Chapter 497 Anthony''s Secret


    A hint of regret shed in Charles'' eyes as Chris mentioned Gary.


    Chris nced at her brother to make sure he was all right. "Anyway, you need to take care of your


    health. If you promise to do that, I will leave you alone," she offered.


    Charles quickly agreed. "Fine," he replied. He would say anything to make his sister stop nagging.


    The moment Charles arrived home, he summoned Nancy to his study. After several days of living like


    the dead, he was now determined to put his life back in order.


    And the first thing he had to do was dismiss Nancy. It was now impossible to let her continue living in


    this house.


    "I think you know why I called you here," Charles began. He spoke calmly but inside was a jumble of


    nerves. He had lost much weight in thest several days. His face was gaunt and covered by stubble


    that was quickly growing into whiskers. Since Autumn disappeared, he no longer paid attention to his


    appearance.


    Nancy also appearedposed. "Yes, I know," she replied. It was clear why Charles asked to see her


    immediately. After she had taken care of Brent''s funeral, Nancy had been expecting this moment. And


    she knew she had to leave sooner orter.


    Charles looked at their long-time housekeeper. Politely, he said,"I''m sorry for what happened to your


    son. You have served us for many, many years and did an excellent job. But this time, I have to let you


    go. You cannot stay here any longer."


    Charles'' announcement came as no surprise. Nancy had anticipated this day woulde. But she


    didn''t expect it would be so soon. She saw Charles take something from his pocket.


    He handed her an envelope. "The money is for your retirement. Take it," Charles dered. He no


    longer wanted to see Nancy''s face in his house. Her continued stay would only be a reminder that he


    was responsible for Autumn''s disappearance.


    "I can''t take it, Mr. Lu," a flustered Nancy pushed the envelope away with shaking hands.


    Embarrassed, she lowered her head and said,"I owe you and Mrs. Lu a lot. I had nned to leave after


    you found her. That way, I would feel less guilty about all this." She kept wringing her hands. "But it''s


    been many days, and there''s still no clue as to Mrs. Lu''s whereabouts." Nancy raised her eyes to look


    at Charles. "I''m too ashamed to continue staying here."


    With a bitter smile, the housekeeper admitted,"Even if you didn''t ask, I''ve intended to leave soon. So, I


    can''t take your money." Nancy kept her hands behind her back.


    "Just take it," Charles persisted, his manner cool. "If Autumn were here, she would insist that you do,"


    he almost mumbled.


    Charles ran a hand through his hair. Without Autumn beside him, he felt something was missing inside


    him. And no matter how hard he tried, he remained miserable.


    He thought, ''Nancy spent most of her life working for our family. Now, she''s lost her son, and I have to


    fire her. It''s hard for an old woman like her to find another job. If she doesn''t take the money, I can''t


    imagine how she would support herself.''


    Charles insisted, and spoke louder,"Take it. I will feel much better if you do." Nancy felt terrible seeing


    her young master this way.


    Finally, she nodded and epted the money. "Mr. Lu…" she faltered. Nancy changed the topic and


    said earnestly,"For whatever it''s worth, I believe that Mrs. Lu is still alive. She has a kind heart, and


    God will be on her side." She hurriedly added,"If you do find her, please let me know. I want to beg her


    forgiveness personally. I hope she can still forgive my son and me."


    Nancy grieved for her son''s death. But she was more worried about Autumn''s safety.


    Charles nodded. "I will," he promised. He let out a long breath as Nancy went to her room.


    The following morning, Nancy left the Lu family house. As soon as she heard the news, Chris decided


    to move back home.


    That way, she could take care of both Charles and Gary while keeping an eye on her brother.


    Chris made no mention of Autumn, whom she missed very much. She secretly shed tears every time


    she saw Autumn''s belongings. Charles caught her crying a few times but made no move tofort his


    sister. Instead, he focused all his energy into searching for his wife.


    Anthony, who had asked to go on leave for a week, was returning to work today. Autumn was feeling


    better and could get out of bed without any trouble.


    Anthony rattled off several reminders before leaving the apartment. First, he told Autumn to eat the


    pigeon soup for lunch. It was on top of the stove. Then he said the rice had been pre-washed and just


    needed to be cooked. Finally, he told her to heat the other dishes in the microwave. "Is that clear?"


    Anthony asked.


    Autumn''s head was spinning from all that he said but she nodded. Since Autumn moved into Anthony''s


    apartment, the doctor had been very considerate and took excellent care of her and the baby. So, it


    was easy for her to feel at ease in his house.


    Since she had the baby to keep herpany, Autumn was content and yearned for nothing more.


    Autumn named her daughter Shirley, with the hope the little girl would lead a life without misery.


    Before stepping out of the door, Anthony turned to Autumn and said with concerned eyes,"As for the


    baby, you…"


    Autumn quickly interrupted him,"Come on, grandma! You say this every day that I can recite them back


    to you. I know what to do." With a sigh, she proceeded to lecture Anthony,"You keep nagging! I wonder


    what kind of woman will marry you."


    Anthony brushed her off and responded,"I really don''t care." He nced at Autumn onest time and


    said,"Well, I''m off to work. Call me if anything happens or you need help."


    "Okay." Autumn smiled and waved him off. She hurried back inside to check on the sleeping baby.


    When Anthony got to the hospital, he learned that Abby had already given birth. Since she was


    Autumn''s aunt, he decided to pay a visit.


    When he reached Abby''s ward, he found that Arthur and Amy were inside with Abby. Amy was holding


    the baby, and everyone looked preupied when he saw them.


    Anthony knocked before entering. His arrival broke Arthur''s reverie. He smiled and greeted the


    doctor,"There you are!"


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "How is Abby, Grandpa Arthur?" he inquired. He peeked at Abby and she still looked a little pale.


    "She and the baby are fine," Arthur replied. Autumn''s disappearance greatly disturbed Abby. As a


    result, she gave birth way ahead of her due date. The Zhao family remained depressed since Autumn


    was still missing.


    Shortly after Anthony''s arrival, Andy returned carrying lunch. When he caught sight of the doctor, he


    gave a loud greeting,"Hello Anthony! I heard from a nurse that you asked to go on leave for a week.


    Were you sick?"


    Anthony was startled and stammered,"Well… uhm, yeah." He was a terrible liar. And hiding Autumn in


    his apartment was the worst thing he had ever done.


    But he justified his actions. He had to lie to protect Autumn.


    Andy kept looking at him, and this made Anthony uneasy. He decided to leave. He told Arthur,"There''s


    something I need to deal with, so I have to go ahead. Pleasee to my office if you need anything."


    Arthur patted him on the arm and nodded, oblivious to the doctor''s difort. Anthony bade everyone


    goodbye and rushed out of the room.


    His immediate departure aroused suspicion in Andy. He stared at the doctor''s retreating back,


    wondering about his unusual behavior.


    Andy mumbled to himself, ''Hmmm. It looks like he''s hiding something.''