Ch. 1616..1620
Chapter 1616
John watched as the little girl diligently massaged Madam Stockton’s hands. His lips unconsciously curled into a smile. After a while, the girl started to sweat and breathe heavily. John said, “Caprice, you can stop massaging now. Take a rest.” Caprice shook her head.
John furrowed his brows. “Come on, Caprice. Be a good girl.”
Caprice pouted at him. “I want Grandma to wake up.”
The little girl wore persistence on her face, which baffled John. The girl and her grandmother were not exactly close because he always kept her by his side. Theoretically speaking, the girl should not have invested so much effort into waking her grandmother up.
Therefore, he asked, “Caprice, why do you want Grandma to wake up?” Caprice pouted and said meekly, “Grandma is sick, so Daddy is not happy. Caprice wants Daddy to be happy.”
Ever since the girl’s grandmother was bedridden, her father rarely smiled. She wanted her grandmother to wake up because it would make her father happy.
John was caught off guard by the answer. An indescribable feeling filled his chest. Awhile later, he smiled at the girl and said, “Thank you, Caprice.”
The girl reacted with a sweet smile. “You are welcome, Daddy.”
John went silent.
Before Sherry returned to Glenchester, Caprice would never say thank you to anyone, let alone show courtesy. His. overprotective love spoiled her, and the girl always got what she wanted, so she had gotten used to taking things without permission.
Due to her father’s influence, no one would dare to deny her or say anything to her. Therefore, she would never care about people’s feelings.
However, ever since Sherry returned, the girl's life changed for the better. She seemed to be growing up into a decent human being. Other than being harsh and resented him, Sherry never really did anything wrong to Caprice.
When John laid his eyes on his unconscious mother, his brows tightened again and a complicated expression shrouded his face. His gloomy expression continued until a tiny and soft hand touched his face.
Caprice crawled to him and held his face with both her hands. She must have learned it from someone because he had never taught her something like this. She said, “Daddy, don’t be sad. Caprice will wake Grandma up.”
The indescribable feeling continued to rumble in John’s chest. He patted the girl’s head and said, “Mm-hmm. | believe you.”
Caprice sighed a breath of relief when she saw her father smile. She then crawled back to Madam Carter and continued to massage her hands diligently.
However, her limited strength and stamina ran out soon and she fell asleep beside Madam Stockton.
John smiled as he adjusted the girl’s posture to let her sleep more comfortably.
The room returned to silence.
John sat by the bed and watched them silently until Queenie came in.
She rubbed her eyes as she said, “Brother, you should bring Caprice back to her room. I'll watch Mom... Huh? Look, Mom looks a lot better.” She walked closer to the bed and had a closer look at Madam Stockton.
Upon hearing her words, John turned to Madam Stockton as well.
Compared to the pale and lifeless look from before, Madam Stockton seemed a lot more alive as if she was just sleeping instead of being in a coma.
“Brother, are you seeing this?” Queenie had to confirm again to make sure she was not hallucinating.
John nodded. Caprice’s massage probably worked, and it must have improved Madam Stockton’s blood circulation, hence her livelier look.
It was great news. He did not expect the girl to cause a miracle by just massaging the hands. Queenie excitedly called Emerence into the room. “Aunt Emerence, look! Look at Mom. She seems a lot better!” “Really?” Emerence came running in.
It was then Julie passed by the room and heard the little commotion. Her expression changed. She paused for a moment before she continued walking.
Back in the room, Madam Stockton was still lying unconscious on the bed.
Chapter 1617
Caprice was sleeping soundly beside Madam Stockton.
The man sat straight on the chair next to the bed while Queenie and Emerence checked on Madam Stockton.
Julie tried to have a look from the entrance, and when she saw Madam Stockton looking healthier, she frowned.
It was at that moment that Emerence turned around.
Julie’s eyes flickered nervously and she quickly wore a happy look on her face.
