Chapter 392

After hearing this, the server sighed with relief, hurried over, and waved Helen to approach. Helen saw the signal and rushed forward, but stopped short when she saw Lily and Lisa.

She immediately turned to Mike, saying, "Mike, I went to the hospital and discovered you'd brought Nick home. Why didn't you tell me he was discharged? Do you know how worried I was?!"

"Since you can see he's fine, you can go," Mike replied impassively.

Helen, unable to convince Mike, turned to Nick. "Nick, thank goodness you're okay! Do you know how worried I was? It was all my fault! I'm so sorry! Are you feeling better now? Do you want me to stay and take care of you?" She opened her arms to hug him.

Lily observed as Nick subconsciously avoided his mother's embrace, instinctively moving away.

"You don't need to take care of him. Just stay away from him," Mike said bluntly.

"Mike, how can you do this? I'm the child's mother, no matter what! You can't deprive me of my maternal rights!"

He sneered. "Really? Do you honestly want to fulfill your maternal duties?"

"Of course!" Helen replied instantly.

Mike nodded. "Okay, then I'll give you this chance. Nick belongs to you from today onward. I'll apply to the court for custody transfer. I'll pay monthly alimony and cover his schooling until he's an adult. However, don't even think about getting anything else from me. What do you think?"

Helen was silent, disgusted. Nearby, Nick nervously clutched Mike's clothes, his eyes downcast and pitiful. He remained silent throughout, the unwitting center of the adults' conflict, a situation that distressed Lily.

"Mike, you can't do this to me!" Helen cried. "The child needs a complete family!"

Mike sneered, exposing her mercilessly. "Did I cause this? Helen, don't think everyone's a fool. You and I know what happened. I'm letting the past go for our child's sake, but push me too far, and I will retaliate!"

"Mike"

"Disappear from here before I lose my patience," he said coldly, each word deliberate.

Angry but powerless, Helen turned to Lily and Lisa. "Why are you two here?!" Lily looked confused.

"I knew something was wrong that day. You were trying to get close to Mike, weren't you?" Helen's resentment toward Lily lingered from their previous encounter. Mike's kindness toward Lily, contrasted with his accusations toward her, fueled her suspicion, further intensified by Lily's seemingly hidden depths.

"Don't try to take my place. Nick is my child. Don't waste your time." Lily remained silent.

"Helen! Don't be so rude. Lily has a boyfriend. Mike invited her here to thank her for saving Nick! If it weren't for Lily, Nick would have" Lisa attempted to defend Lily, but Helen interrupted.

"Lisa, shut up! I considered you a friend, but you're ganging up on me? You introduced her to Mike on purpose, didn't you?!"