CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: BEGINNING TO DOUBT

Hugo nodded and only then noticed Eleanor’s pallor; she must have been suffering for a long time.

"Miss Hollis has had a really hard time. I heard her husband wasn’t good to her, and for years she’s been the only one taking care of the old man. She spent all her savings, and the attending hospital talked to her, saying even if they did surgery, he wouldn’t live for many years. They told her not to ruin her health over it, but she wouldn’t listen. She genuinely cares for the old man. I hope my granddaughter can be like her in the future. Not long ago, she somehow got a sum of money and immediately moved the old man into the best ward."

The nurse tidied up the medicine in the room while gossiping, her face full of sympathy for Eleanor.

It was clear that the people in the hospital seemed to be very familiar with Eleanor.

Hugo looked at the nurse complexly; his people had investigated before, saying Grace hadn’t come to see the old man.

What about everyone else? Didn’t the old man have any other children?

"Has it been just her all these years? No one else has come to see him?"

He asked in a low voice, his brow tightly furrowed.

"How could there be anyone else? Not long ago, Miss Hollis’s uncle and aunt came, but they were like vampires, just here to ask Miss Hollis for money. Oh, what a misfortune, having such a family."

After finishing with the meds, the nurse continued to vent.

Hugo’s lips pressed together in discontent as he looked at Eleanor lying on the bed and suddenly felt this woman truly had it rough.

He looked for a while and found that she was actually quite beautiful, the kind of beauty that grew on you.

Her beauty was different from Grace’s; Grace was gentle and elegant, while she was more like a sweet little beauty, sometimes with a slight hint of allure.

The hospital room door suddenly opened, and Hugo looked up, surprised to find it was Marcus, and the driver followed behind him, somewhat helpless.

"Little ancestor heard Miss Hollis was unwell and immediately dragged me over."

Hugo nodded, gesturing for Marcus to come over.

Marcus hurried over, looking at Eleanor with heartache and grabbing her hand.

"She’s fine, don’t worry, just needs a nap."

Hugo couldn’t bear to see him sad and quickly reassured him.

But Marcus kept staring at Eleanor as if trying to see a flower blooming on her face.

When Eleanor awoke, it was already evening; she felt someone’s hand holding hers, and quickly propped herself up, only to find Marcus was the one sitting by the bed.

"Awake... awake..."

Marcus said excitedly, pressing the bell near him.

Soon, a doctor came in to check on Eleanor and brought her oral medications.

"Miss Hollis, you must take good care of yourself these days. You’re still young, don’t ruin your health."

"Thank you."

After the doctor left, Eleanor finally looked at the well-behaved little boy.

"Marcus, are you here by yourself? Where’s your father?"

Marcus shook his head; he didn’t know where his dad went, answering a call and then leaving.

"Miss Hollis, here’s your dinner."

The driver came in carrying a meal box, apologetic. "Mrs. Lynch has been arrested, and Mr. Lynch, being her husband now, must act, so he went to rescue her this afternoon."

Was it Hugo who went to rescue her? Then where did Nathaniel go?

Although she had these questions in her heart, she didn’t voice them, quietly eating the food with Marcus.

Meanwhile, Grace was already in the car with Hugo, trembling all over and curling up in fear.

"Hugo, those people were terrifying, acting like madmen."

She hugged her knees, her face pale.

But Hugo wasn’t in the mood to listen; Marcus was still at the hospital, and who knew if Eleanor had woken up.

He directly took her to the family house, where a doctor was already waiting. The injuries were not too severe; some ointment would do.

Seeing that he was about to leave, Grace quickly grabbed his arm.

"Hugo, at a time like this, you’re still going to leave me?"

Her voice was full of pleading, eyes brimming with tears.

Yet Hugo coldly removed her hand, his face showing unreadable emotions.

"I heard it was someone Nathaniel offended, someone with strong backing. If a woman falls into their hands, it’ll be a fate worse than death. Grace, do you think you’re pretty?"

Do you think you’re pretty?

Grace stiffened, slowly letting go of his hand, tears falling in large drops.

She understood Hugo’s implication; falling into those people’s hands would mean unspeakable humiliation.

But she was in good shape, with only minor injuries.

"Hugo, it’s because I resisted desperately that I wasn’t... I was just rescued, and you treat me like this?"

She looked at him incredulously; she was his wife, after all. If she had been humiliated, would it benefit him? Why could he still analyze so calmly, instead of comforting her?

"Go inside."

Hugo said flatly, getting back into the car and driving off.

"Hugo!!"

Grace cried out, her eyes red with fury, watching the car fade into the distance.

She had wanted the kidnappers to inform Nathaniel to bring Eleanor to exchange for her, knowing Eleanor would be doomed on this trip.

But it was Hugo who came to rescue her. The moment she saw him, she knew her plan had failed.

Now Hugo even suspected her, and it truly felt like a stupid move that backfired.

She took a deep breath and slowly walked into the old mansion.

The family doctor quickly approached, checking her over and finally relaxing.

"Miss Lynch is really lucky, just a few minor injuries after being in those people’s hands. I’ll just apply some ointment for you."

The others in the house relaxed upon hearing this from the doctor.

But Grace felt the doctor’s words were like a slap to her face.

Even the doctor thought so, no wonder Hugo suspected her earlier.

Nathaniel sat on the couch, gripping a cup tightly; he loved Grace so deeply he’d lost the ability to think rationally.

But now, calming down, he found many holes in this incident.

For example, why was Eleanor used to exchange for Grace? They were targeting him, so wouldn’t they capture a woman truly important to him?

Recently, all the media was buzzing about him and Grace; anyone with eyes knew who mattered more to him between Grace and Eleanor.

Nathaniel felt a chill run through him as he realized that, without the thick filter of love, he saw many things that didn’t add up.

His gaze landed on Grace, eyebrows furrowing, not wanting to acknowledge the painful truth, which for him, was too cruel.