Chapter 7

When Alyssa woke again, she was already lying in a hospital bed.

Justin stood by her bedside. His expression no longer held its usual tenderness, but instead carried a cold detachment.

"Alyssa, I'm grateful you stayed by my side when the Fullers were at their lowest. But that doesn't mean you can lay a hand on Claudia.

"I want you to apologize to her," he demanded.

As Alyssa looked at him, she suddenly laughed.

It turned out he was waiting at her bedside, not because he cared, but because he wanted to make her apologize to Claudia as soon as she woke up.

Besides, he was the man who could order her to be pushed down the stairs. Why would he worry about whether she was hurt?

"I won't apologize to her. I didn't push her."

Seeing she was still making excuses, Justin stared at her intensely. His gaze held disappointment and anger.

"Then you can self-reflect here at the hospital. Until you admit your mistake, you're not allowed back to the Fullers."

After saying that, he slammed the hospital room door and left.

He left in a hurry, so naturally, he didn't hear Alyssa say, "Justin, I'm going home. I won't be returning to the Fullers."

At that moment, her phone chimed. It was a text from Marilyn.

"Aly, the press conference starts in three hours. Here's the address."

Alyssa sent a brief reply and removed the IV needle from her hand before discharging herself from the hospital. She then hurried to the address Marilyn had provided.

…

Meanwhile, Justin was thoroughly asking the doctor about Claudia's injuries. When he learned she was fine and only sustained superficial wounds, he sighed in relief.

"Claudia, don't worry. I'll definitely make Alyssa apologize to you," Justin said.

Claudia's gaze shifted before she spoke, pretending to be gracious. "It's alright. Ms. Lambert has been by your side for three years. Don't destroy your relationship because of me. Let's just think of it as an accident."

But Justin insisted, "No. She was in the wrong. It's only right that she apologizes."

Out of sight, Claudia smirked slightly, then quickly put on a look of concern. She said hesitantly, "But what if Ms. Lambert gets angry and takes it out on you?"

Justin suddenly recalled the sight of Alyssa on the hospital bed, her gaze utterly devoid of emotion, and an odd feeling crept over him.

Alyssa had never looked at him like that before. It was as if she had made up her mind to cut all ties with him.

But Justin shook the strange thought from his mind.

Alyssa was just an orphan. Three years ago, she stayed by his side when he had nothing, so how could she possibly cut ties with him now?

He was the closest relationship she had in this world.

Fortunately, Claudia was fine. As long as Alyssa was willing to apologize, he would forgive her and bring her back home.

"She won't do that," Justin said with certainty.

Claudia looked down, masking the hatred that lingered in her eyes. When she looked up again, she had already resumed her gentle demeanor.

"That's good," she said.

At that moment, the TV was broadcasting the Lamberts' press conference.

This was the first public appearance of the Lambert family's heiress, and only a handful of leading media outlets and high-profile families received invitations.

As up-and-comers, the Fullers obviously weren't qualified to receive an invitation.

The host held the microphone, his voice brimming with excitement as he said, "Please join me in giving a warm round of applause as we welcome the Lambert heiress, Alyssa Lambert, to the stage!"

Alyssa Lambert?

When he heard the familiar name, Justin snapped his head up and fixed his gaze intently on the screen.

He still harbored some hope that it was only someone with the same name. That had to be it.

But the next second, a face he knew all too well appeared in the center of the screen. It was the orphan he had been thinking of—Alyssa!