Chapter 56
Courtney’s heal was spinning. She shut her eyes tigluty in alegiair with tears leaking out. She couldn’t bear to think that the Austin the knew had nurned into simeone who wanted her deal
For those live years in South Weidin, Courtney
never lost the will to live. Her life was a gift from Mark, who’d given up his life for hers,
She’d witnessed roses pushing up through the wirikage and heand the heart–wrenching tries of kids calling out for their moms among the broken walls. She had a mission–saving innocent lives and tending tie those tom from their homes by the ravages of war,
Courtney had seen ceremonies under fire with brides in war–torn dresses standing on the ruins. She’d witnessed love give the middle finger to death itself, right in the heat of handle. She’d clung to the hope of coming home, to her husband, to her love.
But now, the harsh realay was crushing her, like she was being worn down to nothing
“Courtney, I lost it for a second. You said you were thirsty, I just wanted to give you a sip,” Austin murmured, clutching the bedrail. “Courtney. I’m sorry. I didn’t know Vera could be so ruthless that she
You left me behind when you took your daughter and lef.” Courtney sighed, her arms weak. Austin didn’t get them, and she didn’t have the strength to try harder.
Right then, a nurse strode over, ready to chew the intruder out, but when she saw Austin, she eased up “Dr. Gilbert, you got my adrenaline going For a minute there, I thought we had a trespasser
Austin stood tall, grabbing the water bottle off the flour. “I just spilled the water. Could you clean it op?“
The nurse hesitated eyeing Austin. “Dr. Gilbert, did you give the patient water! Dr. Cochran said. The sentence hung, its meaning clear Courtney want to have water or food
Austin shook his head. “Nah, she was parched so I tried to wet her lips. I didn’t let her drink. That’s why it spilled.” His lie rolled off his tongue smoothly because he knew Courtney was mute.
Courtney stared at Austin, her image of him crumbling by the second. Maybe she’d built Austin up too much in her mind these five years. Maybe the love she’d hield onto was just a fantasy, = perfect lover who never was.
“Whew, glad that’s settled, the nurse said, nodding. I’ll handle it. If you’re done. Dr. Gilbert, maybe you should head our, We have rules to follow
Austin nodded, looking back at Courtney. “Rest up, Courtney. Don’t stress. I’ve got the gist of your condition. It’s not too had: y room tomorrow just rest and heal” His downplaying of her injuries was an attempt to ease Vera’s guilt
you’ll be in a regular
At the door, Carl’s voice was a punch, fill of accusation. “She’s in the ICU, and it’s not serious? Dr. Gilbert, in your book, does death count at
senous
Austin frowned, trying to ignore Carl, ready to leave.
“Vera’s facing charges of kidnapping, assault, attempted murder, and more. You can’t just sweep this under the rug. Carl warned Austin. This time. Vera was on her own
“Mr. Fraley, you’re still so naive, Austin scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping him, filled with self–mockery and helplessness. “Do you think I don’t want Vera to pay for what she’s done! She hurt the person I care about EDGETM
“Aren’t you feeling guilty about saying that Your most loved one?” Carl mocked Austin’s hypocrisy
Austin didn’t stoop to Carl’s level. He looked around and leaned closer to Carl “Mr. Fraley, the Lewis family has the best legal team. If you really want Vera to pay, don’t let their lawyers meet her” With that, Austin walked away, lowering his head
Carl’s brow furrowed, his eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and realization. He just didn‘ Austin was a real showinan, all the way down to his core
didn’t catch the vibe Austin was putting out
out, convinced that
At Coastline Cuisine, night had fallen, James car idled in the underground garage before he slipped into a private elevator, ascending to the third floor’s exclusive dining room.
“Things are tight now, Every organ has got to have a paper trail. Lucas is in deep, and it’s a mess,” James said
“But the bigwigs upstairs are demanding this, no matter the cost. We need to locate the right organs. You with me?” James voice rumbled as he spoke to a figure shrouded in black.
“Il make it happen,” the man in black assured him, his tone just as somber. Under the sparse lighting, he was a silhouette in a cap, mask, and shades, his features hidden behind a veil of darknes
Their conversation was brief and to the point. The man in black rose to take his leave.
11:02 AM ch
Chapter 30.
“My daughter’s been dragged into a criminal case, and she’s been detained. Word is, someone’s pulling strings. Could you lend a hand?” James pressed, his voice tinged with desperation..
“Your daughter’s in a pickle. Tyson’s the one with his fingers in the ple,” the man in black revealed with a snort.
“Isn’t your eldest, Marilyn, set to tie the knot with Hayden from the Reed clan? Send Marilyn to butter up her future uncle by marriage. It’d carry more weight than anything 1 could say,” the man added.
James‘ eyes widened in surprise; he hadn’t seen Tyson as the puppet master. “What’s the story with Courtney and Tyson?”
“Tyson pulled them out of a jam down in South Weidan. Beyond that, it’s all hush–hush, the man in black said, his expression inscrutable.
James brow furrowed as he fell into a pensive silence, the complexity of Courtney’s situation dawning on him.
No sooner had the man in black vanished than a waiter strode in with a tray of drinks balanced on his palm.
“I didn’t call for drinks Get out,” James barked, his temper flaring
However, the waiter made no move to exit Instead, he set down the tray, seized a bottle, and cracked it against James‘ skull with a swift motion. Then the room erupted into a chaos of flying fists and kicks.
11:02 AM ₫
