Chapter 866
Lillian's condition had stabilized. Although she had a couple of fevers after waking up, they were never severe. She could have gone home to rest by now, but to keep others from knowing her true situation and to lower their guard, Lillian had stayed in the hospital room without stepping outside, not even to take a look by the window.
Being confined in the hospital and cut off from the outside world was boring. But Jackson stayed with her the whole time, doing all his work from the hospital room and never leaving her side.
With Jackson around, Lillian's days were anything but dull; they were lively. Jackson was afraid that something might happen to her again. Even during video conferences, he insisted she sit next to him, often reaching out to hold her hand or glance at her.
It was funny; since they grew up, they hadn't spent this much time alone together. It felt surprisingly nice, except for Jackson's overprotectiveness. He was like a fatherly boyfriend, constantly restricting her.
For instance, Lillian had a mild fever these past few days, and Jackson wouldn't let her wash her hair or take a shower. She couldn't stand it anymore, feeling like she was suffocating. After an hour of pleading, Jackson finally agreed to let her wash her hair.
Feeling refreshed after washing her hair, Lillian was drying it as she walked towards the bed. Jackson, sitting on the sofa reviewing documents, frowned immediately.
"Why are you walking around with wet hair? Pneumonia is no joke! If you get a fever tonight, don't expect me to take care of you!"
Despite his words, Jackson was already striding over to her. He bent down, picked her up, and headed back to the bathroom. The bathroom was still steamy, which was why Lillian had left, feeling it was too stuffy.
Jackson carried her back, grabbed a large towel from the rack, and placed her on the counter. "Help me dry my hair. My hands are weak, no strength."
Lillian sat obediently, leaning back slightly, her face glowing with a smile as she looked at Jackson. Her cheeks were flushed from the steam, her voice soft, and her eyes tender.
Jackson couldn't refuse her. He took the towel from her, gently wrapping her hair to absorb the excess water. His movements were careful, as if afraid to pull her hair, his expression focused.
Through her loose strands, Lillian watched his strong jawline, suddenly hugging his waist and leaning into him. "Stop it, you're getting my clothes wet."
Jackson's voice was low, but his words only made Lillian act more mischievously, rubbing against his chest like a spoiled child. "No, you've only taken care of me for two days, are you already tired of it? I knew it, you're tired of it."
Jackson chuckled, feeling both amused and dry-mouthed. Her damp hair soaked his shirt, teasing his skin with her playful movements, testing his self-control.
He threw the towel into the sink, his hand gripping Lillian's neck, pulling her face away from his chest. He was about to scold her when he saw her eyes, glistening as if he had bullied her.
Jackson felt his rationality snap. He had planned to dry her hair to prevent her from getting sick again, but now he couldn't control himself, leaning down to kiss her deeply.
Lillian's eyelashes fluttered, a sly look in her eyes, feeling a sense of accomplishment. She leaned back, opening her lips for him. Jackson's hands moved through her damp hair, kissing her fiercely.
Lillian's tongue tingled from his kiss, but she fought back, making Jackson gasp. As the heat in the bathroom rose, Jackson's phone rang in his pocket.
Lillian pushed him away, breathless. "Answer the phone."
Jackson held her face, pulling her back, his voice hoarse. "Bad girl, this time you won't get away!"
Lillian had been teasing him, knowing he wouldn't do anything because he cared about her health. But this time, Jackson didn't want to let her off easily. He was about to hang up the call when he saw it was from the Frane Mansion.
Jackson hesitated, and Lillian, worried she had gone too far, looked at the screen. She sighed in relief. "Answer it, it must be Grandma."
Jackson didn't want to, but he was concerned. He answered the call, his hand squeezing Lillian's side, making her yelp.
Lillian blushed, seeing Jackson's teasing look. He did it on purpose! She wanted to kick him, but Jackson's expression changed, his eyes cold.
"I understand," he said, hanging up.
Lillian asked urgently, "What's wrong?"
Jackson's lips tightened. "Ruby went to the Frane Mansion. Grandma heard about your accident and fainted. She's being brought to the hospital."
"What?! How did this happen?" Lillian's face paled, and she tried to jump down.
When Lillian had her accident, Jackson didn't want Lyra to worry, so he kept everything from her while Lillian was unconscious. After Lillian woke up, both Jackson and Lillian focused on the situation in Seaspring Valley City, neglecting to inform Lyra.
They never expected Ruby to be bold enough to go to the Frane Mansion.
