Chapter 127 The Heatless Woman
Edgar could send Gigi straight into prison if he were to pursue the matter. The Reece family could appoint any number of lawyers, but an attempted murder charge would be difficult to escape from.
Edgar shut his eyes slowly. “Keep this as a secret for now.” Jean opened her eyes as she lay on the hospital bed. She had an oxygen mask on but could hear clearly. Edgar Royden, are you protecting Gigi now?
Haven’t you hated things like this all this time?
Yet you let things go just because it’s her?
What about Ben?
He’s just an innocent victim. But now…
Tears flowed down her face. She grasped the bedsheets in her hands. That afternoon, Jean’s body had recovered. She polished off three bowls of congee and several buns in bed. Edgar watched her. “Are you not stuffed?”
He handed some tissue paper over, but she ignored him. He gave her a chilly look. “I carried you down here and paid for this room. How can you be this heartless, Jean?”
He stayed in the hospital for a few days. Although he wasn’t there for Ben, he carried out all his duties. Why is she making that unpleasant face now?
Jean laughed out of nowhere. Yet her eyes weren’t smiling. “Then I have to thank Mr. Royden for not letting me die in the corridors.”
“Why are you saying such horrible things!” He snatched her wrist.
When his eyes met hers, his heart thumped as if it had been struck.
Her usually fearless eyes were hollow.
She seemed to have gone through life and death. When Ben was unconscious about the possibility of the amputation, she still had thoughts and acted like a person.
But now, it was like the life was sucked out of her body.
Edgar held her wrist tighter but couldn’t seem to hold on to her.
“Do you really like him that much?” He asked in a low voice.
His emotions got a hold of him as his grip tightened even more. Jean gritted her teeth, enduring the pain. “Yes, to the point of dying for him.”
She couldn’t remember how Edgar had left.
All she remembered was the throbbing pain in every single joint after being thrown to the floor.
Before he slammed the door behind him, Edgar said, “Ben will never accept you even when he’s healed.”
Jean’s fingers scraped the floor. She shut her eyes slowly.
She didn’t actually like Ben. She just couldn’t forget his actions in saving her.
It was three hours later when she met Ben again.
The Ludwig family stared daggers at Jean as she entered the room.
Ben was resting in his bed. He lifted his hand toward her. “Are you alright?”
She smiled ruefully as tears spilled from her eyes once again.
He’s still worried about me when he’s in such a condition.
“Let’s leave them alone to talk.” Farra stood up absentmindedly. It was the first time she hadn’t chastised Jean.
She stumbled to the door. When she turned back and saw her son staring straight at Jean, she let out a helpless sigh.
The door shut behind her.
The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the room.
Ben’s face was ashen white. He felt that all his bones were throbbing with pain as the anesthesia had just worn off. But he smiled gently, knowing that Jean was safe and sound.
“You…”
“Don’t say that I’m foolish. I’m not. Even if it happens a million times, I’ll do the same over and over again.” A determined look flashed through his eyes.
“Jean, do you remember, before the race started, I told you we needed to talk after that?”
Jean nodded. “What is it about?”
His Adam’s apple moved as he gulped. He summoned his courage and held her hands. His fingers curled around hers. “I’m not agreeing to the engagement with Ally. I want to be with you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like me…”
He said without a moment’s rest as if he had been preparing to tell her those words.
Jean didn’t interrupt nor hide from him. She looked straight in his eyes. “Are you sure?”
Ben looked at her, stunned.
“I’m Edgar’s ex-wife. People will laugh if you are to be with me.”
“You know that I don’t care about those.” He furrowed his forehead.
She lowered her eyes. “Then, let’s plan a trip for after you’re discharged. You’ve always wanted to go to the beach, right?”
She stood to leave with those words.
His smile widened. “Did you agree? Am I right?”
He yelled animatedly. When Jean shut the door, she noticed all the eyes on her.
“Ms. Eyer, Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig wish to speak with you.” Mr. Coleman approached her.
“Sure.”
She was brought to the next room.
When she entered, Farra glowered. “Don’t even think of getting any benefits from our family. My son is only in this condition because of you. He deserves to have everything you promised to give!”
Jean nodded.
She stood silently.
Myer stopped Farra. “That’s enough. You didn’t think so before, so why are you angry with her? Ben’s diagnosis is out. It’s not surprising that his injuries are more serious since he is the main driver. He has the right to make his own decisions.”
“That’s…” Farra covered her face as she cried. She couldn’t say a word.
Myer kept his composure. He hesitated before asking, “The doctor says that Benny’s nerves are damaged quite badly. There’s still a possibility of amputation. You know that, right?”
Jean nodded. “I’ve heard about it from Dr. Bailey in the morning.”
Her voice was like a clear stream that was soothing to listen to. Her emotions were under control.
“Then are you… willing to stay by his side?” Myer asked carefully.
Farra raised her head and scrutinized Jean. Her expression seemed like she would tear Jean into pieces if she said the wrong thing.
Jean didn’t waver. “I’ve said it before. It doesn’t matter whether Ben needs someone to look after him. I’m willing to stay by his side. I hope the two of you will grant my wish, even though you may not have the best impression of me.”
Her life was already in tatters.
It wasn’t the same for Ben.
He had a bright future ahead. There were even talks of an engagement with a woman from a well-off family. But all of it had gone down the drain because of her.
For Ben, she would be no different from Edgar, who had destroyed the Eyer family.
“That’s good then.” Myer was filled with gratitude toward Jean. Jean’s promise weighed more than the Sans family that had drawn a clear line when the accident happened.
“Ms. Eyer, we leave Ben to you.” He shook Jean’s hand gratefully.
“Thank you.”
