Chapter 1243 - 1183: A Weighty Dream

After all, he was introduced by the Taylor Family, Adrian Desmond didn’t completely trust Doctor Murphy.

His gaze fell on Claire Desmond’s face, and Claire was clearly not right, at least different from before.

"Claire, I’m Daddy."

Adrian Desmond picked up his daughter’s soft little body, feeling deeply guilty.

He knew Claire had been abducted by Kevin Taylor, thinking it was just a child’s prank, and once she was found, there’d be no issue; he focused all his attention on searching for Sienna Johnson.

As a result, something happened to Claire.

Sienna Johnson cherished the four children the most; if Sienna finds out Claire has become like this, she would definitely be angry with him again.

"Mr. Desmond, don’t worry too much. We can’t diagnose what’s wrong yet; we need to continue observing. Maybe she’ll be better by tomorrow," Doctor Murphy reassured.

Adrian Desmond didn’t respond, asked Sally to make a bottle of formula for Claire, personally tested the temperature of the milk, and fed Claire, who obediently drank, seeming hungry.

"Doctor Murphy, Claire needs to rest. If there’s nothing else, please leave for now."

Knowing that Doctor Murphy was associated with the Taylor Family, Sally didn’t have a good impression of him.

"Alright, I’ll rest in the room from earlier. If Claire shows any symptoms, inform me immediately."

Sally didn’t reply.

Doctor Murphy glanced at Claire drinking milk, sighed, and left.

With no outsiders in the ward, Sally asked in a deep voice, "Sixth Master, should I take care of Kevin Taylor?"

Adrian Desmond said, "Look into how many more bad things Kevin Taylor has done, then report back to me!"

"Yes, Sixth Master."

Sally accepted the task and left, feeling regretful; she would prefer to personally kill Kevin Taylor than investigate him.

Claire finished her drink, and Adrian Desmond picked her up, gently patting her back while pacing the ward, his heart heavy with sadness, not knowing what to say.

Marion knocked on the door, walked in, and Adrian glanced at Marion, asking, "Still no news?"

"No," Marion whispered.

"I see. Please go out," Adrian said irritably.

"Yes, Sixth Master."

Marion worriedly glanced at Adrian and Claire, saying softly, "Sixth Master, you haven’t rested either. You should take a break; if there’s an update, I’ll report immediately."

"Okay."

Adrian took his daughter to the window, which faced a fountain reflecting a beautiful rainbow in the sunlight.

"Claire, isn’t the rainbow beautiful?"

Claire quietly watched the rainbow, and soon her eyelids drooped, falling asleep in Adrian’s arms.

Checking her breath, seeing her steady breathing, Adrian knew she had merely nodded off.

Exhausted, Adrian lay with his daughter in the small hospital bed, holding her as he closed his eyes for a light nap.

A short sleep, and he dreamt anyway.

In the dream, he naturally searched the world for Sienna Johnson, searching for many years, many years...until he was old and gray, he finally found Sienna Johnson.

Sienna had married Night Owl and had four children.

Adrian brought a grown-up Claire, but Sienna no longer recognized him, nor Claire.

Adrian abruptly awoke, tears in his eyes amidst the darkness; he hadn’t merely slept briefly but had slept for quite some time.

"Sienna Johnson..."

Chaotic dreams troubled Adrian Desmond, its sorrow weighing heavily on his heart, unable to shake it off even after waking.

Looking at Claire in his arms, he whispered, "No, Mommy won’t forget you."

"..."

"Mommy loves you all deeply...She just...just can’t come home now."

This time was different from when Sienna Johnson ran away before; then she left intentionally, never intending to see him again.

This time she was forced to leave, Sienna was incredibly smart. Even if he couldn’t find her momentarily, she would certainly find a way back to him and their children.

Even if not for him, she would return for her four children...

Claire suddenly burst into tears.

"Claire?"

Claire didn’t wake up, apparently having a nightmare, as Adrian turned on the light, picked her up, waking her. Claire opened her eyes pitifully, looking at her father

and, with a quivering lip, was about to cry again.

"Claire, sweetie, don’t cry."

Claire couldn’t hold back, tears falling like raindrops, looking very distressed, causing Adrian’s heart to wrench.

"Scared? It’s okay now. Daddy will avenge you, properly teach that little rascal a lesson."

Claire blinked, in her father’s comfort, gradually slid back into sleep.

"Sleep now; I’ll be by your side, won’t let anyone hurt you again."

Troubled by nightmares, Adrian could no longer find sleepiness. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, glanced at his daughter, and just held it between his lips without lighting it.

Sienna Johnson had said smoking around children was akin to murder.

"Sienna Johnson, where are you?"

...

The next morning, General Taylor arrived early with Kevin Taylor, bringing breakfast, fruit, and a flower basket to see Claire.

Claire was hugging a bottle, drinking milk. Upon seeing Kevin Taylor, she reacted intensely, hiding desperately in her father’s arms, crying loudly, her whole body shaking.

Adrian’s steely gaze swept over Kevin Taylor, wondering: What had this boy done to make his daughter so scared of him?

General Taylor gave Kevin Taylor a push towards Adrian, causing a stumble, putting on a facade of righteous indignation, saying, "Mr. Desmond, this indeed was Kevin’s fault. I’ve brought him today; do with him as you will, whether to beat or kill!"

"His parents passed away early; I’m getting old, powerless in his upbringing, leading to his current behavior..."

"I truly didn’t expect he’d abduct your daughter, though he harbored no ill intent..."

"..."

"I brought him; you..."

Adrian looked around, finding nothing suitable, grabbed his coat from the bed, rolled it up, and began hitting Kevin Taylor fiercely.

General Taylor was dumbfounded...

Really hitting him?

Not once, but thrice by the time General Taylor coldly remarked; he was heartbroken, though Kevin had done many wicked things, he’d never brought himself to touch him.

General Taylor hurriedly said, "...In some ways, I’m accountable too. His parents died young; I pitied him for lacking parental guidance, indulging him until he became unruly..."