The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 747 The Culprit

"So... does it mean that Shirley is my sister from now on?" Charlie was clever enough to get the point.

He looked at Shirley with growing affection because she was very nice and he liked her a lot.

"Of course," Charles smiled as he replied and continued, "I will treat both of you with the same love and affection. Do you understand this Charlie?" "Okay, I am very happy." Charlie nodded and his eyes brightened up.

Sheryl came back with the water and brought with her a group of people into the ward.

Charles dropped the box at the sight of Sheryl's family which included Arthur, Amy, Andy and Abby. Abby tried to avoid eye contact with him as if guilty.

Charles had continued to send some holiday gifts to the Zhao family during these years. The contact between them had gradually lessened as the whole family bore a grudge against him when Autumn went missing.

Amy was particularly unhappy at the sight of Charles and Charlie. She did not wish Charles to pester Sheryl after the long separation.

She blurted out, "Charles, you ought not to have come here!"

"Grandma Amy." Sheryl felt duty bound to speak up for Charles. She knew Amy's anger was partly out of love for her.

"Charles has taken good care of Shirley last night. He has been with me and supported me through this whole ordeal. He deserves our love and respect. Please do not blame him anymore." Sheryl tried to change Amy's attitude.

But Amy ignored Sheryl and spoke coldly to him, "No more of your hypocrisy and duplicity! Leave this place right now! We do not need you!"

Sheryl was somewhat upset by Amy's rudeness to Charles.

At that moment she was standing between them and could feel Amy's hatred for Charles.

Amy glanced at Sheryl and continued, "You should rely on your family rather than someone who has harbored ill will against you. You do not need his help to take care of Shirley. We will be with you and help you!"

"Mom..." Abby thought it was necessary to let Andy clear the air. Charles was not really at fault - he had just been careless to lose Sheryl.

She was overcome with a growing guilt over Amy's accusation against Charles who remained quiet.

She forced a smile and said, "Mom, Charles should bear the joint responsibility for Sheryl's missing but there is someone else who is the bigger culprit. So do not just blame Charles anymore!" "Abby!" Andy, sensing something drastic, immediately stopped Abby from saying more on this.

"What is the matter with you?" Amy sensed something amiss from Andy's and Abby's interaction with each other. They tried to act normal on the surface but she sensed a simmering weirdness and strain in their relationship.

Andy grasped Abby's arm tightly and told Amy nonchalantly, "It is nothing serious. Actually, I mean we have come to inquire of Shirley's health. Let us not waste our time arguing with each other and creating a scene here. Dad, I request you to introduce the two psychologists to Sheryl. They are experts and will help cure Shirley."

"That sounds good!" Amy got distracted. She exclaimed to Sheryl, "Arthur was a well known doctor before his retirement. He has many contacts with experts in psychology and counselling. He can refer some good doctors to cure Shirley properly."

"Really?" Sheryl asked eagerly. She prized and loved Shirley over everything. She would do all that was necessary and hire the best doctors to ensure her recovery.

"Of course." Arthur nodded reassuringly and then asked Charles, "But what on earth has happened to little Shirley? She was happy and healthy the last time we saw her."

"She..." Sheryl glanced at Arthur helplessly. She did not know how to narrate the entire episode leading to Shirley's condition.

"Sheryl, feel free to talk to us!" Amy touched Sheryl's hands lightly and glanced at Charles menacingly. "Your family is your backbone. We will always support you through all hardships." Saying this, she glanced at Charles with growing hatred and asked Sheryl, "I hope no one is abusing you and Shirley!"

Sheryl realized that Amy was hinting about Charles.

She immediately said, "Grandma Amy, please do not involve Charles in this. You are totally wrong about this. He is not involved in Shirley's accident."

On seeing Charlie watching all this with interest, she suggested that Charles take the little boy out of the ward.

She decided to reveal something in the absence of the innocent boy.

"Okay! Let us go out for some time, Charlie. Sheryl, feel free to call me if necessary. Charlie and I will be waiting outside."

Once they walked out, Sheryl began to

relay a detailed account of the unpleasant encounter from the previous night. Everyone present was shocked to learn it was Anthony who was to be held responsible for this condition. Abby was the person who was most shocked.

"Sher, are you sure? Was it really Anthony? Did you see his face clearly?" Amy could not reconcile herself to the dark side of Anthony. She had always found him to be a gentleman and soft mannered. Arthur also found it hard to accept what he heard. He asked Sheryl, "Is what you just said true? Did all this really happen?"

"Definitely! It is the truth and a harsh reality. This is the level he sunk to." Sheryl replied with a forced smile and continued, "I never expected Anthony to commit such a horrible act!"

Sheryl's revelation nearly prompted Abby to disclose Andy's involvement with Anthony. Sensing that Abby was slowly losing her control and was about to spill the beans, Andy immediately brought Abby outside He did not foresee that Charles and the little boy were out there and may eavesdrop on his conversation with Abby.