CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74: THE FAKE MOTHER

Her words were blunt, like a knife piercing through Rachel Lynch’s hypocritical facade.

Grace Lynch stiffened all over, suddenly at a loss for words. She truly had no underlying reasons, she simply didn’t want to see this child.

Bridget Sutton observed Rachel’s reaction and also showed some impatience.

"Alright, just go. Luna doesn’t want to see you, and neither do I. You’re now the lady of the Hollis Family; why endure grievance in such a place?"

The Hollis Family had been rooted in Serenford for many years, holding nothing but an esteemed status.

Eleanor Hollis, this prestigious young lady, grew up in the countryside, a fact that’s truly lamentable.

Rachel never expected the two could be so indifferent, she felt a bit impatient as she never intended to meet them today.

If it weren’t for the recent rumors in high society about Hugo Quinn and Eleanor Hollis, she wouldn’t have appeared here today.

"Eleanor, I’ve said my piece. In the end, it’ll be Anna who’ll be with Hugo, regardless of whatever you’re thinking; you’d better give it a rest. By then, it won’t just be the Quinton Family opposing you, I won’t let you two be together either."

After a long bout of talking, she finally revealed her true intentions. This time, she came to threaten Eleanor Hollis.

Eleanor didn’t say a word, a sharp pain flashed through her heart.

Even though she had told herself long ago not to yearn for motherly love, every time she witnessed Rachel’s actions, the pain was suffocating.

Sometimes, she found it peculiar. Despite having the same mother as Anna, why was there such a big gap between them?

Anna was the most beloved lady of the Hollis Family from birth, whereas she was sent to the countryside early on, serving her uncle and aunt.

Her eyes reddened, she embarrassedly lowered her gaze.

Bridget Sutton regarded her with some pity, sighed, "After so many years, haven’t you seen what she’s truly like? Eleanor, don’t be sad, just treat her as a stranger."

Eleanor nodded, though she always thought this way, truly doing so was still painful.

Marcus had remained silent beside her, sensing her low mood, he clutched her sleeve, looking at her with concern.

Eleanor was startled, the sadness that just spread across her chest instantly dissipated.

"Grandma, I’ll take Marcus back first, we’ll come to visit you another day."

She stood up, grabbed her bag.

Bridget tiredly nodded, after all that talking, she too was exhausted, a good time to rest a little.

Eleanor led Marcus out of the hospital building, only to find Rachel still standing outside, not having left at all.

Seeing her approach, Rachel strides over, but her gaze didn’t fall on her, rather it landed on little Marcus beside her.

"Is this Hugo’s child? Why are you bringing him to such a place? Eleanor, could it be you really have a relationship with Hugo? You’ve truly disappointed me."

Eleanor immediately shielded Marcus, almost laughing out of anger.

"Ms. Lynch, from the moment you abandoned me, my mother was already dead. Now that you’re disappointed in me, I won’t care."

She pulled Marcus to leave, but Rachel grabbed his other hand.

"I want to take this child to the Hollis Family as a guest, let him interact with Anna. Eleanor, let go."

Eleanor had never seen such a shameless woman; her last trace of wishful thinking vanished.

"Marcus is still young; even if he were to visit the Hollis Family, it should be with his dad’s consent."

Rachel clapped her hands, and immediately several bodyguards surrounded Eleanor, looking at her with unfriendly eyes.

"The Hollis Family is closely tied to the Quinton Family, letting Marcus come over as a guest is within reason. Leave the child, then you can leave on your own."

Eleanor couldn’t possibly fight those bodyguards, she was somewhat anxious.

However, Marcus reached out and held her wrist, looking up at her.

She breathed a sigh of relief, even if Marcus went to the Hollis Family, he wouldn’t suffer; after all, his dad is Hugo Quinn, no one would dare harm him.

She knelt down, stroked the child’s head, "Marcus, go play with her for a while, I’ll call your dad to pick you up soon, okay?"

She spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear.

Marcus nodded, smiled at her, assuring her not to worry.

Rachel, unwilling to witness their interaction any longer, held Marcus and got into her car.

The bodyguards sneered at Eleanor, then also got into another vehicle, the two cars driving off with a whoosh.

Once they left, Eleanor took out her phone and called Hugo Quinn.

Hugo was in a meeting at the time, but seeing her caller ID, he signaled to pause the meeting, then stepped aside.

"What’s the matter?"

This woman rarely called him, for some reason, he felt a bit pleased.

"Marcus was forcibly taken by people from the Hollis Family, they said they wanted him to be a guest there. She had bodyguards, I couldn’t do anything. Mr. Quinn, hurry and get him back."

"She?"

Whoever ’she’ was, an edge crept into Hugo’s voice, Marcus was his limit.

"It’s my so-called mother, she said she wanted Marcus to interact more with Anna, hoping Anna would eventually marry you, becoming Marcus’ stepmom."

Her tone was full of sarcasm, even carrying a slightly malicious undertone, she revealed Rachel’s intention completely to him.

Her best hope was for Hugo to utterly loathe them, not let Rachel have her way.

Hugo also sensed her little ploy, finding it somewhat amusing, "Are you jealous?"

He was very pleased, and his voice lightened a bit, his face full of a breezy smile.

Eleanor was suddenly speechless, unsure where this man discerned jealousy from, she just didn’t want Rachel’s scheme to succeed.

"The Hollis Family wouldn’t dare do anything to Marcus, relax, Marcus isn’t as fragile as you think."

Hearing his reassurance, Eleanor, miraculously, felt less anxious, though still somewhat uneasy.

"But that’s your child, how can you be so calm?"

Hugo chuckled softly, his eyes filled with fondness, "I’m very happy that you’re so anxious about Marcus. Perhaps, compared to others, you’re more suited to be his stepmother."

Somewhat out of nowhere, she was teased, resulting in Eleanor’s face flushing red, stammering, unsure what to say.

The phone echoed with Hugo’s joyous laughter, she felt as if she could feel his breath, brushing against her ear.

Blushing furiously, she hung up the phone, and got into a nearby parked car; she had already informed Hugo about what happened, he would definitely go get Marcus back.

All she needed to do was go home and wait.

After Hugo hung up, he wasn’t in a rush, he returned to the meeting room.

The executives clearly noticed that after taking a call, the CEO seemed to be in a much better mood.