"Don't worry, Grandma should be fine. She's already awake," Jackson said, seeing Lillian about to jump off the counter in her panic. He quickly held her by the waist and set her back down.
But Lillian couldn't help but worry. She grabbed Jackson's arm. "Is Grandma awake?"
Jackson nodded. "She woke up on the way to the hospital. She's still on a ventilator and can't talk to us yet, but she'll be here soon. Dry your hair first, and I'll go meet her."
Lillian nodded obediently, pushing him. "Go quickly! I can take care of myself."
Jackson reminded her to dry her hair and not to run around before leaving the room. As soon as he stepped out, his expression turned cold. He immediately called Terry.
As soon as Terry answered, Jackson asked, "How's the task I assigned you coming along?"
Jackson's voice carried a menacing tone even through the phone. Terry quickly understood which task Jackson was referring to and replied, "Don't worry, the acquisition of the lab is almost complete. We've agreed on all the terms. There's just one family that's a bit troublesome. They believe Ruby saved their daughter's life and see her as a benefactor, so they refuse to agree."
Before Terry could finish, Jackson interrupted, "Does Ruby seem like the type to save someone out of the goodness of her heart? This is too coincidental. Investigate it. I want a definitive answer within an hour."
Some people needed to pay the price for their actions.
Jackson hung up and hurried out of the hospital building just as an ambulance arrived. Lyra was being brought in, unconscious and wearing an oxygen mask.
Jackson rushed to her side, holding her hand and whispering in her ear, "Lillian is fine."
Lyra's grip on Jackson's hand relaxed slightly. Jackson gently patted her hand, following the medical staff as they wheeled her into the emergency room.
Not far away, a man with a hat and narrow eyes watched the scene and called Ruby. "Ms. Lawson, Lyra has been taken to the emergency room, and she seems to be unconscious. Jackson looks very upset. It seems he won't be able to focus on anything else for a while."
Ruby, still in the car heading back to Hilltop Mansion, smiled slightly. She didn't provoke Lyra for no reason; Jackson had meddled too much. If Jackson hadn't interfered, Lillian would have died on the spot, and Oberon would likely have followed. But now, with Lillian barely hanging on, things had become more complicated.
Lyra could only blame her good grandson. Even after the divorce, he still meddled in his ex-wife's affairs. But everything was still going according to plan.
Ruby suddenly started coughing uncontrollably, so much so that the driver pulled over and turned back. "Ms. Lawson, are you alright? You've been sick several times this year."
Suppressing the itch in her throat and the weakness in her body, Ruby took a deep breath and said, "Soon."
Soon, she wouldn't have to endure this frail body and live so cautiously.
Meanwhile, Lyra was taken to the room next to Lillian's after a series of tests. Jackson had already secured the entire floor, making it impenetrable.
As soon as Lyra was brought in, Lillian rushed over. "Grandma! How are you feeling? Are you still in pain? Dizzy?"
Lillian held Lyra's hand, asking anxiously. Lyra hadn't even answered when Lillian's eyes reddened with guilt. Lyra squeezed Lillian's hand and signaled Peggy to remove her oxygen mask.
Peggy bent down, but Lillian stopped her. "Grandma, whatever you want to say can wait until you're better."
Lyra's frail appearance made Lillian's heart ache. But Lyra insisted, looking at Peggy.
Peggy said, "Mrs. Lillian Frane, Mrs. Lyra Frane probably has something important to say. You know her well; she won't rest until she says it."
Lillian nodded and gently removed the mask herself. She leaned in close to Lyra's ear. "Grandma, what do you want to say? I'm listening."
Lyra turned her head slightly, looking at Jackson standing nearby. She raised her trembling hand.
Jackson walked over and took her hand.
Lyra silently scolded Jackson. 'I'm working so hard to help you win back Lillian, yet you're so uncooperative. Useless! No emotional intelligence at all.'
But she had to help. Lyra placed Lillian's hand in Jackson's, her voice weak as she said, "Lilian, it's so nice to hear you call me Grandma again."
"Grandma, please don't say that. You've always been like a real grandmother to me. I called you Lyra before, not because I wanted to distance myself, but just out of stubbornness."
Lillian gently comforted Lyra in a soft voice.
A weak but grateful smile spread across Lyra's pale face. She grasped Lillian's and Jackson's hands tightly, trembling as she said, "Lillian, Jackson... he truly knows he was wrong. My biggest fear is... not seeing you two reconcile, not seeing you remarry. That would be my deepest regret, even in death..."
Lyra's words were interrupted by her labored breathing.
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