Chapter 224

Chapter 224 Elm

Eileen was absent for the Olympiad Math exam, leaving Jacob anxiously pacing. Natalie was also

waiting at the school gate, both hoping she would show up.

Only when the school administration contacted him did Jasper rush to the school, as he had just

learned of Eileen’s disappearance.

Jasper understood the importance of this exam for her. She had been studying tirelessly for several

days, all for the sake of this test.

This news also surprised Will.

Will had an underground information network, an organization specifically involved in trafficking

information.

He rarely involved himself in the affairs of the underworld now, as he had long since retired. from that

life.

News of Jasper searching for someone reached Will in less than half an hour.

Upon reading the message on his phone, Will furrowed his brow. “Don’t worry, Mr. Smith. Eileen was

out playing in Peach Fishing Village last night and accidentally got injured. Now, Eric is taking care of

her in the hospital. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Jasper asked, “Hospital? How did she end up in the hospital!”

Standing behind Jasper, Fabian had a feeling that Eileen wouldn’t forgive so easily this time.

The exam would be ending in fifteen minutes.

Eileen heard faint voices murmuring. She slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurry. As her sight

cleared, she saw the IV drip hanging above her head.

Wasn’t she dead yet?

All she remembered was that in that final moment, Eric pulled her up, but by then, she had already lost

consciousness.

Upon hearing the door open, Eileen saw Jasper. She wondered if she was hallucinating.

Jasper held her hand. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

It was his voice, which meant this was not an illusion. She could feel the icy cold temperature of his

hand.

14

<

Eileen looked at him indifferently, her eyes devoid of any emotion. “It’s okay,” she said, turning her head

to look at the sunlight outside the floor-to-ceiling window, which was somewhat dazzling.

“I can explain to you what has happened these past two days…”

Jasper spoke at length. He said that Nancy had fallen into the clutches of loan sharks, forced

her debts with her body. During the darkest times of Jasper’s life, it was Nancy who stood by his side.

Remembering their past affection, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

to pay

After that, Eileen fell into a daze, lost in her thoughts. She didn’t even know what she was thinking

about. Her mind was a complete blank, and she couldn’t absorb any of the words he was saying.

“Eileen, I never thought about parting ways with you.” Jasper held her hand tightly.

“Jasper, I’m a bit tired. I want to rest for a while.”

“All right.” Jasper reached out to feel her forehead’s temperature. “I’ll stay right here with you. Don’t

worry about the exam; I’ll arrange for it to happen again. There’s still a chance.”

“No need. What’s missed is missed. You don’t always have to break the rules for me. I can’t bear that

responsibility.”

Jasper responded in a low, soft voice, “Okay.”

He had never seen her in such a broken state before.

At the same time, he felt a sense of unease, as if he were clutching a handful of sand that could slip

effortlessly through his fingers at any moment.

Eileen’s eyes were closed, her breathing steady, as if she had already fallen asleep.

Jasper stepped out of the room, and in the hall outside, a considerable crowd had gathered. Vera,

having heard the news, had also hurried over.

Vera asked, “Eric, how is Eileen doing?”

“You should go back first,” Eric answered.

“But… I’m worried about Eileen…”

“Be good!” Eric’s tone became somber.

Vera had learned about Eileen’s hospitalization from Gavin. Since Eric hadn’t come home last night, a

vague answer was already forming in her heart.

She had just returned from her exam. Just as she was preparing to leave, her gaze lingered

thoughtfully on the tightly closed door of the room. As she looked back, there was a deep

contemplation in her eyes, leaving one to wonder what she was thinking.

way

1.

Upon reaching the door, she happened to bump into Zachary, who was on his Zachary was holding the

report in his hand, and due to the collision with Vera, all the sheets of Blake paper were scattered

everywhere.

Vera apologized in panic, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

One of the papers was Eileen’s CT scan.

Zachary said, “It’s okay, it was my fault for not holding them securely.” He bent down to pick up the

papers.

Suddenly, a report fluttered to the feet of Will. He picked it up. It was a consent form for a hysterectomy,

signed by Eric.

Will’s eyes held an unspoken chill, his hand instantly tightening around the rosary he held.

Zachary asked, “Mr. Swan?”

Will didn’t utter a single word, but his gaze alone was enough to send shivers down the spine of any

ordinary person. Zachary, however, merely offered a faint smile and said, “Thank you.”

Zachary separately informed Jasper about Eileen’s condition. “Mr. Smith, rest assured, Ms. Swan’s

current condition is due to overexertion, which led to the rupture of the wound in her uterus. However,

the bleeding has now been stopped, so there is no major concern for the time being. She must

remember to take her medication on time. Furthermore… Mr. Smith, you need to pay special attention

to Ms. Swan’s emotional state. Based on her previous medical records, she has severe depression.

Today, her condition worsened, and she almost ended her life by jumping out of the window.”

After a moment of silence, Jasper answered, “All right, I understand.”

From down the corridor, Fabian emerged from the elevator, while Zachary had already returned to the

hospital room.

Fabian approached Jasper and said, “Everything has been thoroughly investigated. Last night, Ms.

Swan went to see Elm. Ruth had a recurrence of her old illness and was hospitalized The hospital has

issued a notice of critical condition.”

Jasper’s brows furrowed into a terrifying frown, an aura of malevolence radiating from him

“I’ve underestimated the mother and son’s tactics. How did Eileen end up crossing paths with

her?”

r

34

Yesterday, Ruth received a call from Petalburg High School. On her way there, she bumped into Ms.

Eileen. When Ruth fainted, it was Ms. Eileen who took her to the hospital

A glimmer of vengeance flickered in Jasper’s eyes. “It seems the previous lesson wasn’t sufficient.

Bring Elm up from the basement. It’s time to show that woman of messing with my people!”

“Yes, Mr. Smith!”

the

consequences

Ruth’s body was as delicate as a wilting flower. After receiving care from Mary throughout the night.

Ruth had made significant progress and was now able to consume some liquid food.

Suddenly, the door to the ward swung open. A person dressed in black and covered in wounds was

thrown into the room.

An iron shackle was fastened around his ankle, and with each step he took, the chain would ingle.

Both Ruth and Mary were startled by this sight.

Ruth cried out, “Elm!”

Elm struggled to stand up.

The man at the door casually strolled in. “Long time no see, Mrs. Smith!”

Ruth watched as her son was reduced to this state. Ignoring her own condition, she got out of bed and

positioned herself protectively in front of Elm.

Witnessing their heartwarming display of familial love was like a thorn in Jasper’s heart. He pulled a

chair over and sat down, unintentionally catching sight of someone standing in the corner. He recalled

that the woman was a housekeeper from the Swan family.

“This doesn’t concern you. You can leave now.”

Mary exclaimed, “Oh my!” and hastily ran off as if her life depended on it.

Ruth declared, “Whatever you intend to do, come at me. Don’t lay a hand on Elm.”

In the room, only the three of them remained. Jasper emitted an icy coldness from his hair to the

tattoos on the back of his hand and neck. “What I want to do is a question you should ask your dear

son. I’ve said it before; as long as you behave, I can allow you to stay in the Smith family! But now, the

two of you have chosen to pursue my woman. Tell me.. How should I punish you? Should I make the

two of you vanish from Hulbury? That wouldn’t be difficult at all!”