Ellen looked up at him, asking, “You said… you only learned yesterday that my brother was the donor, right?”
Jared apologized, “Yeah, I only learned that yesterday. I didn’t know the donor back then was named Kevin Reiss until your uncle suddenly came asking me for money. Sorry, it was my fault for not noticing.” Had he learned about this sooner, he would have shown her his gratitude already.
Ellen asked, “My uncle asked you for money again?” She was both surprised and kind of angry. How could Uncle Connor take advantage of my brother’s heart donation to keep asking for money?
“That’s right. He demanded about 15 million from me, saying he needs the fortune to pay off his many debts. Ellen, I know they didn’t give you a red cent out of the 15 million that my family gave him previously.” Jared’s heart ached terribly as he looked at her. He continued, “You should get at least half the amount.”
Tears welled up in Ellen’s eyes. Some memories were so unbearable to recall, she had to bury them deep down. She remembered how Jessica had once run out of cash and had to turn to Connor and his family when she got hospitalized for cold-induced pneumonia.
Even though Connor had only given Jessica a mere 150 in the end, Jessica had told her at her bedside that she had to be grateful to him and repay his kindness in the future.
Unbeknownst to them at the time, however, Connor and Olivia were splurging everywhere and flaunting their wealth in front of their friends and relatives with the money they had received for Kevin’s heart donation.
Now that she thought about it, she thought Connor and his family were not human. They were so heartless and cold-blooded that they didn’t deserve to be her relatives and elders at all. She recalled again how Connor and Olivia. had responded coldly when she borrowed money from them prior to Jessica’s death. They were already so loaded, but they wouldn’t lend her a single cent more.
Feeling bitterly disappointed, she looked up at Jared, saying, “You’re right that I should get at least half of my brother’s money. I want to get it back.”
Jared nodded. “I’ll help you with that. I asked the hospital director who signed the agreement with your uncle and his family back then, and he said there was no element of coercion or threat involved. Your uncle and aunt were your brother’s legal guardians at the time, and the agreement was signed with their consent, nor did my parents ever pressure them with their power and influence.
Please trust me, Ellen, my parents are not this kind of people,” he said under his breath in hopes that Ellen wouldn’t get the wrong idea about his family again. “Of course, I’m very sorry for using your brother’s heart. If you have a problem with it, I can have it taken out and leave it at your disposal,” he added in a choked voice.
Ellen felt a catch in her throat; her eyes reddened. “What nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever ask you to take it out?”
Jared looked at her quietly. “I just hope that you won’t hate me.” “I don’t hate you.” Ellen let out a sigh. “My brother was a kind person. I think he would’ve saved you, too.”
Jared strode over, held her hand, and placed it gently on his heart. “No wonder I felt kind of close to you and wanted to protect you when I first saw you. Turns out this was because my heart came from the person who loved you most.”
Ellen couldn’t help shedding tears in silence as the person who loved her most tugged at her heartstrings.
As she felt the beating of the man’s heart, a large hand gently wiped her tears away. “I’m your brother from now on. I’ll protect you and love you for the rest of my life.”
Ellen bit her lip and turned her face away with a slight blush. Just then, someone hemmed loudly from behind. “Ahem!” Ellen immediately withdrew her hand, whereas Jared darted a glance at the thoughtless person.
Lambert walked leisurely in their direction with his arms folded across his chest. “Ellen, I’ve made breakfast. Let’s have breakfast together, shall we?” he said to Ellen.
Jared raised an eyebrow and reached out to grab Ellen’s wrist. “I’ve got breakfast here, too. She’s joining me for breakfast.” “I made breakfast myself,” Lambert retorted, implying that his breakfast was more precious.
“I’ll make breakfast for her every single day in the future, so why don’t you save your breakfast for yourself, Mr. Orey? She’s leaving with me now.”
