Chapter 364 The Aftermath: Confronting Loss and the Temptation of Revenge
Chapter 364 The Aftermath: Confronting Loss and the Temptation of Revenge
"It's our duty," the commander replied submissively, bowing his head. "We apologize to Gabriel for not preventing the criminals from harming Unity longer."
Just then, a report about the situation at the docks came through the commander's headset. After listening intently, he informed Mason and the others, "Mason, Mr. Garcia, Gabriel, and Brian have been recovered from the water, dead. His accomplices are in custody, awaiting judgment."
Mason let out a deep sigh. "When will this cycle of vengeance end? Send the body to the Bezos family."
"Grandpa!" Finally, Gabriel looked up at Mason. "Even now that he's dead, I want to tear Brian apart."
"Son, the man is already dead. And I believe that besides Brian, the Bezos family must be unaware of this ordeal. Let it go. Better to spare those you can and avoid breeding another Brian from their ranks." Mason squeezed Gabriel's hand firmly, offering his heartfelt advice.
He wasn't afraid for himself, but the thought of Teresa, or anyone he loved, being harmed again terrified him.
After all the times Teresa had been hurt, no one understood better than Gabriel that no matter how many precautions you take, if someone wants to harm you, they'll find a way.
He couldn't let Teresa ever be hurt because of him again. Not even the slightest bit of harm.
Gabriel clenched his fist and shut his eyes, nodding slowly. "Yvonne might not really have lost her mind."
Mason looked at him with a sympathetic nod. "Don't worry, I've had her committed to the asylum, locked up with the lunatics."
Mason's arrangements reflected Gabriel's thoughts, so he nodded in silence, uttering not another word.
"You two are soaked through. Go change into some dry clothes before you catch a cold," Raymond said with concern, observing the water dripping from William and Gabriel's clothes and their pale, frostbitten faces. He turned to the butler and said, "Quickly prepare some clothes and rooms for William and Gabriel so they can take a hot shower."
Despite N City being in a subtropical region where the winters aren't too harsh, tonight's temperature wouldn't rise above fifty degrees.
"Yes, sir," the butler responded promptly and set off to make the arrangements.
"Yeah, take a hot shower first and change, or you'll both be sick by the time Teresa wakes up. How will you take care of her then?" Mason added earnestly.
He knew that unless it were about Teresa, Gabriel wouldn't budge.
"Come on, Gabriel, when Teresa wakes up, she'll need your care," William urged, placing a hand on Gabriel's shoulder, seeing he had not moved.
The treatments had mostly controlled the cancer cells, and Gabriel's condition wasn't dire, but the side effects had taken their toll on his previously healthy body.
William was concerned that Gabriel might become ill himself. He knew he needed to be there for Teresa when she woke up, to take care of her and stay by her side. He couldn't afford to get sick and leave her alone.William was worried Gabriel might get sick himself.
Indeed, he needed to be there when Teresa awoke to care for her, to stay by her side, ever vigilant. How could he afford to fall ill?
So, he nodded, stood up, and left with William.
Teresa had external injuries, including bites and cuts on her torso and legs from sharp objects. The sight was so disturbing that even the doctors reacted with discomfort. It was incomprehensible what kind of cruelty would lead someone to harm a woman in such a way.Teresa's injuries were all external, from bites to cuts inflicted by sharp objects covering her torso and legs. The sight was so disturbing that even the doctors cringed.
It was unfathomable what kind of depravity would drive someone to harm a woman in such a manner.
As the doctors treated Teresa's wounds, they did so with utmost caution to avoid causing her pain again.
With so many serious injuries, even four surgeons working together couldn't handle them quickly.
After a swift hot shower and a change of clothes at the hospital's VIP ward, Gabriel and William hurried back to the waiting area outside the emergency room.
"Gabriel, get that hand of yours bandaged up," Mason said in a grave voice when they returned and saw the raw, untreated gash on Gabriel's knuckle. He noticed the doctor and nurse wheeling a small medical cart, following right behind the butler.
The butler and William both insisted that Gabriel receive medical attention, but Gabriel was stubborn and hell-bent on waiting outside the emergency room.
Now, seated just outside, Gabriel no longer resisted. Settling down, he rested his injured hand on his knee.
The doctor and nurse rushed over to treat the wound at once.
Gabriel knew his resistance was lower than before; if the cut got infected and he came down with a fever, Teresa would be the one worrying. How could he take care of her then?
He had to stay strong; he couldn't let Teresa wake up to find him in bad shape.
The moment Gabriel's hand was bandaged, the emergency room doors burst open with a clang, and a doctor appeared.
"Doctor, how's my wife?" Gabriel sprang to his feet, anxiously striding toward the doctor in just a few quick steps.
"After a thorough examination, we've determined the patient has multiple injuries, ranging from superficial to deep. Most of the wounds are from bites, in addition to the cuts from the whip and blade," the female doctor hesitated before continuing, "Furthermore, she has considerable tearing and needs stitches."
