Ch. 1531..1540

Chapter 1531

Chapter 1531

Zuko had told him that Zephyr often faced tricky questions from Cordelia when they were young. Even after Zuko got married, Lina didn't spare him from those questions. Now, it was his turn! It seemed like the fate of Hamerton men, an inevitable part of their lives no matter how hard they tried to avoid it!

"No, no, I... How could I possibly... With her... She..."

Chris grew flustered and sweaty, and Lena couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. She burst into giggles.

She enjoyed the food. That evening, she finally let go of the past and started anew.

Winter passed, and spring arrived.

Bianca and Drake had faced the consequences. Bianca, in particular, brought disgrace upon the family and was shunned by the entire Mosleys.

Fleur paid no attention to Drake's nonsense at the event. However, the power of rumors was relentless, and this incident became widely known within their circle.

Despite that, Fleur, true to her character, fiercely defended against the gossip.

She often brought Lena to various social occasions, insisting on having Lena by her side, even during poker games. Every time they appeared in public, Fleur took special care in dressing Lena.

"As my daughter-in-law, you mustn't embarrass the Warnocks!" She held Lena's hand and smiled affectionately. "Stand tall and proud. Exude confidence!"

Marco pursed his lips and muttered almost inaudibly, "My daughter-in-law belongs to the Hamertons-the Hamertons! Sigh..."

Chris and Lena exchanged glances and chuckled together.

Alexander continued to excel in his studies at school. These children from the mountains cherished their hard-earned opportunities, putting in extra effort in their studies. Some, gifted as they were, outshone their peers significantly. Several prominent families recognized them as future talented individuals.

Due to Lena, Zuko and Lina closely watched Alexander, hoping he would serve the Hamerton Group well in the future.

Apart from his busy academic life, Alexander often found himself gazing into the distance on the school field. He looked at the evening sky and the pigeons, often reminiscing about that old abandoned factory in the suburbs, the winding path in the countryside, and the doll-like girl who used to call him "brother".

He had promised her he would learn to fold paper cranes. He now had a glass bottle filled with the paper cranes he had folded, but where had she gone?

It had been about three or four months since their last meeting. Had the little princess really forgotten about him?

Alexander sighed and returned to the classroom. The field there was spacious and well-kept, unlike the dusty one in the mountains. However, he noticed a line of ants moving near a tree, just like the ones in the mountains.

Feeling mischievous, he was about to step on them, but his foot froze in mid-air, and a sweet voice echoed in his mind. "Brother, we should care for all creatures! Ants are helpful insects. We can't harm them!" Alexander slowly lowered his foot, momentarily stunned, then smiled and hurried back to the classroom when he heard the bell ring.

Meanwhile, Nala lay in the hospital, staring at the darkening sky outside her window. She disliked this place. The walls were painfully white, and everything she saw was sterile. She preferred vibrant and colorful surroundings. The scent of disinfectant in the air made her feel dizzy and nauseous.

What she disliked most, or rather, what she feared most, was the occasional needle prick. She remembered her first injection, how she had cried her heart out. Her parents didn't come to her rescue. Instead, they helped the doctor hold her down, letting her cry herself hoarse.

Gradually, she began to understand her condition through the bruises, the frequent low-grade fevers, the occasional nosebleeds, and the doctor's solemn expressions.

Nala couldn't help but feel sad. Would she ever be well enough to visit the field and find Alexander again?

Chapter 1532

Chapter 1532

Elijah and Kasey stood outside their daughter's hospital room, gazing at her. Nala used to be full of life, but now she was frail and weak. Their hearts ached terribly like they had been crushed. A doctor approached with the latest test results.

Kasey couldn't find the strength to look up, and Elijah hesitated but finally asked, "What do the results say?"

The doctor sadly shook his head.

Elijah clenched his lips, tears welling up in his eyes. Over the past few months, they had reached out to every possible relative, including the Chriss and Patton families, for compatibility tests, but none had matched. The latest test involved a distant Chriss relative.

Elijah leaned against the wall and closed his eyes in pain while Kasey covered her face and wept.

The doctor sighed and tried to console them, saying, "Ms. Nala's condition is currently stable. We can keep searching in the bone marrow registry, but it may take time."

