Chapter 8

After making his wish, Corey still wasn't ready to let Quill off the hook. Feigning curiosity, he asked, "Mr. Milton, what did you wish for? Why not share it with us?" Before Quill could respond, Nora's confident voice cut in, "What else could it be? Every year, he wishes for Mommy and me to be safe and happy. It's definitely the same this year." Aspen, who was standing nearby, didn't say a word, but the look in her eyes told Quill that she believed the same. Even so, he had no intention of correcting them. Letting them misunderstand would save him a lot of trouble. Still smiling, Corey handed him a drink. "Mr. Milton, it's quite the coincidence that we share the same birthday. Why not toast to that? You wouldn't refuse, would you?" The moment Corey said this, both Aspen and Nora came over. Their wary gazes were fixed on Quill as if he were some dangerous creature intent on making things difficult for Corey. Quill found it amusing. He let out a soft chuckle and raised his glass, clinking it lightly with Corey's. The birthday party carried on. After their toast, other guests approached to offer drinks. Corey mingled generously, chatting animatedly with the attendees. Aspen and Nora stayed close by his side, shielding him from drinks and fetching him food. Meanwhile, someone noticed Quill standing alone in a corner. Glancing between him and the mother-daughter pair fawning over Corey, they began to whisper. "Ms. Sanders really treats Mr. Hudson well. She doesn't even spare a glance for her own husband and stays by Mr. Hudson's side the whole time." "Well, what do you expect? Mr. Hudson is her one true love. If he hadn't suddenly left all those years ago, Quill would never have had a chance to step in. Honestly, he should just get a divorce and leave. Save himself the humiliation." "Do you think he'd give up so easily? Look at who he married—the richest woman around. There's no way he'd let go of that status." ... The voices of the gossipers weren't exactly hushed. Quill heard every word clearly even from the corner. They were suggesting he should leave Aspen? He smiled faintly. Well, they didn't need to urge him—soon, he would disappear from their lives forever and leave this world entirely. Just then, the front hall of the banquet suddenly became noisy. Quill stood up and saw that Corey was clutching his stomach in pain. Aspen immediately called for her private doctor. After a brief examination, the doctor hesitated before saying, "Ms. Sanders, Mr. Hudson's symptoms suggest poisoning. He needs to be taken to the hospital for a stomach pump immediately." Aspen's face darkened at those words. She quickly grabbed Corey, and she left a chilling command before leaving the banquet hall, "Find out who did this!" With the host in distress, the party couldn't continue. Guests hurriedly left, and Quill returned to the villa alone. He assumed the incident had nothing to do with him. All he needed to do was wait until the system took him back to the real world. But by evening, several bodyguards stormed in and dragged him to where Corey was. "Quill Milton, I told you that as long as you behaved, I wouldn't touch your position. But you've repeatedly targeted Corey. Your stubbornness is truly despicable," Aspen said coldly. "You vile man!" Nora added furiously. "How dare you poison my dad!" Thrown into the situation, Quill quickly pieced together what was happening. From their words, it seemed they thought he had poisoned Corey. "I didn't do it!" Quill exclaimed in exasperation. Plus, he was about to leave this world, making such an act unnecessary! Even if he truly hated Corey, Aspen and Nora had been by Corey's side the entire time. How would he have had any chance to poison him? But they refused to listen. Aspen turned to Corey, her tone softening as she spoke with a hint of reassurance. "What do you want to do with him? I won't shield him." Corey smirked as he glanced at Quill, who was being restrained by the bodyguards. "He is your husband, so handing him to the police might tarnish your reputation. How about you give him to me for a day? I'll make him confess." Corey was confident they would agree immediately. But after waiting for a moment, he realized there was no response. He looked up and saw hesitation on Aspen's face. Even Nora appeared reluctant as she asked, "Daddy, what are you going to do to him for a whole day?"