"Son of a..." Gabriel's eyes blazed like bloodthirsty embers, and his fists clenched before he sent one crashing toward the wall.
But before his fist could meet the wall, William caught it with both hands, holding tight.
"Don't hurt yourself. She needs you to be her caregiver," William urged, not loosening his grip.
As her elder brother, who had doted on Teresa for over twenty years, the thought of his sister in pain filled him with anger and heartache, yet he knew the value of restraint.
Just like his feelings for Hayden, he has managed to stay under control all these years.
Gabriel turned to glance at William, his eyes red and moist, but he remained silent.
"The patient had a head injury, possibly from an impact to the brain, but thankfully, there were no signs of internal bleeding or abnormalities. It seems it might just be a concussion. We'll know more once the patient regains consciousness," the doctor said, noting Gabriel's calmed demeanor before continuing.
"AlrightAll right, thank you. How's my daughter-in-law now?" Mason asked the doctor, taking a deep breath to steady his voice.
"Our team is still treating her various injuries. It'll likely be another half hour at least. And she remains in a coma. As for when she might wake up, we can't make any predictions," the doctor replied respectfully as he looked at Mason.
Mason nodded. "Okay, I understand. Thank you, everyone, for your hard work."
The doctor nodded politely and stepped back to close the emergency room door. However, before the door could shut, Gabriel intervened, "Let me go in to be with my wife."
"Well..." The doctor hesitated for a moment before refusing, "Sir, I think it's better if you don't go in."
The doctor feared that Gabriel, upon seeing the extent of Teresa's injuries, would completely lose control of his emotions.
"Why?" Gabriel pressed, even though he guessed her reasoning. The unshed tears in his bloodshot eyes began to pool rapidly, finally spilling over and trailing down his cheeks.
"Because I believe your wife wouldn't want you to see her in this condition," the doctor said, with a sense of profound empathy.
Gabriel, tall and strikingly handsome with his clean-cut features and extraordinary presence, was at least over six feet tall. It was hard for the doctor to imagine someone as composed and distinguished as him losing himself to tears, especially in front of others.
"Let's listen to the doctor and wait here," Raymond said, seeing the tears at the corner of Gabriel's eye. He gently patted Gabriel's shoulder, speaking with deep affection.
Gabriel, of course, understood the severity of Theresa's injuries. If he saw their full extent, he was afraid...
He closed his eyes and willed the fresh tears away before nodding in acknowledgment.
The doctor thanked him with a nod and slowly closed the door...
After nearly another hour of waiting, Teresa was finally wheeled out of the emergency room.
The medical team had treated all her injuries, dried her hair, and dressed her in proper hospital attire.
Seeing Teresa, Gabriel strode over and took her hand. It was ice-cold, devoid of any warmth.
He looked at her lying in bed with her eyes tightly shut, a slight furrow on her brow, swelling in her cheeks but devoid of color, and Gabriel felt a pang of pain so intense it seemed to cut off his breath.
Mason and Raymond looked at Teresa. Their faces immediately flooded with distress and anger.
Finally, they understood why Gabriel was so tormented with guilt that his tears had fallen.
"After Teresa has been moved to the VIP ward, how is she? Can she be transferred to a different hospital?" Mason took a deep breath and asked several doctors nearby.
The hospital here couldn't compare to the First Hospital, plus it was located in N City, outside the sphere of influence of the Garcia family. A transfer to the First Hospital would offer much more peace of mind.
"Unity has sustained external injuries, but her condition is relatively stable. There should be no problem transferring her," the lead doctor responded respectfully. He added, "If you decide to transfer Unity now, we will make sure that our best doctors and nurses will accompany her. Please be assured, Mr. Mason."
"Good." Mason nodded and instructed the butler by his side, "Arrange for Teresa's transfer to First Hospital right away."
"Yes, sir," the butler replied, nodding before promptly setting off to make the arrangements.
Soon after, accompanied by medical staff and Gabriel, Teresa was wheeled onto a helicopter and flown straight to River North's First Hospital. Mason and Raymond followed in another aircraft.
The flight from the hospital in N City to River North's First Hospital was only a half-hour journey. The receiving hospital had made all the necessary preparations, with professional medical staff waiting on the VIP ward rooftop helipad.
As soon as the helicopter landed, Teresa was immediately transferred to her exclusive VVIP ward and underwent a thorough examination.
It was past two o'clock in the morning by the time the doctors had finished their comprehensive check-up. Once it was clear that Teresa had only suffered external injuries and was not in danger, Mason and Raymond returned to their mansion to rest, and William went back to the Bennett family household.
First Hospital isn't just one of the nation's top medical facilities in terms of healthcare quality; its service and security measures are also second to none, making it the go-to place for the elite. Those who seek treatment at First Hospital are invariably wealthy or influential.
For many years, the Garcia family has relied on First Hospital whenever they've fallen ill. They even have a private VVIP ward reserved just for them. The hospital takes their security very seriously, ensuring their safety during their stays.
