Back to the ‘70s: My Life as the Trouble-Maker's Bride

Sean swept a glance around the room and greeted Annette with a grin. "Sister-in-law."

Annette was surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Just happened to be in the area," Sean said casually.

Annette raised an eyebrow. He really had impeccable timing.

Sean ignored the rest of the people in the room. After exchanging a few words with Annette, he turned to Stuart. "How's your injury?"

"Almost healed," Stuart replied.

The two of them stepped out of the room, clearly about to discuss something they didn't want others overhearing.

Annette figured it must be work-related. Stuart's job was highly confidential, so no matter how curious she was, she knew better than to follow.

Sean and Stuart went downstairs to a small garden at the front of the hospital. Sean's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "I've found something. Li Keda's brother-in-law has ties to the Longbridge family from the capital."

Stuart frowned. "What kind of family is this Longbridge family?"

Sean thought for a moment. "The old man of the family is quite influential. His children are all successful, and one of his sons even worked in our county decades ago. Their grandchildren are impressive too—especially the granddaughter. She's like a tomboy."

Stuart frowned. "What's that got to do with me? I don't know them."

They shared the same last name, but he'd never met them, never even been to the capital.

Sean found it puzzling too. The Longbridge family wasn't nobility, but they were known for their upright character and strict family discipline. The kids they raised were always the model children everyone envied.

They had a sterling reputation. Why would they hold a grudge against Stuart? And even if they did, why use such underhanded tactics?

"I don't get it either," Sean admitted. "That family's got a good reputation in the circles I know."

He then asked, "You called me early. Did you find something new?"

Stuart told him everything about Carl's injury.

Sean was skeptical. "So you think the people who hurt Carl are the same ones who hurt you? Based on what?"

"Just a gut feeling."

Sean raised his thumb, half-teasing, half-impressed. "Wow, working off intuition now?"

Ignoring the sarcasm, Stuart asked for more information on Li Keda's brother-in-law—his connections, whether anyone besides the Longbridge family was involved.

…

Back in the hospital room, Annette had no intention of leaving. The drama wasn't over yet. She settled herself on an empty bed by the window, ready for a front-row seat.

Grace was still reeling. "You worthless thing! Of all the things you could've done—you gambled? What, do we have a mountain of gold I don't know about?"

Carl turned his head away, refusing to answer.

Grace ranted and raved, then turned her fire on Clara. "And you! You can't even keep an eye on your man. You sit at home all day and still can't stop him from screwing around?"

Clara had been fuming. Now, with Grace pointing fingers, she snapped. "How could I know? He slept with someone else, and you—you knew! Were you standing guard for them too?"

The accusation hit Grace like a slap. Enraged, she lunged at Clara.

Clara wasn't one to back down. Even heavily pregnant, she fought back.

Charles couldn't stop them in time. Two loud thuds followed—Clara hit the floor, and Grace toppled backward, her head slamming into the sharp edge of a cabinet.

Annette nearly dropped her invisible sunflower seeds. That escalated fast.

Charles ran to get a doctor.

Seeing blood on the floor, Annette's brain kicked into gear. As the doctor wheeled Grace out, she followed.

"Doctor, could you also check her blood type? In case she needs a transfusion," she asked innocently.

The doctor nodded and pushed Grace toward the emergency room.

When Stuart and Sean returned, they found both Grace and Clara in treatment—one with a head injury, the other with a pregnancy complication.

Stuart felt his temples throb. Was there ever a moment of peace with this family?

Annette, however, stood by the door, practically vibrating with anticipation. She had a theory—Stuart might not be Grace's biological child. He didn't look anything like the rest of the family.

She didn't understand why no one else seemed suspicious.

Stuart noticed her unusually perky mood. "What did the doctor tell you?"

"They mentioned her blood type—B," she answered casually. "In case she needed a transfusion."

Stuart didn't think much of it.

Once everyone returned to the room, Stuart told Charles, "We'll be leaving. Take care of them."

Charles, who hadn't had a chance to talk to him earlier, quickly said, "Can I have a word with you?"

Stuart paused, then nodded. "Let's talk outside."

He already had a pretty good idea of what Charles wanted to say.

Sure enough, once they were alone, Charles asked, "Are you really cutting ties with the family? I mean, you don't have to send money—but can't we at least stay in touch?"

Stuart gave him a long look. "Thanks for giving me that knife back then. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have survived the wolves."

Charles had no words. Years ago, he'd overheard Grace and Richard discussing how to get rid of Stuart—one less mouth to feed. They'd sent Stuart into the mountains under false pretenses.

Charles had felt guilty, so he'd secretly slipped Stuart a knife.

Stuart clapped him on the shoulder. "We're leaving. Take care."

He called Annette and Sean, and they walked out together.

As Annette passed Charles, she saw his eyes glistening with tears. The man, usually so stoic, actually looked broken.

She picked up her pace and caught up with Stuart.

Sean drove. Stuart sat in the passenger seat. Annette lounged in the back, watching the muddy countryside roll by as they left the county.

The road ahead grew bumpier. In the distance, someone waved frantically by the roadside, trying to flag them down...