Chapter 318 Could Something Have Happened to Him Too
The person on the other end just went dead silent and then hung up.
Unexpectedly, after I finished getting ready and stepped out of my room, I saw Claire rushing out.
"Claire, where you headed?" I stopped her, noticing she looked like she'd seen a ghost. My heart dropped. "What's up? You okay?"
"I gotta get to the hospital," Claire blurted out, not even bothering to change her shoes before bolting out the door.
I didn't have time to think and just chased after her. "Claire!"
Jerry's been swamped lately, and dealing with the Harris family could be risky for me.
So, he left some bodyguards to watch my back.
I told Claire, "I'm coming with you. Don't stress."
I called the bodyguards and helped Claire into the car.
"Harmony General Hospital," Claire said.
Then it hit me—the call I got earlier. "Claire, did the hospital call you about Larry being in a car accident?"
Claire nodded. "No one signed the surgery consent form. I told them to start the emergency treatment."
She struggled to speak, "Hope, if we don't save him, he's done for."
Claire's health has always been shaky, and after getting poisoned a couple of times, even though she got the toxins out, her age makes it tough to handle stress.
Larry might be a fool, but he's Claire's son, the one she carried for ten months and raised with love.
Technically, the Harris family was supposed to be his.
But Claire thought Skylar had bad intentions.
And she was right.
Larry's got no backbone and does whatever Skylar says. If the Harris family fell into outsider hands, Claire's golden years would be a mess.
But I could stay calm 'cause I didn't care about Larry.
Plus, Larry and Skylar would do anything to get the Harris family’s assets, even poisoning Claire multiple times.
I couldn't stop Claire from going, but I had to be careful.
On the way, I shot a message to Jerry: [Larry might be in trouble. Heading to Harmony General Hospital with Claire. Come over when you can.]
To be safe, I sent a similar one to Steven.
We pulled up at Harmony General Hospital.
Before getting out, I told the bodyguards, "Keep a close eye on my grandma. Make sure she doesn't get hurt, no matter what."
Given Claire's health, any more stress would be a disaster.
The bodyguard nodded. "Ms. Royston, don't worry. We've got people watching from the shadows too. Considering your situation, it's best not to go anywhere alone."
I nodded. For the sake of the baby, I wouldn't do anything reckless.
At the emergency room, as soon as I mentioned Larry's name, they took us to the operating room door.
On the way, I wondered if Larry had been incited by Skylar and set up another trap.
But it turned out Larry really had been in a car accident and was now in surgery.
Claire, hands shaking, signed the surgery consent form and the critical condition notice.
I helped the wobbly Claire to a seat and asked the bodyguard to find out why Skylar was MIA.
Logically, Larry was Skylar's ticket to the Harris family’s assets. She shouldn't be ghosting him.
A few minutes later, the bodyguard came back and said, "Skylar's phone's been off. The hospital called a bunch of people before finally reaching Mrs. Harris."
I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. If I had agreed to come after answering the phone, Claire wouldn't have known and wouldn't be so freaked out.
I took the water the bodyguard handed me, opened it, and gave it to Claire. "Claire, drink some water."
Claire suddenly grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face, looking both anxious and guilty. "I'm sorry to have burdened you."
"Claire, don't say that." I pulled out a tissue to wipe her tears and told her to chill out to avoid any sudden health issues. "You're my grandma. It's my job to take care of you and handle stuff."
Claire squeezed my hand even tighter. "I didn't come here to change anything. The Harris family will definitely be left to you; that's the only way I can be true to the Harris family. I came here because, foolish as he may be, he's still my son. I can't just stand by and watch him die."
"If I didn't know, it would be one thing. But now that I do, if I refuse, it's like letting him die by my own hand. You don't need to be burdened by this. You and he lack a father-daughter relationship in this life. Even if you don't visit or care for him, you aren't to blame."
She added, "Parent-child relationships should be a two-way street. It's not fair for him to never act like a dad while you're expected to be the perfect daughter just 'cause of blood ties."
I don't have strong feelings for Larry, but I also couldn't stop Claire from saving her son.
I didn't want to sign because I thought it might be Skylar's trap.
"I get it, Claire. No need to explain. Just promise me this—it's okay to worry, but don't let it eat you up. Your health is what matters most."
"Alright, alright, I get it." Claire touched my head, her eyes teary but her smile loving. "You stay calm in big situations. The Harris family will be better in your hands."
She smiled. "I can be completely at ease. When I joined your grandfather, I can tell him that we have a wonderful granddaughter."
Her words made me uneasy, like she was giving me her last words.
