Chapter 15 Different From Before

Tyler's face darkened as he glared at Jean, his eyes full of disdain.

"Those are the words of a fool, so don't bother about it." As he spoke, his tone softened, and he put an arm around Lilian's shoulders. "Didn't you say you want to go to the garden? Let's go."

Lilian pursed her lips and nodded. She linked arms with Tyler. The two left in the opposite direction, leaving Jean standing there.

Jean felt like a clown as she watched them go. She took a deep breath and tried to hold back her tears.

She sneered, thinking the woman wasn't aware that Tyler was already married.

Chris sighed in relief to see Jean staying put and not going after Tyler and Lilian. He pressed the elevator button and waited for the door to open. "After you, Madam," he said.

Jean strode into the elevator. She watched the numbers on the screen decrease as they descended. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess.

Eventually, the elevator stopped its descent. Jean walked out only to bump into a grim Dorothy.

Noticing that other people were there besides Jean, she forced a smile onto her face. "Joyce, why are you here at the hospital? Are you feeling unwell?"

Jean shook her head and answered, "I'm fine."

Frowning, Dorothy turned to look at Chris.

Jean followed her gaze and calmly said, "I'm going upstairs to visit my little sister. Chris, I know you're busy. You should go and settle your things. I'll go back on my own."

Chris hesitated, which made Jean scowl. "Do you have a problem with that?"

The displeased look on her face and the fact that Dorothy was there with her meant that there shouldn't be much of a problem. "No," he replied. "Please be careful, Madam. I'll be leaving."

Jean nodded. After watching him leave, she turned her gaze back at Dorothy. In a steely voice, she said, "I have something to tell you."

Dorothy still had a smile on her face, but her eyes were as cold as ever. "Your sister has something to tell you too. She knows everything already."

Jean froze briefly. A wave of shock flashed across her eyes. Still, if Dorothy was able to look so calm now, she must've succeeded in calming Joyce down.

Jean followed Dorothy to Joyce's ward. Mrs. Jones was busy laying out some food for Joyce.

When Jean saw her, she stopped in her tracks but immediately regained her composure. Jean figured that the Michaelses must have treated Mrs. Jones very well for her to keep their secret.

Awkwardness washed over Mrs. Jones's face when she saw Jean entering the ward. It was instantly replaced by disdain as she spat, "I'll get Ms. Joyce some fruits."

Joyce nodded and waited until Mrs. Jones left before telling Jean, "Jean, thank you for all these years."

To be honest, Jean had mentally prepared herself to confront her sister. But Joyce's words made her tear up.

"I'm so sorry, Joyce." Jean wept. If Joyce hadn't gone out to pick her up, she wouldn't have met with an accident.

Joyce's expression was soft and gentle when she looked at Jean. She gestured for her to come to her side and said, "I knew you were forced to."

Only then did Jean walk slowly toward Joyce.

Joyce grabbed her hand and said, "It's been hard on you."

There wasn't the slightest hint of anger in her voice, and it made Jean sob again.

Dorothy stood beside them with a disapproving look. "There isn't a person in Henkel who wouldn't want to marry Tyler. She must've been living quite the good life. Since getting married, she's forgotten about us. That's why our family hasn't been doing well for the past few years."

Dorothy always complained about Jean not helping the family with their work.

If only Joyce hadn't met with an accident. She would've married into the Larson family, and the Michaels family would've had a greater and more prestigious status.