Chapter 96

Laura's eyes flashed with fear for just a second before she managed to steady herself.

"What do you mean by that? Our son's been hurt,and instead of finding out who did this, you're confronting me?"

For more than two decades, Santos and Laura had shared a life together. He could read her in ways no one else could.

He only needed to meet her gaze to sense that something wasn't right. Cold suspicion tightened his features. "So you're still hiding the truth? Will you only admit it after Jaxton is completely ruined? Wyatt sent those two bodyguards."

Hearing Wyatt's name, Laura could no longer hide her panic.

Pressed by Santos' relentless questions, she finally broke down and confessed to sending Jaxton to propose to Amelia.

The confession made Santos feel the room spin.Before he could unleash his anger, a sharp groan echoed from the hospital bed. Immediately, both Santos and Laura turned their attention to Jaxton. "Jaxton, can you hear us? Are you alright?"

Pain radiated through Jaxton's entire body now that the anesthesia had faded. Recalling what had happened, he cried out, "Call the police! I want to press charges for what they did to me;l-"

Clayton burst into the room before Jaxton could finish speaking,his entrance drawing the focus of everyone inside.

Annoyance flashed in Laura's eyes. "Is there a reason you're barging in? Don't you know that Jaxton just got out of surgery?"

Clayton paid Laura no mind. He faced Santos instead."Mr. Morrison, our stock pice keeps dropping. Several of our oldest partners have just terminated their contracts with us."

Santos nearly collapsed from the shock, and Clayton rushed over to steady him.

Steadying himself, Santos stared across the room at Jaxton, who was sprawled on the bed. "Tell me what you did, and do not lie."

The storm in Jaxton's face vanished, replaced by a rigid calm. But then, fury soon crept into his gaze. "Wyatt is behind this. I know it is him!"

Despite barely knowing Wyatt, Santos recognized the man's reputation. Wyatt wouldn't seek revenge for no reason, so Santos pressed on for answers.

Jaxton had always managed to fool Laura, but his fear of Santos ran deep. So eventually, he told him what he had done.

As soon as he finished speaking, Santos struck him sharply across the face. "How did I end up with such a disgrace for a son?"

Laura started to step forward to intervene, but the fury burning in Santos' eyes made her pull back. In a low voice, she said, "Hitting him now won't fix anything. We need to focus on finding a wvay out of this mess."

"What can I do after what he's done? There's no excusing something so disgraceful."

"There's always a way to fix things! The only option left is to talk to Amelia. If she decides to let it slide,maybe we'll survive this."

"Can you honestly stand before Amelia after everything that's happened?" Santos interrupted, his voice laced with heavy sarcasm.

The comment left Laura momentarily stunned. Still, she clung to her argument and retorted, "Sure, Jaxton made mistakes, but they've already made him suffer enough. Why do they have to keep pushing?"

The mocking glint in Santos' eyes grew more intense,prompting Laura to play her strongest card. "You realize the Morrison Group isn't just a name, right?Hundreds rely on us for their livelihoods. If the business collapses, all those people will be out of work."

Just as Santos understood Laura, Laura also knew him well. She knew what to say to make him change his mind.

By the time the clock struck two, both of them had reached the entrance to Amelia's hospital room.Before they could even approach, Wyatt's bodyguards blocked their path.

Earlier that day, Amelia had gotten the rest she needed, and after lunch, Wyatt had insisted she lie down while he worked nearby.

While the two were talking, a bodyguard knocked to announce that Santos and Laura wanted to speak with Amelia and apologize.

Wyatt's face clouded over in an instant.Subconsciously,he wanted to have them thrown out,but remembering Amelia's previous attitude towards Santos, he asked her softly, "Do you want to see them?If not, I'll make them leave right now."

She thought it over for a heartbeat, then nodded. "Let them come in."

Amelia knew too well that Laura's stubborn streak would only grow stronger if she kept refusing to meet.Laura would probably drag the Stewart Group into the mess if she refused to see them.

When the bodyguards escorted Santos and Laura into the room, the pair spotted Amelia and Wyatt seated side by side on the sofa.

The sight sent Laura's temper rising.

Amelia, who had always treated her with nothing but courtesy, now acted as if she didn't owe her an ounce of respect since the engagement ended.

Resentment flashed in Laura's eyes, betraying her thoughts.

Wyatt noticed her sour look, and his stare sharpened."You said you came here to apologize. Is that really the attitude you should have?"