Chapter 2084


    Charlie knew it all too well.


    Seth could fool the world, maybe even keep the charade going for a lifetime. But there was one


    person he didn''t want to deceive—not even for a second—Ms. Cicely.


    Every day was a struggle.


    Charlie kept silent.


    When Seth arrived at the office, he handed Charlie a shopping list for Thanksgiving gifts. "Besides


    these, see what else she might need."


    Charlie nced at the list: vitamins, liquor, and Thanksgiving gift baskets—all pretty standard stuff.


    But what caught his eye was a new addition this year—children''s toys.d2


    Puzzled, Charlie asked, "Mr. Diaz, should I get toys for a boy or a girl, and for what age?"


    Seth paused, pondering for a moment, then said indifferently, q5"Three or four years old, gender-


    neutral, get a mix of everything."


    "Got it."


    *


    Cicely wasn''t used to giving gifts, and she didn''t buy much as they wandered through the mall.


    Charlie, on the other hand, was on a mission with Seth''s list and ended up buying quite a bit.


    Cicely thought Charlie was shopping for his own parents, so she picked a few simr items herself.


    In the end, Charlie stopped in the mall''s lounge area. "Ms. Cicely, I''ve got to pick up some toys for


    the kids next. If you''re tired, you can rest here. What would you like to drink? I can get it for you."


    Cicely, who had been growing impatient, suddenly seemed lost in thought at the mention of toys.


    "Toys?"


    Charlie nodded, "Yeah, it''s a holiday after all, can''t have a family gathering without something for the


    kids."


    Cicely blinked somewhat uncontrobly.


    Yes, children always need toys. What kind of toys did her Hugo like?


    "Ms. Cicely?"


    Cicely snapped back to reality, "Yeah, I''lle take a look too."


    Charlie didn''t think much of it. They headed to the toy department together. The entire floor was a


    child''s paradise, toys as far as the eye could see.


    Charlie looked around at the other shoppers—hardly any kids in tow—and joked, "If you brought the


    kids here, they''d probably forget they even had parents."


    Cicely didn''t respond, her gaze curiously scanning the toys disyed in the windows.


    Charlie was surprised by Cicely''s curiosity about the toys, but then again, even if she had a


    privileged childhood, there would always be toys she hadn''t seen or yed with.


    Cicely bought loads: remote-controlled cars, drones, action figures, a variety of storybooks, and


    even a children''s keyboard. She also picked out some dolls, thinking Hugo could cuddle with them


    or keep them by his bedside.


    Unlike her almost obligatory attitude while picking out the Thanksgiving gift baskets, Cicely was


    genuinely engaged now. Charlie was perplexed but figured his task wasn''t too different from Mr.


    Diaz''s sudden request for toys.


    *


    Damon apanied Chloe to pick up Hugo. The director personally greeted them, leading them to


    the ssroom door.


    Hugo was in the book corner of the ssroom, listening to a story from a smart device, carefully


    kneading some ydough in his small hands.


    "This child is so well-behaved. Yesterday, when I told him you''d being today to take him to see


    his mother, he justy in bed, clutching his nket, eyes wide open all night. Didn''t cry or fuss. The


    teachers tried to soothe him several times, and each time it seemed like he fell asleep. But as soon


    as they left, his eyes would pop open again. It''s like he was determined to wait until he saw his


    mother to feel at peace."


    Chloe felt a tug at her heart as she watched the small, quiet figure.mQuiet and well-mannered, that


    was always Hugo''s demeanor whenever Chloe met him.


    The idea of seeing his mother should have been thrilling, yet he managed to contain his excitement


    and anticipation with suchposure.


    His temperament reminded her of the stoic Seth.


    Chloe pushed the door open and walked towards him.


    The child in the corner lifted his head, his somewhat vacant eyes suddenly alight with eagerness


    and longing. His hands stopped kneading the ydough.


    Chloe stopped in front of him, and the little boy shifted from sitting to kneeling, reaching out to grasp


    Chloe''s dress.


    "Ma’am."


    Chloe bent down and gently stroked Hugo''s head, her voice soft and warm, "It''s me. I''vee to


    take you out to celebrate Thanksgiving with your mom."


    Hugo''s usually expressionless little face instantly brightened with a smile, and he nodded


    vigorously, "Okay."


    Chloe was about to lift Hugo from the ground when an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist,


    pulling her close. "Careful with yourself, I''ve got him."


    A deep, refined voice sounded beside her, and the next second, Damon pushed her aside gently


    and scooped Hugo into his arms.


    Hugo remembered Damon but was still a bit shy. Now, overwhelmed with happiness, he obediently


    rested his little hands on Damon''s shoulders, not daring to move, and murmured softly, "Mr.


    Damon."


    Damon''s brow twitched. His friends did not make life easy for him.


