Chapter 538 Surviving in the Shadows
Aurelia called a meeting with all department heads, announcing her decision to establish a tech division. "We need to hire programmers to develop our website and online marketplace," she explained, her voice clear and decisive.
The online platform wouldn't materialize overnight—starting now, they'd be looking at least six months before launch. The more immediate priority was expanding their physical presence with additional boutiques across the country, as their current four city locations were proving woefully inadequate to meet demand.
After the meeting adjourned, the various departments sprang into action. Aurelia returned to her office, realizing she hadn't focused on design work recently. With no new pieces in development, they'd soon face supply shortages in the market.
Sitting at her desk, she recalled her sleepy agreement with Nathaniel the night before. Setting aside her sketching materials, she walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows. True to his word, Nathaniel had moved his desk to face the window, replacing the one-way glass with standard transparent panes.
Through the double barrier of windows, she could see him working diligently, glasses perched on his nose as he bent over documents.
Aurelia typed out a quick message: [Good job listening, sweetheart. You just earned yourself some bonus points!]
Seconds after sending it, she watched him reach for his phone. Almost immediately, her own phone rang.
"Spying on me, Aurelia?" Nathaniel stood up by his window, showcasing his impressively long legs encased in tailored trousers.
"Not spying—observing openly," she corrected with a smile.
"What would you like for lunch?" he asked.
"I haven't been to the Velvet Palate in ages. I'm craving their sandwiches."
Nathaniel's low chuckle traveled through the phone. "I'll have the chef start preparing. Anything else you'd like?"
"Just the usual three sides with the sandwich."
"Consider it done."
After Nathaniel ended the call, Zack knocked and entered his office. "Mr. Heilbronn, we've already relocated four departments to Coral Bay, and the offices are at capacity. We don't have workstations for any additional transfers."
Nathaniel had been meaning to discuss this very issue with Zack. Given his current situation, he was essentially based permanently at Coral Bay now, and eventually all Imperick departments would need to relocate. "The two floors below us have recently been vacated. Handle the arrangements to lease them both."
Zack nodded. "Even with those two additional floors, we still won't have space for all our staff, though it will accommodate several more departments. If only the entire building were ours—we wouldn't need to worry about future expansion constraints."
Nathaniel's lips curved upward. "How did you guess my intentions? This building was developed by the Semona Real Estate. I plan to approach Joe about purchasing the entire property and putting the Heilbronn Group logo on it."
Zack was momentarily stunned by Nathaniel's casual display of financial power. While others rented office space, Nathaniel bought entire buildings. Mentally, he gave his boss full marks for audacity.
Noticing Zack lingering, Nathaniel asked, "Was there something else?"
Zack hesitated before asking, "Mr. Heilbronn, have you been... alright recently?"
Nathaniel understood the real question. "I haven't had any episodes lately."
As he spoke, anxiety hung heavy in his chest. Since that incident at the Bloom Villa, he'd been episode-free for some time. Perhaps it was connected to his improved mood and more relaxed living environment. Since Aurelia and the children had moved in, each day had been remarkably comfortable. His only lingering worry was the possibility of another episode.
He couldn't help harboring a desperate hope—what if they never returned?
Zack's expression softened with relief at Nathaniel's response. "Call me immediately if you need anything."
That evening after work, Aurelia headed to the hospital to visit Burry, while Nathaniel and Zack went to pick up the children from preschool.
Stepping out of the elevator, Aurelia immediately spotted Marcus sitting on a bench outside the hospital room. He looked even more frail than before, though still maintained his refined, dignified bearing despite his deteriorating condition.
Aurelia was surprised to see him still waiting there. After all this time, Burry continued to refuse to see him—a torment for them both.
"Marcus, you're still here?" she asked gently.
Marcus coughed softly. After Reed's funeral, he had caught the first flight back that same evening. Both he and Joe had been immediately informed when Aurelia's compatibility test with Burry had failed.
Drawing closer, Aurelia noticed his bloodshot eyes and the dark stubble shadowing his usually clean-shaven jaw—clear signs of sleepless nights spent searching for potential donors.
"Marcus, please go home and rest. Sitting here won't help. I promise I'll tell you immediately if there's any news."
Marcus adjusted his glasses, determination etched into his exhausted features. Having finally reunited with Burry, he refused to learn about her condition secondhand ever again. No matter what happened, he would remain by her side—just as they had vowed at their wedding in Elvenia: for better or worse, in sickness and in health.
"Don't worry about me, Aurelia," he said quietly.
Aurelia paused at the door. "I'll try to talk to her. This standoff is hurting both of you."
Marcus managed a weak smile in response.
When Aurelia entered the room, Burry struggled to sit up in bed. Her condition had visibly deteriorated since returning from Elvenia. Having started a new round of chemotherapy two days prior, she appeared utterly drained.
Still, her face brightened momentarily at the sight of her friend. "Aurelia, you're back?"
Aurelia had called ahead to prevent Burry from worrying about her absence. She'd been busy the past few days and had only just found time to visit.
"Burry, please lie down and rest," she urged.
Burry's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Aurelia, tell me honestly—the compatibility results came back negative, didn't they?"
Aurelia froze, unsure how to respond. During the testing process, she had witnessed the spark of hope for survival ignite in Burry's heart. Now that flame had been extinguished once again.
Reality could be unbearably cruel.
Burry's expression hardened. "The doctor said results would take about two weeks. It's been nearly a month, and yesterday Joe was still claiming they weren't ready. I know you're all trying to protect me from bad news."
Aurelia took a deep breath, her chest tightening. There was no point in continuing the charade. "Burry, our compatibility test failed."
The light in Burry's eyes dimmed.
"Don't lose hope," Aurelia added quickly. "Joe is offering substantial compensation through various channels to find a match. Someone compatible will turn up."
But Burry had already lost her will to fight. How easy was it really to find a compatible donor? Even with Alex's extensive resources in Elvenia, they'd searched for months without success. Deep down, Burry knew she likely wouldn't survive long enough for a miracle.
Life was simply a matter of fate.
She had accepted her diagnosis countless times before. What truly devastated her wasn't the prospect of death, but having hope dangled before her only to be snatched away—a disappointment powerful enough to crush even the most optimistic soul.
Darkness itself wasn't frightening. What terrified her was glimpsing the light, only to be plunged back into darkness once more.
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