Chapter 17: A Close Encounter with My Biological Father

Yes, Hope was sick again.

Due to her underdeveloped pulmonary artery caused by premature birth, she suffered severe sequelae, repeatedly contracting upper respiratory infections over the years which, at times, led to severe breathing obstructions, swallowing difficulties, and even fainting.

Christopher Hart had always taken great care of her, hoping she would grow up stronger so that she could undergo major lung surgery to completely resolve this hidden danger.

But, just when the surgery was near, the little girl fell ill again.

After spending a night by her side, Christopher Hart's eyes were bloodshot, and his brow was furrowed with heavy fatigue.

However, he raised his hand gently to feel his daughter's forehead, saw that the high fever had subsided, and his expression finally softened as he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

The door to the room was knocked on softly; the bodyguard, Fuller, entered and raised the insulated food container he carried, whispering, "President Hart, breakfast is here."

"Mm." The man responded, nodded his chin to signal him to place it on the table, and then got up to wash up in the bathroom.

When he came out, Lucas King had arrived with clean clothes.

"President Hart, Miss Hope's fever has subsided; it looks like her condition is temporarily stable. We can't miss the negotiation this morning," Lucas King, looking at his boss who was elegantly dining, advised earnestly.

Without hesitation, Christopher asked, "What about Benny Palmer?"

"He went on a business trip yesterday, dealing with an acquisition in the south. He won't be back for a day or two."

The man frowned.

"President Hart, if all goes well, it'll only be two hours, and you'll still be able to make it back to have lunch with Miss Hope."

Christopher remained silent, clearly reluctant to leave his daughter—even for just two hours.

In the sickbed, Hope Hart slowly woke up.

"Daddy, you should go to work; Hope is okay now," the little girl's soft, melodious voice broke the silence in the room.

At the sound, Christopher Hart immediately put down his chopsticks and walked to the bed, "Baby, are you awake? Are you uncomfortable anywhere else?"

"No..." The adorable and slightly dazed Hope shook her head, her big eyes blinking, "Uncle Palmer said that Daddy needs to work hard and make money to take care of Hope."

"Don't listen to your Uncle Palmer; Daddy can take care of my baby whether I work or not."

"But I really am okay! I don't need Daddy to stay."

From a young age, being frail and often ill, the hospital had become her second home, and Hope was very accustomed to it.

Seeing this, Lucas King immediately seized the moment to urge again from the sidelines.

Thinking of the importance of the project, Christopher finally stood up, "Okay, Daddy will go take care of work. But first, get out of bed; Daddy will feed you breakfast before I leave."

"Mm."

Christopher Hart sat by the bed, patiently coaxed his daughter to eat breakfast, and after instructing the nanny and bodyguard, he finally left the room.

Passing by the nurse's station, he coincidentally met Hope's attending physician coming out of the office, and he paused to ask the doctor to keep a close eye on his daughter's condition.

Meanwhile—

In the nurse's station, Noah Garcia had received a blanket and politely nodded, "Thank you, nurse sister. When my mom wakes up, I'll return it."

The nurse, pleased by the handsome young boy, sweetly replied, "No rush; you head back to the ward."

"Mm." The little boy, holding the blanket, turned away.

Elsewhere, after speaking with the doctor, Christopher Hart also walked towards the elevator.

Noah Garcia, glancing up by chance, saw the man passing by and his handsome young face was instantly stunned, his heartbeat racing!

This was...

The boy closely watched Christopher Hart, studying his cold, dignified mature face, and his young mind was profoundly shaken.

That was his father.

—Tall and handsome, capable of anything, a very impressive adult!

Unfortunately, he was a scumbag. He had abandoned mom, and rumors online said he was about to marry another woman.

Scumbag Father!

Christopher Hart completely failed to notice the little boy following him, striding through the corridor toward the elevator.

The young nurses watched the mature, handsome, and wealthy President Hart, immediately gushing, "Mr. Hart is so handsome! So charming! Eee..."

Suddenly, another nurse exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, don't you think the little boy who grabbed the blanket looks a bit like... Mr. Hart?"

"How is that possible! What eyes do you have!"

"Really..."

"Nonsense!"

In front of the elevator, Christopher and Lucas King stopped to wait, as a small figure ghosted past them from behind.

Lucas turned his head for a glance and muttered, "Such a small child, running around alone; parents these days really don't care."

Hearing this, Christopher looked back just in time to see the small figure turning the corner, then he turned away, remarking, "Not my circus, not my monkeys."

Lucas: "..."

The elevator arrived and the two men stepped in to go down.

Meanwhile, Noah Garcia, having turned the corner and pressing close to the wall, held his blanket as his breathing suddenly quickened.

After a few seconds, he stealthily peeked out and saw that disgusting man enter the elevator.

His heart, tense almost to the point of suffocation, suddenly relaxed, his lips tightly pressed as he stared toward the elevator, his eyes sparkling with tears.

After composing himself for a while, the little guy wiped his tears and hurried back to the ward.

Pushing open the door, his mom was still asleep by the bed.

He quietly walked over, unfolded the blanket, and covered his mom with it.

Unfortunately, he was too small to reach both sides, tugging and pulling, which woke his mom up.

Amelia Garcia suddenly startled awake, saw her son beside her, and quickly sat up, "Noah, you're awake? Why did you get out of bed? Is your sickness gone? Does your head still hurt?"

She touched her son here and there, asking eagerly and lovingly.

"Mom, I'm okay now, you must be tired from taking care of me all night, so I went to get a blanket from the nurse for you," Noah looked at his mom, his eyes wise beyond his years.

Amelia saw the blanket on her shoulder and instantly understood, overwhelmed with emotion, she pulled her son into her embrace.

"Silly, you're sick and still looking after mom."

The little boy, with a heavy heart, lay in his mom's arms for a while and then said, "Mom, let's leave the hospital."

He thought, since the man was at the hospital, it was likely someone from his family was sick and admitted here.

They lived on this floor and what if they ran into him next time? What if he became suspicious or even recognized him?

He couldn't let Scumbag Father find him, didn't want to be separated from his mom.

So, they had to leave the hospital quickly.

Amelia, puzzled, pushed her son back a bit and asked with a frown, "You're all good? The doctor said to observe for two days."

"It's alright, we can rest at home just the same, and Brother is so naughty, Sister Shaw can't handle him."

Amelia thought of Shaw handling the kids alone and, considering Christopher's suspicions about her identity, indeed felt uneasy and reluctantly agreed, "Okay, then I'll go and do the discharge procedures."

"Okay, I'll go return the blanket to the nurse."

———

Hope Hart was an active child, feeling a bit more energetic, she couldn't stay still and climbed out of bed to wander around.

The ward was boring, and she wanted to find a nurse to play with, since all the nurses here were familiar with her.

Just as she was wandering in the corridor, not yet reaching the nurse's station, the little girl suddenly widened her eyes, stunned!

"Little brother!"

Noah, holding the blanket and just reaching the information desk, suddenly saw a small figure running towards him and calling him little brother; he turned his head, just as surprised!