Knowing that Alistair's event would attract many people, he didn't insist on going.
He stayed home, thinking of ways to mitigate the upcoming storm.
"Bullshit!"
Aria retorted, "There were no cameras in the hallway. Nadia's word is not enough. Royce, you're a scumbag. You've known Lily since childhood. Do you really think she'd harm someone on purpose? Scumbag!"
After cursing Royce, Aria turned to scold Nadia.
"And you, you ungrateful wretch. Back in high school, when you were a poor country girl bullied by everyone, who helped you?"
"Who paid your tuition when you had no money? Who treated you as a friend when you were isolated? It was Lily, your savior!"
"If it weren't for Lily, you wouldn't have finished high school!"
"And how do you repay her? By seducing her boyfriend behind her back? That's your gratitude?"
High school was the last thing Nadia wanted to be reminded of.
During that time, she was a complete ugly duckling, deeply humiliated. It was a past she never wanted to revisit or acknowledge.
"Royce, I'm not feeling well. Let's go."
She was desperate to leave. Royce, seething after Aria's scolding, sneered at her.
"You call me a scumbag, but isn't Alistair worse? Before your engagement, he was always with different women. Even after your engagement, he still plays around. He's worse than me."
"You tolerate your fiancé but criticize me? What right do you have?"
Mentioning Alistair hit Aria's sore spot.
The door was pushed open from the outside.
"She may not have the right to judge you, but what right do you have to judge me?"
Alistair's voice was calm but carried an edge.
"Royce, at least Aria criticizes you to your face. Your behavior, talking behind my back, is despicable. If you have the guts, say it to my face."
Royce's face turned pale, and just as he was about to retort, he saw someone behind Alistair and swallowed his words.
He obediently greeted, "Uncle Edmond."
Edmond glanced at him indifferently, "The doctor said Lily needs rest. Take your people and leave."
Royce, unable to vent his anger, knew staying would only provoke Edmond's wrath against Nadia. Reluctantly, he pushed Nadia's wheelchair to leave.
Just then, a faint noise came from the hospital bed.
"Mm..."
Everyone froze and turned towards the bed.
Aria quickly ran over, "Lily?"
No response, but the faint noise continued.
"Edmond... Edmond..."
Aria was baffled. Edmond? Lily's voice grew louder, and this time, everyone heard her calling Edmond. All eyes turned to him.
Edmond remained calm, though his deep eyes showed a hint of surprise.
He hadn't expected Lily to call his name in her unconscious state.
"Oh my, finally, you're awake!"
Aria exclaimed.
On the bed, Lily slowly opened her eyes, glanced around the room, and finally fixed her gaze on Edmond, softly calling, "Edmond, come hug me."
Everyone: "..."
Aria looked heartbroken, thinking Lily must have injured her brain.
Royce sneered, believing Lily was deliberately provoking him by using Uncle Edmond, showing no fear.
Nadia, still groggy, thought Lily must have meant to call Royce but had mixed up the names.
Only Alistair, enjoying the drama, pushed Edmond towards the bed.
"She's calling you. Aren't you going to hug her?"
Edmond, believing Lily had called the wrong name, stood by the bed, looking down at her with a polite and gentle question.
"Do you have a headache? Should I call the doctor?"
Lily reached out to him, "No headache, just uncomfortable lying down. Help me up."
Edmond's dark eyes locked on her. Fearing she'd be embarrassed when fully awake, he stepped aside slightly to let Aria assist her.
---
Aria hurried over, helped Lily sit up, and tucked a pillow behind her lower back.
Just as she was about to speak, Lily pushed her aside and reached for Edmond's hand. She pulled him closer, scooted over a bit, and then wrapped her arms around his waist.
Then she spoke, shocking everyone present.
"Darling, I was scared to death when I fell down the stairs last night. I thought I'd never see you again."
Darling??? "Lily, maybe you should rest a bit more and stop talking," Aria suggested, worried that Lily's mind was muddled from the fall and that she had mistaken Edmond for someone else.
She feared that if this continued, things might get out of control, and Edmond might end up hitting her.
Aria stepped forward, grabbed Lily's shoulders, and tried to pull her away. But another hand reached out before she could.
"Lily! Enough!" Royce came over, pushing Lily's shoulders back.
"Stop pretending to be crazy. You're just trying to provoke me, but it's unnecessary. We're over. Stop using Uncle Edmond as a tool."
Lily shook off his hand and hid in Edmond's arms, glaring at Royce.