Chapter 371 Shot
When the bullet flew out from behind Xavier, Joseph lunged forward and hugged Xavier from behind.
In that instant, the bullet entered Joseph's body.
Xavier felt a forward jolt and then smelled the pungent, repulsive scent of blood.
"Mr. Park, Mr. Park!" Xavier's eyes were bloodshot as he felt Joseph's body sliding down. He quickly supported Joseph with one hand while firing wildly behind him with the other.
The gunman fell, and Xavier single-handedly faced a throng of attackers. When his bullets ran out, he picked up a discarded handgun. He was like a cornered animal, and the sudden ferocity in his eyes made the attackers hesitate.
Their original goal wasn't to cause fatalities.
By the time Mason and his men arrived, the attackers had either retreated or were lying on the ground, unable to get up.
"Mr. Montgomery!" Mason said worriedly.
He saw Xavier covered in blood, even with bloodstains on his face, looking terrifying.
Xavier shouted with emotion, "To the hospital!"
"Are you injured? I brought a doctor." Mason hadn't expected such an incident tonight.
"Joseph's been shot," Xavier said, his gaze fixed on Joseph, who had lost consciousness, blood steadily flowing from his back. Xavier wished he'd taken the bullet himself.
Panic seized him. What would he do if something happened to Joseph?
The ambulance was right behind them, and the police had arrived to secure the scene. Xavier instructed Mason to cooperate with the investigation while he went to the hospital with Joseph.
Joseph was immediately taken into surgery; his condition was critical, and the bullet needed to be removed right away.
Xavier waited outside the operating room, not caring about the blood all over him.
He looked incredibly lonely and desolate, his thin figure appearing helpless.
When he tried to pick up his phone, he realized it had fallen out at some point, probably during the shootout.
The light in the operating room remained illuminated for what seemed like an eternity.
It was late at night by the time Mason finished cooperating with the police investigation and left the remaining tasks to his subordinates. He then rushed to the hospital.
"Mr. Montgomery." Mason looked at Xavier with concern, holding a set of clean clothes.
Outside the operating room, Xavier opened his eyes, resting his forehead on his hand. "What's the situation?"
Mason replied, "Those attackers won't say who sent them, but it looks like they were after you."
If they were after Xavier, it meant Joseph got caught in the crossfire. If Joseph hadn't kindly offered to drive him home, this wouldn't have happened.
"Mr. Montgomery, should we inform Ms. Park?" Mason asked.
After all, Joseph was Stephanie's grandfather. Such a significant event should be brought to her attention.
"Sure." Xavier nodded. "Have you seen my phone?"
Mason took out a phone: "Found it at the scene, but it seems broken and won't turn on. Mr. Montgomery, do you want to call Ms. Lewis? You can use my phone."
Xavier pondered for a moment. So much had transpired tonight, and at this late hour, Grace was likely already asleep; it was best not to disturb her.
Xavier didn't want Grace to worry. If she knew, she probably wouldn't be able to sleep and would be anxious for no reason.
"No need, you go ahead." Xavier rubbed his temples. "Also, don't tell Grace about tonight."
Mason nodded, understanding that Xavier didn't want Grace to worry, or perhaps he wanted to tell her himself.
He placed the clothes next to Xavier and suggested, "Mr. Montgomery, you're covered in blood. You should clean up."
"Okay." Xavier nodded.
Xavier stood still until Stephanie arrived.
Stephanie sobbed, "Xavier, where's my grandpa? How is he?"
She grabbed Xavier's arm, her eyes filled with resentment. "Weren't you having dinner together? Why was my grandpa shot? Don't you have your own car? Why did you have to make my grandpa drive you home? If it weren't for you, this wouldn't have happened!"
Stephanie blamed everything on Xavier. Her words were intentional, knowing Xavier was a man of deep emotions. Now that Joseph was lying in a hospital bed because of him, it would only deepen Xavier's guilt.
"He's still in surgery," Xavier said, his voice hoarse.
As for his condition, he wasn't sure.
Stephanie collapsed to the ground, crying loudly, "Grandpa was in bad shape. He hadn't fully recovered from the last poisoning. Why does he have to suffer so much in his old age, unable to retire peacefully?"
Stephanie continued to speak, each word stabbing at Xavier's heart.
She glanced at him, then continued, her voice even sharper, determined to make him understand that Joseph's injuries were his responsibility.
After what felt like an eternity, the operating room door finally opened.
Xavier and Stephanie immediately stood up as the doctor came out, removing his mask.
Stephanie cried, "Doctor, how is my grandpa? Is he okay? You have to save him, please!"
The doctor responded with a sigh, "The bullet was badly placed, and given his age… We removed it, but he's not out of danger. It's touch and go. I… I want you to be prepared for the worst."
The doctor's words meant the situation was dire, and the chances of survival were slim.
"No." Stephanie shook her head, crying, unable to accept the reality.
The doctor added, "Tonight is critical. The patient has been moved to intensive care. Family members can visit during tomorrow's visiting hours to give him some hope."
The doctor quickly left, and Stephanie collapsed to the ground, crying.
"Grandpa, you have to be okay. What will I do without you? How can I live alone in this world?" Stephanie cried her heart out, utterly devastated.
In the middle of the night, Grace suddenly woke up from a dream.
Her heart was pounding, and her forehead was covered in cold sweat.
She seemed to have had a nightmare, but she couldn't remember what it was.
Grace took a while to calm down. She picked up her phone to check the time; it was still early morning.
There were no messages or missed calls. She wondered if Xavier had finished his work.
She decided to call Xavier, but his phone was off.
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