Chapter 178 Not Stooping To Her Level
“Is that so?” Madelyn glanced at the two of them, her gaze icy.
Just a moment ago, Madelyn had clearly caught the fleeting look in their eyes, a clear sign that something fishy was going on.
“Yeah. Dad has recovered. You don’t have to worry anymore,” Eunice added.
Madelyn broke into a smirk. “Regardless of whether there’s a reason for me to worry, I’ll only know once I’ve seen him.”
After she finished speaking, Madelyn swiftly turned around and ascended the stairs.
Eunice’s heart tightened. “Hey!”
Regina grasped Eunice’s hand without hesitation. “Don’t worry, let her go. There’s no way she can notice anything amiss.”
Before long, Madelyn arrived at her father’s room.
When she walked in, Derek was lying on the bed, engrossed in a newspaper. He seemed to be in good spirits and nothing appeared out of the ordinary.
Only then did Madelyn breathe a sigh of relief. She stepped inside, asking, “Dad, are you alright? Do you feel any discomfort?”
“Maddie? When did you come back?” Derek looked up to see his darling daughter, a sight that filled him with joy.
Madelyn walked over and sat by the bed, tucking her father into his blanket.
Then, she gently said, “Dad, you are sick. Of course I came back to see you.”
Derek nodded, feeling quite comforted.
“But why didn’t you tell me when you fell ill? I was worried sick,” Madelyn said in a hurt tone before leaning into her father’s embrace.
In that moment, Derek felt a surge of warmth deep within his heart.
It seems like this girl has truly changed.
Back when she was living in the Thornton residence, Derek had always indulged her to the point of spoiling her. As a result, she had grown to become extremely willful and arrogant.
Even when he caught a cold and coughed, Madelyn was indifferent and couldn’t care less about it.
However, the present Madelyn had become so caring that he felt like he meant the world to her, a fact that brought tremendous comfort to Derek.
He then patted Madelyn on the shoulder, reassuring her, “Madelyn, there’s no need to worry about me. I’m…”
Holding the thought, Madelyn held her father even tighter. Her voice was soft as she said, “Dad, you have to promise me, you’ll take good care of yourself. After mom passed away, you’re the only family I have left in this world. I hope that one day, you’ll be able to hold your grandchild in your own arms.”
Upon hearing these words, Derek couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
He gently patted her head, jokingly saying, “I would love to hold my grandchild too, but that’s really up to you and Sebastian. My dear Maddie, while you’re still young, it would be best to have a few more. That would give me more chubby little kids to hold, and that would just be perfect.”
Upon hearing this, Madelyn’s face immediately flushed with embarrassment. “What the heck, Dad? Why are you treating me like a baby-making machine?”
Derek gave a gentle smile. “Of course not. I just hope you can quickly continue the Lockhart family line. Seeing you start your own family sooner rather than later will put me at ease.”
Upon hearing these words, Madelyn finally felt a great deal of relief.
So, she said with a laugh, “Dad, don’t worry, I will certainly try my best. I’ll strive to give you a grandchild as soon as possible, alright?”
“Alright, alright, Maddie, it seems like you’ve turned into quite the ideal wife and mother, haven’t you?”
As Derek spoke, he found himself laughing, feeling an extraordinary sense of happiness.
Unbeknownst to others, Eunice had come up at some point, carrying a bowl of medicine, and had been eavesdropping from outside the door.
The words she heard triggered a bitter feeling in her heart.
So, she walked in, scoffed coldly, and deliberately said in a provoking manner, “Dad, I think you should give up on this idea. Given Madelyn’s temperament, it would be a true miracle if she could turn into a dutiful wife and good mother.”
Upon hearing these words, Derek was instantly displeased. “Mind your tongue! This is your sister we’re talking about. You should be wishing the best for her and not be making such sarcastic remarks!”
“Alright, alright, I understand,” Eunice replied, her tone laced with displeasure.
Then, she placed the medicine she was holding onto the table and said, “Dad, it’s time for you to take your medicine.”
Derek nodded, turning his gaze toward Madelyn. With a warm and gentle tone, he advised, “Madelyn, don’t mind your sister.”
Madelyn gave a nonchalant smile, not seeming to care much. However, her gaze remained fixed on the medicine in Eunice’s hand.
Eunice was seen holding a bowl; within it was a large serving of dark brown medicinal brew that emitted a bitter smell.
Madelyn couldn’t help but frown, asking, “What kind of medicine is this? Why does it smell so bitter?”
“It’s a medicine that mom requested. It’s a calming medicine for Dad, meant to aid his swift recovery.”
After speaking, she brought the medicine up to Derek’s lips.
Without any doubt, Derek picked up the bowl directly. With his eyes shut, he swallowed the bitter medicine in one gulp.
After finishing his medicine, he yawned and said, “Ah, I’ve been reading the newspaper all day. I’m really quite tired now.”
After speaking, he turned to Madelyn. “Madelyn, if you’ve nothing on, why not stay? We could all have dinner together as a family, what do you think?”
Madelyn gave a slight nod, not refusing, “Alright, Dad, you should rest up. We’ll head downstairs now.”
With that, Madelyn took Eunice with her as they left the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
At that moment, Eunice shot her a fierce glare, silently cursing her as a “jinx.”
Then, she briskly descended the stairs with the medicine bowl in hand and handed it over to the elderly butler.
Madelyn was on the second floor, observing her actions. She then glanced at the butler, narrowing her eyes slightly.
After a while, Madelyn stood in the backyard, instructing someone to summon the butler.
Then she asked, “What exactly is wrong with my father’s health?”
Upon hearing this, the butler honestly replied, “Actually, it’s not a major issue. The doctor suggested that it might be due to excessive fatigue and lack of rest, which has resulted in temporary weakness in the limbs.”
The words brought a subtle flicker to Madelyn’s eyes.
The butler has served my father for many years. He is unlikely to lie.
So, she leaned closer to the butler and whispered, “Could you possibly get me a portion of the medicine my father has been taking?”
“Ms. Thornton, what do you need it for?” The butler asked, somewhat puzzled.
After giving it some thought, Madelyn said, “Eunice told me that this medicine is particularly effective calming medicine. Given that I’ve been suffering from lack of sleep and a poor mental state lately, I thought I might as well give it a try.”
Upon hearing this, the butler didn’t think much of it and nodded. “Alright then.”
“By the way,” Madelyn suddenly instructed, “don’t mention this to Regina. If the medicine works, I'll get it myself. If it doesn’t, I’ll just forget it. Understand?”
The butler nodded. “Understood.”