Emerence was slightly surprised, but she managed to keep her cool and said respectfully, “Ms. Julie, you’re here!”
Queenie immediately turned around when she heard Emerence calling Julie. “Julie, look! Mom is looking better already!” Julie smiled at her. “I saw. This is great.”
Night arrived as always, and along came the rain drizzling on the roof. The rain dripped off the beams and wet the front porch.
Sherry had a few bites of leftover dinner from last night before she sat on the couch blankly. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Caprice, and they somehow lullabied her to sleep.
Just when she fell asleep, a figure came close to her. He came forth with rhythmic footsteps, leaving a trail of wet footprints behind. He approached the couch.
There was only one lamp switched on in the living room. Although dim, it was bright enough for him to see the woman’s face and her body curled up on the couch. Her hair was slightly messy, her pale face looked slimmer than usual, and her cheeks had started to cave in.
She was still wearing the same clothes from the day when she was locked in. Her scalded arm was exposed. The blisters had hardened into scabs and started to fall off, leaving a faint scar on her arm.
He frowned. He instinctively leaned over and stroked her scars.
Swoosh!
As soon as he touched her, her hand retracted.
He looked at her, but she was still soundly asleep. It must be the pain that caused her to retract her hand instinctively.
He pursed his lips. He put his hand on her scrawny and pale face. He whispered, “ Sherry, you look terrible, but | won’t go easy on you this time unless Mother wakes up. If you want to leave this place, pray for Mother to wake up.”
He released her face and left the room.
Jason, the bodyguard, immediately opened the umbrella and escorted him to the car. John got into the car and disappeared beyond the gates.
The bodyguards closed the gates after he left. The house returned to silence. Only the drizzling rain could be heard.
The wet footprints on the floor dried swiftly, and it looked like no one had come in
before. Back at Stockton Residence, John brought Caprice back after dinner, leaving Queenie by her mother’s side. Queenie was yawning terribly. Even Emerence had a tough time fighting the drowsiness.
Julie came into the room. She smiled and said, “Queenie, Aunt Emerence, why don’t you guys go get some sleep? I'll accompany Mother tonight.”
Emerence looked at her. Queenie opened her eyes and said, “It’s okay, Julie. | can do it.”
Julie walked closer to her. “You can barely open your eyes. Just go get some sleep. I’ve slept a lot during the day, so I’m fully awake now. I'll take good care of Mother.”
The soft voice and gentle tone warmed Queenie’s heart. She hummed a reply and said, “Okay. I'll go take a nap. I'll come back later.”
“Okay. Go, go get some sleep.”
Chapter 1618
Queenie got up and left the room.
Julie then said to Emerence, “Aunt Emerence, | can take it from here. You should go get some rest too.” Emerence’s eyes flickered. She said, “Okay. I'll take a nap outside. Call me if there’s anything.” “Okay.”
Emerence finally went out.
The room returned to peace and quiet, but Julie’s expression turned cold and grim.
She walked closer to Madam Stockton.
Madam Stockton looked more or less the same as earlier, which was slightly
healthier than before.
Julie’s eyes flickered nervously. She said, “Mother?”
The only reply she got was silence. Madam Stockton did not react to her call.
Julie lowered herself and moved closer to Madam Stockton. Madam Stockton
looked a lot better now. It was as though she was sleeping instead of being in a vegetative state. Julie frowned and stared at her coldly. “Mother, are you really waking up?”
Her hands lifted uncontrollably and slowly moved towards Madam Stockton’s face. A hint of viciousness flashed in her eyes and she tried to cover the lady’s nose and mouth.
Then, the noise of the door opening was heard. Startled, Julie immediately retracted her hands. She turned around and saw Emerence coming back in.
Emerence brought in a tray of tea and biscuits but was not looking at Julie. She asked with a smile, “Ms. Julie, | brought you some tea and biscuits.” She looked and sounded natural. It was as though she had not seen what Julie was trying to do to Madam Stockton.
