CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 163- EXPRESSION

Charles took the dossier on Dr. Corrine from Manfred’s hands and immediately dispatched people to track down the elusive doctor. This time, all his hope was pinned on the Australian-Chinese specialist. No matter how difficult the process, no matter the cost, he was determined to find him.

"May I see Janet before I go?" Manfred suddenly asked. He knew it wasn’t the right time to see Janet in such a fragile state, but Charles still nodded his consent.

"She’s sleeping now. You can go see her." Just a silent glance was all Manfred asked for. Since the moment he handed Janet over to Charles, he had lost any reason to pursue her further.

Charles showed unexpected generosity, giving Manfred space—not as an enemy, but out of understanding for the man who loved Janet just as deeply and suffered just as much.

"Janet..." Manfred’s fingers lingered tenderly over her gaunt features—from her tightly shut eyes to her pale, cracked lips. Only a little over two months had passed, yet the sight before him was painfully different. It struck him to his core.

He felt some relief that Janet was with Charles. At least here, she was happy—even if only for a brief time—and that was what mattered to her.

"Manfred?" Janet’s senses stirred as she felt moisture on her cheek. The familiar voice, filled with tenderness, was unmistakable. Her wide, bewildered eyes met Manfred’s deep black ones, and she slowly awakened.

"I’m sorry... I must have scared you like this," Janet said weakly as she tried to sit up. Manfred moved to help but she gently pushed him away. She didn’t want to be a burden. With Charles, she could not refuse help, but with Manfred, it was different. She loved Charles too much to worry him, yet in Manfred’s presence, her hidden suffering spilled out unguarded.

"No, you’re just as beautiful as before... and you still make me..." The word "love" caught in his throat, his voice breaking. He had always loved her, more than even he realized. If his initial approach hadn’t carried a shadow of revenge, if he and Charles had started on the same footing, maybe he wouldn’t have lost to him. But now, it was too late.

"Manfred, thank you for coming. I know how bad my condition is. It hurts so much, but I’m holding on—for Charles, for the baby. I’m so scared I won’t make it... I’m going to die, aren’t I?" Tears streamed down Janet’s face.

These days, she and Charles both pretended to be strong. She feigned courage, he feigned calm, but deep down, they both knew the truth. Because their hearts were full of each other’s pain, they always thought first of the other’s feelings.

"No, Janet. I came today to tell Charles about an expert in Australia who has performed this surgery before. We can ask for his help. The chances of success are high. Your goal now is to bring this baby safely into the world, then go abroad for treatment. Stay strong, okay?" Manfred gently wiped the tears from her face and brushed back a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his voice full of earnest pleading.

"Really?" Janet whispered. She knew Charles had been contacting overseas brain specialists, but none could guarantee success. This sudden glimmer of hope felt almost too good to believe.

"Of course it’s true. Even if you don’t believe me, you have to believe Charles, okay?" Manfred’s fingertip touched the tears on her cheek, feeling a burning warmth that silently brought tears to his own eyes—tears that Janet would never notice.

"Mm." Whether out of gratitude to Manfred or love for Charles, Janet nodded firmly. She couldn’t bear to disappoint either of them.

If it weren’t for this child, she truly feared she wouldn’t have the courage to bear the thought of leaving him.

At boss’s office.

"Why won’t you let me see Janet?" Angela kicked open Shaun’s office door without any ceremony, hands on her hips, face full of reproach.

Shaun, who was on a call, quickly ended the conversation at the sound of her voice, frowning with a hint of trouble.

"What’s with that expression? Shaun, don’t try to give me a runaround!" Angela hopped up onto Shaun’s lap, legs bent, wrapping her arms around his neck. Only Shaun knew this deliberately seductive pose was her way of tormenting him.

"Angela, stop it. Janet’s condition is really bad right now. Charles doesn’t want anyone disturbing them," Shaun said, his voice low but firm. Lately, he’d been doing everything he could to track down Corrine, even mobilizing the power of the four great families. He was confident they’d find the doctor soon.

"We’re people too! Janet’s so pitiful—I just want to keep her company!" Angela was kindhearted but impulsive. Until recently, she and Callum had often been with Janet, and she had seen Janet’s spirits improve a lot. She just couldn’t believe such a pure soul like Janet was suffering so terribly.

"I know. Just a little longer, okay? Babe, Charles is already exhausted worrying about her. Don’t bother the young couple. Let them have some time together," Shaun said gently.

Shaun hadn’t told Angela about Janet’s mental confusion—he knew she wouldn’t be able to sit still, wanting to be with Janet all the time. But right now, Charles was the best person to stay by Janet’s side. No one could predict when she would be lucid, and Charles treasured every single moment of her clarity.

"Shaun, Janet will get better, won’t she? They just got married not long ago. She’ll see her daughter born, watch her grow up, and even see her daughter marry our Callum..." Angela’s voice cracked, her eyes reddening. The arms around Shaun’s neck slowly slid down to wrap around his waist as she leaned on him, vulnerable.

Shaun sighed deeply, a tone somewhere between a promise and a reassurance, "She will, Angela. She and Charles will be just as happy as we are."

They had walked through separation and loss to reach where they were today. He believed in his brother, just as he and Brian had faced even tougher obstacles. Charles would overcome this too.

After Manfred left, Janet’s spirits remained surprisingly good. Charles carried her out to the swinging chair on the balcony. He had specially arranged to open up the sunlit part of their room onto the balcony—because back in Paris, Janet loved leaning on the railing to watch the night view while Charles held her from behind.