Odin helped her open the door and stood guard at the entrance.
Seeing Eli about to burst into tears again, Averi didn't want to hear any of it, coldly saying, "Skip the nonsense, tell me directly what you did. Eli, if you still want me to help you, don't waste my time guessing what details you've hidden. Tell me first, how did Dad fall? Did you push him?"
"Not! I didn't!" Eli sprang up like a startled bird, eyes wide open, "Dad hit me. I couldn't bear the pain and tried to dodge, then Dad fell down! Averi, I swear, I absolutely did not fight back, I didn't even touch Dad's clothes!"
That's good.
She feared most that Eli would act recklessly and lay hands on Christopher.
"Eli, tell me the truth, after Dad fell, were you the first one to go out for help?"
Eli trembled, not daring to meet her eyes: "I, I was scared stiff and delayed for a few minutes…"
Whether it was genuine delay or intentional procrastination, Averi didn't bother to pursue the matter, she only asked: "Was Dad conscious at that time? Did he know you didn't call for help immediately?"
Eli anticipated she would ask this, his feet turned cold, suddenly fearing to the extreme.
It wasn't Christopher he was afraid of, but Averi.
"He probably didn't know, after Dad fell, he started convulsing, I called out a few times, but he didn't respond." His voice was reduced to a mere whisper from fear.
Averi scrutinized his expression carefully, seeing no signs of lying, she then said: "Speak."
At this point, Eli dared not hide anything, slumping back onto the sofa in dejection, lifelessly stating: "It was Clayton… After Bella became the wife, Clayton and I went in together on a film investment company."
Averi had warned him that the family would never marry a powerless mistress. But in the end, Bella quickly became the legitimate wife.
For this, Eli felt very proud, he finally won against Averi once.
Clayton was officially recognized by the family and changed his surname, many people who tried to flatter him failed, but he, relying on the friendship formed during a car accident, not only got closer to Clayton but also received personal gratitude from Bella.
"Bella said it was inconvenient for her and Clayton to be involved publicly, so I became the legal representative of the company."
He paused, waiting for Averi's sarcastic remarks, but the woman across from him remained silent.
Eli had no choice but to continue: "Most of the capital came from Bella, and the projects... were also found by her."
From the moment he mentioned Bella, all of Averi's anger had turned into disappointment, a disappointment so deep it left her powerless.
How could her brother be so foolish?
"A few days ago, I suddenly lost contact with them, they wouldn't answer my calls or reply to my messages. Today, Dad told me, I learned that Bella has been arrested, charged with some sort of bribery offense. Dad said because I had financial dealings with her, I'm now under suspicion as well."
Having finished his account, Eli finally dared to look up at her, "Averi, the family won't let anything happen to Bella, right? She is Clayton's mother."
Averi ruthlessly shattered his illusions: "Have you ever thought about why Bella was so easily caught, and if they were going to arrest someone, why just her?"
The so-called "promotion" was just a way to legitimize Clayton's status and make sure he was fully recognized by the family.
As for Bella, the head of the family had likely grown tired of her long ago, taking the opportunity to push all the messy affairs onto her, performing a grand act of righteousness to rid himself of an old and worn-out lover while cleaning his own name, achieving two goals with one action.
These people, each more ruthless than the last.
Getting involved with someone dangerous? You'd better be ready for the consequences.
Eli's charge was likely money laundering, which could be big or small, if it escalated, the entire Forbes family might be implicated.
Up until this moment, Eli seemed not to have fully grasped the cause and effect, staring blankly at her.
Averi suddenly felt very weary.
In a fleeting moment, she had the impulse to abandon everything.
But it was just a moment.
The next afternoon, Christopher briefly regained consciousness.
Perhaps heaven was helping, at the time Johnathan was talking on the phone in the hallway, and Eli had been sent outside the ward by her to prevent Christopher from getting angry upon seeing him.
Sensing movement, Averi immediately held Christopher's hand, leaning close to him and said: "Dad, it's me, Averi. Don't worry, I will handle everything, I promise nothing bad will happen to the company."
Christopher gazed at her with a scattered look, for a long time, blinking slowly.
Averi continued: "Mareli is in France, she'll be back later." She shifted her body, guiding Christopher's gaze towards Teagan: "Dad, look, who has come to see you."
Teagan stepped forward, taking over Averi's position: "Christopher, it's me."
Christopher was stunned for a while, seemingly unable to believe his eyes.
Teagan spoke gently, "The doctor said the surgery was very successful. Please rest well, and you'll recover soon."
Cristopher looked at her affectionately, blinking to indicate he understood.
He had feelings for Teagan; time had dulled both their passion and their conflicts. As he aged, Cristopher couldn't help but dwell more on the past, feeling increasingly nostalgic for the days when they built everything from the ground up together.
What he truly missed were his glorious years, his youthful vigor and indomitable spirit. Teagan happened to be part of that era, making her exceptionally charming.
After only two or three minutes, Cristopher fell into unconsciousness once more.
Judging by his reaction, it seemed the family angle was working.
Averi had been on edge all night but finally managed to relax. However, after just over ten minutes of ease, a headache began to follow one after another. She asked the nurse for a painkiller and called the butler to send fresh clothes.
Next, it was Milo's turn to visit.
