Chapter 508 Undermining
"Grandpa, Lawrence came for me." Tearful, Ishara turned and called out.
"Lawrence is here?"
The Blanchet family elders' attention was immediately captured. Patricia was the first to approach, her eyes red as she warmly addressed Lawrence, "Lawrence, thank you for your concern for Ishara’s father."
Lawrence was already on his way when he heard about Carlos's condition following the surgery.
He furrowed his brow, his peripheral vision never leaving Winnie, who looked unnaturally pale. Swallowing hard, he said coolly, "There's no need for worry."
"How can we not worry? Ishara's father might never wake up." Patricia grasped his hand, pleading through her tears.
Maintaining his composure, he replied, "There's still hope for Mr. Carlos to regain consciousness. With your permission, I'd like to bring in a team of the world's leading neurologists to come to Trento City for his long-term care."
"Is that possible?" Mr. Blanchet Sr. asked, taken aback. Although the Blanchet family ranked among the top three influential families in Trento City and possessed the means to secure a distinguished medical team, their capabilities were overshadowed by the wealth and influence of the leading financial powerhouse, the Rodriguez corporation.
He continued, "Lawrence has the ability to make it happen effortlessly. We would greatly appreciate your assistance."
Patricia quickly interjected, looking at Ishara with deep gratitude. "Ishara, Lawrence is showing such concern for your father, how can you not thank him right away?"
A blend of poignant emotion and a hint of shyness colored Ishara's gaze as she was on the verge of speaking. Just then, Eleanor, who had rejoined them, came forward with a grin. "Mom, suggesting Ishara to thank him feels too formal. You and Dad have been at the hospital, and perhaps you missed the latest scoop – today, Lawrence and Ishara officially declared their engagement. The news has set Trento City abuzz with joy for the Rodriguez family."
"What? Today?" Patricia's eyes widened, a sparkle of surprise flickering in them.
Eleanor nodded calmly then wiped away a tear. "It was meant to be a day filled with joy, but alas, Carlos's unexpected incident cast a shadow over Ishara and Lawrence's celebration. Nevertheless, as long as their love remains resilient and they continue to cherish that sweet honeymoon phase, Carlos can rest assured."
Locking eyes with Eleanor and stealing a glance at Winnie, tears welled up in Ishara's eyes. "I'm certain Dad would be thrilled by the news, even in his slumber. Especially knowing Lawrence is committed to assembling the finest medical team for him. I have faith we'll bring Dad back to good health."
With eyes sparkling with joy, Patricia nodded. "The union of the Blanchet and Rodriguez families, coupled with Lawrence's support, will truly ease my concerns."
Mr. Blanchet Sr. looked at Lawrence with satisfaction. "Lawrence, when did you and Ishara decide on getting engaged? You didn't even inform the Blanchet family."
Lawrence stood upright, emanating a palpable distance from Ishara that felt insurmountable despite their physical proximity. Ishara promptly averted her gaze, sensing the coldness sweeping across her face as Lawrence's stern eyes observed her, anticipating her response.
Uncomfortably, she replied to Mr. Blanchet Sr., "Grandpa, you know how Lawrence is. He is always decisive and quick to action."
"That's true enough. Congratulations to the both of you anyway!" Mr. Blanchet Sr. cracked a smile.
Lawrence's expression, devoid of a smile, infused a weighty seriousness into the atmosphere. He delicately detached Ishara's hand from his arm, and in that instant, she refrained from reaching out to him once more. Internally, she gritted her teeth, yet upon observing Winnie's trance-like condition, she recognized within herself that she had already emerged victorious.
"Has Mr. Carlos come out yet?" Lawrence avoided discussing their engagement, focusing solely on Carlos.
Mr. Blanchet Sr. sensed something unusual. Despite being engaged to Ishara, Lawrence appeared far from happy. Eleanor immediately detected an unsettling atmosphere. Moreover, Lawrence's presence exuded a chilling aura. Offering a slight chuckle, she remarked, "Lawrence, we appreciate your fondness for everything related to Ishara. Her father should be joining us any moment now."
Just as she finished speaking, the doors to the operating room swung open. Winnie's wandering thoughts abruptly snapped back to the present. She was the first to approach the gurney.
Carlos lay in silence, his head wrapped in thick bandages at the site of the gunshot, blood still seeping through.
Tears fell once again from Winnie's eyes as she cried, "Dad..."
Clasping Carlos's hand, Eleanor joined her, sobbing uncontrollably against his chest. "Carlos! Carlos, how did you end up like this? It hurts me so much."
Winnie watched their acts with a cold gaze. The hatred in her mind shook her to the core, leaving her trembling with uncontrollable rage. She grabbed Eleanor's hair, yanked her up, and dragged her away from their father's side.
"Ah! What are you doing?" Eleanor exclaimed in anguish, robbed of the chance to portray herself as the victim in the presence of the Blanchet elders.
Suddenly the grip on her hair loosened. Winnie collapsed to the floor, her vision blurred and darkness enveloped her.
"Winnie!" Lawrence's voice boomed in her ear as he rushed toward her but she was too weak to respond.
The man hurried over and scooped up the fallen woman. Holding her frail body, he realized just how much weight she had lost recently. Light as a feather, her delicate features were softly contoured, the corners of her eyes reddened and moistened with tears.
Lawrence's heart clenched painfully. He swept her up in his arms and turned to the crowd, his piercing eyes scanned the room. "Luke, get a doctor, now!"
"Yes, Lawrence. It seems Ms. Winnie may have collapsed from acute distress." Luke offered a quick word of reassurance before dashing to the reception desk in search of a doctor.
The Blanchet family elders were left stunned by the swift actions of Lawrence and his assistant.
Winnie had fainted, yet Lawrence was holding her. It remained uncertain whether Lawrence was familiar with Winnie.
"Ishara, is Winnie unconscious?" Ishara inquired, attempting to conceal her dissatisfaction and pretending to be concerned. Ishara expected that Lawrence, at the very least, would maintain a facade and respond to her query while releasing Winnie. Much to her astonishment, Lawrence brushed past her without a second look, holding onto Winnie as he hurried down the hallway.
"Lawrence, Grandpa and Kathy are here. Winnie probably just needs some air, let the doctors take care of her," Ishara said, her face red with anger, her teeth clenched as she feebly tried to block his way.
Lawrence finally glanced at her then at the Blanchet elders, whose expressions were hard to read.
Mr. Blanchet Sr., perceiving Ishara's distress, voiced his concern. "Lawrence, considering you're Ishara's fiancé, it doesn't seem quite right to be carrying Winnie like that."
"What do you call right? My engagement to Ishara isn't right either, is it, Ishara?" Lawrence's gaze turned sharp, a cold sneer laced his question.
Ishara's complexion paled. She hadn't anticipated him humiliating her in front of everyone. Her jaw clenched as she observed the shifting expressions on Grandpa and Kathy's faces.
Lawrence added, "For the record, I requested the medical team for Mr. Carlos's sake. It has nothing to do with the lady here."
The implication struck Eleanor hard. Her cheeks turned bright red and she scrambled to smooth things over. "Lawrence, did you and Ishara have a misunderstanding?"
Disregarding her, Lawrence escorted Winnie away, his departure leaving a chilling atmosphere that permeated the few individuals in the hallway. Following a moment of silence, Mr. Blanchet Sr. inquired solemnly, "Ishara, weren't you engaged to Lawrence? What does all this signify? His demeanor toward you appears rather frosty. Moreover, his actions suggest he known Winnie."
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