Chapter 114
“Richard Price, would you believe me if I said I’d died before?“}
This time, I didn’t just call out his name casually. I said it with conviction, wanting him to understand the depth of my turmoil, the pain and division tearing through me.
“With me by your side, things will start looking up.” As Richard spoke, he let go of me and pulled a glass jar from his bag. “Back at the orphanage, the old assembly hall where we used to study hadn’t even had its concrete poured yet. I scooped up some soil from there and planted a seed in it. You only need to be patient and wait for it to sprout and grow. Everything will turn out alright once it reaches for the sun.”
His words made me feel he knew something. Yet, perhaps he knew nothing at all. Maybe it was all just a coincidence.
“Okay.” I cradled the glass jar, observing the dark soil and the moisture within. I placed it on the small windowsill of my office, facing toward the sun, chasing the rise and fall of day and night.”
Richard suggested, “Aren’t you a big fan of the food at Ember & Ash Grill? How about we go and grab a bite? Consider it a welcome back treat now that I’m out.“}
I knew he still saw me as someone with a mental disorder, gently coaxing me, afraid I’d feel hurt. Not wanting him to worry, I nodded in agreement.”
Then, Max stepped out of his office, ditching his white coat for his usual immaculate suit. Richard politely nodded to him, but Max didn’t spare me a glance before leaving.§
I didn’t take his attitude to heart. After all, he hadn’t gone through what I had. He couldn’t possibly empathize with my suffering. Nor did I expect him to understand. At this point in my life, he had offered me a hand when I was in danger. I should be thankful, not force him to grasp my pain.§
Once Max was gone, I asked Richard, “When did you meet Max?“}
Richard didn’t hide anything. “We met during a previous investment project. He was there treating someone from the Hilton family. When the Hilton family doubted my project, he said it had future potential. Just like that, they agreed to collaborate and invest in me, which led to a sudden influx of wealth on my part. So, I’m grateful for his support. He has vision, but he’s a doctor. If he was a businessman, I doubt anyone in Crestview Metropolis could rival him.”
When I heard Richard’s high praise, I couldn’t help but feel my suspicions were confirmed. “Do you think he might be that person from the Hilton family?“}
But Richard laughed it off. “The head of the Hilton family is too busy managing their empire to have time to be a doctor here. Haven’t you seen how busy Dr. Hilton is with surgeries every day?“}
I frowned slightly. Richard’s point was valid. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Max was not as simple as he seemed.§
The kind of military–grade locks he recommended for my door wasn’t something one could find in every hardware store in Crestview Metropolis. And then there came the welcome party the Goodwin family threw for their daughter, Tracey. As Tracey’s fiancé, wouldn’t the Hilton family’s head be there?}
Could that be my chance to clear up the doubts in my heart? But attending that event meant risking an encounter with Kate, who seemed likely to set traps for me.>
“I’m thinking about going to the Goodwin family’s party to confirm if Ms. Tracey’s fiancé from the Hilton family has any connection to Max. But I’m worried about falling into one of Kate’s traps,” I mumbled.”
Richard chuckled and ruffled my hair. “I’ll take you there. Stick close to me, and she won’t be able to touch you.”
My eyes lit up as I looked at Richard as if seeing my savior.
