Chapter 266: Chapter 266 Do Not Take It

At two o’clock in the afternoon. Henry returned to the mansion first to pick Crystal up swinging by the kindergarten for Skyler.

“Skyler, your parents are here.” The teacher smiled.

Skyler, in her floral dress, said proudly. “Mommy and Daddy are going to get their wedding photos taken. I’m going to get mine taken, too!”

Everyone in the class laughed, including the teacher. “I’ll take you to them,” she said.

The teacher took the little girl’s hand and led her to Henry. The former liked Skyler so much that she felt a little reluctant about handing her over to Henry.

Skyler waved her hand and said, “See you tomorrow, Miss Wall!”

As soon as Skyler got into the car, she fixed her gaze on Crystal’s belly. “Mommy, when will brother be coming out? Do I need to go to sleep for him to come out?”

my That left Crystal speechless.

Henry put on his seatbelt and answered with a smile. “You’ll need to sleep many nights before your little brother comes out.”

Skyler seemed a little disappointed, but she quickly pulled herself together. “The other kids at school say their fathers want babies too, so they work hard to plant carrots every night. Daddy, did Mommy’s belly become big because you planted carrots?”

Crystal’s cheeks turned as red as an apple.

Henry, who was about to start the engine, exchanged glances with Crystal through the rearview mirror.

He chuckled in a suggestive way, making Crystal’s face feel hotter.

It was only after some time did Henry let her off. He stepped on the gas pedal and explained to his beloved daughter, “The kids aren’t exactly right. You’ll find out when you grow up.”

Skyler trusted him, so she stopped asking questions.

Henry focused on driving and did not say a word. After all, his wife and daughter were in the car.

Half an hour later, they arrived at a high-end bridal studio.

O r 1/8 The second the car pulled up, the manager stepped forward to open the door for them, smiling professionally. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. We’ve cleared the studio to provide the best service for you.”

Henry nodded approvingly while carrying Skyler out of the car. The little girl seemed exceptionally excited, skipping as she followed beside her mother.

Crystal picked a beautiful dress for Skyler.

On the second floor, the employees took the couples to try on their wedding outfits.

Henry did not take long to get changed. His outfit was a black velvet coat paired with a white shirt.

The combination made him appear young and noble.

The young employees could not help but stare at him.

Henry remained emotionless. He simply sat in the VIP area and waited for Crystal and Skyler to finish changing their outfits.

Skyler was the first to come out. She looked beautiful in the champagne-colored tulle dress and with her curly hair tied up with a hair band.

It was Skyler’s first time getting all dolled up.

She felt a little shy and burrowed into her father’s embrace.

The employee smiled at the interaction. “The little girl looks beautiful. She looks like her mother!”

Lowering his head to look at the little girl whom he brought up. Henry felt his heart soften. He took her hand and brought her to the full-length mirror to let her view her reflection.

I really look nice! Daddy looks nice too!

Skyler’s eyes sparkled.

A smile formed on Henry’s lips. Just as he was about to speak, the changing room door opened, and out came Crystal.

Henry’s breath caught in his chest.

Although he had seen her every side, he was still stunned by her appearance.

The white wedding gown wrapped perfectly around her upper body including her slender waistline. The hem was decorated with complicated yet gorgeous lace.

Her long hair was tied up, and hanging by her ears were the pearl earrings given by Henry.

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2/8 She looked elegant and beautiful.

Henry could not help but cradle her neck and murmur, “You look gorgeous.”

The exchange left the employees blushing.

The sight before them was enough to make their imaginations go wild.

Blushing, Crystal hissed, “We’re not at home. Behave yourself.”

A chuckle escaped Henry’s throat, and he whispered, “Does that mean I don’t have to behave myself when we’re at home?”

Crystal was at a loss for words.

Just then, the photographer entered, and everyone got to work.

Since Crystal was pregnant, Henry had only signed up for a two-hour session for fear she would get tired. Thankfully, the family of three was photogenic. Two hours was enough to take all the pictures needed.

When the session was over, the photographer smiled while examining the pictures. “If not for your identity, I would love to use this as an advertisement, Mr. Miller.”

Henry simply smiled in response.

Patting Skyler’s head, he said to both Crystal and Skyler, “Get changed. I’ll take you two out for a meal.”

Skyler loved eating out.

She rushed into the changing room to get changed. While waiting for Crystal, the manager let Skyler play with a ball. The little girl was so delighted that she kept playing with it.

Henry sat on the couch and did some work on his phone..

