The hidden billionaire heiress (Lyra Melvin)

Within two minutes, Chad and his team arrived at the scene and quickly handcuffed the kidnappers. Alistair, who was unconscious, was placed by Anthony on the corner of the stairs on the first floor. Seeing that everything was under control and Spencer was okay, he turned around to go find his son.

"Anthony,"

Spencer had been untied by Chad himself. His dark eyes were brewing with complex emotions as he coldly questioned him, "Why did you choose to save me? Out of guilt or pity?"

Pity for growing up with medicine since childhood and being tortured by viruses until almost broken physically? He suffered from congenital heart disease without ever attending kindergarten. The pain would continue until he turned eighteen years old. It accompanied him throughout his entire childhood.

Anthony blinked his eyes lightly but didn't say anything.

"If you hadn't caught him just now, Alistair would have really fallen to his death. Are you so cruel to your own son? Do you think choosing me will make me grateful to you? Not hate you?" Anthony's fists clenched tightly as they trembled with anger while deep redness crept into the corners of his eyes. "It was an emergency situation. I didn't have time to think about these things."

At that time, one of the kidnapper's knives had already been placed against Spencer's neck, leaving a bloody mark. But, if Alistair had been pushed down from upstairs, then he could still try hard enough to protect him.

There was no other way except choosing Spencer - it was just a gamble.

"The resentment between Malcolm and I hurt innocent people like your over these years. I regret every moment of it... I'm truly sorry."

"Although I know this phrase is palest and most powerless possible, you won't accept any compensation from me. Except an apology, I leave nothing else for me except my life."

He looked at the gun in his hand which already contained one bullet.

"Alistair knows nothing about our grudges. Whatever punishment or compensation is necessary for what I've done wrong before. And you can kill me but please don't involve Alistair anymore."

The gun was steadily passed over towards Spencer who stubbornly refused, saying, "Don't pretend like you care! You think I wouldn't dare shoot?"

Anthony directly handed over the gun into his hands while slowly kneeling down on one knee, maintaining a height convenient enough for him take action if needed. Then he held onto Spencer's hand, guiding where exactly should be aimed at himself and gently teaching,

"You haven't learned how to use a gun yet, right? Just hold it like this. Lightly pull your finger here. It's very simple. Try it?"

His fingertips trembled slightly-

"Spencer!"

Chad stood nearby, worried that Spencer might do something extreme. "This is murder, and with so many NIB officers around, if you act, it will be a stain on your life that even we can't protect you from." When Malcolm arrived at the rooftop, he heard Chad's words and didn't say anything or stop him. He just watched his son from afar and waited for him to make the right decision.

Anthony continued speaking with red eyes. "Don't be afraid. You're still young, and this can be considered me leading you astray. The Callahan family's lawyers, the White family's lawyers, and the Lloyd family's lawyers will all defend you. You won't have any problems."

Spencer hesitated as he looked at the gun in his hand but ultimately didn't pull the trigger.

"Anthony," he said as he withdrew his hand. "I'd rather see you suffer than take your life today. You saved me today so I don't owe you anything anymore. Our past grievances are settled now without any debts owed between us. But don't expect me to treat you differently than before because I'll never acknowledge your godfather status."

Anthony lowered his injured eyes without responding.

Malcolm had been quietly watching all along until Spencer resolved his personal grievances before walking up to pick up his thin son.

"Chad, personally escort the suspects back to NIB while I take Spencer and Alistair to hospital," Malcolm said.

"I understand," Chad replied as they quickly evacuated from the abandoned building.

Anthony soon suppressed complex emotions within himself before getting up to go to hospital with them.

Fortunately, Alistair only fainted due to shock. There was nothing wrong with him physically except for some potential psychological trauma after almost falling off a building at such a young age. The doctor prescribed some medication through an IV drip which would help him wake up normally once it was time for discharge.

Even though it was late at night when they arrived at hospital, Paloma still came over anyway.

As soon as she entered Alistair's ward, she saw Anthony sitting by Alistair's bedside guarding him. His eyes were dull without light, and out of focus.

"You've had a long day. Don't stay here anymore," she said softly."Go home and rest. I'll watch over Alistair."

"I'm fine," Anthony replied. "You're not in good health. Don't stay up late. Alistair isn't seriously hurt. I'll watch over him."

Paloma sighed then sat down beside her great-grandson's bed.

"I want to keep company with Alistair. He must have been terrified after experiencing something so serious."

Alistair lay motionless on the hospital bed, still unconscious. Paloma held his tiny hand with tenderness, her eyes red and moist from tears.

"Grandma," Anthony hesitated before speaking softly, "do you know everything that happened today?"

"Yes, I know everything that happened," replied Paloma with a heavy heart. "My poor Alistair had to suffer at such a young age..."

Anthony lowered his head in guilt and self-blame. "It's my fault. You can scold me or hit me if you want."

But Paloma shook her head gently and looked at him with the same compassion she had for Alistair.

"How could I blame you? You were faced with an impossible choice. No matter what decision you made, someone would have been hurt. Even if it were me in your shoes, I couldn't guarantee making a calm decision like that. And besides, you saved both children! You did well. There's no need to blame yourself."

Anthony's eyes were filled with sorrow as he hung his head low. He was unable to shake off the feeling of regret.

Paloma tried to comfort him by saying, "I understand how difficult your choice was back then. And someday Alistair will understand too."

If Anthony chose to save his biological son instead of Spencer, he would have been ridiculed by the kidnappers who would taunt him about how being a godfather was not as good as being a real father, which could further worsen Spencer's hatred towards him.

Moreover, Malcolm and Lyra wouldn't be able to justify his actions if Spencer suffered any serious injuries.

No matter which way he chose back then, it was like walking into death trap for Anthony because he didn't have time to weigh up pros and cons.

"Anthony, I'll stay here tonight. You should go get some rest." said Paloma kindly

But Anthony refused. All he wanted was to stay by his son's side until he woke up again.

"Listen to me," urged Palima patting gently on Anthony's left shoulder but even this light touch caused him pain.

He winced slightly, and unconsciously shrunk away from her touch. It was clear that it hurt badly but despite this pain, he remained stoic.

Paloma finally noticed the sweat on his forehead and realized something wasn't right about his complexion.

"Are you injured?" she asked worriedly.

"Why didn't you let the doctor check it out? Don't try toughing it out alone. Go see an emergency doctor immediately!"

"It's nothing serious, Grandma. Just dislocated my arm. I already put it back myself. It'll be fine in two days," replied Anthony calmly.

"That won't do! What if your injury gets worse? You must let the doctor examine it!" exclaimed Paloma firmly.

Anthony felt helpless against her insistence. A small injury like this meant nothing compared what soldiers endured during training, so why made such fuss over something so trivial?

In the eyes of Paloma, she still regarded him as a child. Alistair was a kid, and he was a big kid.

"You listen to me now, let the doctor examine you properly. I'll watch over Alistair here. I slept half the afternoon and I am not sleepy at all. But you need to rest up well. Callahan Group needs you at the helm and the Callahan family needs their backbone in good shape. You must take care of yourself and recover fully," she insisted.

Anthony couldn't argue with her and allowed himself to be taken for a physical examination by the nurse.

*

That night, Alistair remained unconscious but he had a terrible nightmare - one that was truly terrifying...