"What if we have another child?" Elijah suddenly asked. "I've heard that stem cells from a newborn can..."

"That's possible, and there have been successful cases," the doctor replied. "But the reproductive cycle is long. You'd need about three months to prepare for pregnancy, and even if it goes smoothly, the gestation period is nine months. In such a long time, there's no guarantee that nothing else will go wrong."

"I can't bear to see our daughter deteriorate like this!" Elijah exclaimed, sounding helpless and desperate.

However, Kasey had an idea. "Elijah, there's still one person..."

"Oh?" The doctor was surprised. "Is there a family member who hasn't been tested yet?"

"Yes!" Kasey seized the lifeline, but just as she was about to say the name, Elijah stopped her. His eyes betrayed fear and disbelief.

"Elijah!" Kasey was nearly desperate. "Is our daughter's life more important, or—"

"Stop!"

Sensing the tension, the doctor tactfully decided to leave.

Elijah and Kasey sat on a bench in the corridor, the atmosphere heavy and cold.

After a while, Kasey looked at him calmly. "Have you ever considered finding your brother?"

Elijah lowered his head and stayed silent.

"Elijah, please! I'm begging you!" Kasey's voice trembled. "Yes, he's an illegitimate child, and his presence might threaten you... But Elijah, he's our hope to save Nala right now!" "Enough!" Elijah's mind was in turmoil.

He wanted to save their daughter. The brother Kasey mentioned was actually his younger sister, but he had no idea where or how to search for her.

Even if they did find her, would she be willing to help? The Chrisses had abandoned her for years. Would she donate her bone marrow?

Elijah's head throbbed, and he rubbed his temples vigorously.

"Let's consider other options," he weakly suggested. "The doctor mentioned we can still search in the bone marrow registry-"

"But the highest chance of compatibility is among relatives!"

"We are Nala's biological parents and are not a match. Let alone an illegitimate child!"

"Elijah!" Kasey screamed in despair, covering her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Elijah felt sad. Kasey had always been a strong woman in his eyes, and seeing her so fragile was heartbreaking. He gently approached and embraced her, letting her lean on him for support.

Chapter 1533

Chapter 1533

Elijah and Kasey had never been so close since their marriage.

"Elijah, I beg you..." Kasey grabbed his clothes. "I can't lose Nala. I want her to live well. I know you have many grievances about our marriage, and I've done things that embarrassed you. But as long as you find your brother and he goes for testing, Nala will have a glimmer of hope, right?

"As long as there's even a glimmer of hope, I won't give up!

"Elijah, have some pity on me! Пity me as a mother, okay?"

Kasey was sobbing, and Elijah found it hard to breathe, feeling like his heart was being shredded.

"With your family's influence, finding someone should not be difficult! If not, my father can also help."

Elijah remained silent for a long time. He then looked into her eyes and said softly, "Kasey... It's... It's not my brother."

"What?"

"That illegitimate child back then was a girl. In other words... Nala really has an aunt!"

Lately, Zuko had been feeling a bit depressed.

His daughter was nearly a year old, but he, as a father, had not been too involved with her.

When Persephone was little, he had taken care of her in the middle of the night, feeding her, changing diapers, and all those tasks. However, his duties had soon been replaced by a group of nannies hired by the family.

For the sake of child care, Cordelia had even brought in five to six people from the Hamertons. At the same time, Nicholas and Linda had dispatched several experienced and loyal servants from the Thompsons to Zest Garden.

With over ten people taking care of one child, including grandparents who came by occasionally, even Lina felt incredibly relaxed as a new mother.

Furthermore, Cordelia and Zephyr doted on Persephone. They frequently picked her up and took her to Zen Residence.

When Zuko went to visit his parents that particular day, he was stunned by the scene in front of him.

Zephyr was on the floor dressed in a tiger costume, allowing his granddaughter to ride on his back. He crawled forward and mimicked a tiger, entertaining her with playful, growling sounds. Cordelia was on the side, cheering them on and ensuring Persephone did not fall off.

Zephyr was panting with exhaustion but still wearing a joyful smile. He wanted to stand up, but Persephone was in high spirits and refused to allow it. He cheerfully lay back down, ready for another round of "adventures" with his granddaughter on his back.

