Chapter 541 Feeding Crocodiles
Phoenix's hands shook as she took the envelope. Inside, along with the documents, was a beautifully crafted brooch.
"It's a bug," Kieran said casually. "I need to hear everything George says."
He suddenly stood up, towering over Phoenix and Anna. "Remember, this is your last shot," he warned, the cold light glinting off his silver mask. "Mess up again, and you'll be gator food."
After they left, Kieran walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. In the moonlight, his figure looked tall and solitary. His assistant handed him a glass of red wine with a respectful nod.
"Sir, why send Phoenix? She's already been compromised."
Kieran took a sip of the wine, a playful smile curling his lips. "Exactly because she's been compromised, it makes things more interesting." He swirled the wine in his glass. "George would never expect his cousin, instead of running, to come back with a new identity."
Kieran opened his tablet and pulled up the floor plan of the Russell Group's building. "Have the 'Doctor' prepare the new neurotoxin and deliver it to Phoenix next week."
In the hospital, the door to the room flew open, slamming against the wall with a loud bang. Sophia stormed in, her high heels clicking on the floor. Her meticulously styled curls were slightly disheveled from running, and her expensive Chanel suit was speckled with rain.
"Emma!" Sophia nearly collapsed at the bedside, her trembling fingers caressing Emma's pale cheek. "You're finally awake. I thought..."
Tears streamed down her face, ruining her flawless makeup. Emma had never seen Sophia so distraught. The always elegant and composed Sophia was now crying like a helpless child.
"Mom, I'm okay," Emma said weakly, trying to lift her hand to wipe Sophia's tears, but the pain in her ribs forced a groan from her lips.
George immediately stepped forward to help, but Sophia shoved him away. "Get out!" she snarled, standing protectively in front of the bed like a lioness guarding her cub. Her eyes blazed with fury. "This is all your fault! If it weren't for you, Emma wouldn't be suffering like this!"
George stumbled back, knocking over the water glass on the bedside table. The sound of shattering glass made Emma's heart skip a beat.
"Mom! It's not George's fault!" she cried, trying to sit up but was pushed back by the pain. "He saved me."
"Saved you?" Sophia scoffed, pointing a red-nailed finger at George. "Who drove you to the brink three years ago? Who nearly got you killed in that fire?" Her voice rose with each word. "And now he's landed you in the hospital again. Is this what you call 'saving'?"
George stood there, taking Sophia's accusations without a word. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, nails digging into his palms, but he didn't defend himself.
"Mrs. Stuart," George finally spoke, his voice low and steady. "I know you hate me. But please, let me stay by Emma's side and take care of her." He took a few tentative steps forward, his movements deliberately clumsy. "I promise you, I won't let anything happen to her again."
Emma's heart ached watching George pretend to be blind. She knew why he was doing it—he was setting a trap to lure out their hidden enemies. But seeing the man she loved humiliated by Sophia tore at her.
"Promise?" Sophia sneered. "What can you promise? You're a blind man who can't even take care of himself!"
"Mom!" Emma couldn't hold back any longer. "George, he..."
"Emma," George interrupted, shaking his head slightly. His eyes, which were supposed to be sightless, "looked" directly at her, filled with a silent plea.
Sophia caught this detail, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "What are you two planning?"
The air grew tense. Outside, raindrops tapped against the window, like countless tiny fingers scratching at the glass.
Emma took a deep breath, deciding to try a different approach. "Mom, do you remember when we first reunited?" Her voice was soft, filled with the warmth of memories. "You held my hand and said you wanted me to be happy."
Sophia's expression softened. "Why are you bringing this up now?"
"Being with George makes me the happiest," Emma said, reaching out to hold Sophia's cold fingers. She looked towards George, her eyes full of determination. "I won't make the same mistake again."
Sophia fell silent, recalling Henry's words... "Sophia, Emma is stronger than you think."
"Emma," Sophia's voice choked with emotion. "I'm just afraid of losing you again."
George spoke up at the right moment. "Mrs. Stuart, if you're worried, let me stay in the same room as Emma." He "fumbled" his way to the wall. "That way, you can check on her anytime and keep an eye on me."
Sophia scrutinized the proposal, her gaze shifting between George's "blind" eyes and Emma's pleading face.
"Fine," she finally relented, though reluctantly. "But I'll have bodyguards outside the door 24/7." She glared at George. "If you harm Emma in any way..."
"I'll accept any punishment," George vowed solemnly.
Late at night, Sophia insisted on staying. She sat in a chair by the bed, gently combing Emma's long hair.
"Mom, you should go home and rest," Emma said, concerned about the dark circles under Sophia's eyes.
Sophia shook her head. "Let me stay with you a little longer." Her fingers lightly traced the scratches on Emma's face. "Do you know? When the police told me you were hurt, it felt like my world was collapsing."
Emma's nose tingled with emotion. She noticed for the first time that Sophia still wore a hospital wristband. She must have been so worried about Emma that she ended up in the hospital herself.
"Mom, I'm sorry for making you worry," Emma said, snuggling into Sophia's embrace.
"My sweet girl, you never have to apologize to me."
The next day, the attending doctor arrived with the medical team for rounds. He carefully checked Emma's vitals and examined her healing wounds.
"Ms. Stuart's injuries are severe, but she's recovering well," the doctor said, adjusting his glasses. "Her rib fractures need rest, and the concussion symptoms are subsiding. However..." He turned to George. "Mr. Russell's condition concerns me more."
George sat on the couch, his eyes "vacantly" directed towards the sound. "My body is fine."
"That's the problem," the doctor said, opening the medical file. "Your CT scan shows your optic nerves are completely normal. You should have regained your sight by now." He frowned at George's unfocused gaze. "I recommend continuing psychological therapy. It might be functional blindness caused by PTSD."
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