?Chapter 1652:


    With her shoulder pressed against his arm, Christina spoke in a tone of easy familiarity — the sound of someone used to being indulged. “Dad, you’re incredible. You barely stop working, yet you still remember to look after yourself with those health drinks.”


    Amusement crossed Hurley’s face as heughed. “I don’t keep up with it that well. Most of the time, Nathan prepares them.”


    Christina turned slightly and addressed the driver with a polite smile. “Thanks for helping out, Nathan. You even take care of my dad’s health drinks.” Unnoticed by the others, a brief, unreadable shift passed through her gaze. Could the hidden traitor within the Jones family be Nathan Elliott? After all, he was Etta’s son. For years, the Jones family had treated them generously, providing a standard of living far beyond most.


    “It’s my pleasure,” Nathan said, ncing at the rearview mirror. His expression was in, open, and almost disarmingly sincere.


    From Christina’s perspective, he seemed too uplicated to be capable of poisoning her father. Even so, she refused to trust appearances. Evidence of the slow-acting toxin had been found in both the office cup and the one in the car — until matters were rified, Nathan remained the primary suspect.


    At the hospital, a full battery of tests revealed nothing abnormal in Christina’s results. As her color gradually returned and she declined further medication, Hurley chose not to press her, only reminding her once more to speak up at the slightest difort. Small problems could be serious when ignored — addressing them early was always safer.


    “Dad, let Nathan head back first,” Christina said. “You take me out for a short walk nearby.”


    Hurley agreed without hesitation. He sent Nathan off and arranged for him to returnter. Once outside, the two wandered without any particr destination.


    Christina carefully steered clear of any mention of the cup. Stirring suspicion too soon might alert whoever was responsible, and that was a risk she couldn’t afford.


    Some timeter, a storefront filled with Lionesspaw-themed souvenirs caught her eye. “Dad, let’s go check that ce out,” she said, raising her hand toward the shop.


    “Alright,” Hurley answered at once. Even if she had asked for the entire store, he wouldn’t have paused.


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    Christina intended to select a few small items for Davina and the others, certain those delicate trinkets would be well received.


    “If you like them that much, I can just buy the whole store for you,” Hurley said, unable to stop himself.


    “Dad, I’m going back home eventually,” Christina said, smiling helplessly. “What would I even do with a shop here? I can’t stay and run it.” Even though she had family in Lionesspaw who doted on her, she still preferred the life she had built back home. Looking ahead, she nned to divide her time evenly — half at home, half here with her family. In her heart, she believed everyone eventually returned to their roots. One day, her grandmother would surely want to go back too. She hoped that when her time came, she could rest in thend she had always called home. That sense of belonging had been with her since birth.


    A flicker of disappointment crossed Hurley’s face before his smile returned. “When that dayes, we’ll leave everything to your brothers. Your mom and I will go back and live with you. Your grandma’s been talking about moving back for years — we’ll all go together and take care of her then.”


    A fresh swell of emotion rose in Christina’s chest, her eyes stinging slightly. “Then I’ll take care of you,” she said. “I’ll work hard and earn enough to support you.”


    Hurley’s smile softened, his voice warm with affection. “Bonnie, you don’t have to push yourself like that. If you ever need money, just ask your brothers. Your mom and I have more than enough to look after you.”


    “Dad, what about this one?” Christina casually lifted a small souvenir. “If I gave it to La, do you think she’d like it?” Without drawing attention to herself, she smoothly shifted the conversation, hoping to coax more information about the Wade family from her father.


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