Chapter_14
Chapter 14
“Their names seem to be Helios, Endymion, and Hesperus?” Benjamin’s voice came through the phone. “They say the Rykers wronged their Mommy and put her in prison. They think they’re going to end up becoming orphans.”
Abel frowned, his mind immediately going to the triplets. He had suspected as much. “Mr. Benjamin,” he started, his tone firm, “I can’t help you with that. Their mother tried to murder my grandfather!”
“Hey now.” Benjamin scoffed. “What motive does she even have for attempting to harm Mr. Oscar? There must be some misunderstanding here.”
Abel stood still, stunned by the words. It seemed far-fetched to think that Emmeline would try to kill Oscar just to marry him. She knew her children were Adrien’s, and had no reason to pester him.
“What does Wonder Doctor want?” Abel’s voice was hoarse from frustration.
“The children’s mother is innocent,” Benjamin replied. “Wonder Doctor says she won’t consult unless you free the woman. Let me know what you want to do.”
Beep! The call ended abruptly.
“F*ck!” Abel cursed under his breath. It didn’t matter whether Emmeline was guilty or innocent—he couldn’t let her slip through his grasp. There was no choice but to do what Benjamin asked in order to save his grandfather.
His face darkened as his mind raced.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Abel?” Luca asked, noticing the change in his expression.
Abel didn’t even bother to respond, already making the decision. “We’re going to the detention center.”
Inside the dark, small room of the detention center, Emmeline lay curled up on a thin, wooden bed. Her clothes were covered in grime, making her look even more disheveled and beaten. Abel’s heart twisted at the sight, though he wouldn’t admit it aloud. He cleared his throat. “They hit you?”
“This woman lies as she breathes,” the watchman replied gruffly. “You know this, Mr. Ryker. Everyone gets beaten when they’re sent here.”
Abel was visibly enraged. “She’s a woman!”
The watchman shrugged, unmoved. “Doesn’t matter. She’s still a criminal.”
Abel opened his mouth, but quickly shut it. He couldn’t deny the fact that Emmeline might not have been wrongly accused. But, for some reason, he refused to believe she was innocent.
“Emmeline!” The warden’s voice cut through the air as he stomped on the plank bed. “Get up! Mr. Ryker is here to see you!”
Emmeline’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze foggy as she sat up slowly. Seeing her this way made something in Abel’s chest ache, though he pushed it down immediately.
“What are you doing here?” Emmeline asked, her voice icy, the edges of her words sharp.
“I’ve spoken with Mr. Derrick and negotiated for your release,” Abel said, trying to remain stoic.
“You’re releasing me?” Her voice softened slightly, a flicker of joy in her eyes. “You believe I’m innocent, Abel?”
“Far from it!” he growled, his frustration evident. “But you need to leave this place right now.”
“Well, forget it then!” She flopped back onto the bed, refusing to get up. “I’ll leave once you find the true culprit and clear my name!”
“No!” Abel’s veins popped out on his forehead as he seethed with anger. If this farce continued, his grandfather might die before Wonder Doctor could arrive!
“I refuse to admit to a crime I didn’t commit!” Emmeline shouted, her voice defiant.
“You need to leave with me!” Abel barked, his patience finally running out.
“I need you to clear my name first!” she retorted, crossing her arms.
“I don’t have time for this!” Abel snapped, his tone sharp.
“Scram!” Emmeline pulled the blanket over herself, trying to hide.
Tired of the game, Abel yanked the blanket off her and, without warning, lifted her in his arms.
“Put me down!” Emmeline struggled, kicking her legs in protest. “I’m not leaving!”
“I’ll clear your name when my grandfather survives!” Abel said, his face a dark storm. His muscles tensed as he carried her out, barely containing his fury.
Emmeline finally seemed to feel a tinge of fear at the forcefulness in his actions. She clung to him in response, her resistance weakening.
Outside the detention center, Abel turned to Luca. “Tell Wonder Doctor that I’ve gotten the woman out.”
Emmeline suddenly perked up, her voice filled with confusion. “I’m free?”
“Free?” Abel scoffed. “You’re a hundred years too early to see freedom!” He shoved her into the car, his tone cold. “We’ll talk about your ‘freedom’ once my grandfather regains consciousness.”
Back at the hospital, Abel marched Emmeline down the hallway and shoved her into a utility room.
“Stay!” he growled, gripping her jaw tightly. “I’ll clear your name if my grandfather survives.”
With that, he locked the door and walked away, his mind heavy with the situation.
Returning to the ICU, Abel was met by Luca, who spoke urgently. “Wonder Doctor has answered, Mr. Abel.”
“What did she say?” Abel asked, the tension in his voice palpable.
“She says she’ll be here.”
A weight seemed to lift from Abel’s shoulders. Finally, there was hope.
Alana, however, was in a completely different state. She watched in horror as everything she had carefully set up began to unravel. “I just solved the crisis! How is everything falling apart again?” she muttered, her hands trembling with frustration.
Her gaze darkened. I should’ve just killed that old fool!
Abel stood at the ICU door, a five-million-dollar check clutched in his hand. Midnight had come, and two figures in white protective clothing stepped out of the elevator.
The room fell into a tense silence. Everyone held their breath, watching intently.
Abel narrowed his eyes, the weight of his gaze piercing the room. “You’re finally here, Wonder Doctor.”
The two figures brushed past him, and one of them, the woman he had been waiting for, shot him a glance.
It was in that moment that Abel’s world seemed to freeze. He was hit with the strange sensation of being struck by lightning.
The eyes staring back at him weren’t just any eyes—they were Emmeline’s eyes.
Emmeline?!
Abel’s hand shot out as if to grab her, but before he could, the woman turned sharply, her gaze meeting his with an eerie familiarity.
In that instant, all his confusion and rage morphed into a single, unmistakable realization.
Wonder Doctor is Emmeline…