Just then, Skyler approached him with a frown on her face. “Daddy, the ball fell in there.”

Huh?

Henry put away his phone and approached Crystal’s changing room. He knocked on the door gently and called out, “Crystal.”

There was no response, but there seemed to be the sound of the ball bouncing on the ground.

Henry grabbed the handle and turned it, but it would not open.

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3/8 <

His heart sank. Immediately, Henry shielded Skyler behind him and kicked the door open.

The sturdy door shook and opened with a bang.

Right when the door opened, Henry held his breath. Two employees were each tied to a chair with their mouths stuffed with rags.

Crystal, on the other hand, was restrained by Audrey with a blade pressed to her throat.

Crimson blood spilled from Crystal’s wound.

“Audrey!” Henry spat.

Audrey was wearing the employee uniform of the studio, but she was so skinny that she could not stand properly. Her cheeks were sunken, and a lifeless aura enveloped her. She looked nothing like her glorious self in the past.

The smile on Audrey’s face could give one goosebumps.

“Henry, you did not expect me to come out, did you? I wanted to see you, but you wouldn’t let me. I had no choice but to take my life. Those idiots sent me to the hospital. I’ve planned. all this just to meet you. Aren’t you surprised?” Suddenly, she yelled, “You’re heartless, Henry! You almost drained me to save your daughter! Do you know how torturous it feels to lose that amount of blood? You don’t! Because you only care about that b*tch and her child!”

Skyler was so shocked that she burst into tears.

“Skyler, go downstairs,” Henry ordered grimly.

Alas, Skyler was too young to understand the gravity of the situation. All she could do was cry for her mother.

Henry put on a stern face but said gently, “Be good and do as I say.”

Skyler’s lips trembled as she looked at her mother. Crystal was in a lot of pain, but she forced herself to say calmly, “Do as Daddy says.”

Tears welled up in Skyler’s eyes. After taking a few steps backward, she ran downstairs.

Audrey commented sarcastically, “How touching!”

Henry clenched his fists and fixed his gaze on Crystal before turning to Audrey. “What do you want?”

“What do I want?” Audrey laughed maniacally. She stared Henry in the eyes, her gaze suddenly filled with affection. “I want to go back to the past. Henry... my regret is that ridiculous time. Can you forgive me? As long as you forgive me and make peace with me, I’ll let her go.”

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O 4/8 The man’s face was devoid of expression when he said, “Okay. I forgive you.”

Audrey looked up and laughed.

“You’re lying! You just want to save this b*tch!”

Audrey brought the blade closer to Crystal’s throat.

Crimson blood flowed from Crystal’s neck, staining the white. gown.

Crystal’s throat muscles became tense.

She dared not even breathe, for a single movement would cost her life. She dared not call out to Henry for help either because she feared it would provoke Audrey.

A smile broke out on Audrey’s face again. “I don’t actually want to kill her because doing that will only make you remember her for the rest of your life.”

Just then, Audrey pulled out a syringe.

In it was a yellow reagent.

Tossing it near Henry’s feet, Audrey uttered coldly, “I’m giving you a chance. Inject this into your body and I’ll let her go. This is some quality stuff. Once you inject this into your body, I’ll be free from all this pain. That’s because you’ll slowly forget Crystal.

You’ll forget they ever existed.”

When she finished speaking, she broke into mad laughter.

Crystal could not take it anymore. While struggling, she screamed, “Henry, no! Don’t take it! Don’t take it!”

She was not afraid of Henry forgetting her. She was afraid it would take his life.

Henry stared at Crystal and said sternly, “Don’t move!”

What he needed to do at that moment was to buy time.

Audrey had lost her mind. A simple provocation could make Crystal lose her life. Henry loved both Crystal and Skyler. He would not let anything happen to Crystal even if it cost his life.

He bent over and picked up the syringe with a look of determination. “I’ll inject it.”

Tears streamed down Crystal’s face. “No, Henry...”

Audrey’s face was distorted from the excitement that was coursing through her veins. She O 5/8 stared at Henry fixedly. “Hurry up, or I’ll kill her. One, two, three...”

Henry removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves.

His strong and good-looking arm was instantly exposed in front of everyone. They were the arms that had hugged Crystal countless nights, yet they were slowly getting injected with yellow liquid.

The air was still.

All he saw was Crystal’s teary eyes.