While Zuko was in shock, Toph came running over dressed as a bear.

Toph was about to put on the bear headgear when he suddenly noticed Zuko. He grinned and said, "Bro, you're back!"

"What's all this?"

"Our parents wanted to make the best of their time with their granddaughter and asked me to dress up as a bear and play 'hunting' with her!"

"Uh..."

"Sephy is the hunter, I'm the bear, and she's supposed to 'shoot' me."

Zuko was exasperated. This was a treatment he had never enjoyed when he was younger.

Toph patted him. "Never seen our dad like this, eh?"

Zuko had a wry smile. Who would have thought that his parents, who used to be strict and dignified, had turned into big kids now just to entertain their grandchild? Certainly, his precious daughter would not be going home with him today, either. She definitely preferred her playful grandparents and Toph to her boring old father. "Bro, what are you thinking?"

"Nothing," Zuko replied lightly. "Just let our parents know that I'm heading back. There are some things I need to handle at the company."

"Oh." Toph nodded. "By the way, have you heard that Elijah Chriss has been secretly searching for someone recently?"

Chapter 1534

Chapter 1534

Zuko felt somewhat surprised after reflecting on the past few months. There had been no news from Elijah for about three or four months, and it turned out he was searching for someone. "Do you know who he's looking for?" Zuko asked.

Toph grinned and replied, "Why? Are you interested?"

"I'm not interested at all!" Zuko responded earnestly.

"So, you want to gossip about it?" Toph teased. "I didn't expect you to enjoy gossiping, too!"

Zuko was about to protest, but Toph beat him to it by handing him a bear headgear.

"You... be a bear!" Toph declared with determination. "Entertain your daughter as a bear, and then I'll gossip about this with you!"

Rolling his eyes, Zuko reluctantly put on the headgear and costume. He then hurried over to Persephone, raising his "paws" and letting out a playful roar.

Upon returning home, Zuko shared the matter with Lina.

"What? He's searching for... an illegitimate daughter?" Lina exclaimed.

"Yes," Zuko confirmed. He removed his suit, massaged his neck, and leaned against the sofa. "According to Toph, it's Elijah's half-sister."

"Elijah actually has a sister?"

"Yeah, I was just as surprised when I heard it. But it's true. While it wasn't a secret in the Chriss family that Elijah's father had an illegitimate child. They had been under the impression it was a son all these years when, in fact, it's a daughter."

Lina frowned. "What's the point of finding this daughter? The company seems stable under Elijah's leadership right now. Isn't he causing unnecessary trouble by searching for someone at this time?" Zuko shrugged, agreeing with Lina's perspective.

Was he planning to divide the family assets with this illegitimate daughter once he found her?

"But I heard from Lenny that Elijah is currently on vacation abroad with his wife and daughter!"

"Hmm?"

Lina continued. "Lenny has been occupied with the charity school project, and she hasn't seen Elijah in a while. He only called her once, mentioning that he wanted to make up for neglecting his wife and daughter and took them abroad for some time."

Zuko found it strange. Elijah appeared to have some hidden motives, and his reason for the search was not straightforward.

"Honey, didn't you go to your parents' place today? Sephy still didn't want to come back with you?"

Zuko hesitated, reluctant to recount his embarrassing ordeal of being coerced into acting as a bear for Lina. After a moment of silence, he lightly said, "My parents have completely spoiled this little girl!" "Ah, mine too." Lina changed into her pajamas and settled on the bed, resting her chin on her knees. She mumbled, "As soon as they see their precious granddaughter, they forget about their daughter..." Zuko went over to embrace her, sharing a common bond of feeling "abandoned" by their parents.

"Ever since Sephy was born, our status in our families has taken a nosedive, hasn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think we should find a way to get some of the attention she receives?"

"Silly!" Lina giggled. "She's our own daughter, and you want to compete with her for attention?"

"Honey, I have a suggestion!" Zuko said.

"What is it?" Lina asked.

Zuko gazed at her intently. Despite being a mother now, Lina had become even more captivating than before. A subtle fragrance seemed to emanate from her, teasing his senses. His large hand began to caress her waist.

He purred in a deep voice. "Honey, how about... we create another little version of ourselves? To compete with her for attention!"

