Chapter 458

Hugo looked a bit hesitant. After all, the two families had always been on good terms. Back at his father’s birthday party, his family joked about the childhood engagement between them. It thus inevitably came across as them letting Grace’s family down.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this,” Hugo said.

Aubree couldn’t help but get angry. ‘Do you still need to investigate? Isn’t it obvious right before your eyes,’ she thought.

“Weren’t you there during the questioning just now? He’s mentally ill and a fan of Grace. You don’t seriously think just because you talked to Grace, she would step back to being the sweet girl-next-door, do you?

“Now, I finally understand why, after all this time, your relationship with Birgitte never moves forward but regresses instead,” Aubree said.

The two knew each other because of Bowen. On top of that, since Hugo liked Birgitte, he had often sought advice from Aubree, and it made them fairly familiar with each other.

“If I were you, I’d go straight to Grace right now and get her to explain to Birgitte. At the very least, Grace should face the consequences for what she’s done,” Aubree said firmly.

Hugo avoided Aubree’s gaze and said, “Let’s just go see Birgitte at the hospital first.”

Aubree was speechless. “You and Bowen get along pretty well. If he had your personality, I would’ve broken up with him on the spot.”

Hugo just said calmly, “I’ll get to the bottom of it.” Aubree sneered without making any comment.

At the hospital, Aubree couldn’t be bothered to look at Hugo’s hesitant expression any longer and went to check on Patrick, the man who had saved them.

Coincidentally, Patrick was the very same skilled new tech recruit that Birgitte had praised earlier. She had even regretted not getting to meet him before the end of the workday, and little did she expect their first meeting would happen like this.

Outside the ward, at the corner of the hallway, Birgitte looked pale. The liquid that man threw was concentrated sulfuric acid. Fortunately, he didn’t aim accurately, and Patrick shielded her with his back.

The injury was on the lower part of Patrick’s right shoulder, and after emergency treatment, it wasn’t too severe.

Birgitte didn’t dare imagine. ‘If Patrick didn’t show up, not only would I be disfigured, but Aubree would be hurt as well,’ she thought.

“Birgitte, you…” Hugo had so much to say, but seeing her like this, he couldn’t utter a word.

‘What’s the point of talking all this now? I’m so powerless,’ he thought.

Birgitte looked straight at him. “No matter how much Grace was involved, or whether she planned it or not, I won’t let her get away with this,” Birgitte said.

Hugo was at a loss. “Can you let me investigate first?” he asked. Birgitte’s eyes were full of disappointment, just as he had expected.

“Hugo, I’ve wanted to talk to you for a while, but never got the chance. Let’s lay it all out today,” Birgitte said.

Hugo’s heart dropped; he knew whatever she was about to say would send him straight into hell, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. He clenched his fists weakly, bracing himself for her final verdict.

“Whenever we go out or just spend time together, Grace will always look for you. Sometimes you turn her down, and sometimes you don't. I know you usually ask for my opinion, and I’ve always said yes, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t bother me.

“I kept waiting for the day you’d finally say no to Grace, but I don’t think that day will ever come.

“Maybe it’s your family background, or maybe it’s your profession, but you have a strong sense of responsibility.

Grace is the daughter of a close family friend. She’s working alone at Südlichen Strand, and whether out of courtesy as an older brother or due to the longstanding bond between your families, you just can’t bring yourself to ignore her.

“So let’s end this here. I don’t blame you, and you don’t have to worry about how I feel anymore. Take care of yourself,” Birgitte said.

With that, Birgitte turned and walked away. Hugo reached out, but she was already gone. His hand grasped nothing but empty air.

He slowly withdrew his fingers into a fist, closing them around nothing. Staring after Birgitte’s retreating figure, Hugo’s eyes were full of confusion and loss. ‘Is everything I did… wrong?’ he wondered.

Birgitte took a deep breath to steady herself, then made her way to Patrick’s ward. As she pushed open the door, the first thing she saw was Aubree’s worried, caring eyes.

“Where’s Hugo?” Aubree asked.

Birgitte shook her head. “He’s gone,” she said.

The two fell silent. Patrick, lying face-down on the bed, listened to their brief exchange, his eyes shifting slightly.