Chapter 368: Murderous Intent
Claire Bennett timed her arrival at the hospital perfectly.
After an all-night effort to save him, the results of Adrian Lancaster’s surgery should be out. She would know if he was dead or alive.
She had to find out for herself, unwilling to entrust the task to anyone else.
To quell any suspicion from the nurses, Claire Bennett pretended to be a distant relative of the Lancaster family who had rushed over to visit after hearing about Adrian Lancaster’s car accident.
She walked up to the nurses’ station, her face a mask of anxiety and concern.
"Hello, I was wondering, how did Adrian Lancaster’s surgery go? I’m his cousin."
The nurse saw Claire Bennett’s earnest expression, her elegant and proper attire, and the fact that she knew the patient’s name. She didn’t seem like a liar.
So, she told her the truth about Adrian Lancaster’s condition.
"The surgery was a success. He’s no longer in critical condition, but he’s under observation in the ICU. Family members can’t go in to see him just yet."
"That’s wonderful. As long as he’s okay, the family can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Thank you so much."
"You’re welcome."
Claire Bennett smiled, turned, and walked away. A wave of relief and elation quietly washed over her heart like a spring tide.
The surgery was a success. Adrian Lancaster wasn’t dead. He was still alive.
The string that had been pulled taut in Claire Bennett’s heart all night instantly went slack.
’So, in the end, I really didn’t want him to die after all.’
This deep-seated affection, buried under layers of time, betrayal, and hatred, had never truly vanished.
’Adrian Lancaster, now that I know you’re alive, I can finally relax.’
After that, Claire Bennett went to the floor where the ICU was located. Her pace seemed calm, but each step felt heavy.
She had come to the hospital today not only to check on Adrian Lancaster’s condition but also to see if the Lancaster family was suspicious about last night’s car crash.
Stepping out of the elevator and rounding the corner, Claire Bennett saw Julian Lancaster standing alone outside the ICU.
He was shrouded in a cold, hostile aura. His brows were tightly knitted, his gaze sharp, and he was on the phone.
Claire Bennett instinctively stopped, took half a step back, and pressed her back against the cold wall, concealing herself in the shadows of the hallway corner.
’Looks like Adrian Lancaster’s condition is fairly stable. He’s not in any major danger.’
’Otherwise, the Lancaster family wouldn’t be so careless as to leave only one person guarding the ICU, not even Wren Sutton.’
The distance was just right; Julian Lancaster’s voice carried over, every word reaching Claire Bennett’s ears perfectly.
"...The car crash wasn’t an accident. Immediately look into the truck’s route from last night, the driver’s identity, his call logs, and his bank transfer records."
"Pull all the available surveillance footage along the route. Don’t let a single clue slip by."
Claire Bennett’s heart sank, and her expression changed drastically.
’The Lancaster family really is suspicious. They’re starting to use their resources to investigate the truth behind the crash.’
She held her breath, not daring to show herself, let alone startle Julian Lancaster. Sticking close to the wall, she slipped away silently.
Back in her car, Claire Bennett’s fingertips were ice-cold as she gripped the steering wheel tightly.
Julian Lancaster’s words echoed in her ears: ’The car crash wasn’t an accident. Investigate it thoroughly!’
A cold glint flashed in Claire Bennett’s eyes.
She had expected the Lancaster family to become suspicious, but not this quickly.
Last night, she had destroyed all evidence connecting her to the truck driver’s wife. No one could trace it back to her, and there was no physical evidence that could directly incriminate her.
’But what if the Lancasters find that woman? What if she can’t handle the pressure and their intimidation, backs out of our deal, and rats me out?’
Claire Bennett’s brow furrowed, and a murderous intent arose within her.
She took out her phone and dialed an overseas number.
"Keep a close eye on that woman. Give her a new face and completely erase her old identity."
"Tell her to adapt to her new identity as quickly as possible. As long as she’s obedient, I’ll guarantee she’ll be set for life."
"If she dares to run her mouth or lets anything slip, I’ll make her wish she was dead."
「Meanwhile, at the hotel.」
Morning sunlight streamed through the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows, gently filling the entire room.
It dispelled the lingering tension and chill of the previous night, replacing them with a soft, comforting warmth.
Wren Sutton stood by the window, gazing at the hospital across the street. Her eyes were gentle yet firm, full of strength.
She clasped her hands together, praying devoutly in her heart.
’I believe Adrian will wake up soon and be moved from the ICU to a regular ward.’
’What I need to do now is take care of myself, eat well, rest well, and build up my strength, so I can face Adrian in the best possible condition.’
"Adrian, I’ll be waiting for you." Wren Sutton took a deep breath, exhaling completely. Her features relaxed, and a bright, optimistic smile appeared in her eyes.
Before long, a room service attendant brought their meal: a light but nutritious spread of meat and vegetable dishes that covered the table.
"Wren, come and eat. We should both get some proper sleep after this."
Lucia Lancaster’s dark circles were prominent. She had also been up all night and was now so tired and hungry she could barely keep going.
"Okay." Wren Sutton turned, walked to the table, and began to eat in earnest.
As they ate, she would occasionally use the serving chopsticks to place food on Lucia’s plate, urging her to eat more.
"Thanks, Wren. I can get it myself. You should eat more."
After the meal, the two of them cleared the table together.
Then, Wren Sutton drew a sheer curtain, softening the light in the room so it wasn’t harsh.