    Chloe found the title amusing, capturing Damon''s fleeting helplessness in her eyes and smiling


    softly.


    Damon looked at her, and she shrugged her delicate brows, as if to say, "Iughed, what are you


    going to do about it?"


    Damon pursed his lips; indeed, he couldn''t do much.


    Over the years, it was Chloe who had been supporting the orphanage and giving special care to


    Hugo. The orphanage naturally wouldn''t make a fuss about the two of theming to take Hugo


    out—just a matter of following procedures and signing some papers.


    "What would you like to eat for dinner, Hugo? I can have someone prepare it for you in advance?"


    Chloe said.


    "I like whatever Mommy likes."


    Chloe paused, affectionately touching his little cheek.


    His eyes, usually as still as a pond with no ripples, had been brimming with excitement and


    anticipation since seeing her. Yet he remained well-behaved and quiet, his face showing a faint


    smile that clearly revealed his joy. In every way, he resembled Seth.


    "Where is Mommy?"The car drove all the way. Hugo answered one question after the other, until he,


    who never initiated the conversation, suddenly asked.


    "Mommy is getting you a present."


    "Mommy is already a present."


    "But Mommy loves you so much, and she wants to give you lots and lots of things."


    Hugo pursed his lips, not uttering a word, just nodding over and over again.


    The suburbs were a good distance from downtown, and Hugo probably hadn''t been out much. After


    insisting on staying awake for a while in the car, he finally sumbed to sleep. He remained asleep


    all the way until they reached Alyssa''s ce.


    Damon lifted him from the car while Chloe directed the servants to bring down the gifts.


    Upon entering the house, Nathan caught sight of Damon carrying a child and hurried over with Anya


    in his arms.


    Casting his gaze around and not spotting Chloe, Nathan’s heart skipped a beat, and his eyes


    widened in disbelief, staring at Damon, before a look of profound distress overtook his face.


    "You you you..."


    Damon shot him a cold nce, and Nathan quickly turned to Alyssa and blurted out, "Granny, my


    brother has brought home his love child!"


    Everyone fell silent. This kid''s imagination was running wild.


    At Nathan''s words, Alyssa rolled over in her wheelchair, smacked Nathan on the butt, and scolded,


    "You think everyone is as foolish as you?"


    Nathan hopped away from the p, wondering where he''d been foolish. His brother bringing home


    a love child, what did that have to do with him?


    "Nathan, don''t cry." Anya''s little hands cupped Nathan''s face gently, her voice soft andforting.


    Nathan''s face crumpled into a "woe is me" expression as he rubbed Anya''s tiny hand. He thought


    that his little sister-inw was really the gentle soul here. (At this time, he still didn''t know.)


    Alyssa didn''t bother with his antics, instead, she looked up at Damon, who was holding the sleeping


    child, and whispered, "Did you get him out?"


    Damon nodded, bending slightly so Alyssa could have a better look at the child in his arms. Alyssa


    peered at the boy, murmured an affectionate "Oh my!", "He''s so handsome, just like his dad. Look


    at that furrowed little brow. Go,y him down so he can get some proper rest."


    "Okay."


    Just as Nathan was pondering how to salvage the situation for his big brother, it seemed Chloe


    looked utterly unfazed. And Alyssa''s words just now seemed to indicate he''d misunderstood


    something.


    "Whose kid is this?" His curious, gossipy face leaned in closer.


    Alyssa pulled Chloe aside, shooting Nathan a nce, "Come on, Chloe, have some fruit. We don''t


    talk to fools."


    Nathan was speechless.


    *


    On the way to drop Cicely off at home, Charlie received a call. It was from the hospital. "Mr. Charlie,


    Ms. Danielle has attempted suicide."


    Charlie''s expression turned grave, "Did you call a doctor? I''m on my way."


    After hanging up, Charlie sped up the car.


    Cicely, her expression indifferent, offered, "If you''re in a rush, I can take a cab."


    "No trouble, I''ll take you home first."


    Cicely said no more. Perhaps it was a real emergency, as Charlie didn''t even bother to take the gifts


    from the trunk before hurrying off.


    Cicely guessed someone in his family had had an ident and was hospitalized. Her heart


    remained still. She was never one with an excess of empathy. Her own life was in such disarray,


    how could she afford to pay mind to others'' joys and sorrows?


    Back at her apartment, after a shower and intending to rest, she silenced her phone and saw


    Chloe''s message. [We''re at Granny''s. He''s asleep.]


    Cicely''s fingertips trembled slightly.


    Hugo.


    Her teeth bit down on her finger joint, staring at that message for a long time before reluctantly


    deleting it.


    Get through today, and tomorrow she could see her son.


    Thanksgiving...


    She imagined if the Ellis family were still around, with Grandpa and Dad doting on her, how happy


    they would have been to wee Hugo, and how they would havevished love upon him.


