Chapter 552

Oliver did not press further on this topic. He had already understood Esther’s intentions. “When you left, you met Mr. Pendleton?”

Esther bit her lip and nodded gently. “He asked me to marry him.”

Oliver studied Esther. She was a Quill and could have her way.

Esther loved Bradley, and this was not something difficult to talk about.

“Esther, do you want to be with Bradley?” Oliver asked.

Esther did not understand what Oliver meant and looked at him in confusion.

“You only need to tell me whether you want to or not.”

Esther took a deep breath and said softly with reddened eyes, “Uncle Oliver, I hope Felix can grow up in the love of his parents. I hope I can find my daughter.”

“Alright, I understand.” Oliver stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the distant city lights. “Just be patient and wait a little longer.”

“Wait for me to break Bradley’s pride. I will give him to you as a gift,’ he thought.

“Uncle Oliver, I don’t understand what you mean by that.”

Oliver tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with strong, complex emotions that Esther couldn’t grasp.

“You don’t need to understand for now. All you need to do is take care of your health.”

Oliver walked over to Felix, removed his earbuds, and said warmly, “Felix, let Mommy rest here and heal. Come home with Granduncle Oliver.”

“Okay.”

After Oliver and Felix departed, Esther’s restlessness grew. She knew the Quills were treating her kindly, but her enduring love for Bradley felt like a betrayal. Yet, she couldn’t idly stand by. After all, she had cherished Bradley, and he had saved her. They still had Felix and two daughters.

Esther covered her face with her hands and hid under the blanket in agony. She gently placed her hand on her chest, feeling her heart beating. This was what it felt like to be alive.

She wanted Bradley to stay alive too. He had to stay alive.

A buzzing sound interrupted her thoughts.

Esther reached for her vibrating phone, answering the call without checking the caller ID.

“Hello…”

A nauseating cackle greeted her on the other end.

“Esther, did you see the photo I sent you?”

The voice echoed like a ghostly presence.

Instantly alert, Esther checked the caller ID and cautiously inquired, “Is this Mr. Pendleton?”

“Do you recognize whose severed hand is in the photo?”

A sense of dread gripped Esther’s heart. She trembled and fell in despair, biting her lip. “Who? Whose hand is it?”

“In your heart, you already know the answer.” Chadwick sneered, his sinister tone sending shivers down Esther’s spine.

“Bradley injured one of my hands, so I’m going to repay the favor by ruining both of his-tit for tat!”

Chadwick declared with malice.

Esther’s vision dimmed, tears welling in her eyes. Her voice quivered as she exclaimed, “Are you insane?”

“Today, it’s only one hand. The fate of his other hand depends on your response, Esther!”

Esther refused to marry Chadwick. She gritted her teeth, threatening, “I’ll call the police!”

“Esther, you’d better find out who I am first. Of course, you can also try whether you can call the police faster or if I can have Bradley’s hand chopped off faster. Hmm? I’ll give you 10 seconds to think it over.

Tell me now, what’s your answer?”