I know no one lives forever; there's always a day of parting.
But passing away peacefully at an old age is different from leaving due to an accident or illness.
I said, "I'm not grown up yet. I need your support. There's still so much I need to learn from you. You have to teach me."
I touched my belly. "And your great-grandchild isn't born yet. Don't you want to see it?"
Claire placed her hand over mine, as if she had listened to my words, and said softly, "Baby, I'll wait for you."
Larry's surgery lasted from dawn till dusk.
The hospital went from bustling to nearly empty, becoming cold and desolate as night fell.
The bodyguard bought dinner, but Claire could only take a few bites before she couldn't eat anymore.
Noticing her discomfort, I chose not to push her. Instead, I silently ate my meal; after all, the baby inside me needed nourishment.
And Jerry still hadn't replied to my messages.
I also called midway, but even Steven couldn't be reached.
I couldn't leave, so I asked Elissa to check on the Hammer Group and Apex Technologies.
"Hope," Elissa said as she arrived at the hospital. "Don't worry, he's at Hammer Group. The details are murky, but I've heard that his father is stirring up trouble again. By the way, Francis is there too. He asked me to tell you not to worry."
I nodded, feeling a bit relieved.
I just couldn't understand what Austin was trying to do.
He'd rather hand the Hammer Group to the scheming Carlos than trust Jerry.
Austin appeared resolute in compelling Jerry to submit to his authority.
However, Jerry's indomitable spirit would never allow him to yield to anyone, yet he couldn't disregard the Hammer Group or entirely sever his connection with the Hammer family.
Because the Hammer family wasn't only his father's.
Thinking of this, I felt a bit heartbroken for the burden Jerry carried.
Elissa sat down beside me. "I told Francis about your situation. He said he would inform Jerry too."
I nodded again. "Thanks. Once this is over, I'll treat you to a big meal and invite Francis too."
Elissa raised an eyebrow at me. "Sounds good."
Just as she finished speaking, the door to the operating room suddenly opened.
A nurse came out and called, "Are you Larry's family?"
Claire stepped forward. "We are. How is he?"
The nurse said, "The surgery was very successful."
I let out a huge sigh of relief, but before I could fully relax, Claire suddenly swayed.
I freaked out and rushed over, almost dropping her. Luckily, Elissa was quick to help me catch her.
Seeing this, the nurse didn't wait for us to say anything and immediately called for medical staff to take Claire to another emergency room.
Turns out, Claire was just overly anxious, constantly on edge, and hadn't eaten or drunk much. When the stress finally let up, she fainted.
Overall, she was fine.
Harmony General Hospital was kinda strapped for space and only had double rooms available.
So, Claire and Larry ended up in the same room.
At first, I wanted to move Claire to a hospital under the Hammer Group.
But given the situation, I realized Claire would want to keep an eye on Larry, so I decided against it.
Even though Larry's surgery went well, he needed to be monitored. We hired a caregiver to look after him, and I needed to be around to sign any necessary documents and pay fees in case of emergencies.
Elissa asked, "Skylar hasn't made a move despite such a big incident?" Elissa stayed to keep me company. I really needed someone trustworthy to help me watch over both of them.
Feeling uneasy, I told the bodyguards to keep an eye on the whole floor.
Elissa snorted, "Nowadays, people are always on their phones. If she's not genuinely busy to the point of not having time to charge her phone, it's likely intentional."
Elissa analyzed, "Maybe she's afraid Larry will die, so she has taken her assets and run."
Skylar was ruthless and would do anything to get what she wanted.
And that Sawyer guy with her was clearly from the underworld.
I even suspected that the car accident might have been orchestrated by the two of them.
After some thought, I shook my head. "Probably not. Compared to the entire Harris family, Larry's assets are nothing. She would definitely choose the Harris family."
Elissa nodded. "You're right. She has big ambitions."
Seeing my eyes struggling to stay open, she pointed to the sofa. "Get some sleep. I'll be here."
Due to the pregnancy, I've been super sleepy lately, always feeling like I couldn't get enough rest, no matter how hard I tried to stay awake.
I nodded. "Just one hour. Wake me up."
Elissa flashed an OK sign. "Relax a bit. Maybe things aren't as complicated as they seem."
It's not that I have a persecution complex, but Kimberly was still in Jerry's hands.
Larry had come to see Claire a few days ago and left in a rage, saying harsh words.
Skylar wouldn't just sit idly by when it came to Kimberly and the Harris family's assets.
The greed in people isn't easily wiped out.
I lay down but still felt uneasy. "If anything seems off, call the bodyguards immediately."
