Chapter 356 Split Personality
In hushed tones, those around them began to murmur amongst themselves. "Is it truly acceptable for Roger to so openly safeguard Oliver's wife in this manner?" they questioned.
Meanwhile, Natalie seemed nonplussed by the fact that the ghost of Roger's past was now an integral part of their present. This realization came to her after a rather enlightening conversation with Roger himself.
The director, wearied by the day's events, turned to Natalie. "Can you shed some light on what's transpiring?" he asked, a note of exhaustion creeping into his voice. "How are we to proceed with the live broadcast and recording when we've nearly lost a life during the onset of the third phase?"
Maintaining her cover, Natalie succinctly relayed the sequence of events leading up to the current situation to the director.
"Hailey... she's been sentenced?" The news took the others by surprise.
The director was about to probe further when he was met with a frosty glance from Roger. He was left wondering what he had done to earn such a response. After all, he was merely seeking clarification.
"Natalie, please proceed," Roger gently encouraged, his hand tenderly brushing her hair. He was well aware that she must be uncomfortable, her body still smeared with blood.
The director couldn't help but think, "Isn't Roger being somewhat partial in his assessment of people?"
In the midst of the chaos, Natalie barely had time for a proper bath. She hastily washed off the blood and changed into fresh clothes before rejoining the others.
"Miss Natalie, we were unable to locate her," Casey reported apologetically upon her return.
"It's alright, I didn't harbor much hope either," Natalie reassured Casey, patting her shoulder comfortingly.
The island was vast and the environment unfamiliar to all. Locating a single individual was a daunting task, especially in the pitch-black night. Moreover, if Hailey had been bold enough to show up, she likely had an escape plan in place.
Casey, however, disagreed.
With her professional tracking skills, she had managed to trace Hailey's steps to the southern beach. But there, the trail abruptly ended.
Upon questioning the local staff, Casey learned that there were no boats in the vicinity of the island at that time. So, how had Hailey managed to escape?
As Casey grappled with this mystery, she overheard the production team discussing Roger's behavior towards Natalie.
Silently, she stood, her mind teeming with questions.
Natalie had not been injured this time, so how had her master found out? And how did he feel about Natalie?
Her master had always been patient, never revealing his feelings in front of Natalie. But this time...
Moreover, he rarely let his true emotions show. Yet, he had made no attempt to conceal his revulsion towards Susan.
"Mr. Wild, why are you here? And with a medical team?" Natalie asked, her initial relief giving way to confusion.
"I came as soon as I received the message," Roger replied, gesturing towards the shore. "I was over there."
A helicopter had swiftly transported him from the mainland to the small island.
Natalie couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. In the end, she simply thanked Roger once more.
Soon, the whirring of helicopter blades filled the air once again.
The second helicopter touched down, but this time it wasn't Roger's men disembarking, it was Oliver's.
"Mrs. Windsor, Mr. Windsor sent us. Where is the patient?" A doctor in a white coat stepped out and immediately recognized Natalie.
Natalie informed them that Susan had already been taken away.
The doctor cast a strange look at Roger, but quickly averted his gaze, cowed by Roger's icy, mocking aura. He proceeded to examine Natalie cautiously, while signaling his subordinate to report back to Oliver.
"The Young Master is en route by plane. How would you like us to proceed?" the doctor asked respectfully.
"Go to the hospital where Susan is," Natalie decided after a moment's thought. "Director, I apologize, but I must leave tonight. I need to ensure Susan's safety."
"That's fine, you go. Keep us updated on any developments regarding Susan," the director responded.
He was reluctant to let them go, but given the near-death experience of Miss Hastings from the prestigious Hastings family and Oliver's wife, he had no choice.
Soon, Roger's subordinate arrived with the second helicopter.
As Natalie prepared to leave, Jane expressed her desire to accompany her. Naturally, Natalie's assistants, Lilian and Casey, would also be joining them.
"I wish to go as well," Barrett chimed in.
The director felt a rush of blood to his head. After a moment, he simply waved his hand in resignation. "Go, all of you, just go!"
The situation was already chaotic enough with Susan's predicament. Losing Natalie was one thing, but now Jane and Barrett also wanted to leave. And these two weren't ones to be deterred by contractual obligations.
What was left to film?
Natalie, Jane, and Lilian boarded the helicopter sent by Oliver's subordinate, while Casey and Barrett joined Roger on another one.
Casey stole a glance at her master from the corner of her eye.
Roger caught her in the act.
"What is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. His tone was inscrutable.
"Nothing," Casey replied, lowering her head in apology.
She couldn't shake the feeling that her master was different today.
