Abelâs expression sank. âAunt Julianna, my mother wasnât in the garden when the incident happened.â
âWhat about Alana?â Julianna asked. âI think thereâs something fishy about her!â
She was at the dance floor with me,â Abel explained somewhat reluctantly.
âFine, whatever,â Julianna said. âLetâs keep a close eye on our own children and minimize our interactions between families!â
Quite obviously, she was referring to Emmeline and Abel.
The two people seemed awkward.
âYes, Abel.â Adrien went up to stand beside Emmeline. âIâm very grateful that you saved my son, but what happens after is strictly within our family. You should leave.â
Abel glanced at Hesperus, sleeping on the hospital bed. The boy was in a better condition than before.
He nodded at Emmeline before stepping out of the ward.
Emmeline could hear his footsteps echo rhythmically down the corridor and into the elevator.
Somehow, she felt vacant inside, as though she and Hesperus had lost a shoulder to lean on.
Thatâs strange. I thought the father and grandparents of my children are here with me!
Abel stepped out of the hospital.
The night wind was blowing fiercely, but he did not feel cold at all.
He took a cigarette and placed it between his lips. He was about to search for a lighter when Luca presented a lighter next to him.
Abel furrowed his brows a little as he took a drag.
The atmosphere in the hospital ward made him uncomfortable.
It made him feel even worse that he had to leave Emmeline and Hesperus there.
However, Adrien was right. Whatever happened next had nothing to do with him.
He was only an outsider.
âAre we going home, Mr. Ryker?â
Luca asked.
âLetâs get a drink.â Abel stubbed out the cigarette after taking a few drags. He tossed the cigarette into the trash can and walked toward his car.
Luca turned around and looked at the window where Hesperusâ room was.
He could imagine what was going on inside.
Sigh, itâs all because of that mistake five years ago. Emmeline should have been with Abel and not Adrien!
Abel was driving, so Luca sat in the side passenger seat. They went to a bar named Golden Memories.
Abel had not been back in the country for very long, so the people in the bar did not know who he was.
Even so, the bustling atmosphere in the bar died down a little after Abel stepped into the place with an icy demeanor The male guests stepped aside and made way for Abel, while the female guests gasped and wondered who the mysterious guest was.
âWow, he has the demeanor of a devil but the looks of an angel!â
âHow charming!â
Someone recognized him. âThatâs Abel Ryker! Heâs the head honcho of the Ryker Group!â
âWow, itâs really Abel Ryker!â
âHeâs so handsome! This is the first time I met him in person!â
Some people in the crowd wére cheering excitedly.
That made Luca véry nervous. Even though he and Ãbel were good fighters, he could not help but be guarded against what might happen.
Abel stood on the bar counter and raised his beer glass. âIf thatâs the case, everything is on me today!â
âWow! How lucky! Mr. Ryker is footing the bill!â
âDrink, drink, drink! Letâs drink to our fill!â
Several young women came over to Abel. âMr. Ryker, can I toast you?â
âWhy donât you come over and sit with us?â
Luca stepped in front of the women and said sternly, âMr. Ryker doesnât allow anyone of the opposite sex within ten feet of him. You have been warned!â
âOh? Ten feet? Is he celibate?â
âIâve heard rumors that Mr. Ryker doesnât interact with women. Looks like theyâre true!â
âDonât tell me heâs into men!â
As soon as the woman said that, the beer glass in her hand shattered into pieces, and beer splashed all over her body.
She did not know how the glass exploded, though she was extremely shocked.