Chapter 227

Noelle quickly realized she might have gone too far. Ever since she teased Adriel about being "norrspalte," he had refused to talk, despite every attempt she made to engage him. His face remained dark, and the silent treatment lasted all the way to the hospital.

When they reached Vincent's hospital room, Adriel knocked lightly on the door and stepped inside.

Kimberly was at Vincent’s bedside, feeding him porridge as he sat up, pale and visibly weakened.

“Dad, Mom,” Adriel greeted as he walked in.

Noelle followed close behind, chirping sweetly, “Dad, Mom! We came to see you!”

Kimberly turned at the sound of their voices and smiled warmly. “Adriel, Noelle–you’re here?”

Her gaze then shifted to the girl clinging to Noelle’s arm and peeking around cautiously. A hint of hesitation flickered. "And this..."

Noticing her mother’s curiosity, Noelle gently pulled Elsie forward and smiled. “Mom, this is Elsie. Adriel brought her home with him.”

Elsie gave Kimberly a shy glance before darting behind Noelle again, peeking out just enough to watch both Kimberly and Vincent with guarded curiosity.

“Ah…” Kimberly nodded slowly, eyeing the girl again. Maybe I’m just exhausted, she thought. But… Is it just me, or does this girl’s...

Turning back to Adriel, she asked, “Adriel, this girl is…”

But before she could finish, Adriel cut her off with a calm, “I’ll explain everything about Elsie later, Mom.”

He shifted his attention to Vincent, concern evident in his eyes. “Dad, how are you feeling? Still uncomfortable? Where’s your medical report? I’ll take a look later.”

Vincent had visibly aged in just a few days. His face was pale and drawn, and though he managed a faint smile, his voice was weak. “Aside from feeling a little drained, I’m alright. The report’s in the drawer–go ahead and read it.”

“Alright,” Adriel replied, taking a seat beside his father. He reached out and gently held Vincent’s cold hand. “You’ve suffered a lot this time, Dad.”

Vincent gave him a tired smile and shook his head.

Adriel continued, “Leia has been taken into custody. The court will handle everything from here. Is there anything you’d like us to tell the lawyer?”

At the mention of Leia, Vincent’s expression darkened. A shadow passed over his eyes as he sank into silence. He had never imagined that the daughter he’d raised for eighteen years would actually try to poison him. And all because she believed the Anderson family had somehow wronged... The pain in his chest still surged every time her name came up.

It wasn’t just betrayal–it was heartbreak.

Closing his eyes, Vincent said flatly, “Leave everything about... I don’t want to hear her name again.”

“Understood,” Adriel replied.

Noelle stepped forward then, sitting on the other side of the bed and taking Vincent’s other hand in hers. “Dad, you have to get well soon. I’ve prepared some herbal remedies to help you recover. I had the hospital check them first–they’re all safe and approved.”

Hearing that, Vincent turned to look at her. Seeing how gentle and thoughtful she was, he couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotion. It was his non-biological daughter who proved to be the most caring.

Worried she might think he didn’t trust her, he quickly said, “Noelle, I know you mean well. Even if you hadn’t shown them to the hospital, I’d still trust your judgment.”

Noelle smiled brightly. “I know you trust me, Dad. But hospitals have protocols. I had to get approval before they administer anything.”

Vincent smiled indeed, eyes warm despite his fatigue. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

Elsie watched the exchange with wide eyes, curious. She didn't quite understand why Noelle was being so affectionate with someone who clearly wasn’t the same as them.

Vincent subtly shifted as he felt her soft, strange touch. His gaze landed on Elsie again, and he turned to Adriel. “Noelle said she's the girl you brought back with you?”

Adriel stiffened at the question, replying with calm formality, "Yes. I met her overseas and brought her home."

Vincent looked at him for a long moment, expression unreadable.

Among his sons, Adriel was the one he trusted most. He was steady, rational, and always prioritized the family name. Vincent had always expected Adriel to take over the Anderson legacy. And with that expectation came restrictions. Adriel had never brought home a girlfriend, had never once...

But now, he had not only brought a girl back, but also brought her here—to Vincent’s hospital room, on a day like this.

Vincent understood what that implied.

Still, he didn’t object. Not immediately. Instead, he asked carefully, “Adriel... you know what you’re doing, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Adriel nodded without hesitation. “I understand the implications. And I take full responsibility. I will not only protect this family’s legacy–I will make sure it thrives.”

Elsie’s background was unknown, and by high-society standards, she was completely unfit for a political marriage. If Adriel chose her, he would face resistance. Without the advantages of a strategic union, he’d have to work twice as hard to prove himself.

But he had no regrets.

Even if his father disagreed, Adriel had already made up his mind.

Vincent saw that clearly in his son’s eyes. He sighed deeply, but instead of reprimanding him, he simply said, “After everything that’s happened... I’ve come to realize parents shouldn’t always assume they know what’s best. What we believe is right might not feel that way to our children.”

He thought of Leia. He’d believed he treated her fairly—maybe a bit strict, maybe a little distant—but he’d never imagined she’d resent him so much she’d try to kill him. That one mistake had nearly destroyed the family.

And Vincent wasn’t sure he could survive another betrayal.

“Dad!” Adriel looked up, hopeful.

Vincent gave him a small, peaceful smile. “If she’s who you want, that’s enough. You boys have turned out better than I could have hoped. Whether the Anderson family grows or not–it’s not what matters to me anymore. As long as you’re all happy, that’s enough.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Adriel had expected a fight. Knowing his father’s traditional mindset, he had prepared himself for a tough conversation. But he hadn’t anticipated such easy acceptance.

Clearly, Leia’s betrayal had shaken Vincent to his core, enough to change his worldview.

Still, Adriel wouldn’t let his father down. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll take the Anderson family to even greater heights.”

“Good,” Vincent smiled, nodding.

Then his gaze returned to Elsie. “So, your name’s Elsie. What’s your full name?”

Elsie blinked, eyes confused.

Vincent noticed the hesitation and grew puzzled himself. “Elsie?”

She blinked again, then murmured, "Ee... ya..."

Hearing the odd sounds from her lips, a chill crept into Vincent’s heart. A sudden, unsettling thought took root.