Chapter 453
Chapter 453
“Dad, Mom’s gonna be mad if she finds out about this.”
Just as I was about to get into my car, I heard Hiram’s voice ring out behind me, directed at Neil.
I turned around to see Hiram earnestly speaking to Neil. “Mom’s gonna get jealous; you can’t be helping other women out of their problems.”
Where did this little rascal get all these notions?
“How did you manage to leave the house by yourself? Don’t your grandparents find it odd that you’re missing?” Neil returned with a question that effectively silenced Hiram.
Hiram’s eyes spun around in his head, but he didn’t say a word.
“I’m heading out,” I announced to Neil, then got into my car and drove off.
My mood was soured, mostly due to those two blind salesmen who had managed to irritate me. As for Neil and Hiram’s conversation, I didn’t really pay much mind to it.
Once I got home, I checked on Serena and Brandon before turning my attention to researching the photography studio. The information was easy to find, including some of the studio’s sneaky practices. They had been exposed by local media before, but it hadn’t caused much of a stir, likely because someone had managed to suppress the news.
This made things easier.
I continued digging into the studio owner’s background. To my surprise, a familiar name appeared. Louis Aldridge?
I momentarily blanked out. It had been a while since I’d heard that name. I didn’t know many people in Eldoria and rarely went out. Bonnie had been locked up, and I had sent Malinda back home with a sum of money. As for where Louis was, I had never paid much attention.
Was he still with Whitmore Co.? I had warned Neil before. Had he taken my advice to heart?
My intuition told me something was off. Louis hadn’t always been the majority shareholder of the studio. He had only taken over six months ago.
For a moment, my thoughts were in disarray. I couldn’t figure out what Louis was up to. If he harbored ill intentions towards Neil, surely Neil would’ve sensed it by now.
I closed the web page and sat there, gathering my thoughts, when my phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID gave me a headache.
It was Kitty.
“Irene, I’m sorry. My dad’s not doing well. Can you help me?” Kitty’s voice was urgent, laced with a hint of tears. Given her personality, she must be facing something truly distressing.
“Kitty, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, it’s that I can’t. You know the situation with Karina and I, and I can’t ask Neil for help.” I hardened my heart and chose to refuse. If it was a simple favor, maybe I would’ve reconsidered. But not when it involves Karina.
“We should meet up first. I’m right outside your house,” Kitty added.
Upon hearing this, I was taken aback.
1/3
10:18
How did Kitty know where I was living?
Since she was already here, I couldn’t turn her away. I hung up the phone and went to open the door.
Sure enough, Kitty was standing at my doorstep, dragging along a suitcase. It had been a while since we last met.
Kitty, who used to sport short hair, now had it grown to shoulder-length.
The once vibrant and flamboyant Kitty seemed to have lost her energy, revealing a look of weariness and helplessness. Upon spotting me, her eyes lit up momentarily before she let out a wry smile. “Irene, you must be living a happy life. It must feel completely different from before.”
One’s well-being can indeed be deduced from their demeanor.
During my years of obsession with Neil, I was practically a walking corpse. When I went out with Stella and the others, my mind was always on Neil. They always said that Neil was my soul.
After settling in Eldoria, I was with my parents and had Serena and Brandon, two adorable little ones. Although I no longer had love in my life, I was filled with happiness. My days were simple and pure, without any mental strain.
So naturally, my complexion improved.
“Yes, it’s pretty good. Come inside and sit down,” I took Kitty’s suitcase and invited her in. While we weren’t close friends, she had spoken up for me on a few occasions and had always been supportive. Kitty entered the yard but didn’t go into the living room. She chose to sit on a chair instead. “I heard that Dr. Karina works here at the local hospital. I brought my dad over first, hoping to ask her in person. Maybe she’ll have some compassion.”
That wasn’t a bad idea. If Karina had even a shred of sympathy, she might soften.
I brought Kitty a glass of water from the living room and washed some fruit for her. She looked like she hadn’t slept well, with noticeable dark circles under her eyes. After a sip of water, she asked, “Irene, are you really with Russel now?”
I replied honestly, “Yes, I am.”
“That’s good. I thought Neil couldn’t let you go and would try to win you back. But I didn’t expect him to get involved with Bonnie again. After Bonnie’s imprisonment, Karina showed up. Your relationship with him is really complicated,” Kitty sighed.
“Yes, it’s best that you didn’t get involved. I warned you from the start that Neil isn’t a good man. Chasing after him would only bring you trouble,” I said with a calm smile.
Those events seemed like a distant past now. Although Neil and I still had some connections, at least there were no emotional entanglements.
Kitty responded in a low voice, “I don’t mind getting into trouble. That’s just who I am. But my dad suddenly fell ill, and I had no choice but to stop. I’ve been running around seeking medical help recently. I don’t have the time to think about love.”
I nodded in understanding. Given her personality, she would’ve pursued Neil no matter what. The more problematic Neil was, the more she wanted to conquer him.
Kitty was forced to pause in her pursuit of Neil.
We chatted for about half an hour before the hospital called. Daniel’s condition had worsened, and they needed Kitty to rush over immediately.
“Alright, I’m on my way!” Kitty rose to her feet almost instantly, her voice strained with urgency.
“I’m coming with you.” I responded decisively. If they hadn’t been around, I might have hesitated. But knowing they were here, it would be heartless not to pay them a visit.
Kitty flashed me a grateful smile before leading the way to the hospital.
Once we arrived, I saw her father, Daniel. He was alarmingly weak, his frame thinned dramatically. He was a far cry from the robust figure he had been when we last shared a meal, almost unrecognizable.
