Left at the Altar with His Triplets: The Billionaire Begs for Forgiveness - Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Both Victoria and I froze.
Arnold's eyes suddenly tightened, his whole body stiffening as he maintained his turning posture.
What did she just call out?
Mommy?
To whom?
To Paisley?
I was still stuck processing that "Mommy" when I saw Elodie suddenly lift her little head, tears instantly welling up in her eyes, then burst into loud sobs:
"Mommy! Mommy, I want my mommy, I want my mommy—"
My heart clenched, and I almost immediately realized what she was doing.
The little girl remembered what I had instructed her earlier—no matter what, she couldn't reveal her identity in the Cavendish house.
She reacted quickly, using a child's most natural instinct to cover up the situation.
Yes, children this age would instinctively cry for their mother when facing danger. Even adults often blurt out "Mom" when extremely frightened.
She was too clever.
But Arnold might not believe it so easily.
He strode toward us. I was just breaking free from that "Mommy" shock and about to turn to check if Elodie was hurt when his hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.
Seeing the shocking red marks on the back of my hand, his expression instantly darkened, his black eyes flashing coldly as he looked directly at Victoria.
Victoria looked as if she was the one who'd been frightened, her face pale as she hunched her shoulders. After a moment, she spoke in a flustered voice: "Paisley, are... are you alright?"
I didn't speak, my mind still tense from that "Mommy."
My skin was naturally fair, making that large burn mark starkly red and shocking to everyone present.
Without a word, Arnold pulled me toward the bathroom while instructing the servants: "Take Elodie to rinse with water."
I heard footsteps behind us as servants hurried over to carry Elodie away. The water had just been boiled—even a little splash on the skin would be incredibly painful.
Victoria still stood motionless in the living room. Without looking back, I could imagine her expression.
That look from Arnold just now... she must have felt it too.
Was he feeling sorry for me, beginning to doubt her?
Arnold dragged me into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and pressed my entire hand under the water.
The bone-chilling cold water hit my scalding skin. I gasped and couldn't help trembling slightly.
I knew he felt my body's reaction. His hand still gripped my arm tightly as he stared at my red hand, his dark eyes heavy as if hiding countless emotions.
I bit my lip, trying to calm myself, but my heartbeat wouldn't slow down.
That "Mommy" from Elodie just now had been truly dangerous.
Although she reacted quickly and cried naturally, making it seem like a child's subconscious call, I still wasn't sure if we could fool Arnold.
He was never easy to deceive.
He never let go of me. I tried to pull my hand back but was firmly controlled by him.
Water rushed over us, but the redness still hadn't faded. I couldn't help saying softly: "I'm... fine."
He turned off the water and looked at me sideways, his voice low and stern: "Are you a stupid pig? You actually blocked scalding water with your bare hand?"
I looked up at him, not understanding what he was angry about.
"It's not burning you, so why are you angry..." I muttered quietly, shaking my hand and pressing my lips together. "I just knew that children have delicate skin. If that water had splashed on her, the injury would only be worse than mine."
I was telling the truth. Any normal person would have rushed forward to block it.
Arnold didn't speak, just stared at me with those deep eyes as if trying to read some secret from my face.
I knew what he was thinking.
He was suspicious.
After that "Mommy," he must be wondering: Could Elodie be my child?
At this thought, my heart jumped violently. I immediately looked away, not daring to meet his gaze.
Victoria's voice suddenly came from outside: "Arnold, is Paisley alright?"
Fire surged in my heart.
She actually dared to speak up?
I had seen it clearly—that wasn't a "bump" at all. She deliberately pushed that kettle to splash toward Elodie!
My hand was still shaking. Suppressing my anger, I opened the door and stared directly at Victoria.
She looked pitiful, her eyes red, looking at me timidly: "I'm sorry... I really didn't mean it... Paisley, are you okay? Should we go to the hospital?"
I sneered coldly.
"An accident?" I stared at her face, my tone cold.
Victoria instinctively looked toward Arnold behind me, her voice trembling: "I really didn't mean it. I accidentally bumped the kettle..."
She acted quite convincingly.
Arnold stood behind me, his expression dark.
I stepped forward and grabbed Victoria's hand, my tone calm but full of pressure:
"Victoria, you really didn't mean it? Just so coincidentally, you 'happened' to bump the kettle, and the kettle 'happened' to tip toward the child? That was freshly boiled water—do you know the consequences if it had splashed on her?"
Victoria's eyes flickered, looking wronged as she kept shaking her head as if defending herself: "How could I harm her? She and I have no grudges—it was really just an accident..."
"Really?" I looked up toward the surveillance camera in the corner of the living room. "Since you say it wasn't intentional, let's check the surveillance—do you dare?"