Chapter 916

“I don’t know them!” Lena shook her head. Was she joking? Keira pinched her lightly and looped her arm through hers as they continued walking inside. Lena began, “I heard some gossip from my colleagues, something about the Mitchell family of Windy City.”

“Let’s hear it,” Keira said, strolling leisurely alongside her. Meanwhile, Hayden had already marched ahead, carrying the luggage into the hall. He was always efficient and precise, a trait ingrained in his very being from his military days. It showed in his every move, even in his stride.

“A while back, the only legitimate heir of the Mitchell family in Windy City had an accident. Apparently, he fell from something high, hit his head, and ended up as a vegetable,” she said.

Keira had already heard Hayden mention this earlier.

“That’s it?” she pouted dismissively.

Lena huffed. “There’s more. The Mitchell family has spared no expense trying to treat him. They’ve consulted every expert in the country, flown in wave after wave of specialists from abroad. Rumor has it that the airline is ready to give them an award for their contributions to annual revenue.”

“Did it work?” Keira asked casually.

“Not at all. The person is still lying there, completely unresponsive. Since medicine failed them, they’ve turned to less conventional methods—inviting renowned monks, Taoist masters, and even fortune-tellers to take a look. Guess what happened?”

Lena had a knack for storytelling, always knowing how to hook her audience.

“What? They actually found something?” Keira teased.

“Exactly. They said it was karmic retribution. Apparently, the Mitchell family had committed some heinous acts in the past, and now a vengeful spirit had come back for payback. If they want the heir to wake up, they need to settle the debt.”

The idea sounded laughable, but there was some truth in the notion of reaping what you sow. Karma spared no one, after all.

“Did they pay the debt? How did they do it?” Keira asked, intrigued.

“Here’s the funny part—they want to repay the debt, but they can’t figure out how.” Lena chuckled and shook her head.

Keira thought of the car that had been tailing her earlier, with the old man inside. “You think they’re following me because they owe me something?”

Lena froze for a moment and looked at me. “It’s possible.”

Keira laughed. “That’s absurd. I’ve never even crossed paths with them before. This is the first I’m hearing about them. How could they owe me anything?”

“It does sound absurd, but why else would they be following you?” Lena asked.

“How should I know? Hayden’s already sent someone to track them and investigate quietly. Besides, gossip like this gets exaggerated. Maybe it’s just people mocking the Mitchells.” Keira shrugged it off.

Lena, however, looked serious. “Rumors don’t come out of thin air. There must be some truth to it. And if they’ve come to you, there’s definitely a reason. You should talk to Hayden about it.”

As they chatted, they reached the main hall. Hayden was already sitting on the sofa, talking with Aaron.

Keira nudged Lena. “You moved back here to take good care of him, didn’t you?” Lena frowned. “Don’t mention it. I’ve dug myself into a hole I can’t climb out of.” “Then don’t climb out. It’s not so bad staying in there,” Keira teased.

“What’s so good about it? Sometimes I think he might be my mom’s illegitimate child. You have no idea how nervous Aaron gets every time he’s injured,” Lena said, beginning to rant.

Keira burst out laughing. “Dr. Lane, your imagination is incredible. Maybe you should quit delivering babies and start writing TV dramas.”

“I’m serious. My mom cares about my uncle way too much—way more than she does about me. Sometimes I think I might be the child she got in a fire sale,” Lena quipped, poking fun at herself.

Keira played along. “Then hurry up and get a DNA test with your mom.”

“I’m planning to,” she replied seriously, with just three words.

Seeing her expression, Keira quickly tried to talk her out of it. “Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no way you’re not her biological daughter.”

“I’m not joking. I want to do a test with her, me, and Aaron,” Lena said, not sounding like she was kidding.