She couldn't quite pinpoint what exactly had changed.
But as a dutiful subordinate, Casey knew better than to ask questions she shouldn't, even though she was brimming with curiosity about Roger.
Roger stared out of the helicopter window, his expression impassive, his gaze icy.
He hadn't expected Hailey to have the audacity to do this!
Hailey had already absconded from the island, whisked away by the helicopter that had been intended to escort Susan.
The medical team, in the meantime, had been left with the task of transporting Susan to the hospital.
As Hailey made her daring escape, a smile played on her lips, a laugh bubbling up from within her. It seemed as though even divine forces were conspiring in her favor, and the thought of Natalie being oblivious to her secret accomplice was nothing short of amusing.
Her accomplice was none other than Roger. When Hailey first discovered that Oliver's henchmen were on her trail, she had been certain that her escape was impossible. Yet, to her surprise, Roger had appeared at her doorstep, offering his assistance without hesitation. His only condition was that Natalie remained unharmed. This time, it was Roger who had facilitated her journey to the island.
Roger's behavior struck Hailey as peculiar, almost as if he had lost his sanity. The man who had never shown her an ounce of respect was now aiding her. Could it be that he was using her as a pawn to manipulate the relationship between Natalie and Oliver? But that theory held no water. Roger had never shown any interest in vying with Oliver for Natalie's affections, and he had always kept his feelings for Natalie well hidden.
However, after the day's events, Hailey was certain that Roger's protection would no longer extend to her. In fact, he might even attempt to take her life, given that she had attacked Natalie and nearly caused her harm. His assistance in her escape from the island was merely a ploy to prevent his exposure as an accomplice. Death, however, was a prospect that Hailey had long ceased to fear. She had already chosen her preferred method of departure, and it was indeed 'worthwhile.'
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Susan was still undergoing surgery. Natalie, much to her own surprise, found herself concerned for the safety of her potential rival.
"Barrett, why are you here?" Jane questioned, noticing Barrett's presence.
"Can't I come? You don't control me," Barrett retorted, his gaze flitting between the operating room and Natalie, clearly concealing some unspoken thoughts or emotions. Jane chose to ignore him.
"Mr. Wild!" Casey's sudden exclamation pulled Natalie out of her thoughts. Roger was leaning against the wall, his fingers pressing into his temple, his brows furrowed in pain.
"Mr. Wild, what's wrong? Headache?" Natalie rushed over, her voice laced with worry. Roger's gaze locked onto Natalie as he suddenly draped his arm around her. Struggling under the weight of the tall man, Natalie helped him sit down and instructed Casey to summon a doctor.
Roger's mind was a whirlwind, his temples pulsating with pain. As his thoughts cleared, he found himself staring into the captivating eyes of the woman he had longed to protect. Those eyes, filled with concern, were focused solely on him.
Glancing around, he noticed the words 'Keep Quiet' written on the wall and the red light illuminating the door marked 'Operating Room 1.'
He was in a hospital. But why was he there? And why was Natalie present?
"Who's feeling unwell?" A doctor arrived, and Natalie gestured towards Roger.
After a brief examination, the doctor concluded that it was likely a simple headache and recommended rest. Roger dismissed the doctor and sat alone in the examination room, his expression grave. He was certain something was amiss. He only remembered rushing to the city's airport. After that, his memories were a blank. He had a nagging feeling that he had arranged something he himself was unaware of.
Rubbing his temple, he ventured a bold and unsettling guess: a second personality. Was there another 'him' within his body?
Susan's injuries, while not severe, had resulted in unconsciousness due to excessive blood loss. The knife had only shattered bones without damaging any meridians. A month of rest would see her fully recovered.
Outside the hospital room, Natalie watched the frail figure lying in the bed through the transparent glass, her heart a tumult of emotions. "Jane, I feel terrible," Natalie confessed, her voice heavy with sorrow. Jane wrapped her arms around her friend, offering words of comfort. "It's okay, you don't have to feel terrible. Natalie, Susan didn't save you; she only harmed herself by acting recklessly. It's your kindness that makes you feel guilty. But Natalie, gratitude is gratitude, and feelings are feelings."
Natalie didn't have to sacrifice her feelings out of 'gratitude' this time. She understood the logic, but overcoming the mental hurdle was a different matter altogether. She had once looked down on Susan without any reservations, but now? Could she still despise the girl who had been covered in blood, the girl who had asked about her safety? She found herself unable to do so. Her thoughts felt trapped in a dead end, a claustrophobic space from which she couldn't escape.
Oliver, dusty and weary from his non-stop journey, arrived just in time to see his wife in Jane's comforting embrace.
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