Chapter 54 A Turn in the Bennett Saga
In the River North, the Garcia family had been vigilant about Mason's health, especially since his liver transplant three years ago. Now past eighty, his health checks were a routine they didn't dare skip.
One morning, Gabriel found himself with a rare gap in his schedule and accompanied Mason for his check-up. The hospital staff treated Mason with the utmost respect, expediting his screening in under an hour.
Exiting the hospital, Gabriel and Mason noticed William and Sophia wheeling out Patrick Bennett, who lay motionless on a hospital bed.
"Isn't that the Bennett family?" Mason asked, catching Gabriel's fixed stare.
Gabriel had been discreetly supporting the Bennetts, a silent guardian angel contributing to their rising fortunes—from the successful Tang Corporation to the popular Queen eateries.
"Yeah, it's them," Gabriel replied, his tone was casual. "Let's get you home."
Once Mason was safely on his way, Gabriel's thoughts lingered on the Bennetts as he headed to Capital Construction. As CEO of Nebula Consumer Products and a board member at Capital Construction, Gabriel had taken the helm from Raymond, now busier than ever.
In the backseat of his car, Gabriel's mind raced with concern for Patrick, who seemed gravely ill. He immediately called Finley, his right-hand mam to investigate.
Finley, he was well aware of Gabriel's fixation on the Bennett family, especially Teresa, took the task in stride. Gabriel had been living vicariously through Teresa's life, never once stepping into the limelight for his behind-the-scenes aid.
Gabriel's thoughts were interrupted as he arrived at Capital Construction's underground parking. He took the private elevator directly to his top-floor office where Finley awaited.
"What have you learned?" Gabriel inquired, stepping into his office.
Finley reported a grim prognosis: Patrick Bennett had suffered a brain hemorrhage from a fall and was in a coma. The only option was risky, which the family was hesitant to approve.
Gabriel processed this, then dismissed Finley, only to immediately seek out the best medical help for Patrick.
On the other end of Gabriel's call was Aaron, who was surprised to hear from him. Gabriel needed a favor, a rare occurrence. He requested Aaron's uncle, Dr. Shen Luanqing, a top neurosurgeon, to attend to Patrick.
Meanwhile, in the VIP intensive care unit, Sophia and William were grappling with Patrick's dire situation. A successful surgery hinged on Dr. Shen's availability, who was currently occupied in the Imperial Capital.
Resolved to do whatever it took, William planned to appeal to Dr. Shen. However, before he could leave, their doctor announced unexpected news. Dr. Shen would be arriving that night to operate on Patrick.
This turn of events baffled William and Sophia. They hadn't reached out to Aaron, a mutual acquaintance, yet he seemed to have orchestrated Dr. Shen's sudden availability. The logical conclusion was that Liam, a close friend of Aaron's, who had intervened on their behalf.
Sophia speculated that Liam had moved on from Teresa, but William knew better that Liam's feelings were unchanged despite his family's disapproval.
As they prepared for the surgery, Sophia expressed her gratitude, and William suggested that they should they thank Liam properly later. They also anticipated Teresa's return, not knowing if she was yet aware of her father's condition.
Back at the Capital Construction, Gabriel was making his own arrangements to ensure Dr. Shen's swift return and optimal readiness for the surgery. Despite his executive role, Gabriel's thoughts were all about Teresa. Would she return, and if so, could this crisis thaw her feelings toward him?
