----
Chapter 594
Hampton Corp. was under Caleb's control. The moment he
stepped outside its doors, he would have to act in accordance
with the Sterlings' wishes.
Caleb was a smart man. He understood immediately that this
was Julian's message, delivered through the mouth of a
subordinate.
After only a few seconds of hesitation, he walked to the safe,
took out the antidote, and tossed it toward Julian
"Does Syd know that the righteous, upright ‘good brother’ she
holds in such high regard doesn't hesitate to strike at the old, the
weak, or the sick?" His voice carried a sharp edge of mockery.
Julian caught the vial with one hand, his expression utterly
indifferent. "You're not any better."
He said nothing more. He turned and led his people out. The
priority now was to get the antidote back to the hospital. Only
then could Sydney truly breathe again.
Caleb watched Julian's retreating figure, a flicker of killing intent
flashing through his eyes. His fingers closed slowly around the
vial until his knuckles turned white.
After a brief pause, his assistant asked, "Mr. Hampton, do we
----
still proceed with the port arrangements?"
"Proceed for what?" Caleb smiled self-mockingly. "So | can run
as far away as possible and avoid seeing what | can't stand?"
With the antidote gone, how could she possibly leave with him?
He could not bring himself to truly hurt her, especially now that
she was pregnant. Yet he also could not accept handing the rest
of her life to someone as ruthless as Julian.
All he could do was wait for another opportunity.
Caleb did not linger. He kept the antidote and drove straight
back to the Hampton estate.
Adeline had just finished checking the engagement gifts. When
she saw him return, her face lit up. "You've thought it through?
You're willing to go with me to propose to the Hutton family?"
Caleb ignored her question and asked instead, his tone grave, "
Where is Grandma?"
“Mother?” Adeline froze. "She should be in the backyard. The
doctor said she needs more sunlight."
"Sunlight?" Caleb echoed.
Without waiting for her reply, he strode toward the backyard.
----
The estate looked nothing like the chaos he had imagined after
his grandmother's supposed poisoning. It was almost
unnervingly calm.
The housekeeper was carrying a plate of snacks toward the
backyard. When he saw Caleb, a flash of guilt crossed his face. "
Mr. Hampton, you're back.”
Caleb's unease deepened. "Where's Grandma?"
"She's waiting for you in the backyard." The housekeeper handed
him the snacks as well. "Please take these along. They're low
sugar. Your grandmother can eat them."
A chilling realization crept over Caleb. He had made a mistake,
‘one so grave it would haunt him for the rest of his life.
With every step toward the backyard, his legs grew unbearably
heavy.
The weather was beautiful. Dorothy sat in a rattan chair with her
eyes closed, basking in the sunlight. Her face looked peaceful
and serene
No matter how closely he studied her, she did not resemble
someone who had been poisoned.
Perhaps she heard his footsteps, or perhaps she sensed his
gaze. She opened her eyes and looked at her only grandson.
----
“You're back?" Her voice was calm and ordinary.
At that moment, Caleb was certain. He had been deceived. His
‘own grandmother had joined hands with outsiders to trick him.
And the truly despicable one had been him alone. Only him,
clutching the medicine that could save Eliana's life and refusing
to let go.
Caleb almost laughed. He raised the vial in his hand and gave it
alight shake.
“What's in here? Chocolate beans?"
Dorothy had watched him grow up. She understood the meaning
behind his words at once.
“Are you blaming me?"
Was there something to blame? Of course there was.
From childhood to adulthood, he had studied diligently, behaved
impeccably, and practiced restraint. After taking over Hampton
Corp., he had walked on thin ice, never daring to make a single
misstep.
Just this once, he wanted to think of himself.
He had arranged everything with care. It would not affect
----
Hampton Corp. It would not implicate the family. Why, then, was
it still not allowed?
“Did you listen to a single word of what | warned you before? If
you had really taken this mess to Syd, forget about you. Our
entire family would never have the nerve to face her again."
Dorothy sighed. There was no disappointment in it, only pity.
"Cal," she called softly, motioning him closer, "Relationships
can't be forced. Syd spent three years with you. That was the full
measure of your family life. As long as you stop walking down
this wrong path, when you meet again in the future, she may still
remember you kindly.”
She then asked, "Do you really need to push things until she
hates you with every fiber of her being before you feel satisfied?"
Caleb lowered his gaze. "She can hate me if she wants."
What he feared was that she might no longer feel anything for
him at all.