The Billionaire Was Declared Brain Dead—But His Maid’s Crying Toddler Refused to Leave His Side
Chapter 13
Victor Blackwell arrived at the hospital that evening.
He entered Adrian’s room carrying flowers.
Claire immediately disliked the smile on his face.
“My dear nephew.”
Adrian watched him quietly.
Victor placed the flowers on the table.
“I heard you’re improving.”
Adrian’s voice remained weak.
“I am.”
Victor smiled.
“Wonderful.”
Claire stood between them.
Victor looked at her.
“You must be Claire.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I’m sure.”
Victor laughed.
“I understand you’ve become quite important to Adrian.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
Victor noticed.
“I’m only joking.”
But Claire saw his eyes.
Cold.
Calculating.
Victor stayed five minutes.
After he left, Adrian said quietly,
“He was involved.”
Claire looked at him.
“You know?”
“I remember.”
“What?”
“Before the crash.”
Adrian swallowed.
“Victor argued with me.”
“About the company?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“He told me Marcus was loyal.”
Claire felt a chill.
“He was protecting Marcus.”
Adrian nodded.
“There was more.”
He struggled to remember.
“A meeting.”
“Where?”
“My father’s old warehouse.”
Claire immediately called the investigator.
The warehouse had been unused for years.
They searched it that night.
Hidden inside an old filing cabinet was a recording device.
It contained conversations between Victor and Marcus.
They discussed the crash.
The sedative.
The hospital.
And the transfer of company control.
Victor had planned everything.
Marcus was the operator.
Dr. Howard was the medical accomplice.
The goal was not merely to steal money.
Victor wanted to force Adrian out permanently and merge Blackwell Holdings into another corporation he secretly controlled.
When investigators arrived at Victor’s mansion, they found documents proving millions had already been prepared for transfer.
He was arrested.
The case finally broke open.
But Adrian was still recovering.
A month later, he stood for the first time without assistance.
Claire cried harder than she had during the arrests.
“You’re standing.”
Adrian looked at her.
“You’re crying.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I thought I lost you.”
He reached for her.
She moved into his arms.
Adrian held her carefully.
“I came back.”
Claire closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
He whispered,
“Because I had somewhere to come back to.”
She pulled away.
He looked nervous again.
The same nervousness he had admitted to months earlier.
“Claire.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know what happens next.”
“Neither do I.”
“But I know what I want.”
She waited.
“I want Liam.”
Claire smiled.
“He’s already yours.”
Adrian laughed.
“No.”
His eyes met hers.
“I mean I want a life with both of you.”
Claire’s breath caught.
“I don’t want to buy your love.”
“You couldn’t.”
“I don’t want you to feel indebted to me.”
“You’ve never made me feel that way.”
“I don’t want to be your employer.”
Claire smiled.
“Good.”
“Then what do you want?”
She looked at him.
“You.”
Adrian closed his eyes for a second.
When he opened them, he looked like a man who had finally received permission to hope.
