Chapter 399

Damien was back. News of Ms. Robert's unconsciousness spread rapidly, and another reporter arrived with a camera. Nora agreed to a brief interview, weeping sadly: “My grandmother has always been very strong. There’s been a lot happening with Crystal lately. We were afraid she was too old to handle it, so we didn't tell her. But we don't know how the news leaked. She heard Crystal cut her wrists and attempted suicide, rushed to the hospital, and suffered a heart attack. The doctor says her condition is serious, and I don't know when she'll wake up.”

Nora implicitly blamed Olive for Mrs. Robert’s condition, intensifying public outrage. “Olive is terrible! She drove Crystal to attempt suicide, and now her worried grandmother is in the hospital!” “I think Olive wants to destroy the Robert and Paulo families. She’s so awful!”

After the interview, Nora entered the intensive care unit. The room was quiet; the old woman lay comatose, her heart rate monitor erratic. Crystal arrived, hearing the commotion. Seeing her grandmother unconscious, she wasn't upset, but breathed a sigh of relief. Remembering her affection for Olive, Crystal felt it was fortunate her grandmother was in a coma—perhaps she should have been for much longer.

Crystal whispered to Nora, “Mom, how did you do it? Won't you be discovered?” Nora hushed her. The matter was secure; no one would suspect. She was secretive and didn't want to discuss it further.

Crystal nodded understandingly. “Mom, let’s go. Grandma has a nurse. I'm afraid to be alone at night.”

“Okay, let’s go,” Nora replied, feigning concern. With the reporter gone, she had no intention of staying. She hated her grandmother.

As they left, two figures appeared—a handsome, distinguished man leading the way. Damien had returned! Mrs. Robert had said he would arrive tomorrow, but he was here tonight. Dressed in a black suit and tie, he looked as if he’d just left an important business meeting. His handsome face was like a statue; his noble bearing seemed both unattainable and ruthless. He and Alpha were Imperial's two giants.

Nora stopped. She hadn't expected Damien's return, and his presence stirred her. Crystal, too, was surprised. She ran to him, crying, “Daddy!” She embraced him, burying her face in his lap. “Daddy, you’re finally back. I missed you so much.” Damien touched her head. She was his daughter, and he loved her as much as his grandmother.

Nora's eyebrows furrowed. She longed for their happiness together. Now, with the old lady incapacitated, she was closer to her goal.

Approaching Damien, her workplace demeanor softened. “Damien, you’re back! Why didn't you tell us you were coming?”

Damien released Crystal and glanced at Nora. “No need.” His aloofness was unchanged. Nora’s face paled; her body stiffened.

Damien entered the ICU. Nora tried to follow, but Logan, his butler, stopped her. “Sorry, madam, you can’t enter.”

“Why not?” she asked, panicked. “I’ll tell Damien about the old lady’s condition.”

“No need. Ariana is here; the boss will know,” Logan replied smoothly.

Ariana, the capable nanny, arrived and entered with Damien. Nora was left outside, satisfied that she’d left no trace.

Inside, Damien covered Mrs. Robert with a blanket. A nurse whispered, “Don’t worry. Before Nora arrived, Miss Hart secretly sent someone with heart medication.”

Miss Hart? Damien knew his grandmother cherished a girl named Hart, whom she wanted to adopt, but he'd never met her. He removed his jacket. “What’s going on?”

Ariana shook her head. “I don’t know. Miss Hart said nothing, only that the old lady should take medication. She’ll explain further at the Augustine-Paulo wedding.”

Damien looked at Ariana. “You’ve been loyal to the old lady, but you seem to trust Olive, almost obeying her. It’s unusual for you to be so subservient.”

Ariana smiled. “Master, you’ll understand when you meet Miss Hart. She’s lovely. I feel…she’s like the old lady.” Ariana had seen Mrs. Robert's youthful spirit in Olive—the intelligence and courage of a family matriarch.

That evening, Damien showered and changed into black silk pajamas. Nora, in a red dress, awaited him, approaching with a seductive smile. “Damien…” Damien calmly avoided her touch.