The Long Road to Love: The Capable CEO Dad-Chapter 553: He Was Hypnotized

On one side, there was small talk between the two adults, while on the other side, the two children were exchanging glances. The atmosphere in the room was unusually pleasant.

Samantha Sullivan stayed until the afternoon before taking her child home.

Eleanor Hollis escorted them to the door and noticed Marcus peeking out from the house, which she found amusing.

"It seems he really likes this child."

Samantha, holding her daughter, also smiled.

After they left, Eleanor turned around and closed the door to the living room.

"You’re still not fully recovered; you shouldn’t be outside in the wind."

Marcus nodded, thinking about the small bundle he had just held in his arms, and felt his heart soften a bit.

"Mommy, will I really marry Auntie Sullivan’s daughter in the future?"

He’s still young, not understanding how challenging a lifelong companionship can be, thinking things were truly settled like that.

Eleanor held his hand, understanding with Samantha that they wouldn’t force the children to like each other. If the two kids eventually developed feelings, that would be great; if not, they’d still be friends.

"It’s up to you. Whatever kind of girl Marcus likes, I’ll like that kind of girl too."

Marcus nodded earnestly, yawned, and said he was going upstairs to sleep.

Eleanor was about to prepare dinner when she opened the fridge and realized there wasn’t much inside.

She drove out immediately but saw a person collapsed in an alley as she passed by.

She didn’t want to meddle, but she felt she should recognize that person.

"Xavier Crawford?"

As she got closer, she realized it was indeed Xavier, and she was startled.

Xavier was groggy, his consciousness somewhat blurred, but seeing her, he relaxed and collapsed further.

Struggling, Eleanor helped him into the car, not daring to linger there, and drove straight home without buying anything.

She called the family doctor over, who did a check-up on Xavier. Fortunately, it was only external injuries.

Eleanor took out her phone and called Martha.

Martha hurried over, covering her mouth in shock when she saw Xavier unconscious.

"What’s wrong with him?"

It appeared Martha didn’t know what Xavier had been through, and Eleanor shook her head as well; everything could only be clarified once Xavier woke up.

An hour later, Hugo Quinn returned, but Xavier still hadn’t woken up. His eyes remained tightly shut, and his eyelashes fluttered, indicating a restless sleep.

"He’s been hypnotized."

Hugo instantly saw the main issue, bending down to check again, but at that moment, Xavier opened his eyes.

"Xavier, how are you? You scared me to death."

Martha immediately hugged him, her eyes red, her voice hoarse.

A gleam flickered in Xavier’s eyes, but he didn’t speak.

He raised his hand, finding his palm covered in blood.

"It was a man, very skilled in hypnotism, interested in my brother’s affairs. I was on guard in advance and managed to stay conscious midway."

He rubbed his head and pushed Martha away from his embrace.

Xavier’s expression was serious, presumably with more important matters unsaid.

"Hugo, when you investigated the Wexler Family, did you find anything suspicious?"

He had a gut feeling that the hypnotist he encountered was connected to the Wexler Family’s affairs.

Hugo shook his head; the Wexler Family issue was a long time ago, and he couldn’t quite recall the details.

"Back then, the Wexler Family imprisoned many medical geniuses, including my parents. But as far as I know, those people weren’t just creating viruses. The Wexler Family had partners, and recently, those partners have started taking action. That man asked about my brother’s matters and yours."

Rubbing his head, Xavier found resisting the hypnotism had been an exhausting task, and without firm will, one could be easily led astray.

Heavens knew how much pressure he had endured at that time, but thankfully, he ran into Eleanor; otherwise, he might have ended up lying in the street all night.

"This affair has nothing to do with me."

Hugo remained indifferent. These days, he was busy designing a wedding dress, wanting to give Eleanor the best wedding and had no time for these matters.

"Marcus’s illness was cured by the doctor you hired, right? If I’m not mistaken, Marcus’s condition is one in a million and is related to maternal lineage inheritance. Though the influence is small, you’ve seen Marcus’s illness. The top dog on the other side is the head of a world-class pharmaceutical company, always wanting to solve such conditions. The imprisoned individuals were researching viruses on one hand and providing prescriptions for the pharmaceutical company on the other. Yet, a prescription for this condition has never been written, and everyone is helpless because nobody delved deep into researching it back then."

Xavier spoke intermittently, pausing for breaths after each statement.

Hugo waited for him to finish, the room’s atmosphere turning grave.

"They already know about Marcus’s illness. They’re aware of your medical team, and Jean Nash has already been pressured. They’re really interested in what you have and also in what our Crawford Family possesses."

Xavier’s words were clear. In this matter, Hugo couldn’t stay uninvolved. No one knew what the other side planned, and the people sent to hypnotize him tonight might be the signal of battle.

A glint appeared in Hugo’s eye. Marcus’s illness was cured, and he wasn’t stingy about sharing the treatment method. However, since it was something the team researched for decades, he wasn’t inclined to let the other side take it so easily unless they were open to negotiation.

"If they’re willing to negotiate, I can consider it. If they try to take it by force, it won’t happen."

Hugo’s words were firm, giving Xavier a sense of relief, causing his lips to curve into a slight smile.

"The Crawford Family and you are on the same side. You’ve got the home front; we’ve got the international perspective. This was just a test from them. If our stance is strong enough, they probably won’t act rashly. It might lead to negotiation, as you mentioned."

It depends on what terms they’re willing to offer.

Martha helped Xavier up. He had regained some strength, looking somewhat revived.

"Then we’ll head off now, waiting for what’s next. Someone from their side will come."

He spoke with certainty, exiting and getting into the car parked outside.

Eleanor looked up at Hugo with some concern, "Will there be danger?"

She was already tired of enduring separations.

"No, they only dare to act underhandedly, like tonight. If they intend to negotiate, they’ll have to come to me openly."

Eleanor nodded, holding onto his arm.

"I don’t want anything to happen to you. No matter what, I want to stay by your side."

Hugo found it amusing but gratifying, patting her head.

"Don’t worry, I still need to perfect the wedding dress. Won’t let anything happen to myself."

Hugo had set aside his work for the coming days to focus on modifying the wedding dress exclusively.