Zoey perked up as soon as she heard that. “Has Yvette made any progress?”
Somewhat displeased, Sofie shot her daughter an icy look. “You can't keep your emotions in check, so how will you control someone as unbridled as Artemis in the future? If you continue ignoring my advice like this, I'm really going to give up on you.”
Zoey's face clouded over. Now that Zeke has disclosed Bailey's true identity to the public, everyone has been calling me a b*stard who doesn't even know who's my biological father. The Shurmer family isn't going to back me up, and the only person I can rely on is this old hag. I can't afford to have a falling out with her or let things turn sour between us before I get what I want.
“I've been dealing with Bailey for so long and watched as those on my side turned their backs on me one after another. I really have no confidence left. That's why I'm so restless. To make matters worse, after Zeke made Bailey's identity known to the public, I've been bombarded with a flood of one-sided rumors saying I'm a b*stard with an unknown father. I can't look to the Shurmer family for support. The only person I can turn to is you.” She blinked her eyes, squeezing out a trail of tears.
Sofie's gaze turned cold. In a low voice, she replied, “What nonsense is that? You're Clarence Jefferson's daughter. You have a family.”
“But others don't know that. They only think that I'm... that I'm your... Anyway, everyone is frowning upon Clarence's and Rhonda's inappropriate behavior. Having anything to do with them will only mean trouble for me. Hence, I don't want to be associated with that family.”
When Sofie saw Zoey crying bitterly, she softened her tone as she said, “Yvette has arranged everything on her end and is just waiting for the right time to drug Artemis. Just be patient for a couple more days. We'll surely hear of an update after two days.”
“All right. I'll do as you say, Mom.”
That afternoon, Simon and Caridee returned to Hallsbay. The private plane landed directly at the medical base.
The moment Caridee saw Bailey, she threw herself into the latter's arms and asked through her tears, “How's my mother? Is she awake?”
Staring at Caridee's right arm, which had a plaster cast around it and was in a sling, Bailey sighed inwardly. I'm such a jinx. As though it's not enough that I've lived in misery for half my life, I'm even making the Luther family suffer with me.
“She's out of danger. As for whether she'll be able to regain consciousness or when it'll happen, I can't give you a sure answer now. However, you don't have to worry. I'll do everything I can to treat her.” After saying that, Bailey pushed Caridee away slightly and looked at the latter's shoulder. She added, “Since you're back, you should let me examine you. I want to see how serious your injury is and whether it's possible to treat it.”
Caridee gave an unconcerned smile and said, “It's fine. If I can't use this arm, I'll learn to use my left arm. You guys always say I'm young and immature and that my feelings for Veikko are purely out of admiration. Well, I'll use my actions to show all of you that I genuinely like him as a man. For his sake, I can give up my right hand and try to use my left instead.”
Sighing silently, Bailey reached out and stroked her head. She said slowly, “I don't doubt your feelings for him. It's just that someone who lives life on the edge like him isn't suitable for you. The two of you are like the day and night—you'll pass by each other but can never exist as one.”
“I don't believe that. As long as two people truly love each other, they can definitely end up together.”
Bailey could not help but laugh as she pulled Caridee toward the CT scan room. “All right, all right. I believe that your love for Veikko is genuine. Even so, there's no need to sacrifice your arm. Be good and come with me for a check-up so that I can treat your arm properly.”
Caridee still wanted to protest, but Glen's icy glare made her fall silent. “Listen to your sister-in-law and go for a thorough check-up. How will you take care of your husband and children in the future if you can't use your arm?”
Hence, Caridee had no choice but to acquiesce quietly.
In a private room on the second floor of a café located at a street corner, Raiden narrowed his eyes at his mother, who had suddenly turned up at Hallsbay. He said in a low voice, “You shouldn't have come.”
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