Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 278

Carter's extended hospital stay had the rest of the Harrington family in a frenzy of anxiety.

This panic intensified when the Harringtons lost a massive national-level contract. After some digging, Douglas found out the Vance and Shaw families were behind it, clearly stepping up to back Emma.

As a result, Douglas summoned his youngest son, whom he had previously exiled to a remote villa, back to the Harrington estate for a serious talking-to.

"Stop scowling. You look too intense," Pamela said softly, pushing his wheelchair.

Raymond kept his face rigid. "I never should have allowed Emma and Carter to get married."

"What good would your permission do? Carter and Emma eloped. They didn't exactly need your approval for their own relationship," Pamela gently countered.

She let out a soft huff and patted his shoulder.

"Be reasonable. Like the saying goes, better to tear down ten temples than ruin one marriage. I'm not trying to speak ill of your mother, but she was in the wrong here. When she went on that hunger strike, did she consider Carter for even a second?

If the future head of the family was branded as the man who starved his own grandmother to death, what would their social circle think? How was Carter supposed to establish any authority in the family with that hanging over him?"

Pamela's gentle but firm defense of Carter made Raymond sigh heavily.

"Gillian is the one you actually raised. Why are you constantly taking Emma's side?" Raymond looked at his wife with helpless affection, silently worrying about her soft-hearted nature. She was too easy to bully.

Pamela smiled. "I side with what's right, not with blood. When Gillian makes a mistake, I call her out too."

"You're just far too kind."

Raymond's expression finally softened as he added, "For your sake, I'll be diplomatic when I talk to them."

Pamela beamed happily. The two soon arrived outside Carter's room, where Director Courtney was waiting personally to greet them.

"Raymond, are you here for a check-up? Are your legs bothering you again? I'll have the staff prepare immediately."

Director Courtney offered an overly eager smile. Pamela immediately waved her off. "No need. We're here to visit Carter. How is he doing?"

Director Courtney provided a truthful summary of Carter's condition. Remembering his wife had recently been complaining of aches, Raymond turned to her. "Why don't you go get checked out?"

Pamela was clearly reluctant to leave Raymond alone with the couple. "I'm worried you'll end up fighting again. If I'm not there, no one will be able to talk you down."

"Just go get your check-up. I'll handle things properly." Raymond squeezed her hand tenderly before instructing Director Courtney, "Take her for an exam. She's been complaining of a chill in her legs lately."

Emma, who was already awake and listening in the room, frowned sharply at that statement.

Built with his investments? Did that mean the fifty million dollars used to establish Mercy Private Hospital came from Raymond?

Was it a coincidence, or was Raymond inextricably linked to the baby swap from twenty-three years ago?

But that made no sense. He would have been barely twenty back then, and the Lockwood family hadn't possessed a fraction of the influence they had today.

Raymond had zero motive to orchestrate such a thing.

"Truth be told, I had my eye on Garrison City back when I was still in school. The medical sector here was incredibly advanced. If it weren't for that accident back then, Metropolitan Medical Center wouldn't be the top hospital in the country right now."

Emma sat up in bed. She wanted to probe directly to see if Raymond knew Director Courtney was involved in the baby swap.

But before she could even swing her legs off the bed, Carter seemingly read her mind and asked the question first.

"Uncle Raymond, did you personally select the director of this hospital?"