Chapter 42

On the other end of the line, Miranda was stunned. The image of Hansel and Ingrid holding hands in her photo resurfaced in her mind.

She said mildly, "If you don't feel well, go to the hospital. I'm not a doctor." She hung up. Her tone was casual, as if she were speaking to a stranger.

Hansel clenched his jaw, shaking with anger. He smashed the phone against the wall, shattering it.

Martha was shocked. That was her phone!

Hansel's blood boiled at Miranda's words. His stomach pain intensified. Defiantly, he went upstairs and locked himself in his room.

Did she think he couldn't live without her? Ridiculous!

Martha stared at the broken phone. Thinking of the call, she shook her head and sighed. She didn't understand Hansel's actions. Miranda was such a nice girl. How could he have pushed her away?

That afternoon, after cleaning, Martha knocked on Hansel's bedroom door before leaving. "Mr. Johnson?"

There was no reply. Assuming he was still angry, she left.

Later that afternoon, Tina drove to the mansion. Using her fingerprint, she entered, feeling at home.

"Hans, I'm here on Mom's orders. It's about the Quaker family's daughter, a professor at Columbus University—Hans? Are you there?"

She frowned. Hansel's phone rang beside her; it was on the coffee table. He must be home.

After a moment, she went upstairs. "Hans, are you in there? Mom wants you to have dinner with the Quakers. Are you listening?"

She knocked repeatedly, but there was no response. What was going on?

Furrowing her brow, she called Martha.

"Mr. Johnson has been home all day. He didn't look well earlier. I think his stomach problems were bothering him. If it's completely quiet, I hope he hasn't fainted."

Tina quickly used a spare key to open Hansel's room. As she expected, he lay motionless on the floor, his face pale.

"Hans!"

The cool IV drip seemed to ease Hansel's intense pain. He opened his eyes wearily. His throat was parched. "Water."

Calvin quickly brought him water. After drinking, Hansel shook his head, asking Calvin to put the glass away.

"Hans, are you feeling better? Tina called and said you fainted. We were so scared, we rushed over."

"That's right, Hans. You seemed fine earlier, so this was a fright!"

Hansel looked around the hospital room; Sam, Zach, and others were there. Tina watched worriedly from his bedside. Even Evelyn had come.

Miranda was absent.

Hansel's lip twitched. She was cruel.

"How's my condition?"

Calvin replied, "The doctor said it was caused by irregular meals and excessive drinking. You… burned a hole in your stomach."

Tina gasped. "Hans, I nearly died seeing you like that! My soul almost left my body!"

"Fortunately, you're fine. The doctor wants you to focus on recovering."

Evelyn's expression was stormy. Seeing his frail state, she couldn't contain her anger. "Where's Miranda? She's not here after this?"

(The final "+15 BONUS BIG SALE 3500 bonus free fou you" appears to be unrelated and likely spam.)