I’m sorry, Crystal. I’m sorry for making you sad all the time. Don’t cry. It makes my heart ache. This is nothing. It’s nothing compared to the harm I’ve caused you. It doesn’t hurt. Crystal, I actually believe the abbot’s words about me bringing bad luck to the people around me. I’ve always been afraid, but I never expect us to separate so soon. Crystal, I swear I’ll come back to you if I get a second life. Don’t cry. I can’t say anything, but I know you know what I’m thinking. I love you!

Soon, his vision grew blurry.

All he saw was the building opposite grow dark, followed by a muffled sound.

Audrey was shot in the head.

Police officers were slowly surrounding the entrance.

Audrey lay in the pool of blood, her eyes wide open and her lips curled up in an eerie smirk.

Crystal, if I can’t get him, you can’t either.

Crystal simply stood there with her body drenched in blood.

Seeing that, Henry tossed the syringe, walked over to her, and hugged her so tightly that it hurt her.

“I’m fine! Henry, I’m fine!” Lifting his arm, Audrey asked, “How are you feeling? Let’s go to the hospital right away.”

Henry shut his eyes slightly and murmured an answer in agreement.

When the couple arrived at the first floor, Skyler threw herself at them, crying out loud. Henry lifted the girl into his arms and comforted her, “Everything’s all right, Skyler. It’s all right now.”

Skyler only sobbed harder.

The sight of her mother in blood filled Skyler with fear and worry.

6/8 Just then, David and Julia arrived.

After leaving Skyler and Crystal in Julia’s care, Henry left for Barnwood’s best hospital with. David. Crystal had wanted to go with Henry, but he insisted that she stayed to keep their daughter company.

David realized something was wrong as soon as they got into the car, so he quickly questioned his son.

Leaning against the seat, Henry said softly, “Audrey got a reagent from somewhere. This stuff can cause damage to the nerve.”

“You injected it?” David’s voice trembled slightly.

Henry said nothing and merely looked at his father in silence.

He loved his wife and daughter, but he had let his parents down.

David’s heart broke into a million pieces when he understood the meaning of his son’s response. He wanted nothing more than tear Audrey apart, but sending Henry to the hospital for an examination was more important at that moment.

The driver sped all the way, allowing them to arrive at the hospital in just a short amount of time.

Soon, Henry’s blood was taken for tests.

When the results were out, the doctor read through the report and said to David solemnly, “David, can I talk to you for a moment?”

David took a deep breath and said, “Let Henry hear it, too. He’s no fool. Whether it’s good or bad news, he needs to hear it.”

There was a moment of silence before the doctor pointed at the lab report. “This is Ustrana’s newest illegal reagent. It’s not lethal, but it can damage nerves, causing the person to lose their memories and even have migraines. As for how serious it is, we’ll need to observe him.

more.”

David shut his eyes to process the news. “Is there a way to save him?”

The doctor gazed at the elderly man and shook his head.

David nodded, tears forming in his eyes.

The man had always been strong and rarely cried except for the moment when Skyler was born.

O 7/8 Night came.

In the mansion’s living room, the lights were bright.

Not forgetting that she was Skyler’s mother, Crystal kept her worries inside her and treated Skyler with the utmost tenderness.

Skyler, having been frightened out of her mind, was sprawled on Crystal’s legs as she whispered, “When is Daddy coming back?”

Crystal caressed her cheeks. Just as she was about to answer her daughter, the sounds of a car’s engine came from the outside. She quickly held Skyler’s hand and headed out, a look of unprecedented apprehension on her face.

The moment Henry got out of the car, he met her eyes.

The two stared at each other for a long while before Henry continued his way over.

Lifting Skyler to kiss her, he then said to Crystal, “I’m fine. Don’t scare Skyler.”

Crystal’s eyes were teary as she continued staring at him.

At that, Henry wrapped his arm around her shoulders and rested his forehead against hers. “I’m really fine. I’ve come back in one piece, Crystal.”

Crystal’s lips trembled.

She knew she should hold back her emotions, but she could not help but lean into his shoulders. Tears fell down her face silently. In no time, the fabric on his shoulder was damp and warm, an uncomfortable sensation.

“Crystal,” he softly called out to her, patting her as though he was consoling a child.

Just then, David came over, gesturing for the housekeeper to bring Skyler away.

He had always doted on Crystal, but after what happened, and since Melora was not too capable, he had to make sure that Crystal grew more mature to help Henry bear the burden.

Softly, he told Crystal, “From now on, everyone in the family will be depending on you!

Henry was reluctant to let Crystal bear the burden, but he knew that it was a necessity.

His father was old. One day, he would pass.