Chapter 492

Unfortunately, the lines at Atlas General Hospital were constantly tied up, leaving Maurice unable to get through.

But then it struck Maurice-Teresa was always close to Hayes, so she might know something.

Without wasting another moment, Maurice dialed Teresa’s number.

“Daddy, why are you calling me at this hour? Miss me much?” Teresa’s voice was as sweet and crisp as the chime of wind-bells, but Maurice was too preoccupied to savor it. He asked, veiling his concern with small talk, “How are you? Did you and Hayes go out for any adventure?”

“Nope, I stayed in. But Hayes, he went out and just got back.”

Maurice’s brow furrowed, his face tensing up, but he kept his tone light and teasing, “Oh? You two are practically inseparable. How come you let Hayes go solo? Girl, he didn’t sneak off to make new friends without you, did he?”

At that, Teresa’s possessiveness kicked in, prompting a quick rebuttal, “Absolutely not! I’m Hayes’ best friend ever! He just had a cold and went for a check-up, so he didn’t take me with him! Daddy, you’re such a tease, stirring up trouble!”

So, it was just a check-up. Nothing to worry about then. Maurice’s concern for Hayes wasn’t born out of affection. After all, Hayes didn’t hold the same place in his heart as Teresa did.

He was merely a bargaining chip to coerce Marguerite into marrying him.

Once they were hitched, he’d spill the beans to Marguerite. By then, even if she found out that both her children were Frederick’s by blood, it would be of no consequence.

Once married, as long as Maurice refused to let go, she would have no escape from his grasp!

Meanwhile, Teresa hung up, her gaze full of worry as she looked at the pale-faced Hayes and couldn’t help but ask, “Little Mute, did you really go for a check-up? You aren’t lying, are you?”

Hayes’ sleeve was rucked up high by Teresa.

If it weren’t for the fact that Teresa had excitedly grabbed his arm to dance around upon his return, accidentally hurting the spot where he’d been pricked for blood, he wouldn’t have given himself away.

Hayes never kept secrets from Teresa, but he said nothing this time; he didn’t want to cause her worry.

Plus, the mere thought of his mother’s vicious expression sent shivers down his spine.

He shuddered and shook his head quickly, “No lying… it was just a check-up…”

But Teresa was unconvinced, pointing at his arm bristling with pinpricks, her stubborn little face pressing, “Then why are there so many marks on your arm? I’ve been for check-ups, and the nurse only pricked me once! And look, those marks are bruised, like you’ve been beaten!”

Hayes tried to explain, but struggled to articulate, quickly pulling out his phone to type, “My veins are super thin, so the nurse had to poke around a bunch of times to find the right spot. Don’t worry, Teresa, I’m really okay.”

Teresa eyed Hayes’ typed explanation, her face a picture of distress.

She just had a gut feeling that Little Mute wasn’t telling the truth. Who comes back from a check-up looking so wiped out, as would he lie to her? Could he be hiding something too hard to share?

Teresa was dying to ask, but seeing Hayes’ condition, she knew he wouldn’t spill the beans.

pale as a ghost? But why Hmph! If he wouldn’t talk, she’d wait until mom and Hayes’ daddy were back. Then, they would hold a proper discussion with Little Mute and uncover the truth!