Chapter 330 The Kidnapping Case Back Then
Evelyn saw Byron's face full of secrecy and knew that this matter might touch on the Wellington family's secrets.
Asking further would really be impolite.
She had always been a person who knew her boundaries, but this matter concerned Edward, and she didn't know what came over her. She asked directly without any cover, "Grandpa, is the relationship between Edward and Caleb very tense? Is it related to the kidnapping case from their youth?"
Byron's pupils contracted heavily, and he stared at her in astonishment, "You, you know about the kidnapping?"
Evelyn replied, "Sorry, I didn't mean to find out."
Evelyn's mouth felt dry, and after a moment of hesitation, she said softly, "Previously, Edward mentioned something about Caleb to me. He said he would take the time to tell me everything and wouldn't hide anything from me. At that time, I was stubborn and didn't want to hear the truth from him, but I couldn't suppress my curiosity about him, so I looked it up."
After hearing this, Byron saw her little face turn red with embarrassment. The shadow between his gray eyebrows suddenly disappeared.
This was a good thing.
It showed that Lily was no longer as resistant to Edward as before and was even starting to become curious about him. Their previous relationship had indeed improved!
Byron said, "Lily, Edward is willing to tell you about his past because he truly doesn't see you as an outsider and is genuinely honest with you."
Byron sighed deeply, and recalling the past still made him feel very uncomfortable, "When they were young, they were kidnapped together by a group of kidnappers. That group of kidnappers was notorious in society back then, involved in drug trafficking, murder, and bank robbery. They committed all sorts of crimes. Many wealthy families across the country had been targeted by them."
Evelyn asked, "I know, you're talking about the gangster leader known as 'Johnny' back then, Johnny Fisher, right?"
Evelyn had also heard about Johnny's gang, as Susan had told her.
Because Johnny was once a subordinate of Susan's father, Brent Lawson. Later, his ambitions grew too big, and he left the organization to work on his own.
Johnny was particularly rampant and arrogant back then, directly taunting the police, saying he would only retire after collecting a billion dollars in ransom.
When Johnny was captured eighteen years ago, the major media outlets reported the event extensively, and Johnny even managed to smile in front of the cameras, making people grit their teeth in anger!
Susan once said that the thing Brent regretted most in his life was not killing Johnny back then.
"Yes, that's him." Byron rubbed his forehead in frustration, "Back then, Patrick and I had taken all sorts of precautions, but we still didn't expect Johnny to find a loophole and kidnap Edward and Caleb!"
Evelyn's heart tightened as she listened, and she asked softly, "What happened then?"
Byron continued, "After Caleb and Edward were captured by Johnny's gang, they demanded a ransom of two billion dollars, one billion for each! Two billion dollars back then is equivalent to a hundred billion dollars now! But I didn't even blink and prepared the ransom because nothing was more important than Edward and Caleb! But Johnny was very cunning and deceitful, repeatedly changing the transaction location to toy with us! Caleb and Edward were held captive for a whole half month, and we didn't dare call the police!"
Byron lowered his eyes and shook his head in pain, "Later, Edward went through all sorts of hardships and managed to escape, covered in wounds. I really didn't expect him to escape; he was only eleven years old back then!"
"He escaped alone?" Evelyn was extremely shocked, her beautiful eyes wide open, "At such a young age, facing so many fierce kidnappers, how could he possibly escape? Someone must have helped him, right?"
Byron said, "Yes, it was Caleb."
Evelyn gasped.
Byron continued, "Caleb was already a fifteen-year-old boy back then, just a bit taller and stronger than Edward."
But he was still just a boy. How could he have the ability not only to hold off the kidnappers but also to let Edward escape?
Evelyn was very puzzled but didn't voice it. She only asked, "Grandpa, what happened next? How did Caleb escape?"
Byron sighed, "We gave Johnny the two billion dollars in ransom, and half a month later, Caleb was thrown naked at the gate of Riverside Villa."
Byron's face turned pale, and his lips trembled uncontrollably, "When Caleb came back, he was covered in blood and tortured to the brink of death. He stayed in the hospital for a month and underwent half a year of psychological treatment before his condition improved. But his body was almost completely ruined."
"Why?" Evelyn asked in astonishment.
Byron added, "Later, we learned from Caleb that after he helped Edward escape, he completely enraged Johnny. But since they hadn't received the ransom, they couldn't kill him, so they used him as a punching bag."
