A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Bernard checked the time and saw that it was almost 7:00 pm. If no one had picked up the children yet, that meant they had been waiting at school for more than two hours.

He immediately called Cora, but the call went unanswered. Then he called Helen instead. Helen was still angry but the moment she heard that the children had been left at school, she hurried over without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Joseph had gone into the ICU and hadn’t come out since. Sirius’ condition remained unchanged, so Bernard headed home.

At home, the children had already returned and were eating dinner. Kimberly was still young and easily placated. As soon as she saw Bernard, she greeted him sweetly.

Selena was another matter. She kept her head lowered and ate silently, acting as if Bernard didn’t exist. The moment she finished eating, she marched upstairs and slammed her doors shut.

That child…

Bernard pulled Helen aside and asked, “What’s going on with Cora lately? Are things really that busy at the company?”

Helen shook her head. “She didn’t go to the company today. I’m starting to think she’s really spending time with another man, as Joseph says.

“But Joseph isn’t any better. The school called him, and he still wouldn’t pick up the children. He’s just becoming more unreasonable by the day.”

Bernard sighed. “It’s not his fault. He’s at the hospital trying to save Sirius. I’m the one who wouldn’t let him leave. Cora’s at fault here. She should be at the hospital supporting him, but instead she’s running around outside doing who-knows-what.

“If she’s really that attached to another man, he should just divorce Joseph and be with him openly. What’s the point of doing something so disgraceful?”

Helen replied, “She has her reasons. Cora stopped listening to us a long time ago. Speaking of Sirius, how is he?”

Bernard said, “Joseph says he can keep Sirius alive, but recovery is another matter entirely.”

Helen scoffed. “Joseph? Bernard, when did you start trusting him?”

Bernard shrugged. “His character and his medical skills are two different things. I can’t stand the way he’s been acting lately, but I can’t deny that he’s genuinely talented as a doctor.”

The two of them muttered back and forth as they waited for Cora to return, but she never did. In the end, they stayed to look after the children. Even at 11:00 pm, neither Cora nor Joseph had returned home.

Bernard said, “Cora was busy at the company?”

Joseph glanced at Bernard in disdain. “So, making money is more important than family? Fine, in that case, she can spend the rest of her life with her money.”

Bernard knew Cora very well, yet he was still trying to search for excuses to defend her despite Cora’s morally questionable ways. If this was the example she grew up with, how different could she be?

Bernard glared at Joseph. “Don’t blow this out of proportion. If it weren’t for the money Cora earns, do you think you’d be living such a comfortable life? Everything you use in your daily life comes from Cora. Don’t be ungrateful.”

Joseph scoffed. “Are we even talking about the same thing? If you honestly think I…”

Bernard cut him off. “Alright, enough. You have to go home tonight and pick the kids up in the evening. Last night, Selena threw a flower pot down from upstairs. If something happens to her because you weren’t paying attention, I’ll hold you responsible.”

Bernard left without giving Joseph a chance to respond.

“Selena…” Bernard frowned slightly. He felt an inexplicable sense of conflict and agony.