Dalton's Path to Redemption

Chapter 7

Dalton frowned and said, "Miss Walker, please let go. I haven't washed my clothes in three days, and I'm quite dirty."

Helen instinctively released her grip, realizing her actions were inappropriate. She tried to recover by reaching for his arm again but only made things more awkward, her hands hovering uncertainly in the air.

Dalton looked at Helen with sarcasm, sneering, "Miss Helen Walker, this is not a place for you. You should go back to your big estate!"

"No, Dalton, come home with me. You've been gone for ten days, and your family is worried sick!"

"Worried sick? What a joke!" Dalton scoffed. The idea that the Walker family actually cared about his absence was hard to believe.

"I have things to do, and I don't want to waste time on some trifles with you. I'm just a nobody from the slums, poor as can be, so don't get in the way of my making money."

Dalton didn't want to engage with her any longer. He still had vegetables left to sell, and if he hurried, he might sell another cart before dark.

Helen tiptoed behind Dalton, patiently trying to persuade him. "Dalton, I know you've felt neglected at home these past few years. I understand your anger, but we are still your family. You have to come home eventually, right?"

"Miss Helen Walker, you're mistaken. I don't have a home, nor do I have parents. I'm an orphan, and I always have been," Dalton replied coldly.

"Your parents are just angry. They don't really want to cut ties with you. I know about the necklace incident. Honestly, that necklace isn't worth much. If you come back with me, I'll speak on your behalf. They will definitely forgive you…"

Hearing this, Dalton suddenly stopped, his anger flaring. He shouted at Helen, "You all still think I stole the necklace? Even you?"

Helen was startled and left speechless. Just as she was about to respond, Dalton suddenly wobbled and collapsed to the ground.

"Dalton? Dalton! Quick, get him to the hospital!"

The bodyguards sprang into action, quickly taking Dalton to the hospital. The doctor arranged for VIP treatment and conducted a thorough examination.

"Doctor, what happened to him?" Helen asked anxiously.

The doctor was very polite and first complimented her. "Miss Walker, you're kind-hearted, caring so much for a little beggar."

Helen felt embarrassed. It was a failure on her part as the eldest sister to see a member of the Walker family treated like a beggar.

Seeing Helen blush, the doctor misinterpreted it as shyness and continued, "This child must have had a tough life. He's suffering from long-term malnutrition, anemia, and poor bronchial health. He has a serious injury on his wrist that wasn't treated properly, which led to inflammation and fever. He just couldn't hold on anymore."

Helen's eyes reddened as she listened, filled with guilt. She had never imagined Dalton's health was this bad. No wonder Beth said his life was worse than that of a servant.

"But don't worry, these aren't major issues. As long as he rests and gets proper nutrition, he can recover. Miss Walker, meeting you is a stroke of luck for him!"

"What kind of merit does he have to be valued by you? Even if you give him some of the Walker family's unwanted scraps, it would be enough for him to get rich…"

The doctor continued to compliment Helen, unaware that his words were striking a nerve. As Helen's expression grew more serious, the doctor hesitated and fell silent.

"Miss Walker?"

"I understand. Please leave me alone with him for a moment."

With that, the doctor left the examination report and stepped out of the room obediently. Helen first called her parents to inform them that she had found Dalton.

Then, she turned to look at Dalton, who lay pale on the hospital bed. She acknowledged that the doctor was right. Even the things the Walker family discarded could provide for an ordinary person for a lifetime. Yet, Dalton, who had lived with the wealthy Walker family for five years, was still treated like a beggar.

As soft sobs filled the room, Dalton slowly woke up. Seeing Helen sitting beside him and wiping her tears, he immediately sat up. Coldly, he pulled out the IV needle, put on his shoes, and got out of bed.

"Dalton, where are you going? The doctor said you need to rest!"

"Stop pretending, Miss Walker. Are you going to find someone to secretly film me again and post it online? You shouldn't even need a lackey like me, so what role am I playing this time? A beggar? Trash?"

Helen remembered the last time Lucy had posted Dalton online for ridicule. Hearing him bring it up again filled her with shame.

"We were wrong to you in the past. Please come home with me, okay? I want to make it up to you."

"What did you say?" Hearing her words, Dalton laughed out loud. If it weren't for God giving him a second chance at life, his body would probably have already rotted away.

In his eyes, no one could make it up to him.

"Helen, let me tell you, what goes around comes around. The evil you do is recorded by God, and one day you will face retribution!"

Slap! Helen slapped Dalton across the face.

She didn't expect him to say such cruel things. Looking at his expression, she found him terrifying.

"Have you lost your mind? How could you curse your family like this?"