After learning that Bianca was not coming back, Queenie's eyes grew dim.
The reason why she put all her attention on Leia was because of Luca's absence. She could not even worry about her if she wanted to.
Besides, Bianca was not always reachable.
“I guess I won't be able to see Bea this New Year's again. Luke, Jack and I aren't getting any younger. Who wouldn't want to have their children by their side at this age? So, I want to tell you something." Queenie put down her utensils, and her face stiffened with dismay.
Luke understood the situation and put down his utensils as well. "Yes, Mother-in-law?"
When Queenie glanced at Jack to see him shake his head indicating that she should not say what she was about to say, she ignored him. Then, she looked at Luke and said, "There's actually something we've been hiding from you... Leia is back."
Luke remained silent.
Queenie tried to decipher Luke's expression, but no emotion could be seen on his face as he was too calm.
She had no choice but to say, "Leia is critically ill. It's so serious that if we keep it from you any longer, she might leave us any time now. Luke, I know that Leia made many mistakes in the past, but she got the punishment she deserved. I hope that you'll let bygones be bygones. At least let her recover here for the time being. We can further discuss it after she's fully recovered."
"I understand," Luke said indifferently as he picked up his glass of water and took a sip. He could not say that he had fallen into a trap as he was aware of what Queenie wanted to talk to him about.
Queenie noticed that he did not react badly, nor did he say that he would send Leia back to New York. She heaved a sigh of relief and said, "So, are you okay with Leia staying here to get treatment?"
"Isn't she sick?" Luke asked in reply.
Queenie nodded. "It's a liver disease, and the doctor said that the only way she can survive is to get a liver transplant. However, my blood type and Mr. Norman's blood type are not compatible with Leia's. So, we want to make it known to the public to see if there are any kind-hearted people out there who can help her—"
"You want to find a voluntary donor for Leia?" Luke then knew that Luca probably had the same idea. However, when she suggested it, she did not think about Jack.
The thought of Jack did not occur to her most likely because she felt sorry for Queenie.
Queenie nodded.
“If that's the case, Father-in-law's career will be badly affected." Luke reckoned that Jack thought so too, but he did not speak up about it because of Queenie. Hence, he had Luke do his dirty work for him instead.
Queenie was taken aback, and she glanced at Jack who was eating with his head down.
"How..." They were just looking for voluntary donors, not purchasing a liver from the black market. How would this affect his career?
"Although Leia was a celebrity, she has already lost all her fans. If someone is willing to help her, they'd be doing it because of Father-in-law," Luke explained to her in detail.
There were still people who would occasionally mention Leia's name on the internet, but all of those people were her haters.
Queenie was perplexed as Luke's point never occurred to her.
She looked at Jack with guilt in her eyes.
No wonder Jack was behaving unusually quietly. He must have thought the same but kept quiet because of her urgency to find a donor for Leia.
He may not have much affection for Leia, but he still loved Queenie.
He had sacrificed a lot for her after decades of being together.
Queenie sighed, and all of a sudden, the dinner table grew much more silent after Luke's revelation.
"I didn't think about that. So, all Leia can do is wait in line?" She was powerless. Having raised Leia for so long, this was the first time she had ever felt this way.
No one knew how long she had to wait in line. Perhaps Leia would get lucky and find a compatible donor soon, but she might be unlucky as well. It may never be her turn.
The thought of it scared Queenie.
Luke saw the look on their faces and thought of Luca. She must not want to see her parents in this state.
Therefore, he said, "There's actually another way. Although Leia's biological mother has passed away, she still has a father—Dexter."
Queenie suddenly looked up and recalled what had happened before.
Dexter was willing to do anything for money. He even ruined Leia when he could not get any more money.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
He did not care how others looked at him. Besides, he was the one who wanted to sell Leia off, but he later wanted to take advantage of her.
Thus, Queenie did not have a good impression of him at all. "How could he possibly help Leia after making her so miserable?"
"Leia was the one asking for trouble," Jack could not resist correcting her.
Although Dexter was at fault, Leia was not any better.
Queenie opened her mouth but was unable to refute.
"Despite what he did, he's still Leia's biological father. The chances of a successful match between father and daughter are very high. Instead of using Father-in-law's reputation to seek voluntary donors, why not try looking for Dexter to donate his liver to her?" Luke told Queenie.
Someone worthy of pity would also be worthy of detest, and as detestable as one might be, there would also come a time they became of use.
Queenie nodded as Leia's life was more important. She then opened her mouth to say, “However, Dexter was never seen again after that incident. Can he still be found? Plus, it's common for vagrants like him to die under bridges."
Although the country's welfare policies had gotten better, there were still reports of homeless people dying under bridges.
"We can try, and if we can't find him, we'll think of another way," said Luke. He was not doing it for Leia but for Luca.
"Luke, are you saying that you'll help us?" A glimmer of hope flickered in Queenie's eyes. Although Jack was a man of position, it was not a good idea for him to abuse his power and use the government's resources to find someone.
However, Luke was different. As long as Dexter was still alive, with the help of his people, there was a great possibility that he could be found.
"I'm doing this for Bianca, not Leia. I believe that she won't want to see you in this haggard state when she comes back," Luke said frankly as all the pain Leia was causing Queenie made Luca's heart ache.
Others may not know it, but he knew all about it.
Queenie nodded repeatedly as a delighted smile appeared on her face.
This way, Leia did not have to hide anything. There was another way for her to live.
There was no guarantee that Dexter could be found, and there was a chance that his blood type may not be compatible with Leia's. Even so, they could worry about that later. At least there was light at the end of the tunnel right now.
After dinner, Luke followed Jack to the second floor.
Jack closed the door to the study and pointed to a chair. "Have a seat, Luke."
Luke sat on the chair. "Father-in-law, what is it?"