Cristofer nodded and remarked, “Estelle might have limited free time. I’ll come alone.”
“Is Estelle that occupied?” Luke was a little surprised. He acknowledged Cristofer’s decision and conveyed his understanding, saying, “Managing a company is not easy. Mr. Hans, do extend your help to Estelle.”
Before Cristofer could respond, Estelle interjected hurriedly, “I don’t need his help. I’m capable of handling everything on my own.”
At this moment, although Estelle and Cristofer stood side by side, they looked completely different from what they had been in the ward just now.
An air of detachment and separation lingered between them.
“Uncle Luke, you can return to the ward now. I’ll drive Estelle back so she can rest. She’s a bit weary,” Cristofer proposed.
“Sure thing. Drive carefully,” Luke replied.
After seeing Luke enter the hospital building, Estelle quickly took a considerable step backward, placing a noticeable distance between herself and Cristofer.
“Today’s act has ended. I’m leaving now. Reach out when you need me to visit Grandpa Gary. And… remember, don’t forget to help me look for the liver donor,” Estelle conveyed to Cristofer with a tone of indifference.
Observing her evident unease, Cristofer inquired with a hint of helplessness, “Do I seem like I’m tied to a bomb?”
“What?”
“You seem quite eager to maintain some distance from me, don’t you?” Cristofer mused.
Blushing slightly, Estelle responded, “It might be for the best if we maintain a certain distance.”
Cristofer then folded his arms and fixed his eyes on her.
Under his gaze, Estelle’s discomfort grew, prompting her to state, “If there’s nothing else, I should be on my way.”
“Hold on,” Cristofer interjected. “What did you mean by looking at me that way outside the CCU earlier?”
With a frown, Estelle turned her face away to avoid his gaze and said, “Nothing.”
“Star, I’ve known you for more than twenty years. I know all about you. Before we went into the CCU, the expression in your eyes when you gazed at me showed that you still have feelings for me.”
“No, you misread it,” Estelle denied without hesitation.
“I didn’t. Your eyes don’t lie.”
“You did misread it,” Estelle argued impatiently and frowned more tightly. “I have no feelings for you.”
“Then why did you say in front of Grandpa that you will be his granddaughter-in-law all your life?”
“That’s because…”
Estelle thought, ‘That’s because I’m Mr. Mysterious’ wife. I accepted his proposal, and we held our wedding under the Malus Hallinan tree.’
‘Mr. Mysterious is Grandpa Gary’s grandson, so I will be his granddaughter-in-law all my life.’
“Because of what?” Cristofer asked, looking into her eyes intently.
“Nothing,” Estelle replied, “Anyway, don’t think too much about it. There is only a partnership between us. And what I did is just because of Christina’s…”
“I know that. You don’t have to emphasize it again,” Cristofer interjected gently with a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.
“No matter what the reason is, I just want to say that I’m very happy. I’ve already asked someone to look for suitable donors as soon as possible. You can be at ease.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Star, do you have to keep such a distance when facing me?”
Estelle shook her head and replied, “This is the most suitable approach for us to coexist. Cristofer, I’ve moved on from our past. Our connection concluded quite some time ago. I’ve released any attachments, and I’m now in love with someone else. My words in the CCU were merely for show. I trust you won’t misunderstand my intentions or read too deeply into it.”
When Cristofer heard her words, the smile on his face faded away.
“Alright,” Cristofer said with a helpless smile and shook his head.
Then he said, “Get into the car. I’ll drive you back to the hotel.”
“No, thanks. I’ll take a taxi back.”
“Grandpa must be looking at us through the window of the CCU now,” Cristofer said as he leaned over and held her hand. “We’d better put on a full play. Let’s go.”
Estelle looked up at the CCU window, but the setting sun’s light was so dazzling that she couldn’t see it clearly.
She couldn’t suppress her curiosity about whether Gary had truly been observing them or if Cristofer had merely used that statement to corner her into compliance. When she redirected her focus to the current moment, she found herself seated in the car with Cristofer having already secured her seatbelt.
Subsequently, Cristofer took his place in the driver’s seat and initiated the car’s engine.
There was an awkwardly long silence.
“Is this your new car? I remember that you only liked to drive a Porsche in the past.” Estelle couldn’t help asking when looking at the familiar car decoration of the Maybach.
As soon as she finished her words, she thought of something and continued, “Oh, I see. Miss Wilson likes it, right?”
Cristofer’s hand rested on the steering wheel while the other settled on his thigh. In a resonant tone, he expressed, “This doesn’t involve her. I simply find the Maybach appealing. It’s not a bad idea to explore a different car style.”
“Porsche and Maybach indeed have distinct styles. Your preferences seem to have changed significantly.”
“People change as time passes by,” Cristofer stated. “In the past, I didn’t like perfume before, but now I like Cologne.”
Estelle’s curiosity stirred, and she asked skeptically, “Do you know anything about him?”
“About whom?”
“Mr. Mysterious.”
“Mr. Mysterious? I’ve never encountered him, and my knowledge of him is only derived from your descriptions. Initially, I believed Mr. Mysterious referred to Tim. Only after you revealed that Mr. Mysterious had passed away did I recognize that Tim wasn’t Mr. Mysterious,” Cristofer conveyed with a rueful smile.
Biting her lower lip, Estelle lowered her head and thought, ‘Cristofer, your perfume, and Maybach are the same as those of Mr. Mysterious. Is it just a coincidence?’
“Why do you suddenly ask such a question? Should I know something about him?” Cristofer asked.
Shaking her head, Estelle replied, “Nothing. I was just wondering.”
“Did Mr. Mysterious… die abroad? Did he die of a disease or in an accident?” Cristofer asked again.
“He died in an accident in Hadale,” Estelle answered.
“Was he buried in the same cemetery as your father?”
“I don’t know where he was buried,” Estelle stated sadly, “I will ask someone about it.”
“Someone? You mean his family?”
“No, I’ll ask his benefactor.”
Cristofer furrowed his brow upon hearing this and remarked, “Forgive my straightforwardness, but I find Mr. Mysterious’s quite strange. He rarely made public appearances. The fact that such a mysterious figure passed away in an accident, with only his benefactor knowing the location of his grave, raises suspicions. It seems as though he orchestrated the accident deliberately, ensuring no one can find him…”