Chapter 1296:

From across the room, Brenna spotted him leaving in a rush. “That was quick. He didn’t cause a scene?”

Finley had trailed after Alec earlier and returned a few minutes later.

“He walked in, took one look, and walked out,” said Finley. “Couldn’t stomach the sight of his son being an escort.”

Brenna frowned with mild disappointment. She’d been hoping for a spectacle.

When the next morning rolled around, Brenna entered the company building for work, scanning the area for Alec, but he was nowhere to be found. The only familiar face was Emil Brown, who often worked alongside Alec.

“Emil, come here,” Brenna called, curiosity sparking.

Emil approached her quickly. “Mr. Harper, do you need something?” he asked politely.

“Where’s Alec?” Brenna questioned.

Emil knew Alec’s relationship with Brenna. He’d bragged to the other guards that she was his daughter, and they’d often caught him trying to get closer to her, assuming his claims were true. So, while Alec had no official rank in security management, his influence over the guards far outweighed that of the actual head guard or manager.

Emil said, “He was meant to be working last night, but he went out instead. When he came back, he was in a rage and wouldn’t say why. Later that night, he just collapsed—eyes wide open. We rushed him to the hospital. I only got back now to pass my shift to the next guard.”

Brenna believed that fate was finally dealing Alec the punishment he deserved. She even hoped he’d die.

To Emil and the rest of the guards, it had always been clear that Brenna held Alec in low regard. If she respected him, she would never have let her adoptive father work as a security guard. They teased him often, though none dared to push him far enough to provoke a real fight.

Explore magic at gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s．c𝗈𝗺

“So, how is he now?” Brenna asked while pulling out her phone, ready to call Isabella.

Emil gave a dry laugh. “He’s alive, but only just. The doctor said he had a massive stroke. His mouth hangs to one side, his eyes can’t focus, and his words come out all garbled. He’s basically paralyzed now. He’ll even need someone to feed him. It’s quite tragic, if you ask me.”

“I see,” Brenna replied flatly, already deciding that living was far too lenient an outcome for Alec.

Even so, the idea of him trapped in bed with no one willing to care for him had its appeal.

She doubted Alec would last long without help.

Back in her office, Brenna, too distracted to focus on work, called Isabella.

The hospital noise bled through the receiver before Isabella spoke. “Brenna, maybe you haven’t heard yet, but you don’t need to worry about Alec anymore.”

Brenna didn’t bother hiding her satisfaction. “Tell me, how bad is it?”

“He is paralyzed,” Isabella said. “His mouth hangs open, he drools, and he can barely get words out. My mom’s the one sitting with him right now.”

“Did she remarry him?” Brenna asked.

She thought that if Ruby remarried, her days would be consumed with tending to a paralyzed husband, her life bound to the unending demands of his care. If they didn’t remarry, Alec would be left all alone, with no one to stand by him. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn find~novel~net

“No, she didn’t,” Isabella replied.

.

.

.