Chapter 1535

Chapter 1535

"Huh?" Lina had yet to react when she was pressed down on the bed by Zuko. With a blanket covering them, they began their progress for a mini version...

Chris went to Lena's place early in the morning after buying groceries.

Lena was enjoying a rare weekend, still in bed. Chris stood at the bedroom door and watched the sun rays shine on her through the window, making her look like she was gilded. Her lips were slightly parted as if she was murmuring in a dream.

Chris smiled and placed the groceries in the kitchen. He then approached Lena and gently kissed her forehead. Lena slowly opened her eyes and nuzzled into his embrace like a cat.

"Why did you come so early?" Lena asked.

"Alexander mentioned he's coming for lunch, so I got the ingredients early," Chris replied.

Lena chuckled. "Planning to show off your cooking skills to him?"

Chris grinned. "Of course! I want him to see how capable his brother-in-law is!"

Lena beamed with happiness, and the gloomy days were finally over. Today was a new day.

Lena being warm and safe in Chris' arms was making him lose control. He held her tightly, and his hands started to wander, but he didn't dare to be too bold, just gently caressing her waist.

This made Lena feel ticklish, and she pushed him away, blushing uncontrollably.

Chris said, leaning closer, "Lenny... How about... I just stay here from now on?"

"Huh?"

"I won't take advantage of you," Chris said seriously. "I just think you're not good at taking care of yourself. If I live with you, it will be convenient for me to take care of you. And when Alexander comes over for meals, I can cook for you guys!"

This excuse was a bit clumsy, making Lena laugh while blushing.

"Speaking of Alexander..." Chris said softly, "That little guy folded many paper cranes and wants to give them to Nala."

"I got a message from Mr. Chriss a few days ago." Lena stretched. "He said he won't be back for a while."

"That's not right." Chris frowned. "Zuko and Toph told me that he didn't actually take his wife and child abroad. He's been staying in Centrolis the whole time, seemingly looking for someone!"

Lena widened her eyes, puzzled. "Looking for someone? Even if he's looking for someone, he doesn't need to avoid us and lie about going on vacation! It doesn't make sense!"

"That's the strange part." Chris sighed, unable to figure out the reason either. "Maybe he's facing some difficulties?"

Just then, the doorbell urgently rang.

Chris hurriedly opened the door and saw Alexander panting heavily.

"Why are you here now? Weren't you supposed to come at noon?" Chris asked.

Alexander didn't answer and rushed inside.

Seeing his frantic appearance, Lena worriedly asked, "Alexander, what's wrong?"

"I... I saw Nala!" Alexander gasped for breath.

Chris and Lena were taken aback.

"It's really... It's Nala!" Alexander's gaze was sad. "S-She's in the hospital with very short hair, and her face is extremely pale!"

Chris realized something was wrong and grabbed Alexander's shoulder. "How do you know? Have you seen her?"

"Yes!" Alexander nodded vigorously. "I saw her... at the hospital!"

Chapter 1536

Chapter 1536

Chris still had questions. "Why did you go to the hospital?"

Alexander's throat felt dry. He drank a large glass of water and slowly began to explain the whole story. Initially, he hadn't witnessed the scene at the hospital himself.

One night, he was jolted awake by a nightmare. The Nala in his dream matched the description he had given earlier. He had woken up drenched in cold sweat, shivering, unable to fall back asleep. The same dream continued to haunt him.

In the dream, Nala appeared helpless, as if she wanted to speak but couldn't.

Alexander's curiosity grew stronger, and he couldn't resist going to the hospital to learn more. The outcome was surprising.

"In the end, I really saw her," Alexander said in a hushed tone. "At that moment, she was seated in a wheelchair, with a nurse pushing her. I didn't dare approach her. I followed them until they reached her ward's door. I called her softly, and she turned to look at me. It was exactly like in my dream!"

Chris and Lena were in disbelief after hearing that. Maybe some mysterious force was guiding these two children. Alexander had saved Nala once-would he save her again this time? Alexander turned to Lena. "Sis, Nala is sick. Why didn't her parents tell us?"