"They deprived him of food and water, beat him, and locked him in a sealed container. By the time Caleb was admitted to the hospital, many of his organs had already failed due to prolonged beatings and lack of oxygen. He almost didn't make it! We went through great efforts to save Caleb!"
"Even now, Caleb's body is very weak, and his immune system is low. He often has to rely on a wheelchair to get around. We owe him so much."
By the time Evelyn heard this, she had basically understood everything.
This was the source of Edward's guilt towards Caleb and the reason why Patrick was so dissatisfied and harsh with him.
Young Edward escaped with Caleb's help, but Caleb became a cripple because of him.
He carried the immense psychological burden and guilt to this day. This was also why, when Patrick whipped him, he could have fought back but chose to endure it.
"Lily, what I've told you, don't tell Edward. If he doesn't bring it up, just pretend you don't know," Byron repeatedly urged.
Evelyn smiled considerately and said softly, "I understand, don't worry."
"Lily, after telling you all this, will you look down on Edward?" Byron's voice was muffled, full of worry.
Evelyn couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. She quickly sat beside Byron, placing her warm palm over his cold hand.
Evelyn said, "Grandpa, I've never looked down on Edward. If I did, I wouldn't have married him in the first place."
"In that kidnapping case, he and Caleb were both victims."
"I feel very sorry for Caleb, but that can't be a reason to despise or criticize Edward. I believe that young Edward must have wanted to save Caleb too, but he didn't have the ability at the time. He must have blamed himself for a long time."
Byron was deeply moved and hugged Evelyn tightly, "Lily, with you by Edward's side, I am relieved. Even if I pass away one day, knowing you're with Edward, I can rest easy."
Evelyn was momentarily speechless, her cheeks flushed, wanting to say something but ultimately just gently patted Byron's back.
Edward finished his physical examination and IV drip, and it was already dark outside.
Eric heard Molly's stomach growling, knowing she was hungry but too embarrassed to say so, he got up and said goodbye to Edward.
After they left, the ward returned to silence.
Evelyn coughed lightly to ease the awkward atmosphere, her expression calm, "Since no one is here, let's talk about serious matters."
"Aren't we going to do something serious?" Edward's voice was low and hoarse, his gaze deep as he looked at her.
He hadn't done anything, but his eyes were filled with such longing for her that it was already crossing the line!
"Edward, don't forget, your life is in my hands right now."
Her cheeks burned, and she sneered, "I advise you to speak properly, or if I can sew your head up or open it back up."
He squinted his eyes and stopped teasing her, "Evelyn, I know what serious matter you want to talk about. You want to investigate the man who tried to attack Joyce, dig up his background, and find out the real reason he did it, right?"
Her eyes lit up, and she nodded.
Edward replied, "Evelyn, I'll handle this for you. Wait until I'm discharged."
Evelyn insisted, "I can't wait. Do you know how badly this has affected Joyce? How much it has hurt her?"
Evelyn interrupted him coldly, "I've been busy performing surgery on you these past few days, delaying the investigation. Otherwise, I would have already found the mastermind."
Edward's expression remained calm, he just looked at her, smiling gently. I know you want revenge, but it doesn't have to be immediate. The mastermind won't get away."
Evelyn's lips pressed down, her eyes flickering with different emotions.
Actually, there was another reason she didn't say out loud and couldn't say in front of him.
That was, the assailant almost took Edward's life.
If she weren't the White God, Edward might have been in real danger.
Evelyn continued, "Edward, although you took the hit for me and Joyce, this matter is ultimately the Taylor family's business. You should focus on recovering and not get involved."
Edward replied, "It's the Taylor family's business, but Evelyn, I'm your man." Edward's voice was slightly hoarse, his face thick-skinned.
Evelyn glared at him.
Edward insisted, "So your business is my business."
Evelyn said, "Just rest, I'm leaving."
Evelyn really couldn't listen anymore.
Edward shouted, "Evelyn! Don't go!"
Edward was anxious, suddenly sitting up and trying to get out of bed to chase after her.
He got up too quickly, his head spinning, and he felt a sudden wave of intense nausea.
Just as Edward was about to fall off the bed, he suddenly smelled the scent of roses.
A pair of slender yet strong arms caught him steadily.
"Evelyn."
The excitement of regaining her made his eyes red. He opened his arms to hug her, burying his nose in her hair, inhaling her unique fragrance like a madman.
Evelyn was held so tightly she couldn't breathe.
"Edward."
Evelyn used all her strength to push his broad shoulders, but Edward seemed to be glued to her, not moving an inch.
Evelyn said, "Get away from me, you stink!"
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