Chapter 358 Natalie, Go To Sleep
Barrett found himself confounded. If Susan was the one with the problem, why was it that he was the one who ended up entangled in the mess?
Meanwhile, Oliver's irritation was palpable. He sparked a cigarette to life, the glow punctuating his frustration.
If Barrett's words held any truth, Susan's questionable conduct extended beyond this abrupt incident. There was also the matter of Hailey.
Susan had been instrumental in securing Hailey's release from prison, and their relationship was amicable. It was clear that Hailey bore no ill will towards Susan.
After a time, both Oliver and Barrett emerged, their minds burdened with contemplation.
Natalie, despite her initial resolve to remain uninvolved, found herself compelled to inquire, "Darling, what's the matter? Has something happened?"
Oliver fixed his gaze on Natalie for a moment before responding, "It's nothing."
Barrett was acutely aware that he lacked Oliver's talent for pretense and emotional resilience. If Natalie were to press him further, he would undoubtedly crumble and divulge the recent events.
"Mrs. Windsor, I must take my leave," Barrett hastily interjected, recalling Oliver's earlier admonition to treat Natalie with respect.
Natalie arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Aren't you going to wait for Susan to wake up?"
Given their camaraderie at their last gathering, it was a reasonable assumption.
"No," Barrett shook his head, now uncertain of how to face Susan.
While the truth of the night's incident eluded him, his tenure in this wealthy family had exposed him to enough subterfuge and secrets. He had no desire to probe into why his friend had lied, but his instincts suggested it was for less than honorable reasons.
Barrett preferred to steer clear of Susan entirely.
In contrast, Natalie seemed relatively straightforward.
With a farewell, Barrett departed, leaving only Oliver, Natalie, Lilian, and Casey behind.
Natalie decided to retire to the hotel adjacent to the hospital.
"Natalie, are you going to sleep?" Oliver asked gently, his hand soothingly stroking her hair.
Natalie shook her head. "I'm not tired."
Susan remained unconscious, and Natalie's concerns refused to abate.
Her worries extended beyond Susan to her own undisclosed past—a matter she had yet to reveal to Oliver and intended to investigate independently.
Oliver kept Natalie company, seated outside the ward. Fortunately, the VIP ward offered plush sofas in lieu of the typical cold, hard metal benches.
Natalie watched Susan through the glass, a sense of loss washing over her.
"Natalie, don't fret. She'll be okay. Tonight's events aren't your burden to bear," Oliver comforted her, drawing her head to rest on his shoulder.
Oliver knew better than anyone that Natalie bore no responsibility for the night's events.
After all, it was Susan who had advocated for Hailey's release.
Roger hastily retreated to his car, his body rigid with tension, his eyes reflecting a mix of urgency and fear—as if he had encountered something both urgent and terrifying.
His subordinates, unaccustomed to seeing Roger in such a state, questioned what had transpired.
"I need to speak with a professional psychologist immediately!" he demanded.
"Understood, sir."
Susan had lost a significant amount of blood and remained unconscious throughout the night.
As dawn approached, Natalie freshened up in the restroom, then ventured out to procure breakfast.
The doctor had advised that Susan would likely awaken during the day. Oliver, in anticipation, had made his way into the ward to keep vigil by her side.
Natalie returned, her arms laden with breakfast. As she approached the ward, her footsteps faltered, and she found herself rooted to the spot, her gaze silently drawn to the scene unfolding within.
The woman occupying the hospital bed appeared to be in the throes of a nightmare. She tossed her head restlessly, her lips moving in a silent dialogue.
Alerted by the commotion, Oliver set his laptop aside and made his way toward Susan.
As Oliver rose to his feet, Natalie discerned the words that Susan was muttering - a repeated invocation of "brother."
"Brother..."
It was only when Oliver drew closer that he too caught the whispered plea. He called out to Susan, rousing her from her troubled slumber. She awoke with a start, her eyes wide and filled with fear.
"Awake?"
Before Oliver could complete his inquiry, the woman on the bed reached out, her hands finding purchase on Oliver's waist as she sought solace in his embrace.
Natalie watched, her grip tightening around the breakfast bag until the rope bit painfully into her skin.
The doors to the adjoining wards had been left ajar, and the sound of Susan's sobs carried through the silence. "Brother, I'm so scared, I thought I was going to die..."
"You won't. The doctor confirmed that the knife missed your vital organs. A month of rest and you'll be as good as new," Oliver assured her, his voice steady.
"But brother, the wound hurts so much."
Natalie watched as Susan clung to Oliver, her voice taking on a petulant tone as she sought his comfort.
Natalie found herself rooted to the spot, acutely aware of the displeasure etched on her face.
"We'll monitor your condition for a couple more days. If all goes well, I'll arrange for a plane to take you home," Oliver informed her.
"Home?" Susan echoed, confusion clouding her features.
"Tycoon City. Your home." Oliver's gaze was steady, his expression unreadable.
Susan's heart sank. Oliver didn't want her to remain in Paykston, nor did he wish for her to stay by his side any longer.
It was only then that Susan recognized the change in Oliver's demeanor. His indulgence was still present, but it was devoid of the warmth it once held.
"What... happened? Did something happen?" Susan asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"Nothing. You've been away from home for quite some time. Your brother called earlier, he said your parents miss you," Oliver replied.
Susan managed a small "oh" in response, swallowing the words she had been about to say. She shifted her approach, asking, "Brother, is sister-in-law okay?"
She berated herself, "It's all my fault. I didn't expect Hailey to become so unhinged. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have been in danger."
Oliver found himself agreeing. If he hadn't released Hailey, Natalie wouldn't have been endangered, and Susan wouldn't have been injured.
But he also bore responsibility for the situation. He shouldn't have agreed to Hailey's release.
"Did it hurt when you were injured back then? I took care of you for so long, and you never once cried out in pain. You're amazing!" Susan attempted to remind Oliver of their shared past, hoping to rekindle his affection for her.
However, Oliver's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of something indiscernible passing through his eyes.
He gently disentangled Susan's hand from his waist. "Rest well."
"Natalie!" Susan's voice rang out suddenly, her hand waving to catch Natalie's attention outside the glass.
Oliver turned, his gaze meeting Natalie's unnaturally calm one. A sense of unease washed over him as he realized that Natalie had witnessed Susan's hand leaving his waist... She had seen it, hadn't she?
Natalie, ever the picture of grace, offered a smile and entered the room. She began to unpack the breakfast items onto the table, asking, "Susan, I brought breakfast. What would you like to eat?"
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