    She recalled the Ellis family Thanksgivings of the past.


    Now...


    Her eyes suddenly flickered.


    Having been away for over two months, she hadn''t visited Grandpa once. Though she couldn''t face


    him, with Thanksgiving approaching, even if just standing outside his hospital room to catch a


    glimpse would be something.


    After a moment of silence, she swung out of bed.


    *Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Anya was keen to y with Hugo, but Chloe soothed her, saying they had to wait for Hugo to wake


    up.


    The household staff was busy preparing dinner and getting ready for tomorrow''s festivities. Alyssa


    was delighted; it was rare for the house to be so full, and they were anticipating a lively celebration.


    Alyssa had heard about Hugo from Chloe before, but seeing him now still moved her. "Can his eyes


    be treated?"


    "Damon has already arranged for a top specialist abroad."


    Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief, "That''s good. When will that Ellis girle to see him? It''s not easy


    for the child. Speaking of which, did she visit her grandfather in the hospital for the holiday?"


    Chloe shook her head, and then, as if struck by a thought, she suddenly looked up at Alyssa, "You


    knew about Mr. Erik in the hospital?"


    "Of course, I do my annual check-up there. Oh dear."


    Alyssa suddenly pped her hands, "Erik is scheduled for surgery tomorrow."


    Chloe furrowed her brows, "Mr. Erik is having surgery on Thanksgiving?"


    Alyssa exhaled, "I don''t know exactly what his ailment is called, just that it''s an old age disease,


    organ failure, and his body can''t produce blood. He needs blood transfusions to keep going."


    "When did this happen?" Damon sat down beside Chloe, casually asking.


    Alyssa didn''t even have to think, "It was Thanksgiving three years ago. I remember wondering why


    it had to be on that day, when every family is gathered together."


    Chloe and Damon exchanged a nce.


    "Madam, there''s trouble." A frantic voice suddenly pierced the silence of the mansion, followed by


    the sight of a maid dashing down the staircase.


    Alyssa was startled and quickly inquired, "What happened?"


    The young maid''s face was etched with urgency. "The little kid''s running a high fever."


    Alyssa paused for a second before asserting, "Hurry, take him to the hospital."


    Chloe felt a wave of panic wash over her, but Damon gently took her hands in his, his voice steady,


    "Don''t worry. I''ll carry him down."


    Then, turning to the maid, hemanded, "Get the car ready."


    "Right away, sir."


    *


    Fortunately, they had caught the act early, and Danielle was in no serious danger.


    Charlie arrived at the hospital first and stood outside Danielle''s hospital room. He was having a fit


    too.


    Mr. Diaz had personally ordered Danielle to be closely watched. He had four burly bodyguards and


    a newly appointed assistant to stay by her side.


    "Five of you are tasked with her care, and yet you let something happen?!" Charlie bellowed.


    The new assistant, a young woman, was so frightened by Charlie''s outburst that she started to cry.


    "There was nothing dangerous in the room, I never thought she would use an eyebrow trimmer from


    her purse to harm herself."


    Charlie took a deep breath.


    It was then that Seth arrived. Upon seeing Seth, the assistant turned even paler.


    Seth merely nced at her before turning to Charlie, "How is she?"


    "Timely discovery, no serious harm done."


    Seth looked towards the room, and Charlie promptly opened the door.


    Inside, two nurses stood on guard.


    Danielle was sitting up in bed, her hand wrapped in white gauze, looking quite pale. Seth, dressed


    in a dark suit, his tall and lean figure standing in the doorway. Hearing themotion, Danielle


    peered up at him, a mocking smile on her face.


    "You''d rather let your own blood go to waste than save your grandfather?" Seth''s expression was


    icy as he said coolly.


    Danielle nodded, "Yeah, I was just thinking that if I can''t save him, would you let Grandpa die just


    because you don’t want to see Cicely hurt?"


    "Do you find this fun?" Seth stepped further into the room, his back to Danielle as he watched the


    park, "I didn''t arrange for these people to protect you."


    Even though she felt invincible to hurt, Danielle''s heart contracted at those words. That was right,


    Seth only cared about her blood. As long as Danielle didn''t run, and her blood was within reach and


    usable whenever needed, that was enough.


    "You can''t keep me locked up forever."


    "We''ll discuss the futureter," Seth said coldly, his tone unvarying as usual, "But this time, keep in


    line. You''ll only make things harder on yourself, and nothing else will change."


    Danielle closed her eyes, hiding the destion and despair within. "You haven''t answered me. If I


    weren''t here, would you stand by and let Grandpa die to protect her?"


    After a long silence, Seth suddenly let out a low chuckle. He turned slowly, his gazes as dark as the


    abyss, staring directly at Danielle, his thin lips curling with a sharp sarcasm.


