Chapter 221
The landscape outside the car window kept changing, and I had no clue where he was taking me. Nor did I understand why he, of all people, had something-or someone to hide. “Stop the car!” I yelled at the driver upfront.
“Don’t you dare stop!” Richard gripped my wrist tightly. “We gotta end the pregnancy today, or else p>
He paused, and I quickly retorted, “Or else you’ll turn me into a corpse, right? Richard, just kill me p>
“I would never kill you. Never!” He stared at me, his eyes a crazy blend of fear and determination, and hugged me tightly.
“Then who wants to turn me into a corpse, to make those girls into corpses?” I challenged him, but he remained silent.
I knew then p>
There wasn’t a soul in this world who could force Richard’s hand or silence him like this.
“I can’t figure out why Tracey would take the fall for you. She loves Max, doesn’t she p>
Richard’s silence deepened.
“Did you use Max to threaten her? Is that why she took the blame p>
“Claire, stop guessing. Knowing more won’t do you any good. Let’s just go through with the procedure, and everything will be fine, okay p>
I pushed him away.
“This child is my life.” I gotta protect my kid, who I lost in my previous life, no matter what in this one. “If you don’t stop the car, I’ll jump out!” “Claire p>
Richard sighed heavily and finally instructed the driver to stop. But just then, our car was rear-ended, causing the driver to brake sharply. Surrounding us, cars halted, and bodyguards swarmed in. I recognized these men; they were the Hilton family’s bodyguards.
Max, still in his lab coat, hurried out of his car and swiftly opened our door, lifting me from the vehicle.
I had never seen such a cold, ruthless look in his eyes. With a side glance, he signaled the bodyguards to drag Richard out and start beating him.
“Claire, don’t go with him! He can’t protect you! You’ll be in danger!” Even as Richard was being beaten, he kept repeating this warning.
Max halted his steps. “Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let anything happen to Claire. And you, stay away from her, or next time it won’t be so easy p>
Max gently placed me inside the car, his expression complicated. “You don’t trust me p>
I was stunned. Indeed, before this, I had doubted Max, even planned to flee.
“Is nothing I do enough to match Richard’s place in your heart?” His voice was tinged with sorrow.
I tried to speak, to argue, but he coldly shut the car door, not even sharing a ride with me.
Helen, sitting in the front, tearfully said, “Ms. Claire, it’s good you’re alright. Mr. Hilton rushed here from the operating table when he heard Richard had taken you.” Watching his departing figure, I realized how desperate he must have been, knowing I was with Richard.
But who could I trust?
I wanted to get out, but the doors were locked. Seeing Max ditch his lab coat and march up to Richard, looking all mad and resolute, I felt utterly powerless.
“Don’t, Max, don’t hit Richard My tears couldn’t be held back any longer.
“Ms. Claire, it was Richard who
came to Mr. Hilton last night,
wanting to test your trust in him. Mr.
Hilton refused, for your sake, but
today Richard used Tracey to test you. Mr. Hilton has never wronged you p>
What could I do? I couldn’t even trust myself anymore.
“Max, I trust you, please stop p>
QUMS
Richard was suffering, and I knew his pain. I even knew the real culprit was the dean’s mother. Richard was only trying to protect his own mother.
“Helen, please, make Max stop.” My voice was hoarse from crying.
“Ms. Claire, don’t you hate him? He had already arranged for the surgery, intending to take you to terminate the pregnancy p>
I knew… I knew it all.
But Richard was trapped. He was scared I’d be in danger if I had the kid, knowing his mom would hurt me. He wanted to keep me safe, but also didn’t want to cross his mom.
en
His burden was heavier than mine.
swr
“I don’t hate him I could never hate anyone; everyone has their reasons.
“But Mr. Hilton won’t let you or the child be harmed. He’s already risked everything for you. Can’t you see that? Do you know how much he’s suffered all these years? His mother was murdered right before his eyes. Mr. Hilton was just a teenager then, already struggling with Asperger’s Syndrome. When his biological father took him back, he was forced into charity work, where he met you. He swore to become strong to protect you, but your heart was with Claude. He quietly lived across from you, hoping… Do you realize how much he’s done for you? Can’t you feel for him p>
Helen’s teary words made me realize just how much Max really loved me. But who would feel for me, Richard, or the orphanage children?
Life is so bitterly hard for everyone… Max, your love is too profound.
How can I possibly bear it?