Chapter 666

The more Caleb looked at Skylar, the more convinced he became that Joe was a wolf in sheep's clothing. He'd believed this since childhood, and his conviction only deepened.

Skylar chuckled. "A family member was hospitalized last night. I worried all night and didn't sleep. Let's go; I need coffee."

Caleb scratched his head, feeling awkward. "Sorry, I misunderstood." He still believed Joe was deceptive, and that Skylar was merely blinded by appearances. One day, she would see Joe's true nature.

Edwin and Molly arrived at the hospital around noon. Molly remained outside the ward. Gloria was having lunch—a light chicken soup—when Edwin entered.

"Mom, how are you feeling?" Edwin asked.

Gloria gave him a cool look. "A bit better," she replied flatly. She was alive, at least, and hadn't been angered to death. She was holding on.

Edwin was accustomed to his mother's coldness. He spoke gently, "I brought tomato soup. Dr. Colon approved it." Molly had painstakingly prepared the soup that morning.

Gloria nodded. "That's thoughtful. I'll have it later." Edwin knew this gesture was Molly's idea; he wasn't one for such things. Molly's patience and strategy had kept her by his side for years, yet their past actions still sickened Gloria. Their inability to have children, even through IVF, felt like divine retribution.

"Mom, I was wrong last night. I shouldn't have argued. You would never hurt Joe," Edwin said softly.

Gloria's expression softened slightly. "You're right. No one else would protect Joe like I will."

"He's my son, my only child. I care about him deeply and would never harm him. Mom, we both want what's best for him," Edwin continued.

Gloria frowned. "You may want children, but none of your partners could bear them. You didn't care about Joe when you were younger. Now that you're older, you want to be a father? Isn't it too late? Joe can handle things himself. He's not the child who needed protection. You need to accept him as he is and stop meddling."

"Mom, I'm still his father. I would never harm him," Edwin said, frowning. He'd been a foolish young man, and everyone around him had been similarly undisciplined. He never anticipated his body's limitations. Gloria interrupted, "Joe is far more disciplined and self-controlled than you. He demands exceptionally high standards of himself. Yes, you are his father, but you fall far short of him."

That was a fact. The Martin family hadn't passed the business to Edwin due to his lack of capability. Joe had taken over Martin Group at twenty, and under his leadership, it thrived.

Edwin's face darkened, his insecurities laid bare. "Mom, there's no point discussing this now. The most important thing is your health and recovery."