Ambush of the Quadruplets
Chapter 978 Open-Minded And Gracious

"That's right!" Adrien said firmly. "Abel and Emma have our full support. We're not bound by whatever happened in Grandpa's generation!"

"If Oscar Ryker wants to get involved in this matter, he should also ask the Adelmars for their consent!" Waylon's smile was very cold.

"That's right," Kenny concurred. "We won't stand for Emma being treated badly."

"Absolutely!" Bowie agreed. "There are eleven of us Adelmar siblings; none of us are pushovers. Messing with us is a bad idea."

Benjamin added his opinion to the rest. "Abel and Emma are a family already. Nobody should interfere with that!"

"Benjamin is right." Abel laced his fingers with Emmeline's, his smile faint but purposeful. "No one is going to separate me and Emma. Not even Grandpa!"

Erin looked disinterested, but in reality, she was all ears. As she sampled the buffet's offerings, she carefully stored up every bit of the conversation that she was listening to.

Apparently, Emmeline was an Adelmar! Given what the others had said, old Oscar Ryker had a deep-seated grudge against the Adelmar Clan!

Had Erin's chance for revenge come at last?

Adam raised his glass in a silent toast to Waylon, then did the same to Benjamin, Kenny, and Bowie. After that, he replenished his glass and lifted it in Abel's direction. "Abel, today I want to take the opportunity to offer you and Emma my sincere apologies for everything that's happened in the past. From now on, I'll follow where you lead. Whatever you tell me to do, be assured I'll do it to the best of my ability!"

Abel smiled. "We're family, Adam. We'll let bygones be bygones, shall we?"

"Let's drink a toast, the three of us," Adam requested. "Then I'll know for sure that you and Emma have forgiven me."

Abel raised his glass. Emmeline did as well, but hers held fruit juice instead of wine. The three of them clinked their glasses together and downed their drinks.

Adam was thrilled, and his expression mirrored his feelings. He no longer looked as moody as he had upon first arriving here. It was truly better to live open-mindedly and be gracious; the true colors of one's personality could then blossom freely.

Emmeline saw that he truly regretted his past actions and wondered if she ought to reverse the aftermath of the Living Agony technique. If not, any sickness would be particularly brutal for him.

After Adam finished his toast, Paul raised his glass and gestured toward Abel. "Adam mentioned that you're acquainted with the Wonder Doctor, Mr. Abel. If that's true, then I need to ask a favor from you."

Abel's brows knitted slightly; it seemed likely that this would be about Flynn. "What favor would that be, Mr. Murphy?" He enquired, his expression bland.

"It's about Flynn, naturally," Paul explained. "As you know, he suffered a bad head injury. Even though he survived, he has cerebral palsy now. It's a great impertinence, I know, but could you ask the Wonder Doctor if he would be willing to take a look at him?"

Abel said nothing.

Paul continued, "The truth is, my father contacted the Wonder Doctor previously, but the good doctor declined. Why I don't know, but that's why I'm asking if you'd be willing to talk to him since you're already acquainted and see if he might change his mind. I'll be more than happy to discuss treatment fees."

"It isn't about the treatment fees," Abel replied slowly. "The Wonder Doctor is very capricious and goes entirely by whim. I'm not actually that close to him, either. In fact, I know him only because I asked him to treat my grandfather twice."

"Well, you could at least speak to the doctor for me," Paul persisted. "His assistant turned me down. That's why I'm asking for your help, so I can at least try and give Flynn a second lease of life."

"I'll try, anyway," Abel answered reluctantly. "The Wonder Doctor might not necessarily say yes to me either."

"As long as you're willing to try, it's good enough." Paul raised his glass again. "A toast to your success!" He turned to Erin. "Why don't you drink a toast as well, Erin?"

Erin obediently raised her glass and gave Abel a faint smile. "Here's to you, Mr. Abel."

Out of courtesy, Abel drank to the toast. Paul and Erin did as well.

Erin looked a little off-color, however; she was feeling extremely perturbed...