Julie secretly sighed a breath of relief and smiled at her. “Thank you, Aunt Emerence. Just put it there. You really should get some rest.”
Emerence put the tray of tea and biscuits on the tea table by the bed and said, “I’m
old, so | don’t need to sleep that much. | took a nap in the afternoon. Maybe that’s why | can’t sleep now. I'll stay here and accompany you.”
Julie pursed her lips. “Okay.”
Emerence sat on the chair by the door.
Julie had a few more glances at her to make sure she was not acting strangely.
Awhile later, knocks came from the door. Julie turned around and saw Emerence opening the door.
Mia came in and looked at Julie. “Madam, | have something to tell you.”
Julie’s gaze shifted. She looked at Emerence with a smile and said, “Aunt Emerence, please excuse me." Emerence said, “Okay. I'll be here. Don’t worry.” Julie smiled and followed Mia outside.
As soon as the door closed and Julie left, Emerence’s expression turned cold and grim. She got up immediately to check on Madam Stockton. Fortunately, nothing had happened to Madam Stockton.
She sighed a breath of relief, but the complicated expression lingered on her face.
After coming out from Madam Stockton’s room, Mia whispered into Julie's ears,” Madam, | followed Master Stockton around and finally located Sherry.”
Julie asked, “Where is she being kept?”
“In a forest in the suburbs. It’s a twenty—minute drive from here. | hate a glance at the house, and it’s covered in moss. | think it’s been unoccupied for a long time,” Mia added.
“How’s Sherry doing?”
“There are three bodyguards watching her, so | couldn’t get in. | didn’t see her, but Master Stockton went in for ten minutes. When he came out, he looked grumpy and angry. Sherry must have pissed him off.”
Julie curled her lips.
Chapter 1619
Sherry was locked up in a secluded place with no occupants. With almost no public infrastructure around the area, she must have suffered a lot.
Unfortunately, John only wanted to torture her. He had no intention of throwing her out or killing her. The thought of Madam Stockton’s condition improving made Julie furrow her brows.
Once Madam Stockton woke up, John would forgive Sherry again. Even if Madam Stockton remained unconscious for the rest of her life, as long as Sherry remained by his side, the man would eventually forgive her.
Julie could not afford to let Madam Stockton wake up!
She must think of a way to remove Sherry from John’s life completely!
The drizzle continued for days.
Glenchester had been shrouded by dark clouds for days now, and there was no sign of the sky turning sunny.
Sherry’s mood was like the gloomy sky—disheartened and discouraging. It was as though her soul was sucked away from her body.
Her scrawny body leaned against the door feebly.
The bodyguards had just finished their meals and returned to their post.
Sherry watched with a blank gaze. The dim environment made her look like a ghost.
When the bodyguards saw her, they quivered and quickly turned away.
Sherry’s eyes flickered at their reaction.
Awhile later, she said to the bodyguards, “Can | ask you guys for a favor?”
The bodyguards turned a deaf ear. No one dared to look at or answer her.
Sherry knew they heard her. She continued, “I don’t want to live anymore. Can you please kill me?”
The bodyguards frowned, but they did not look at her or move away from their posts.
“Argh!” Sherry cried. “If you don’t want to kill me, I'll do it myself!” She stood up while holding onto the wall. The bodyguards looked at her with a hint of nervousness, but they did not believe she would kill herself. Sherry glanced at them before she took a few steps back. She charged forward and rammed into the wall.
The bodyguards were shocked and before they could react, a loud thud sounded. Sherry had rammed her head against the wall and collapsed on the floor.
When the bodyguards came to her, her face was already covered in blood. The crimson blood made her already pale face looked even more terrifying.
John had just finished work and was on his way back to the house with Caprice.
The car stopped in front of Madam Stockton’s place.
John carried Caprice out of the car.
As soon as he stepped into the front yard, he heard Queenie’s cry.
