Chapter_15
Chapter 15
Benjamin, whether intentionally or not, got in Abel’s way, leaving him grasping at thin air as Wonder Doctor entered the ICU. Abel’s frustration grew, and he muttered to himself, “We’ll see just who you really are once you’re out.”
An hour passed in tense silence, and only then did the duo leave the ward. Benjamin waved to the gathered crowd, his voice steady. “Mr. Oscar is stable. He should be awake in ten minutes.”
“Thank you.” Abel handed him the five-million-dollar check.
Benjamin didn’t even bother to check it before stuffing it into his pocket.
When Wonder Doctor emerged from the ICU, Abel quickly stopped her in her tracks. “Do you have a moment, Ms. Wonder Doctor?”
Emmeline halted but didn’t turn to face him. “Who do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Abel?” she asked, her voice slightly altered.
Abel’s brow furrowed. She doesn’t sound like Emmeline.
He cleared his throat. “You’ve saved my grandfather twice now. I’d like to ask you out to dinner to express my gratitude.”
“I don’t have time,” she replied coolly, rejecting him without a second thought.
Benjamin chuckled lightly, stepping between them. “Please excuse us, Mr. Abel.”
Abel stood there, dumbfounded, as the elevator doors closed in his face. What just happened?
Alana, who had been anxiously watching the events unfold, sighed in relief. What was I so worried about? Wonder Doctor is not someone the Rykers can afford to cross.
The tension in the air thickened as everyone anxiously waited for Oscar to regain consciousness. Hours seemed to stretch on endlessly.
Alana, exhausted from the stress, decided to go to the bathroom to refresh herself. She splashed water onto her face, trying to wake herself up.
That was when she noticed a figure standing behind her in the mirror’s reflection. A chill ran down her spine, and she quickly turned around—but there was no one there.
I must be more tired than I thought, she convinced herself, going back to washing her face. But when she glanced up again, the figure was there once more.
She froze. Ghost!
Before she could scream, someone clamped their hand over her mouth. She couldn’t move or make a sound as the figure stepped closer, and through the mirror, Alana realized who it was.
Emmeline?!
Her eyes widened in horror. Wasn’t Emmeline supposed to be locked in the utility room? What is she doing here?
Fear paralyzed her as Emmeline ruthlessly backhanded her twice. Alana fell to the wet floor, and before she could scream, Emmeline shoved a dirty rag into her mouth.
“Ack! Blergh!” The stench of grimy water filled her mouth as Emmeline poured it down her throat. Death would be a mercy compared to this!
“Scared?” Emmeline’s voice was cold, cruel. She crouched down and cupped Alana’s jaw with a mocking smile. “You’re such a horrible person. What a waste of a beautiful face. It would be more fitting for you to look like an ugly old witch.”
Alana’s heart raced as Emmeline brandished a scalpel, the blade grazing her chin.
“What’s wrong?” Emmeline mocked. “You want to beg me?” She applied pressure to the blade, making Alana flinch. “Sure, go ahead. Prostrate yourself. Or else…”
Terrified, Alana scrambled to get on all fours, kowtowing before Emmeline in desperation.
“Perfect!” Emmeline grinned, satisfied with her reaction. With a swift flick of her wrist, she sheathed the scalpel and disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
Alana immediately spat out the rag, her breath ragged, and screamed, “Help! Emmeline is trying to kill me!”
Abel, Adrien, and a team of bodyguards rushed into the bathroom at the sound of her cries.
Alana was lying on the wet floor, her face swollen and bruised, hair a tangled mess. The smell in the room was unbearable, making everyone cover their noses in disgust.
“Abel!” Alana rushed into his arms, her voice frantic. “Emmeline was here! She tried to kill me!”
Abel, however, shoved her away in disgust. “What nonsense. She’s still locked up!”
Adrien sighed and pinched his nose, clearly uncomfortable with the smell. “He’s right. You must be exhausted. Go home and rest.”
“Abel, please.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m not lying! She had a scalpel. She tried to cut my face!”
“How much do you hate her, Alana?” Abel frowned, his patience thinning. “You keep trying to frame her for every little thing!”
“That’s true,” Adrien said with a smirk. “Look at yourself. You look like a raving lunatic!”
Alana, mortified, turned to the mirror. Her own reflection startled her so much that she rushed out of the bathroom, eager to escape the disheveled sight of herself.
As she stepped into the hallway, her heart skipped a beat. There, at the door to the ICU, stood Emmeline.
“Emmeline!” Alana screamed at the top of her lungs. “She’s here! She’s trying to hurt Grandad!”
Her frantic cries sent everyone rushing toward the ICU, where the door opened just as they arrived.
Alana’s words hung in the air, filled with panic and desperation, as everyone scrambled to figure out what was happening.
