Chapter 456 The Person You Like, I Will Help You Protect
Margaret walked back into Daniel's house, relishing the comfortably mild temperature.
Wrapped in a thick blanket, she heard Daniel's voice and her eyelashes fluttered. "Sarah?"
"Yeah, that's right. You and she were really close. You and Raymond met because of her. She's dangerous, Ms. Hughes. You need to stay away from her. Do you remember this photo?" Daniel pulled up a picture on his phone, showing the back of a young boy in dirty jeans, walking quickly.
Margaret took the phone, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the photo. It felt familiar, like she had seen it before, but she couldn't place it.
Her heart ached with a suffocating pain as she looked at the photo.
Her head throbbed, feeling like it was about to explode.
"Does this photo look familiar to you, Ms. Hughes?"
"Yes."
"That's because you gave me this photo. You asked me to find this mute boy."
Margaret looked up, confused. "What's my connection to him?"
"He was an orphan you sponsored years ago. Before you lost your memory, you were desperate to find him. I couldn't locate him back then and thought he was dead. But now, I believe this mute boy is still alive."
"Aren't you curious about who this mute boy is?"
"Who is he?"
"Evidence points to Raymond, who stayed briefly at the Ironwood Lane orphanage before Sarah moved him to a better place. Ms. Hughes, please look at this photo." Daniel pulled out a file and opened it in front of Margaret.
He handed her an old photo.
Margaret took it and examined it closely.
In the group photo from Hope Haven Orphanage, she immediately spotted a little boy standing in the corner.
His face was tense, eyes filled with sadness, but she recognized him instantly.
The boy's face looked strikingly similar to Raymond's.
"When Raymond arrived at the orphanage, they took a group photo. This photo was provided by the orphanage director. At that time, you gave Sarah five million dollars to help this mute boy. But according to my findings, Sarah only donated five hundred dollars worth of winter clothes and kept the rest. The money likely ended up in Sarah's pocket."
Margaret trembled with anger upon hearing this. She couldn't believe Sarah had embezzled the funds meant for charity.
Daniel glanced at her and continued, "But we still need to confirm if Raymond is indeed the mute boy."
"How do we do that?" Margaret asked.
Outside, the snow fell quietly, landing on the bare branches.
His gentle voice reached her ears, "Raymond never had a period of being mute. He could speak at Hope Haven Orphanage. Why you thought he was mute needs to be clarified. If the boy in the photo is truly mute, then it's not Raymond. But based on my judgment, there are two possibilities: either we have the wrong person, or Sarah lied to you to confuse the situation."
"Are you sure the woman with Raymond is Sarah?" Margaret bit her lip, exhaling before asking.
Daniel nodded. "I found records of her recent plastic surgery, which coincided with the time I took you abroad. The surgery records clearly state the patient was Sarah. The surgeon was Hubert."
"Could it be that Raymond orchestrated this, thinking I was truly dead and wanted a replacement? Sarah didn't mind, so they went through with it," Margaret speculated.
Daniel thought for a moment. "That needs further confirmation. But knowing Raymond, it does seem like something he would do. There's one more thing I need to tell you, Ms. Hughes."
"Go ahead," she said, trying to stay composed.
Daniel pulled out a diagnosis report from the file and handed it to her.
Margaret glanced at the report and was shocked. Her slender, beautiful fingers tightened around the thin report.
Her eyes widened, fixating on the words late-stage leukemia.
"Raymond has at most six months to live. Given his current situation, he's in great danger. Whether Sarah is after his money or his affection is hard to say."
Margaret's eyes brimmed with tears. She never expected Raymond to have late-stage leukemia.
He didn't have much time left.
And she couldn't be by his side!
"According to my sources, the director of Everpeak Mountain City Hospital has been urging him to get treatment. But he hasn't been hospitalized, coinciding with the time you had your accident. He was busy arranging your funeral, turning gray overnight. Margaret, have faith in the man you love. His time is running out. If he dies by Sarah's side, all his assets and money might end up benefiting her. Be strong and save the man you love," Daniel encouraged her, saying everything he needed to.
Margaret felt a lump in her throat and a bitter taste in her mouth, but she didn't want to cry in front of Daniel. She excused herself, saying she was tired, and went to her bedroom.
Once the door was closed, she slid down to the floor, collapsing onto the soft, white carpet.
Raymond had leukemia! And it was late-stage!
He had at most six months to live!
And she had been doubting him, not trusting him. She felt wretched.
Suddenly, she recalled their college days, the early morning light, Raymond in a white shirt and jeans, riding a bike with her on the back, her arms around his narrow waist.
Back then, she had silently vowed to always trust him, to be happy together forever.
But forever turned out to be so short.
Though they say all good things must come to an end, this gathering hadn't even begun before it was over.
Margaret hugged her knees, choking back sobs, wondering why it was so hard to marry and have children with the one she loved.
"Margaret, I love you."
"Raymond loves Margaret."
The parrot flew from the window to Margaret, mimicking Raymond's tone, saying sweet words to comfort her.
But it didn't know that the usually reserved and stoic Raymond had never said such loving words.
Outside the bedroom door, Daniel heard her crying inside, his heart aching. His broad hand rested on the doorknob as he yearned to open the door, comfort her, wipe her tears, and tell her not to cry.
He thought, 'Margaret, don't worry, I'm here for you. I'll help you get everything you want. I'll protect the person you love.'
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