With that, Diarmuid and his people rushed back to Cloud City as quickly as they left.
The two cities were relatively close, but the traveling still cost them considerable time.
Diarmuid headed straight to Althoff Manor once they reached Cloud City.
His clothes were wrinkled because he did not have time to change, but it did not dampen the cold, menacing air around him.
“Grandfather.”
As he entered the front door, he saw that Henry was about to head out.
There was a look of panic in Henry’s eyes when he saw Diarmuid, and he quickly averted his eyes, as if afraid to look Diarmuid in the eye.
“Diarmuid-”
“Where’s the child?” Diarmuid asked.
Henry frowned.
He was not supposed to know–but here he was, suddenly aware that his child was alive, and questioning Henry.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
Henry tried to lie, even if he did not want to–right now, he must.
“Return my child to me, Grandfather,” Diarmuid demanded.
Henry appeared insistent on feigning ignorance, so Diarmuid exposed him right then. “Should I bring Harvey Gooding here to corroborate my story?”
Henry became flustered then. “H–How did you know?”
“Where is the child?” Diarmuid simply and crudely ignored his question.
Nonetheless, Henry’s evasiveness left Diarmuid uneasy!
“You lost the child, didn’t you?”
Henry’s eyes widened in shock, and he asked unsteadily, “H–How did you know?
Diarmuid’s expression was as cold as ice. “Who was it?”
“I–I don’t know,” Henry blurted, and reached out to hold his grandson’s arm “Calm down, the child will be fine-”
“When did you find out, Grandfather?” Diarmuid demanded icily, knocking his hand away right then
Henry was taken aback. “Diarmuid…”
“Grandfather, you know how my parents died and why I almost drowned. I’ve been restraining myself not because I have forgotten, but because no parent should bury their child You can’t blame me for being heartless if they hurt my child.”
With that, Diarmuid turned around, leaving the manor and studying outside, instructing Stan as he walked. “I want to know everything happening over there.”
“Yes, sir.” There was a grave look on Stan’s face, but he quickly left to carry out his orders.
“Diarmuid…” Henry was murmuring back in the manor.
He certainly did not want to see his own family destroying each other while he was still alive
His hand trembled as he asked, “Moneypenny, do you think lan took the child?”
“Maybe not,” Moneypenny said.
Henry, however, knew–he just did not want to admit it.
“No, it must be him. He saw us when we were carrying out that paternity test on the child at the hospital, and we never could have hidden from him once he suspected it. He also visited us that night, and the child soon disappeared after–who else could it be but him?”
“You’re overthinking this, sir,” Moneypenny tried to assure him.
Henry wobbled, unable to stand and needing his butler’s help.
“I don’t think I can protect them now,” Henry quietly said.
Moneypenny, however, believed that Henry had done all he could “Sir, they have been relentless, and I’ve even heard that Quincy Moore tried to kill Master Diarmuid on the day of his wedding. He did not retaliate, however, because he was being considerate to you.”
“While you believed that they would not go that far if you gave them some of Light Group’s shares, they clearly wanted everything. You’ve been defending them for far too long, and you’ve also done everything you can to stop Master Diarmuid from seeking vengeance. The marriage, the bride you chose for him… Things may not have played out ideally, but you’ve done your best.”
*But now, they deserve whatever is coming to them.”
Quincy was the one who started the whole mess, and Henry knew it.
Even so, they were all his family, and it hurt him to lose anyone.
“Sigh..”
“You’re not that young now, sir. It is time to let go,” Moneypenny told him.
It was true–as he aged, Henry’s health was a shadow of what it was
“Oh, let them do whatever they want,” he sighed, feeling endlessly helpless and lonely just then.
When Abigail was released, she was informed that Harvey had returned to Sunny City, and had to wait despite her anxiousness.
She returned to the Bernstein Mansion to assure Sheryl she was fine, and found out that Ricky had done what she asked perfectly.
She was relieved to have Ricky keeping an eye on Bernstein Holdings, while she placed all attention on her child.
She returned to Diarmuid’s mansion as well, telling Mrs. Watson to call her immediately when Diarmuid returned.
In fact, she had been making several trips to Light Group, repeatedly asking if Diarmuid had returned.
It was during one such trip that she saw Diarmuid’s car, and quickly ran up to it.
“Diarmuid Althoff-”
Diarmuid stopped the car and alighted, but Abigail ran straight to his car to look inside.
Finding no sign of Tommy, she frowned and asked, “Where’s my baby?”
Diarmuid appeared nonchalant. “I’m having a friend babysit-”
“What do you mean, babysit?!” Abigail had grabbed him by the collar before he could finish.
He was too tall for her to look him in the eye, and had to stand on her toes even if Diarmuid leaned downward to help. “You’re talking about your own baby!“
Diarmuid said, “I know.”
“Then why are you leaving Tommy with someone else?!” Abigail was utterly confused by his actions. “Are you abandoning him?!”
Tommy?
Diarmuid’s heart clenched at the name.
So, the baby was called Tommy?
“That’s his name,” he murmured, doing his best to stop himself from rasping!
Abigail, however, felt her insides turn cold. She did not care about his question–she just wanted her baby!
“Bring him back, or tell me where your friend lives. I’ll take back Tommy–he’s mine, and you have no right to leave him with strangers. You’re just worried that he’ll get in the way between you and Kathy York, aren’t you? Just tell me if you are, and I’ll hide Tommy’s identity from everyone while you mess around all you want, or get married-”
Diarmuid’s expression turned icy.
“Are you done? Then stop. I’ll bring Tommy back, just give me a few days-”
“No, it has to be right now!” Abigail did not want to wait a moment longer.
In reality, Diarmuid himself was not sure where Tommy was, and did not want to tell Abigail so that she did not have to worry–but he underestimated how crazy mothers could get!
“Calm down.”
Diarmuid reached out to pull her toward himself, but she pushed him away “Give me Tommy!”
Diarmuid actually stumbled, and was left pursing his lips as he watched her
Suddenly, she said, “Wait, are you trying to keep him from me? Is that why you’re leaving him with someone else?”
Diarmuid turned to leave–she was clearly not in her right mind, but Abigail simply stopped him as she continued her ramblings “Why are you running? Feeling guilty? So, you want a child but not me as the mother? Is that why you’re lying? I’m telling you, Tommy is mine–don’t even think about taking him away, or making him call another woman mommy-
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.