Elissa placed a pillow under my head and covered me with a thin blanket. "Alright, alright, just sleep. You know, I get more alert at night. I'll keep a good watch on Claire for you."
Only then did I drift into a restless sleep, haunted by a bizarre and chaotic dream with no clear storyline.
Each scene left me deeply unsettled.
The whole dream unfolded in a shadowy realm, where I found myself stuck in an endless loop.
Deafening noises overwhelmed my senses, and I desperately wanted to wake up but couldn't!
Then, I saw Claire. Just as I started towards her, she suddenly collapsed in a pool of blood!
I jolted awake, finally realizing that the loud noises weren't part of my dream—they were real!
Skylar shouted, "Call Jerry here!"
I was instantly wide awake, my vision clearing. I saw that Claire, who should have been lying in bed, was pushed to the window.
"What are you doing?" I was shocked, forcing myself to calm down. "Skylar, if you dare harm Claire, I'll kill you and your daughter!"
Skylar laughed maniacally. "Even if Kimberly and I die, Claire will be dead too. Instead of threatening me, you should call Jerry here!"
Maybe it was the suddenness of the situation, but the other bodyguards, having gotten the news, rushed in at that moment.
I said calmly, "You're looking for Jerry because of Kimberly, aren't you?"
As I spoke, I glanced around but didn't see Elissa.
One of the bodyguards who had been in the room from the beginning whispered in my ear, "Ms. Wilson got injured protecting you earlier. She's gone to get bandaged."
I frowned. "Is it serious?"
"Not serious, but because of that, we couldn't protect Mrs. Harris in time."
Hearing this, I realized Skylar hadn't come alone.
But what I didn't expect was that she wasn't orchestrating everything from behind the scenes this time; she was taking action herself.
I stared at Skylar. "I'll have someone bring Kimberly here. Just let go of Claire first!"
"Do you think you have the right to negotiate with me?" Skylar looked completely confident.
Claire seemed weak and didn't even struggle, just being controlled by Skylar.
I snorted, "If you've poisoned Claire again, I guarantee your end will be miserable."
Skylar wasn't fazed by my threat and even deliberately loosened her grip.
When Claire wobbled, my heart sank.
"Claire!" I glared at Skylar angrily, gritting my teeth. "If you hurt Claire, I promise you, Kimberly won't have it easy either!"
Skylar laughed wildly. "All you can do is threaten me with words."
I indeed had no other options at the moment. I couldn't reach Jerry and didn't know where Kimberly was.
If Skylar got even more ruthless and pushed Claire down regardless of Kimberly...
I didn't dare to think further. "I'll call Jerry now and have him bring Kimberly over."
As I took out my phone, I warned, "Hold on to Claire!"
But no one answered the phone.
I felt more and more uneasy. I didn't know if Jerry was also in some kind of trouble, or if something had happened to him.
"Hope!" Elissa came back after getting bandaged and immediately wanted to apologize when she saw me.
I shook my head, noticing her pale lips, indicating she was seriously injured.
Compared to her, I should be the one feeling guilty for dragging her into this.
I didn't have the mind to ask how Skylar had suddenly gotten in. I just suppressed my worries and quickly said, "Elissa, call Francis right away."
Elissa did as told, but no one answered.
She persistently called several more times, but still, no one picked up.
Elissa started to panic. "Hope..."
I clenched my fists and looked at Skylar. "I'll have someone fetch the property agreement. I'll trade the Harris family for Claire, okay?"
I was betting that Skylar valued the property more than Kimberly.
Skylar sneered, "I knew it, Claire gave the Harris family to you."
I continued to lure her. "Yes, I've signed the property agreement. The Harris family is mine now, but I can transfer it to you, as long as you let Claire go."
I continued, "Kimberly will also return to you unharmed. I only want Claire. Whatever else you want, I can give it to you."
Skylar laughed, clearly pleased, as if she had finally achieved her goal.
Skylar sneered. "If you had done this earlier, Claire wouldn't have suffered so much."
I thought Skylar had taken the bait, but her expression suddenly turned ferocious.
She screamed, "Unfortunately, your cleverness has outsmarted yourself! Don’t think I’m unaware of your collusion with Jerry. If Jerry doesn't show up today, I'll push Claire off the edge!"
"No." I was extremely anxious seeing Claire teetering on the edge.
But today, I just couldn't reach Jerry.
Skylar shouted, "I'll give you five minutes. If Jerry isn't here by then, get ready to pick up Claire's corpse."
Just as despair began to consume me, a cold voice broke through the tension.
"How about your daughter picks up your body first?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
