Not 55

“I like Mommy the most…” 

Because this was her real mother. 

She was her mother’s child, not Claudine’s. 

Claudine would have other children with Daddy in the future, and by then, no one would want her. 

Only her real mother would never abandon her. 

Audrey was unaware of Darlene’s thoughts, but she was delighted that her daughter wanted to be close to her. 

She hugged Darlene and kissed her on the cheek. 

“Mommy loves you too! You’re Mommy’s favorite treasure!” 

Damian arrived just in time to witness this scene. 

He stood outside the hospital room, watching the mother and daughter inside, choosing not to disturb them. 

Damian gently closed the door and walked to the end of the corridor, lighting a cigarette. 

The rich tobacco smoke passed through his lungs as he exhaled a cloud, but it did nothing to ease the thoughts weigh- ing on his mind. 

Audrey wanted to live with Darlene. She had always been alone before, and now that she was to care for Darlene, Damian couldn’t help but feel uneasy. 

But Darlene was, after all, her child. 

After leaving the hospital, Claudine returned to her own place. 

She turned off her phone and went into the study to work on her thesis. 

Her current thesis topic was about how to use new materials to compensate for the differences in gloss between tradi- tional pigments and old glazes. 

Building on previous techniques, she considered using plasma sintering for the pigments, then employing modern technology to grind the pigments down to submicron levels. This way, she could at least keep the color saturation er- ror within three percent. 

If this technology could be successfully applied, it would make up for many regrets in antique restoration caused by missing pigments. 

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When Claudine was focused, she became completely absorbed in her work. 

Back in school, she would spend entire days in the lab with Adriana. 

After all, the work of cultural relic restoration required immense patience and concentration. 

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When she left the study, neon lights were already shining outside the window. She checked the time–it was already eight in the evening. 

She had only eaten breakfast today. 

No wonder her stomach hurt from hunger. 

Claudine opened the fridge and found it completely empty. 

At this hour, going to the supermarket and then cooking would be far too exhausting. 

Claudine grabbed her coat and phone, preparing to go out and grab a quick bite. 

It wasn’t until she got into the car that Claudine remembered to turn her phone back on. 

As soon as she powered it up, a flood of missed calls and messages popped up–all from her mother. 

Thinking something urgent must have happened, she didn’t bother to check the messages and called back immediate- ly. 

But after dialing, no one answered for a long time. 

Growing worried, she called her father. 

Her mother had come along on her father’s business trip this time. If anything had happened to her mother, her father would surely know. 

But unexpectedly, it was her who answered the call! 

Claudine hung up and immediately rushed to the hospital. 

It was rush hour, and Bronzevale’s overpasses were heavily congested. Claudine was so anxious that she wished she could get to the hospital instantly. 

Over an hour later, Claudine parked her car at the hospital entrance. 

She had left in a hurry, wearing only a thin sweater. As soon as she opened the car door, the biting cold wind seemed to pierce right through her bones. 

Claudine didn’t care about any of that and hurried straight to the emergency room. 

On the hospital’s top floor corridor, the elevator doors opened with a “ding,” and Claudine rushed out. 

The nurse said her mother had been sent to a room on the top floor. Following the room number the nurse gave her, Claudine quickly found it. 

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She pushed open the door and saw Caroline Cooper sitting by the bed, peeling an apple for her mother. 

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A trace of coldness flashed in Claudine’s eyes, but not wanting her mother to notice, she quickly concealed it. 

“Mom, how are you feeling?” 

Bridgette had only just woken up. Seeing her daughter, the tears she had just managed to stop began to flow again. 

“Claudy…” 

“Mom, don’t cry. Tell me what happened first.” 

Claudine walked over, and Caroline, seeing her approach, tactfully gave up her seat. 

But Claudine paid her no attention. 

Caroline’s eyes showed some dissatisfaction, but after a moment’s thought, she let it go. 

As long as Clayton was around, why should she bother arguing with a child? 

“Claudy, your grandfather is in trouble. What are we going to do?” 

This afternoon, while she was resting at the hotel, she suddenly received a call saying her father was suspected of aca- demic fraud and profiteering, and had already been taken away by the authorities for investigation. 

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