Chris recalled what Toph had mentioned about the search. Given Alexander's description, Nala's condition seemed quite serious. Could it be that the person Elijah was searching for could cure her illness? "Don't worry for now," Lena reassured Alexander. "Maybe they don't want outsiders to know about her illness. Let your brother-in-law find out the details first, and then we can decide what to do." "Okay..." Alexander agreed and suddenly realized something. "Wait! Who are you talking about?"

At the same time, Chris stared at Lena with wide eyes.

Lena smiled, maintaining her composure. "Your brother-in-law."

Chris and Alexander were momentarily stunned before reacting differently.

Chris was overjoyed and nearly jumped up, his excitement leaving him speechless.

On the other hand, Alexander rested his chin on his hands and observed Chris thoughtfully. After a while, he nodded with a reflective hum.

Although he quite liked Chris, his sister held a special place in his heart. If Chris wanted to be his brother-in-law... Well, there would still be tests ahead!

At the Chriss estate.

Elijah and Kasey sat in the top-floor reception room of the villa. This room was spacious and secluded, reserved for special occasions within the vast Chriss estate. It was used when Elijah hosted important business partners or when Harold had confidential discussions with his campaign team during elections.

Today, they anxiously awaited the arrival of a particular individual.

Suddenly, knocks resounded through the room, and a woman was ushered in.

"Sir, Madam, this is her," said the subordinate who brought the woman inside.

Elijah and Kasey's hearts skipped a beat.

Kasey leaned forward. Her grip on the sofa tightened so much that her knuckles turned white as she fixed her gaze on the woman. After a moment of astonishment, she asked skeptically, "You're... truly Elijah's sister?"

The woman nodded calmly.

"Then why are you wearing a mask?" Kasey asked.

Chapter 1537

Chapter 1537

The woman stood still, her body tense. Her golden mask, a true work of art adorned with gemstones, concealed the upper part of her face, revealing only her lips and chin. It was more than just a mask-it was a masterpiece.

Elijah's expression darkened as he whispered to his subordinate, "After all this searching, you bring me this?!"

The subordinate stammered nervously, "S-Sir, we hired the best private investigators in Centrolis and followed your leads. This is the result."

The subordinate handed over some documents to Elijah, who flipped through them with mixed emotions. They lacked a photograph of the woman and contained only a brief life history.

Sasha Harding had spent her life in Southeast Aciatic, frequenting entertainment establishments and having strong ties to the criminal underworld there. Most notably, her mother was none other than the infamous Madame Krys, a human trafficker.

"You're Sasha Harding?" Elijah's eyes narrowed. "Is your mother Krystal Harding?"

"That's correct," Sasha replied, her voice cool and slightly hoarse, hinting at a life marked by hardship.

"Your throat..."

"It's not in great shape. Three years ago, I was in an accident that damaged my appearance and vocal cords. My mother made this mask for me, and I've worn it ever since." Sasha touched the emerald on the mask, a genuine one at that.

Elijah and Kasey were accustomed to fine things and could tell it was authentic. Such a mask wouldn't come cheap, indicating Krystal's affection for her daughter.

"If you doubt my identity, look at this," Sasha said, producing a pocket watch.

Elijah's expression changed instantly. He recognized it as his father's possession. The pocket watch came in a pair, and one was his father's favorite.

Kasey's hands trembled as she opened it to reveal a photo of Elijah's father and Krystal.

"That woman is my mother, Krystal," Sasha stated coldly. "And the man in the picture? You're familiar with him, aren't you?"

Elijah and Kasey exchanged a knowing glance.

The pocket watch was genuine, and the photo appeared untouched. Additionally, Elijah had discovered information about Krystal when he explored his father's study during the investigation's early stages. Elijah clenched his fists, his brows furrowing deeply. After a moment, he muttered, "One pocket watch isn't enough to trust you completely."

"What?"

"At the very least, we should confirm with a DNA test."

Sasha sneered. "So, even family ties can be doubted. I thought you were my only family."

"Words alone can't decide if we're family or not," Elijah said firmly. "Science can provide the answer."

"Fine." Sasha's eyes turned icy. "If you don't trust me that much, I see no reason to stay here. Mr. Chriss, it was your team who found, interrogated, and dragged me to Centrolis. I've yearned to find my family for years. But if you doubt me, I'd rather return to Southeast Aciatic and live on my own terms!"

