Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 146

When they got back to the apartment, they found Silas pacing anxiously near the entrance, looking like he had been waiting for them. The moment they appeared, he rushed over.

"Ms. Galeana, Mr. Meyer, you're finally back. I've been waiting forever," Silas blurted out, clearly agitated.

Ines was in a foul mood and didn't have the patience to deal with Silas. She asked in a low voice, "What are you doing here?"

"Ms. Galeana, I need to talk to you."

Ethan felt a pang of anxiety, guessing what might be coming. But judging from Silas's tone, it couldn't be as bad as he imagined.

Annoyed, Ines retorted, "I've got nothing to say to you. Get out of our way."

It was then that Silas noticed the bandages on Ethan's arm and the rolled-up sleeve on Ines's arm, revealing minor scrapes. He couldn't help but ask, "What happened to you guys?"

Ethan shot Silas a disgruntled look. He thought he had made himself clear last time, but here Silas was, still bothering Ines. "Just a minor mishap, Silas. If it's not something really important, you should leave."

Ethan stressed the word "important", and Silas got the hint. But his news was indeed urgent. Hunter had gone through several rounds of chemotherapy; not only was it excruciating, but it was also completely useless.

So, he had decided to stop all treatments and simply wait for death, and Silas couldn't talk him out of it.

"Ms. Galeana, the chairman is sick," Silas blurted out, ignoring Ethan's attempt to deflect him.

Ines stiffened, then snorted at Silas, "So he should go to the hospital. I'm not a doctor. What's the point of telling me?"

"The chairman refuses to accept any treatment. I can't convince him," Silas said, clearly upset.

"And you think I can? I've cut ties with him. Please leave. Don't bother me anymore," Ines snapped back.

"Ms. Galeana, there's no such grudge between a father and daughter. It wasn't entirely his fault; he had to cut ties with you. After the car accident, the doctors determined that Emma would be disabled for life. Shirley wanted to sue you. If the chairman hadn't intervened, you would probably be in jail," Silas explained.

"I said I didn't do it, didn't need his help, and wasn't scared to go to jail. Why did you all make decisions for me without asking me, leaving me with such a stain on my reputation?"

All Ethan could do was wrap his uninjured arm around her, trying to calm her down. "Izzy, don't get worked up."

"Ms., no parent wants their child to go to jail. You had just graduated from college. If you went to jail, your future would be ruined. How could the chairman let it happen? His decision hurt him as much as it hurt you. He watched you grow up as a child; his love for you is real."

Ines didn't want to listen to Silas defend Hunter. Even if he had difficulties when he cut ties with her, he brought his mistress and daughter to A City, and that led to her mother's death, which was unforgivable.

"Silas, you better stop talking."

But Silas ignored Ines's impatience and continued, "Miss, we wanted to believe you too, but the experts determined from the scene that it was your car that hit Miss Emma's. Her car had already backed up, but there was nowhere to go, so that's why the accident happened."

Ethan lowered his eyes. He knew what Silas was saying. The official report did say that Ines's car deliberately hit Emma's. Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

He had checked the experts' credentials. They were renowned domestic authorities whose findings could serve as legal evidence. Unfortunately, Ines's car had exploded, leaving no clues.

"I don't believe it. What kind of experts are they? They didn't even thoroughly investigate the incident; just based on some traces, they determined it was me." Ines's lips trembled. She vaguely recalled something: she did drive her car towards Emma.

She always thought she wouldn't be capable of such a malicious act, but the truth was right in front of her, which she found hard to accept. "Ms. Ines, it's all in the past. The chairman and Shirley signed an agreement that they can't sue you in this life, so let's not think about it. I just hope you can persuade him considering the circumstances."

After a pause, Silas added, "There's something else you should know. His marriage to Shirley was one of the conditions at that time. Shirley and her daughter could never have entered the Galeana family without your situation."

Ethan was taken aback, not expecting this. "What's the difference between admitting them into the Galeana family or not? Didn't he bring them to the City anyway? What's the difference between keeping them at home or outside? Everyone knows the chairman of the Galeana Group has an illegitimate daughter. Admitting their identity is probably his long-standing wish, so he schemed and dared to say it was for my protection. What a hypocrite."

Silas sighed helplessly: "Ms. Ines, your prejudice against the chairman is too deep. Maybe he's not a good husband, but he's a good father. He's done a lot for you and Miss Emma. I've been with him for many years. I know this better than anyone."

"I don't want to hear it anymore. Just go," Ines waved, signaling him to leave.

"Ms. Ines, Hunter's health is going down the tubes." Silas once again brought up Hunter's condition, knowing he'd catch hell for it later but feeling it was necessary. He had been a nobody once, and Hunter lifted him up all the way. He'd been by Hunter's side for decades and just couldn't stand by and watch his health go to hell in a handbasket, especially knowing he may never receive his daughter's forgiveness before he kicks the bucket.