“Why? How?! How did Mom’s condition worsen? She looked so healthy two days ago! What happened?!”
John’s eyes narrowed. He strode into the house quickly.
Queenie was crying in Emerence’s arms in Madam Stockton’s room. Emerence’s eyes were teary as well.
Julie was beside them with her tightened brows.
The best neurologist in Glenchester was checking Madam Stockton’s body with state -of-the—art machines. After a quick check-up, the doctor turned to them with a heavy expression.
Julie asked, “Doctor, how's my Mother doing?”
The doctor said in a small voice, “Madam Stockton’s condition has worsened. You need to prepare for the worst.”
Queenie burst out in tears as fear enveloped her. “W-what do you mean?!”
Chapter 1620
Chapter 1620 The doctor looked at the nurse beside him and said, “Give Madam Stockton the oxygen mask.” The nurse put the oxygen mask over Madam Stockton’s face.
The doctor then said to John and Queenie, “Master Stockton, Ms. Stockton, I’ve tried my best. Madam Stockton suffered quite the concussion from the crash and she won't be able to make it without the oxygen mask from now on.”
Queenie’s horrified expression eased a little. She then asked, “Doctor, are you saying that my Mom will live as long as she has the oxygen mask?”
The doctor nodded. “Yes. It must be on at all times, or else her life will be endangered. On a side note, the odds of Madam Stockton waking up is near zero, so please be prepared for the worst.”
Queenie pursed her lips as tears filled her eyes. The doctor gave them a few more reminders before he left with the nurse.
All that remained in the spacious room was Queenie’s crying and endless pressure. Madam Stockton looked pale and weak. It was like she would stop breathing at any moment, and the only thing that was keeping her alive was the oxygen mask.
John’s phone rang all of a sudden.
It was from the bodyguard that he had assigned to watch Sherry, and it was not time for the daily report yet. He narrowed his eyes and answered the phone.
The bodyguard said nervously, “Sir, Ms. Fowler just rammed into the wall to kill
herself. She’s unconscious now and is bleeding heavily. Do we need to send her to the hospital?”
Sherry tried to kill herself?
John’s eyes narrowed.
Then, he had a glance at Madam Stockton on the bed, and his expression turned frosty.
Why would that woman kill herself?
He had kept her for more than a year three years ago, and she had never once tried to take her life.
Now he simply starved her on an interval and she tried to kill herself? It must be her plan to earn his sympathy.
He said coldly, “Leave her. I’m on my way.”
He then put the sleeping Caprice by Madam Stockton’s bed.
Julie asked, “John, you're going out?”
“Take care of Caprice,” he said coldly as he left the room.
Julie glanced at Mia who nodded tacitly and left with her phone, going after John.
Queenie continued to sob in Emerence’s arms, and Emerence tried her best to calm the girl down.
Julie curled her lips when she saw Madam Stockton’s life hanging on a thread. She was planning how to get rid of Madam Stockton permanently last night, and because she could not come up with a solution, fate decided to side with her.
She held her laughter back and covered her delight with a heavy expression. She said to the crying Queenie, “Queenie, the doctor said Mother is fine for now. | believe as long as she’s still alive, she will wake up soon.”
The warm and kind words warmed Queenie once more, and she finally stopped crying.
She wiped her tears and said, “Yeah, you're right, Julie. As long as Mom is still alive, she will wake up.”
Julie showed a gratifying smile. “Queenie, go wash your face. I'll stay here for a while.”
“No. | want to stay by Mom’s side. | don’t want to go anywhere,” Queenie said before she sat down on the chair.
Julie sighed helplessly.
Emerence said, “Ms. Julie, don’t you worry. I'll take care of Ms. Queenie. It's late now. Why don’t you go have dinner first?” Julie smiled. “You too. You and Queenie shouldn't be missing meals.”
Emerence smiled back. “Thank you. We will.”
Julie had another glance at Madam Stockton on the bed before she left.