Chapter 699 He Knows
The sharp sound echoed in the room.
Ashton stared in shock, her eyes wide.
William’s personal bodyguards, whose top priority was his safety, immediately rushed forward.
Jodie, who had been worried about Emelie and William being alone, managed to get to the hospital just in time to witness the scene. Without a second thought, she quickly moved behind Emelie, watching the other party cautiously.
The two groups faced off, forming a tense standoff.
A sudden flush of red appeared on William’s already pale face. However, he remained calm, his eyes fixed on Emelie.
Emelie said coldly, “I warned you not to touch me recklessly, and I also warned you not to call me that, Mr. Middleton. If you have a poor memory, I hope this slap will make a lasting impression.”
William didn’t seem to care about the slap. He asked her, “Do you really not remember why I bought that mansion at that location?”
Emelie’s expression was impassive. “I don’t remember.”
William saw the jealousy and rejection flicker in her eyes and shook his head, not believing her denial.” You remember perfectly.”
He explained, “When we visited Moten’s exhibition and saw that ‘Carriage in the Snow’ painting, you mentioned that once you saved up enough for an early retirement, you would buy a small house with a fireplace in a snowy town.
“You wanted to wake up to the sound of branches snapping under the snow, drink tea in the afternoon while gazing at the snowy landscape, and spend your time skiing, building snowmen, and having snowball fights. You said that such a life would never grow old for you, even after 10 years.
“Because of that, three years ago, I came to Borealis City. One reason was to inspect the laboratory, and the other was to find a house that matched your dream. That duplex mansion originally had an owner, but I paid them three times its value to buy it.”
William’s voice was low. “I really wanted to bring you here for a vacation in the future.”
Emelie remembered it. When she saw the replica of the ‘Carriage in the Snow’ in the room, she recalled what she had said in jest.
The fact that he actually bought a house there because of that didn’t touch her. Instead, she only found it ridiculous. “Were you planning to take my memorial tablet here for a vacation?”
Emelie shook her head. “No, you don’t make a memorial tablet for me. It was set up by Mr. Gleamfield.” She found it strange and asked, “William, I don’t understand. What are you trying to do lately? Are you trying to tell me you have feelings for me, or even that you love me?”
William’s lips seemed to be forming a “yes”, but Emelie added a sarcastic question. “Do you think I would believe that?”
William remained silent.
“Even if I did believe it, so what?” Emelie said, smoothing out the wrinkle in his collar that she had made with her slap.
She moved closer again and spoke softly, yet mockingly, “Do you expect me to reconcile with you?”
William swallowed heavily, and the light in his dark eyes seemed to shatter.
Emelie chuckled softly. “Wake up, Mr. Middleton.”
This time, she really left.
William closed his eyes.
Though the windows in the corridor were sealed, he could still hear the howling north wind outside, wailing as if it was singing a mournful song for someone who couldn’t cry aloud.
Ashton waited for a long while, but he didn’t move.
She was unable to contain herself and called out, “Mr. Middleton.”
William opened his eyes, his gaze clear and his expression returned to normal.
He said, “I’ve always been clear-headed. I’ve always known what I wanted to do. I’ve known for three years.”
Emelie went downstairs and stood at the hospital entrance.
She had tucked the hand that she had used to slap him into her coat pocket.
She stared at the snowstorm outside with a blank expression. Yet, his words echoed in her mind.
She thought about the house that he bought three years ago for his whimsical plan to vacation together and wondered if he always knew that she was still alive over those three years.