Chapter 302 Confronting Lilian
With those words, Lilian turned and walked away. As the distance between her and Darwin grew, her heart chilled further, her resentment surging.
She had hoped that Darwin would realize he had forsaken his promise to her and would come after her, apologize, and agree to return together.
Until now, she had been certain he would.
However…
Darwin was someone who valued his word above nearly everything else, and now he was going this far for Chelsea? Why? He had clearly been so in love with her before!
As Lilian approached the door, she finally heard footsteps following her. Her heart leapt, and she spun around. There sprinting towards her came Darwin’s personal bodyguard.
"Ms. Robbins," the bodyguard caught up to her and stopped, giving a respectful nod. "Mr. Solomon has sent me to ensure your safe return to the States."
Lilian glanced toward the direction from which the bodyguard had come. Although the outcome wasn't what she had hoped for in the hospital, the fact that Darwin sent his most trusted man meant that she still mattered to him. And more strategically, having Darwin’s personal bodyguard escort her back was a story she could use to her advantage.
"Thank you," she said. Lilian gathered her loose hair and pinned it back, feigning dejection.
*
Fiona received the news at the hospital that Darwin was returning to the States. Lilian too, it appeared, was heading back. While Lilian had purchased her own airline ticket, Darwin was flying back on his private jet.
After ending the call, Fiona checked the time. Her son Charles was due for a series of important tests. She had to be there for him, fully committed. Hence, she had to wrap up these messy affairs today.
“Mommy,” Chicago’s voice reached her from behind.
Fiona set aside her phone, turned around, and smiled warmly. Perhaps it was that mysterious twin intuition at play – Chicago hadn't slept well the night before, waking up in tears, pleading to see her brother after a nightmare.
Janna had called Fiona for advice. Believing that honesty was the best policy, Fiona saw no point in hiding the truth from Chicago, especially since the little girl couldn’t stop crying for her brother, even after a video call. She insisted on seeing him immediately.
Left with no choice, Janna eventually brought Chicago to the hospital. While in the room, Chicago continued to cry, so Charles asked to be alone with her, and they talked for a long time.
“Did you finish talking to your brother?” Fiona asked, bending down to stroke Chicago’s hair gently.
Chicago nodded but still seemed upset.
“Mommy, can I stay at the hospital too, to be with brother?” she said, her tears starting to fall again. “It’s my fault for being bad, isn't it? I took too much of the nutrition when we were in your belly, and that’s why brother is always sick!”
“Sweetie, that’s not true at all,” Fiona exclaimed, taken aback, quickly comforting her.
Chicago took a couple of steps forward and hugged her mother tight. “Mommy, brother is going to be okay, right?”
Her brother had fallen ill before.
Despite her concern, this time it was different; fear had truly taken hold of Chicago.
She felt wretched, wholly and utterly wretched.
“No way, Uncle Doctor Darwin and his team will cure my brother!” Fiona whispered reassuringly.
Chicago nodded vigorously, sobbing softly in Fiona's embrace.
The last time Chicago had felt such fear was when Fiona had fallen ill.
Eventually, with Chicago's insistent determination and with Charles's consent, Fiona agreed to let Chicago temporarily move into the resting room adjacent to Charles's hospital room.
When she arrived, she brought her own set of art supplies.
“When Mommy was sick, I drew a picture for God, praying for her to save my mother, and she did—Mom got better,” Chicago said, setting up her art supplies. “This time, she’ll save my brother, too!”
Tears welled in Fiona's eyes at her words.
“You’re amazing, Chicago!” Fiona praised.
“It’s my brother who’s amazing!” Chicago checked her paints carefully. “He’s the best!”
Outside, Janna was secretly wiping away tears.
Once Chicago began sketching her preliminary draft, Fiona didn't want to interrupt her anymore.
Leaving the room, she saw Janna’s eyes red from tears; it upset her deeply.
“It’s about time to head to the airport, isn’t it?” Janna glanced at her. “I’ve arranged everything. If she resists, we’ll take care of her on the spot!”
“Yeah.”
There was a chilling depth in Fiona's eyes.
“Go then.”
Janna gestured with her hand dismissively.
Fiona nodded slightly and strode purposefully toward the elevator.
The trip from the hospital to the airport took over an hour.
Upon arriving at the airport's underground parking, Fiona didn't get out of the car.
Stuart, along with his team, walked towards the arrivals gate.
In the car, Bach’s Concerto in G major was playing softly.
Her gaze steady, her expression resolute and grim.
Ten minutes earlier, the flight carrying Lilian had landed.
It didn’t take long after reaching the arrivals area for Stuart and his team to see Lilian emerge.
Accompanying her was a familiar face.
Darwin’s close bodyguard, Xavier.
Upon spotting Stuart and his crew, Xavier hesitated briefly, wondering whether to greet them, but Stuart approached him with his group.
“Stuart,” said Xavier as they neared.
Stuart nodded, then looked at Lilian: “Ms. Robbins, Miss Chelsea Rhoads needs a word with you, so I’m afraid I must ask you to come with us.”
“Ms. Rhoads needs Ms. Robbins for...?” Xavier stepped forward, positioning himself before Lilian, “Stuart, is there some kind of misunderstanding?”
"Xavier, why aren't you sticking by Darwin's side? What are you doing following his ex around?" Stuart's tone was a twisted mess of sarcasm.
Xavier looked visibly uncomfortable.
"This is an internal matter of the company. It's not for you to worry about, Stuart," he said. "Ms. Robbins has some important business back in Solomon and can't join you today. Could you let Stuart and Ms. Rhoads know?"
Mr. Solomon had entrusted him with her, and he wasn't about to let anyone take Ms. Robbins away before his task was complete.
"This puts us in a tough spot," said Stuart. His patience, already thin, was now in the red. "Starting a fight at an airport is really bad form, don't you think... Ms. Robbins?"
Stuart tilted his head, looking at Lilian who was hiding behind Xavier.
Lilian had never anticipated that Chelsea would suddenly send someone to catch her. What was the reason? Had she gone to Singapore with Darwin and provoked Chelsea's jealousy? Or... had Chelsea found out that she was pregnant?
"Yeah, stirring up trouble at an airport sure is ugly. No matter who catches it on camera and it goes viral online, it’s not a good look for anyone, especially for Ms. Rhoads and me," Lilian said, locking eyes with Stuart. "You might want to think that through, Stuart."
Stuart paused. He was always like that; his own life might not matter much, but his master's reputation meant everything. After hesitating, he stepped aside to make a call to Fiona.
The call connected.
Stuart briefed Fiona on the situation.
"Put Xavier on the line," Fiona commanded."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