"What are you saying?" Kasey's emotions surged. "You want to leave?"

Sasha looked at her and emphasized each word. "I won't object to a DNA test. If we do it, however, I won't undergo any bone marrow compatibility tests. Think carefully about it."

Chapter 1538

Chapter 1538

When Sasha mentioned her reluctance to cooperate with the bone marrow typing, Kasey felt anxious and quickly agreed to her conditions.

"Kasey!" Elijah shouted suddenly and shook his head at Kasey.

Tears welled up in Kasey's eyes as she glanced at Elijah and stepped back.

Sasha continued to discuss her terms with them. "Before we proceed with the bone marrow typing, transfer 700,000 dollars to my account. I'll provide you with the details later. After a successful typing, I want half of the family's assets."

"What did you say?" Elijah grew increasingly suspicious of Sasha.

"Doesn't that seem fair?" Sasha smirked. "The Chrisses didn't raise me, and the first time we meet, you want my bone marrow. Shouldn't I receive compensation?"

Elijah remained silent. He had intended to compensate her even without Sasha mentioning it, but it felt odd when she brought it up.

Surprisingly, Kasey nodded in agreement.

"Are you serious?" Elijah couldn't contain his frustration.

"Elijah, it's you who's lost your mind!" Kasey shouted, her emotions flaring. "All I want is to save our daughter's life!"

"You-"

Before Elijah could finish, he noticed Sasha's smug smile, even behind her mask. It made him extremely uncomfortable.

Taking a deep breath, he controlled his anger. However, Sasha turned to leave, seemingly confident they wouldn't dare to challenge her.

Once Sasha was out of earshot, Elijah spoke calmly. "We don't know anything about this woman's identity, and I can't trust her."

"Elijah!" Kasey widened her eyes. "Do you realize what you're saying?"

Elijah narrowed his eyes.

He was different from Kasey. While Kasey had grown up in an intellectual family with a scholarly background, Elijah had been exposed to the cutthroat business world since childhood. His upbringing made him cautious, especially with people like Sasha.

The pocket watch was authentic, and the photo appeared genuine, but her refusal to undergo a DNA test raised suspicion. Demanding half of their family's assets upon their first meeting was a major red flag. If they used her bone marrow, would they also lose half of the Chriss Group?

Elijah's expression darkened, and he sighed deeply. "Kasey, I understand your emotions and want to save Nala too. But you can't let your emotions cloud your judgment. It's easy for someone to manipulate you."

"I don't care!" Kasey shouted. "You don't seem to care about saving Nala... You don't deserve to be her father!"

"Calm down!" Elijah held Kasey's shoulders. "Aren't you suspicious of her identity? The pocket watch is genuine, but it can't prove she's my father's child!"

"What..." Kasey paused, staring at him.

Elijah loosened his tie, feeling suffocated by the room's low ceiling. "Just because my father had this pocket watch doesn't mean anyone with it is his child."

"Then... What should we do?" she asked.

Elijah didn't have an answer. He was uncertain about their next steps. Sasha had only provided one piece of evidence and was refusing a DNA test, which raised serious doubts.

Chapter 1539

Chapter 1539

But there was also a 50% chance Sasha might be his sister.

Elijah rubbed his temples tiredly. Suddenly, it was as if a lightning bolt had struck his mind. Bianca's words from Harold's banquet flashed in his memory: "Lena's mother is involved in human trafficking! She grew up in that environment, so she must know the trade!"

Elijah's eyes lit up, and his heart raced.

"What's happening to you?" Kasey asked, puzzled by his unusual expression.

She gently patted his shoulder, wiped her tears, and said, "You're right. I shouldn't have acted impulsively. But I still believe we should convince Sasha to take a DNA test for everyone's peace of mind. How about I talk to her about it?"

"No need," Elijah practically growled. "I... I need to see someone first."

"Who?"

"Bianca Mosley."

Kasey was very confused. "Bianca? Isn't she in prison? Even the Mosleys don't want to see her!"

"Yes, that's why someone visiting her now might trigger an emotional response. She might reveal something because of her emotions."

After leaving the Chriss residence, Sasha didn't return home. Instead, she went to the hospital with her bodyguards.

