Chapter 237

“This was Spencer’s doing.”
Patrick froze. The voice was faint, broken but unmistakable. He turned sharply toward the hospital bed, his eyes wide with disbelief and relief.
His father was awake.
“You’re awake,” Patrick said, stunned. “I’ll go call the doctor right away—”
Sir Robert Collins slowly raised a trembling hand and shook his head. His voice came out rough but steady enough to stop Patrick from moving. “No. Not yet. I can call the doctor later. Right now, you need to listen to me.”
Patrick hesitated, unsure. “You need to be checked—”
“I said later. Anyway, with all the ruckus that just happened, he will be here soon,” Sir Collins interrupted. He turned his head slightly, meeting Patrick’s eyes. “What I have to say can’t wait.”
Patrick stepped closer, lowering himself into the chair at the bedside.
“Call off the investigation for that nurse. Tell the guards that we don’t want any explanation as long as she does not come here again.” Sir Collins said quietly.
Patrick’s eyes narrowed. “What? After what she just tried to do?”
Sir Collins nodded slowly. “Yes. Let her go.”
Patrick frowned, confused. “Why? She tried to inject something into your IV without authorization. She could have…killed you.”
“She was sent by Spencer,” Sir Collins cut in.
Patrick stared at him. “How can you be so sure?”
Sir Collins gave a tired smile, one corner of his mouth lifting slightly. “Because I know him. I’m the one who raised him to be this way. Ruthless. Strategic. Unemotional when it comes to power. I just never expected he’d apply those lessons… to me.”
Patrick looked away for a moment, trying to absorb it. “You think he knows about the change to the will?”
Sir Collins nodded. “He must. There’s no other reason for him to act now. The revised documents are complete, but they haven’t been submitted. If I die before registration, the original terms stand. He’s gambling on time.”
Patrick let out a breath. “That’s attempted murder.”
“Yes,” Sir Collins said plainly. “But don’t take it to the authorities. Don’t let this spiral out into the world. This is our family’s personal matter. I don’t want it exposed. Not at this moment..”
Patrick stood up and paced a few steps. “You want me to protect him after what he’s done?”
“No,” Sir Collins replied, “I want you to protect the family name. What happens next… happens under this roof.”
There was silence for a few moments. Then Sir Collins continued, “Call off the guards. Let the nurse go. She was only doing what she was told. There’s no need for this to turn into a public scandal. It would benefit no one.”
Patrick clenched his jaw. “You’re going to let him get away with this?”
“I never said that,” Sir Collins answered. He looked up at his son. “Call Spencer. Tell him I want to see him. Tell him if he still wants his inheritance… he should come quietly and not try anything else.”
Patrick stared at his father. “And if he doesn’t?”
“He will,” Sir Collins said. “He’s not a fool. He’ll understand what it means if he refuses.”
Patrick still didn’t look convinced. He folded his arms, eyes dark with thought. “You really think this can be handled quietly?”
“I know it can,” Sir Collins replied. “Because it must. And because I’m not dead yet.”
Patrick took a deep breath and nodded. “Alright. I’ll call him.”
Sir Collins closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. His voice dropped lower, more weary than before. “Let me hear him.” He might have thought everything to Spencer but not murder. But it seemed since Spencer had already orchestrated one murder, he was not above doing another one.
Patrick didn’t speak. He pulled out his phone, brows furrowed, and scrolled through his contacts until he found Spencer’s number. With a glance at his father, he pressed the call button and tapped on speaker.
The line rang twice before it connected.
“Father” Spencer’s voice came through calling him with the same sarcastic edge that he did. “Didn’t expect a call from you. Something wrong?”
Patrick’s tone was cold as he said quietly. “Someone just tried to kill your grandfather.”
There was a beat of silence. Then Spencer gave a breathy laugh, short and flat. “You’re joking.”
Patrick replied, flatly, “A nurse entered his room to give him something through the IV. She acted quickly. We only realized after it happened.”
Another pause.
“I see,” Spencer said. His voice remained even, almost quiet. “And what happened after that?”
“The situation is under control for now,” Patrick said.
There was a longer pause on the line. Then Spencer spoke again, still calm, but slower this time.
“…Should I begin making funeral arrangements?”
Patrick looked at Sir Collins. His father stared straight ahead, his face unreadable. When Patrick didn’t respond right away, Sir Collins turned his head slightly, just enough to give a faint nod. But he knew Sir Collins could hear the slight triumph in Spencer’s voice like he could. And that was enough to let them know that Spencer was indeed the one behind the attempt. That vial’s test would come out positive for poison.
“You need to come here,” Patrick said, his voice now harder. “If you want even a penny of your inheritance, come in person. And do it soon.”
There was no answer at first. The silence stretched longer this time. The faint background hum of the hospital equipment filled the room.
“What do you mean if I need my inheritance? Do you think you can change the old man’s will? Of course, he has left everything to me…”
Finally, Spencer stopped. His tone was quiet. Not hesitant, just thoughtful as he realized what it was his father had said.
Hesitantly, he asked, “…He didn’t die?”
“Sad for you, isn’t it?” Patrick asked sarcastically.
Spencer let out a curse and they could both hear the shuffling behind him as he said,” I’ll be there soon.”