Chapter 39: Finding Austin
In Room 308.
Anna was shuffling through some papers when her phone buzzed on the desk. She hit the answer button, and Aurora's voice came through loud and clear. "Anya, I heard Tina's in the hospital?"
"Yeah, what's up?" Anna replied.
"Is Charles at Radiant Life Hospital?" Aurora asked.
Anna shoved the files aside, plopped down in her chair, and rubbed her tired eyes.
"Yep, four people in one room," Anna said.
"Four?" Aurora echoed.
Anna explained, "Tina and Thalia are sharing a room, and Michael and Charles are there as full-time caregivers."
Aurora couldn't help but laugh. "Anna, your new man and your ex are in the same room. How's that feel?"
Anna sighed, "Like I wanna crawl into a hole. Why are you calling me now? What's up?"
Aurora replied, "I got a half-day off this morning. Thought about swinging by, but since Mr. Percy is there, I'll pass."
Anna leaned back in her chair. "Why?"
"I'm scared he won't like me."
In the hospital room, after Anna finished her rounds and left, Michael quickly ducked out. Charles was lounging on the sofa, scrolling through his phone, bored out of his mind.
A bit later, Thalia's parents showed up. Sierra's eyes lit up when she saw Charles across the room. She took a couple of steps toward him, ready to chat, but Charles ignored her, turned off his phone, and got up to leave.
Tina, munching on some grapes Julia had brought, noticed and asked, "Heading out?"
"Yeah, gotta go home and cook for my wife," Charles replied.
Sierra froze in her tracks. Tina raised an eyebrow and teased, "You are really a doting husband."
Just then, a message popped up on Tina's phone. She glanced at it and called out to Charles, who was about to leave. "Charles, can you do me a favor?"
Charles stopped and turned, "What?"
"Help me find Austin," Tina said.
Charles's eyes narrowed, "Why are you looking for him?"
Tina smiled, "He saved my life. I wanna thank him in person, but I can't find any info on him."
Last night, Tina had already asked her family to dig into Austin. But it was like he had vanished into thin air; they found nothing after searching all night.
With no other options, Tina had to ask Charles for help.
Recalling the scene in the hospital room yesterday, Tina said, "I think Austin knows Dr. Howard. Maybe you could ask Dr. Howard for me."
Charles gave a nonchalant nod and then turned to leave.
Samuel, who was by Thalia's bedside, had a slight change in expression when he heard the name.
Anna's mom's last name was Stewart.
Half an hour later, Samuel and Sierra left the hospital room. Noticing Samuel's change in expression, Sierra asked, "What's up? Do you know who Austin is?"
Samuel looked out the window, his eyes distant as if recalling something. "The name just sounds familiar."
Regal Retreat.
Charles whipped up lunch, packed it in a lunchbox, and headed out, dialing Henry's number. "Did you find anything?"
Last night, Charles had told Henry to look into Austin.
"Sorry, Mr. Percy, I couldn't find any info on him," Henry said.
Charles frowned, "Nothing at all?"
"Yeah, this guy's like a ghost. We found zilch." Henry replied.
Charles tossed the lunchbox in the car and drove towards Radiant Life Hospital. "Did you check the phone number?"
Henry quickly replied, "Yeah, Mr. Percy, but the number's registered in Whisper City."
Whisper City and Crystal City were the top dogs in the country, both economic and power hubs.
Speaking of Whisper City, Henry remembered something. "Oh, Mr. Percy, while I couldn't find info on this Austin, I did find someone with the same name."
"Who?" Charles asked.
"The eldest son of the top family in Whisper City, the Stewarts."
Charles turned the steering wheel, "The future head of the Stewart family?"
"Exactly," Henry continued, "But this Stewart heir is a recluse, only into antiques and calligraphy, never seen in public."
Such a person would be all calm and collected. But the Austin who showed up at the hospital yesterday had the vibe of someone who's seen some serious action.
No way someone like that was raised in a cushy, rich family.
So, Henry instinctively ruled out the possibility of this Austin being the Stewart family's heir.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
