Chapter 238 A Condition
Emma was taken aback for a moment. "Isabella, what are you doing here?"
Isabella walked over and glanced at the light above the emergency room door. "Who's in there?"
She wasn't worried about Charles; she was worried about Sweetie. Now that Sweetie was controlled by Charles, if something really happened to Charles, it would be even harder to find Sweetie.
Emma didn't answer; instead, she started crying, lowering her head and wiping her tears incessantly.
Seeing this, Isabella felt a tightness in her chest. "Mrs. Landon, is Charles in there? What happened to him? Where's my daughter?"
Footsteps approached from behind, followed by a strong male voice. "I didn't know Isabella cared so much about my life. "
Hearing this voice, Isabella was startled.
She turned around to see Charles and Leo walking over, confused.
She thought, 'Charles is standing there just fine, so who is the person that has been taken in earlier?'
At this moment, the emergency room door opened, and a nurse hurried out, asking, "Who are the patient's parents?"
Emma immediately stood up and walked over. "I'm his mother."
Charles also walked over. "How is my son?"
"It's not looking good. He attempted suicide by swallowing nails and has completely given up on living. The situation is extremely critical. If his parents can go in and talk to him, try to encourage him, there might be a slim chance to reach him. Could you tell me if he was closer to his father or his mother?"
Emma and Charles both fell silent.
The nurse urged, "You both should come in with me."
Charles was about to go in but was pulled back by Emma.
"Wait!" Emma said.
Charles looked at her. "What's wrong?"
"Wait, wait." Emma kept repeating, yet she never disclosed the reason.
Charles urged, "What are you waiting for? Matthew is on the brink of death!"
Saying this, he pulled Emma's hand away and was about to go in.
"Wait!" Emma shouted, throwing herself at Charles and hugging him, her voice trembling. "No, don't hurt Matthew. Don't!"
Isabella was taken aback, or rather, she was frightened. Emma's reaction was a bit too extreme.
Even though Isabella knew the Landon family's relationships weren't as harmonious as they appeared, Emma's actions seemed to suggest that Charles going in wasn't to save Matthew but to harm him. Emma's fear and trepidation seemed far from an act.
Charles was annoyed, prying Emma's fingers off forcefully. "I think you're confused. Matthew is my only son; how could I harm him? I'm going in to save him!"
Leo also walked over. "Yes, Emma, Matthew's condition is critical. You should go in with Charles and see him!"
They were all urging her, but Emma still clung to Charles' clothes, not letting go.
Charles was really annoyed, his eyes suddenly turning cold.
Emma struggled for a while, then suddenly turned to see Isabella. Her eyes lit up. "Isabella, let Isabella go!"
Charles and Leo remained silent, but both of their gazes fell on Isabella.
Emma let go of Charles' clothes and turned to walk over to Isabella.
Before Isabella could speak, Emma dropped to her knees. "Bella, only you can save Matthew now."
Isabella took a step back, but Emma grabbed her arm. "At this point, I don't care if you think I'm ridiculous. Ever since Matthew was sent to prison, he's refused to see us. I know he hates us. Bella, you know our situation—if Matthew really cared about me and Charles, he wouldn't have tried to kill himself by swallowing nails. He's left no way out for himself or for us. If we go in now, it's like sending him to his death. Bella, maybe only you have a chance of reaching him. I'm begging you, give Matthew a chance to live!"
Emma was sobbing uncontrollably, her cries echoing in the hallway.
Charles said nothing, but his face was tense as he was also waiting for Isabella's answer.
For Isabella, this was a good opportunity.
"I have one condition."
Charles just stared coldly at Isabella.
Emma first looked at Charles, but he didn't look at her.
They all knew what Isabella's condition was.
At this moment, a doctor came over to urge, "Are you ready? The patient is about to die. If this continues, we'll have to use the defibrillator."
"No, no defibrillator!" Emma cried out, "Isabella, I'll agree to anything you want. Please save Matthew!"
Isabella had been waiting for Emma to say this. " I just want my child. Emma, as a mother, I hope you don't inflict the pain of losing a child on me."
"Okay, okay!" Emma nodded repeatedly. "As long as Matthew survives, I'll give your child back!"
Isabella pursed her lips but looked at Charles.
She knew that Emma's words didn't count; she had to force Charles to agree.
Probably also feeling sorry for Matthew, after a long while, Charles nodded. "I agree!"
Isabella said, "When I come out, I want to see my child. If you go back on your word, I can save Matthew today, and I can send him to his death tomorrow."
Charles's eyes tightened. "Don't worry. I will keep my word."
Only then did Isabella follow the medical staff into the emergency room.
Once the door closed, Emma stood up from the ground. "But Charles, where are we going to get a child to give her?"
Before she could finish, Charles shot her a look, and Emma immediately fell silent.
After staring at Emma for a moment, Charles turned his gaze to the tightly closed emergency room door. "I just want my child to live. As for her child..."
Charles didn't continue. But Leo and Emma understood the unspoken message. Not to mention that Isabella's child, Sweetie, had been lost; even if Sweetie was still around, Charles wouldn't hand her over so easily. That child was their only leverage against Seb, their trump card to control him!
Leo furrowed his brow and said, "If Isabella doesn't see the child when she comes out, I'm afraid she won't let things go easily. If Matthew really listens to her, she could truly hold the key to his life and death."
"Yes." Charles sighed, somewhat self-mockingly, "I never thought I would have such a lovesick son!"
Saying this, he glared fiercely at Emma.
Emma avoided his gaze.
Charles turned to Leo and said, "Find out why Isabella came to the hospital today. I don't believe she would show up here for no reason."
"No need to check. I know." Leo replied, "She came with Seb to get his eyes checked."
Charles looked at him in surprise. "You had someone follow her?"
Leo didn't deny it, saying, "I understand what you want to do. I'll make arrangements right away."
Charles nodded, and Leo turned to leave.
Emma wiped away her tears and glanced in the direction Leo had left."You've trained Leo well. He's smart and capable."
Charles sneered with disdain. "Just a lapdog I've temporarily raised."
After saying this, he looked at Emma, coldly questioning, "Why did you stop me from going in just now?"
Emma stiffened all over.
