Walter and Charlotte spoke outside the hospital room for a while.
Charlotte exuded elegance with an undertone of sharpness. It wasn''t overbearing, but it still made people instinctively feel wary. It was the kind of presence that came from years of holding a high position.
Even Gracecked this kind ofposure, and Diana, being petty, definitely didn''t either.
Most of all, Charlotte looked almost identical to Natalie. Despite her age, she was well-maintained and seemed at most in her early 30s. Time had barely left its mark on her.
Walter would have believed it if someone said she was Natalie''s sister.
"Mr. Watson, you and my daughter have known each other since she was young. Could you tell me about her childhood?" Charlotte asked, turning the topic to Natalie after they finished their discussion.
She had missed the first 20 years of her precious daughter''s life, and all her wealth and power could not make up for that.
"When we were kids, I didn''t see Natalie very often. But she''d alwayse at specific times to check on me. She''d bring me some basic necessities and give me my living expenses," Walter said, leaning against the wall.
Whenever he spoke about her younger days, a gentle look came into his eyes, and a smile appeared on his lips.
"At the time, I thought the living expenses came from Mrs. Langley Senior. I felt deeply grateful to her, so I always told Natalie that I would study hard and live up to the expectations of Mrs. Langley Senior and her.
"Every time I said that, Natalie would smile and reach out to pat my head. Because I was taller, I would bend down so she could pat me.
"Later, when Natalie came again with my living expenses and supplies, she brought a little boy with her. Mrs. Langley Senior came too. She told me the boy was Tyler, Natalie''s childhood friend. She said they''d get married when they grew up."
Walter''s lips twisted with a tinge of bitterness at the mention of Tyler. "Even though I was a kid, I understood it was her way of warning me not to overreach.
"That was also when I found out from Mrs. Langley Senior that Natalie had been the one who really sponsored me all along. Mrs. Langley Senior said Natalie chose me, and everything that funded me came from her personally.
"However, since Victor and Diana never gave Natalie any pocket money, Mrs. Langley Senior provided her with a lot. It was more than enough for both her and me."
Charlotte listened attentively. She could almost picture her daughter as a soft, chubby little girl, rising up on tiptoe to pat the head of a boy taller than her.
Charlotte had never met Tyler, so she did not know what he looked like. But if he was her daughter''s childhood friend, she figured Natalie might have had real feelings for her former fiancé.
Charlotte hesitated. Interrupting was impolite, but her curiosity got the better of her. When Walter paused briefly, she asked, "Did Natalie like Tyler a lot?"
"Well... I''m not sure," Walter said, lowering his gaze. "From then on, every time she came to see me, Tyler was with her."
Walter didn''t mention that Natalie no longer patted his head once Tyler appeared.
As they grew up and became conscious of the differences between boys and girls, that natural closeness they once shared faded. Their rtionship turned more like that of a brother and sister.
He never forgot that Natalie was Tyler''s fiancée, and Grace had warned him directly. So, he never dared to develop any improper feelings and kept those emotions deeply hidden.
He poured all his efforts into his studies, aiming to excel enough to stand by Natalie''s side and support her as a brother.
"Alright," Charlotte said gently.
She noticed Walter''s mood sinking and sighed inwardly. It seemed he had feelings for Natalie, but from the way she acted, Natalie likely had no clue.
"I''ll find an excuse to leave now. Go back in and talk with Grace. I want to know what she''s nning next." Charlotte lowered her voice. "Right now, there''s nobody around Grace. Since she funded you, she''ll likely use that connection to make you do things for her.
"Mr. Watson, since you''re on Natalie''s side, we trust youpletely. We only hope you won''t let us down." Walter looked up and nodded firmly. "Please be at ease, Mrs. Walker. I''ve been on Natalie''s side from the start. Even if I''m not her biological brother, I see her as more than a real sister could ever be. You can trust me."
"Alright, then I''ll be off," Charlotte said with a smile. Then, she turned and walked away.
Walter stayed in the hallway a bit longer. After steadying his emotions, he returned to the hospital room.
The nket on the bed was still quivering. He moved closer and tapped the headboard. "Mrs. Langley Senior, Mrs. Walker has left."
After a while, Grace pulled the nket down. She slowly stretched out andy t on the bed.
"Walter, why isn''t Nattieing to see me? Is something wrong with her?" she asked, sounding worried about Natalie.
"I''m so worried. Could William and Charlotte have locked her up? She never used to avoid seeing me like this. Last time I had a car ident, she was so scared for me."
Grace held the phone that Natalie had given her. She had never been in a situation where she could not reach Natalie.
"Walter, does Nattie think I''m not good?"
Walter didn''t answer her questions. He said calmly, "Mrs. Langley Senior, other than wanting to see Natalie, do you have anything else in mind? You texted me to take you out of here. Do you still want to leave?"
"Of course I do. I don''t want to stay in this hospital. The ce smells awful. I want to go back to Cedar Hill Nursing Home. Sarah will keep mepany."
Grace lowered her head. "Walter, ask Nattie to get me out of here."
"Mrs. Langley Senior, aren''t you tired of pretending all the time?" Walter asked, pouring her a cup of hot water. "When exactly did you regain your senses, or have you been pretending all these years?"
Grace jerked her head up, staring hard at Walter. "You ungrateful brat! What nonsense are you talking about? Is this how you repay me after all the support I gave you? Do you think you''d be where you are today without me?"