was lying.
Maybe he was overreacting. Despite Grace's hatred for him, she loved their daughter and couldn't possibly hurt her.
"Caleb, do you think deleting all the online news will help? Everyone knows you abused me and our daughter. Your reputation is trashed. Do you know what they're calling you online? A douchebag who deserves to be beaten!"
"Stop spreading lies."
"Lies? Which part isn't true? Didn't you cheat during our marriage? Didn't you push me? Isn't our daughter's injury because of you? Caleb, I haven't wronged you on any of these counts!"
"You have six days. Behave and sign the divorce papers. Otherwise..." Caleb gave a sinister smile, the unspoken threat even more terrifying.
Around four in the afternoon, Susan came home with a bag of fresh vegetables and fruits.
With just her and her son, she didn't need much, so she only bought a little greens and lean meat. She wasn't in the mood to cook.
A familiar black Bentley was parked downstairs.
Susan paused, then continued walking as if she hadn't seen it, quickening her pace.
As she passed the car, Caleb in the driver's seat didn't move, just watched her. It wasn't until she was almost inside the building that he caught up from behind.
"Susan."
"I don't want to see you."
"I know. I originally just wanted Oliver to watch over you without disturbing you. But I couldn't help it." Caleb sighed, feeling powerless. "I miss you so much."
"Many things have been bothering me lately. Can you keep me company?" His tone was humble, almost pleading.
But Susan was unmoved. "I have no obligation to."
"I'm asking you."
She just looked at him coldly.
"In six days, I'll be divorced."
"Your divorce has nothing to do with me. I'm not interested, and you don't need to come here specifically to tell me."
The more he emphasized it, the more it implanted the idea in her mind that she was the reason for his divorce.
Caleb gave a bitter smile. "I just want the right to pursue you."
"Even if you get divorced, it won't change anything."
"It will. At least I can pursue you openly as a single man."
"Then I reject you now."
"You're always so ruthless." Caleb gave a bitter smile.
Susan found it ironic. Did he show her any mercy when he deceived and hurt her? How could he blame her for being heartless now?
"But I brought this upon myself. I sowed the seeds of sin years ago, and now I'm reaping the consequences. But what pains me the most is hurting the people I love the most. You, Oliver, and Candy... Thinking of you all makes my heart ache. I deserve to die."
"Confessing is for priests. I don't have the time or the obligation." Susan remained cold, her words merciless.
Caleb gave a bitter smile. "I'm sorry for bothering you."
Susan turned to leave. After a few steps, she stopped and came back.
A glimmer of hope appeared in Caleb's eyes.
"I don't want to get involved in your marital issues. Whether you divorce or not has nothing to do with me. But... as a mother, I want to remind you to keep an eye on Grace. I think Candy's injuries are not simple." With that, she left.
Susan's words deepened Caleb's suspicions.
He pondered deeply and then made a decision.
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