Chapter 341

Just down the hall, Samantha and William exited the doctor’s office. Samantha clutched a medical report with a disappointed expression.

“William, I didn’t expect that after all these years, my body still hasn’t recovered.”

William gently held her hand. His voice was soft and reassuring. “It’s okay. The doctor said it takes time. You had major hemorrhaging a few years ago. Your body’s still weak. It’s not something that’ll fix itself overnight. Don’t worry. We’re still young.”

But Samantha gripped the report tightly, and the pitiful look in her eyes slowly gave way to rage.

If it hadn’t been for Rachel back then, she never would’ve lost that child. Rachel was dead, so why was she still ruining her life?

She took a deep breath, sniffled a little, and turned to William. “I’m going to the restroom. Wait for me here.”

“Alright. I’m stepping out for a smoke.”

As Samantha walked toward the bathroom, she passed a corner, and her steps suddenly faltered. She thought she saw something or someone.

She picked up her pace until she was practically running down the hall. By the time she turned the corner, the figure was gone.

She was unsure if her mind was playing tricks on her.

But she’d seen it clearly. That silhouette had looked just like Rachel.

‘Rachel. It’s impossible! Isn’t she dead?’

Suddenly, Samantha’s knees buckled, and she grabbed the wall for support.

Someone tapped on her shoulder from behind.

Samantha jumped and turned around with a gasp. The colour drained from her face, and her eyes were wide with terror.

Chapter 342

When William saw how panicked Samantha looked, he couldn’t help but ask, “What happened?”

Samantha finally breathed a little easier when she realized it was William. She instinctively reached out and gripped the hem of his shirt. “I think I just saw Rachel.”

William’s brows furrowed instantly. “What did you say? You saw Rachel?”

“I only caught a glimpse. It was quick, and I can’t be sure. Besides, Rachel hasn’t shown up for years. Maybe she’s no longer alive. William, maybe I was seeing things.”

Samantha noticed the way William’s expression changed the moment he heard Rachel’s name. All these years, she knew he’d still been secretly looking for Rachel.

William frowned and thought for a moment. “Maybe you didn’t imagine it.”

Samantha trembled all over. She looked at him in alarm. “What do you mean? You think I really saw Rachel?”

“Think about it. The police only ever filed a missing person report; she was never confirmed dead. And I heard Jim’s in critical condition. He’s in this very hospital."

“Rachel’s someone who values family above all else. If she’s still alive, and she knows her father’s dying, there’s no way she’d stay away.”

William clenched his fists.

Why hadn’t he thought of using Jim to draw Rachel out sooner?

All these years, he had waited in vain. None of his searches were fruitful. He couldn’t stop wondering. He had mobilized so many people, yet Rachel had hidden herself flawlessly.

Samantha noticed the shift in his gaze. It was no longer the same as before. She pursed her lips. There was a look of displeasure in her eyes.

Was William still thinking about rekindling things with Rachel?

Before she could dwell on it, William turned to her. “I heard Jim is on this floor. If who you saw really was Rachel, we might find her if we go to him.”

With that, William strode down the hallway toward the wards.

Samantha watched him from behind. Her lips parted as if to say something, but in the end, she swallowed it.

She also wanted to know if Rachel was dead or alive. This blade had hung over her all these years. It was time to end this, one way or another.

She followed William to Jim’s ward. Inside, Jim lay in bed, his face pale and his body unmoving. He seemed half asleep.

William leaned in close and softly called out, “Mr. Lloyd.”

Jim’s eyelids twitched slightly but he didn’t open his eyes.

A wave of unease suddenly hit Samantha. If Rachel really had returned, would William still want her? She hadn’t realized just how much Rachel’s disappearance had affected him back then.

If they saw each other again, and the old feelings came back-

No. She couldn’t risk it.

Samantha stepped forward and tried to change his mind. “William, I must’ve been mistaken. Rachel’s probably not even alive anymore. Let’s just go.”

Even William started to think maybe it was just wishful thinking. If Rachel had come back, surely he would’ve heard something by now.

He sighed softly. “Alright. Let’s go.”

Just as they turned to leave, the door to the ward suddenly swung open.

When Rachel saw the message, her heart sank. Tyler really had eyes and ears everywhere. It hadn’t even been that long, and he already had her number figured out.

There was no way she’d let him know he got to her, so she didn’t even bother replying.

Just as she was about to put her phone away, another message popped up.

[You’ve got three seconds to reply, or I’ll come drag you out myself.]

Rachel’s hand actually trembled a little.

She was seriously starting to wonder if Tyler had installed some kind of tracker on the back of her head. How else could he always know exactly what she was thinking?

She didn’t have time to ponder. She knew all too well that if Tyler said he’d do something, he meant it.

Grabbing her phone, she rushed to type a reply, only to blank out. Suddenly, she was unsure of what to even say.

Three seconds flew by in a heartbeat.

In her panic, all she managed to send was a single punctuation mark.

That technically counted as a reply, right?

She soon received a message.

[Is that your new way of texting?]

Rachel nearly rolled her eyes.

[Didn’t you say I had three seconds?]

Tyler read the message and let out an amused scoff.

[Now you’re suddenly all obedient?]

Rachel wasn’t in the mood to play games with him.

[Mr. Hunt, if you have something to say, please get to the point.]

Jim didn’t have much time left. She needed to take care of his final wishes, and with the mess at the Lloyd family, there was still a lot to settle.

She wanted to do this right for him.

[We’ll settle the score tomorrow. Let me give you a bit of advice, Rachel. Whatever schemes you’re cooking up, keep them away from me. You’re smart, but not as smart as you think.]

Rachel smiled. She didn’t take him seriously.

She just let him talk without responding.

When she realized Tyler hadn’t mentioned her going over to see him tonight, she finally sighed in relief. At least her little stunt had worked. She hadn’t caused this whole mess for nothing.

“Water-“ Jim’s weak voice broke through her thoughts, mumbling as he stirred in his sleep.

Rachel instantly put her phone away and stood up. “Hold on, Dad. I’ll get you some.”

She grabbed the thermos and walked out of the room.