Finding Nala's hospital room was easy. Sasha dismissed her bodyguards and found a way to clear the medical staff, exploiting her status as the illegitimate Chriss daughter. This status made people unquestioningly accept her requests.

Sasha entered the hospital room and immediately spotted the small, frail figure in the bed. Raising an eyebrow, she approached slowly.

Nala had just finished her IV treatment. Bruises covered her tiny hands, and her large eyes seemed disproportionately big on her small face. Sasha expressionlessly sat at the edge of the bed.

Nala felt her presence and turned her head abruptly, her wide eyes filled with surprise.

"You... You're..."

"Nala?"

Nala didn't dare to speak and bit her lip tightly.

Sasha chuckled and reached out to touch her head.

Nala instinctively shrank away, pulling the blanket to cover herself.

"What are you doing? You... Go away! You..."

Nala shivered, terrified.

She didn't know this person but found the mask scary. Despite its golden and gem-covered appearance, to her young self, anyone hiding their true face had to be bad! "Are you scared of my mask?" Sasha laughed. "Little Nala, don't you think my mask is cool?"

"I don't think so!" Nala replied firmly.

"Do you know who I am?"

"I don't know..."

"When you find out who I am, you'll like my mask."

Nala's eyes showed fear, and she trembled.

Sasha's icy hand touched her cheek. "Heh, little girl, I'm your aunt."

"No, you're not!" Despite her fear, Nala moved away from her touch. "I have an aunt, and you're not her!" "How about I take off my mask to show you?" Sasha smiled. "Then you'll know whether or not I'm your aunt."

Chapter 1540

Chapter 1540

Upon learning of Nala's illness from Alexander, Lena rushed to the hospital in great distress. She repeatedly called Elijah along the way, wanting to ask him why he hadn't informed her about Nala's condition and why he had kept it a secret. Additionally, she wanted to know what illness Nala was suffering from.

However, Elijah did not answer her calls, and Lena's attempt to reach Kasey yielded the same result.

Just as she was about to dial Elijah's number again, Chris gently took her hand.

"Don't make any more calls," Chris said softly. "Their daughter is sick, and they must be going through a tough time. Besides, it's not good news to spread around."

"But..."

Chris hesitated before continuing. "Lena... Actually... you're just an outsider to them. Even though Nala sometimes treats you as her aunt, you're still considered an outsider." Lena's eyes dimmed.

Indeed, he was right. What was her place in Elijah's life? At best, she was an employee, a former colleague, and a current partner in running the school. For matters concerning her boss' family, it would be bes for her not to pry into things that weren't her business.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Lena hesitated but decided to visit Nala. Following the nurse's directions, she made her way to the hospital room.

Nala was lying alone on the large bed, her small hand covered in bandages.

The nurse explained that Nala's veins were delicate, resulting in numerous bruises from frequent injections.

Lena's heart ached, and she asked, "What's wrong with her?"

"It's leukemia," the nurse replied in a hushed tone. "It's really unfortunate. She's such a young and adorable girl..."

A deafening sound seemed to erupt in Lena's chest.

"Then..." She couldn't bring herself to ask the question, "How much time does she have?"

The nurse looked sympathetic. "Ms. Chriss is fortunate that we discovered the illness early. It's in its initial stages, so there's hope for recovery as long as a suitable bone marrow donor is found." Chris frowned. "So, Elijah and Kasey have been searching for a donor all this time?"

The nurse nodded.

Chris squeezed Lena's hand, and they gently pushed the door open. When Nala heard the movement, she abruptly turned her head, startled like a rabbit.

Lena's heart ached, and she wanted to embrace Nala, but the girl was acting strangely today.

"Ah!" Nala initially screamed in shock, then clutched her head with both hands. She curled up even on the bed, trembling.

"Nala?" Lena was utterly bewildered. "What's wrong?"

"Don't come any closer!" Nala was highly agitated. "I hate you! I hate you!"

"Nala, it's me..."

"I hate my aunt!"

Lena was stunned, and her mind went blank.

Doctors and nurses rushed into the room upon hearing the commotion, and they had to calm Nala down before asking Chris and Lena to step out of the room.

Sensing that something was amiss, Chris grabbed a doctor and asked, "Did someone visit Nala just now?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Chriss visit every day."

"Did they just leave?"