    "Everyone knows Cicely is arrogant and condescending, but few truly dislike her. Do you know


    why?"


    Danielle clenched her fist slowly, gazing at him. "Why?"


    "Because she has the means, so no matter what she does, she''s right, and she''s very aware of it."


    Danielle scoffed, "That''s just what the Ellis family gave her."


    "Why is she more favored than you when you''re both daughters of the Ellis family? What you give


    and what you get are reciprocal. Would I stand by and watch Grandpa die for her sake? This isn''t


    for me to decide. If she knew her grandfather needed her blood to live, would she save him or not?


    Or even hesitate for a moment? I think you know the answer."


    Danielle didn''t need to think; she was stunned. Seth''s smile widened. That was Cicely. Even the one


    who hated her most trusted her. Cicely wouldn''t even give him the chance to protect her.


    "Don''t keep saying she was spoiled from childhood and it''s her duty to save her grandpa. She may


    dislike you, but she still chose to help you when you were in danger. Ask yourself, what have you


    done? Was it abandoning her, or was it that you were hell-bent on making her go to hell when I


    asked you to testify?"


    Danielle suddenly felt engulfed by a wave of shame. The past was etched in everyone''s hearts,


    never to be erased.


    So, when it came to Cicely, Seth was clear; she would save Erik without hesitation.


    With Danielle, Seth was just as clear, which was why he chose to deceive and coax her into


    possibly saving Erik.


    Danielle stared at the white gauze around her wrist and suddenly realized that no matter what she


    did, nothing would change except for adding to her own embarrassment.


    "Even if not for the sake of family blood, think about your life with the Ellis family, what your grandpa


    and uncle have done for you, and whether they''re worth your willing sacrifice. Instead, you are here,


    holding a grudge against me for deceiving you for three years."


    Danielle shook her head, unable to refute Seth but also unwilling to admit her own fault.


    "You have known all you need to know. The surgery is tomorrow. You can keep making a fuss.


    Since I''ve had the patience for three years, I can handle another two days." With those words, Seth


    nced at her coldly and stepped out of the room.


    "You two, stay here and watch him," he instructed the nurses, who quickly acknowledged.


    Charlie followed him out, and the assistant was also left to stand guard.


    The four bodyguards remained outside, imprable as a fortress.


    *


    On the way to the hospital, Hugo had woken up, perhaps delirious from the fever; he only


    recognized the scent of Chloe. The usuallypliant child refused to stay in Damon''s arms in the


    car, not crying or fussing, just wanting to be close to Chloe.


    Finally, Chloe took Hugo into her arms and kissed his forehead tenderly. "Hugo, be good, we''re


    almost at the hospital."


    Hugo clung to the fabric of her blouse, nodding and settling obediently into Chloe''s embrace, not


    daring to make a single move. When it was time to get out of the car, Chloe insisted on carrying


    him, leaving Damon no choice but to follow closely at their heels.


    Charlie hustled behind Seth, his mind bracing for the impending lecture. The figure striding ahead


    began to slow and eventually came to a halt. Looking up, Charlie saw two familiar figures entering


    the hospital doors.


    The woman holding a child had an unusually anxious expression.


    "Mr. Harper, Ms. Summers?" Charlie muttered in confusion.


    Seth lifted his foot and headed towards the duo.


    Chloe''s focus was entirely on Hugo, and by the time she realized what was happening, Seth was


    already standing in front of her.


    "Damon," he greeted the man by her side, then nced at her and casually said, "Chloe," before his


    gaze settled on the boy in Chloe''s arms.


    A small boy.


    The sight of his handsome face caught Chloe off guard, causing her eyes to flicker. It wasn''t so


    much that the face was strikingly handsome, but rather that it was thest face she expected to see


    at that moment, and the shock was too much.


    Sensing Seth''s scrutiny, Chloe quickly tucked Hugo''s face into her chest and covered his ears with


    her palm.


    Seth''s eyes narrowed imperceptibly. "This child..."


    Chloe stepped back, and Damon supported her waist from behind, "No time for chit-chat, the kid''s


    running a high fever."


    Seth nodded, and several doctors rushed over in a hurry.


    "Sorry, Mr. Harper."


    Chloe hurried towards the doctors with Hugo in her arms, and as she passed by Seth, his gaze


    lingered on the child she held.


    "Quick, to the ER."


    The doctors swiftly took the child away. Chloe followed suit.


    Seth had to look away because Chloe had her back to him and he couldn''t see much more. Turning


    to Damon with a slight smirk, Seth teased, "Yours?"


    Damon was speechless. Even he wanted to reflect for a moment on just how many "surprise kids"


    he seemed to have.


    Seth chuckled again, "Or maybe hers?"


    Damon''s expression darkened instantly, "Idiot."