"Lucia, you’ve been up all night too. You need to rest. Let’s sleep together."
"Mm-hmm."
Lucia Lancaster obediently lay down beside Wren Sutton and quickly fell asleep.
Wren Sutton closed her eyes, but with her mind on Adrian Lancaster, she didn’t sink into a deep sleep, hovering instead at the edge of a light dream.
In the haze of her light sleep, she thought she saw Adrian Lancaster.
He was dressed sharply in a suit, holding a large bouquet of roses. He walked toward her, full of spirit, his face beaming with a happy smile.
He picked her up and spun her around, then pulled her into his embrace and kissed her forehead.
"Darling, thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for not giving up on me. And thank you for being willing to spend the rest of your life with me."
"I love you."
「Back at the Lancaster residence.」
Theodore Lancaster and Claire Sterling returned home, travel-worn and weary.
Their steps were unsteady, their faces exhausted, and the dark circles under their eyes were obvious.
Just as they entered the living room, the couple froze.
The living room lights were off, and the room was dim, lit only by the daylight filtering in from outside.
The Matriarch, dressed in a dark brocade outfit, was seated upright on the main sofa. Her back was straight, and her expression was so calm it was unreadable, but it was clear she had been sitting there, waiting specifically for them to return.
On the table, the steam from the teacup had long since vanished and the tea was cold. The snacks beside it were untouched.
Hearing their footsteps, the Matriarch looked up.
Her gaze first fell on Theodore Lancaster’s haggard face, then swept over Claire Sterling’s red-rimmed eyes and her forced composure.
With eyes that had seen the world, the old woman instantly saw through everything.
Theodore Lancaster quickly stepped forward. "Mom, why are you up so early? Why don’t you get some more rest?"
The Matriarch didn’t answer. She just watched him quietly, her gaze serene but sharp, as if it could pierce right into his soul.
Claire Sterling didn’t dare to make a sound.
Theodore Lancaster’s heart tightened. He struggled to find an excuse. "Mom, I just got back from taking care of some business."
"Business?"
The Matriarch spoke slowly. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable weight, each word clear and steady.
"What kind of business?"
Theodore Lancaster was speechless.
Claire Sterling’s face paled instantly. Her lips trembled, and just as she was about to offer an excuse, a look from the Matriarch stopped her.
"You two were gone all night. Julian and Lucia are nowhere to be seen either."
The Matriarch’s voice carried a worldly wisdom and authority.
"I’ve lived a long life. What storms haven’t I weathered? Are you trying to hide this from me because you think I’m too old to handle it, or because you think I’m a fool you can easily deceive?"
Claire Sterling couldn’t hold back any longer. Her eyes reddened, and tears threatened to fall.
Theodore Lancaster looked at his mother, who sat as steady as a mountain, yet couldn’t hide the deep unease in her eyes. He knew he couldn’t hide it anymore.
"Mom, Adrian... was in a car accident."
The moment the words left his mouth, it was as if all the strength had been drained from the Matriarch.
Her sharp, steady gaze from moments before suddenly dimmed, misting over with tears.
Her hands, resting on her lap, clenched violently, her knuckles turning white. Even her breathing became ragged, her chest heaving twice.
"A car accident..."
The Matriarch’s voice trembled, and her eyes reddened.
She didn’t scream or shout, but her quiet devastation was more heart-wrenching than any outburst.
She sat frozen on the sofa, her lips quivering, unable to form a complete sentence for a long moment.
"My grandson... Adrian..."
With a soft cry, the Matriarch’s tears of heartache began to fall.
This was the grandson she had held in her arms since he was a baby, the one she cherished more than anything. He was the pride of the Lancaster family, her greatest hope in her later years.
Seeing the Matriarch cry, Claire Sterling couldn’t hold it together either.
"Mom, please don’t panic. The surgery was a success. Adrian is out of danger. He’s in the ICU now, with doctors and nurses watching him 24/7."
"Julian is at the hospital. Theodore and I just came back to get some rest. We were up all night, and we’re both exhausted."
Hearing that Adrian Lancaster was not in mortal danger, the Matriarch finally stopped crying, though her heart remained heavy.
Suddenly, she remembered something and asked urgently.
"What about Wren and the two children? Are they okay?"
Claire Sterling collected herself and reassured her gently, "Mom, don’t worry. Wren only has some minor scrapes, nothing serious. The children are perfectly fine, not a scratch on them. They’re at the Sutton family’s house right now; their in-laws are looking after them."
"Wren and Lucia are resting at the hotel across from the hospital. They were both at the hospital all night and are completely worn out."
Knowing that Wren Sutton and the children were safe, the Matriarch’s anxious heart finally settled a little.
She let out a long sigh of relief, a thin layer of sweat breaking out on her back.
"As long as they’re okay. As long as they’re okay."
"You two should go rest in your room. Don’t worry about me."
Theodore Lancaster gestured for Claire Sterling to go rest in the bedroom. He still had something to say to the Matriarch.
"Mom, I suspect this car crash was deliberate, not an accident."
The Matriarch froze, her recently calmed breathing hitched.
Her gaze turned cold, radiating a bone-chilling frost and irrepressible fury.
"Who would want to harm Adrian?! We have to find them. No matter who it is, we will not let them off easy."
Theodore Lancaster’s expression was grave as he fell silent for a moment, a suspicion forming in his mind.
"Mom, do you think it’s possible... that the target wasn’t Adrian, but Wren?"