CHAPTER 128
The voices around her were deafening, drowning out her attempts to call out. Alan didn’t seem to notice her amidst the commotion.
Security guards shielded the doctors as they moved toward the exit, but the crowd was relentless, following them outside. Arianna persisted, edging closer to Alan bit by bit.
In the crowded space, Arianna was jostled from all sides. Her bag was snagged repeatedly, and she lost track of how many times her foot was stepped on. Despite the discomfort, she pressed on, undeterred, her focus unwavering as she navigated through the throng.
Alan seemed to sense something—perhaps her gaze was too intense or her intentions too clear—and turned his head, looking directly at her.
Arianna's eyes widened. She raised her hand and waved vigorously, shouting, "Dr. Woods, Dr. Woods..."
Suddenly, a child's terrified cry pierced the air, "Ah— Mommy—"
Arianna instinctively turned toward the sound. A girl, around six years old, had been knocked over by the crowd and was struggling to get up.
No one had noticed the child yet, and the crowd continued to surge toward the doctors. People pushed and jostled, and the little girl looked as though she might be trampled.
Arianna frowned tightly. She hesitated for a second, but her instincts took over. She pushed through the crowd and rushed toward the little girl.
Arianna scooped the girl up, holding her tightly, covering her head with one hand and shielding her body with the other.
Her back was trampled by the crowd, causing her to grunt in pain several times. Still, she gritted her teeth, endured the agony, and forced herself to stand up. She moved with great difficulty, taking each step cautiously as she worked her way out of the crowd.
Finally reaching a clear spot, Arianna set the little girl down. Ignoring her injuries, she looked at the child and asked,
"Hey there, are you hurt?"
The little girl seemed frightened, her face blank with confusion for a few seconds before she finally said, "No. Thank you, Miss."
“Fifi!” A woman's anxious shout rang out as she rushed forward to hug the girl. “Thank God you're okay. I was scared to death.”
Relieved that her daughter was safe, the woman turned to Arianna. “Thank you for saving my daughter. How's your injury? Do you need to go to the hospital and get it checked?”
“No, I have something else to deal with. I have to go!” Arianna said quickly, not wanting to lose more time. She hurriedly chased after the crowd.
By the time she made it outside, all the doctors had already boarded the bus. The doors were closed, the engine was running, and the bus was already pulling away into the traffic.
Arianna was unwilling to give up. She clenched her fists and chased the bus.
However, the trampling she had suffered earlier had left her hands, feet, and body injured. Her movements were no longer as seamless as before. She managed to run for a short distance, but her knees eventually gave way, causing her to collapse on the ground.
She tried to get up again but only managed to get halfway before falling back to her knees, grazing them.
Arianna watched as the bus gradually drove off and disappeared. When it was finally out of view, an overwhelming despair filled her heart, and she felt a sharp pang of sorrow.
Charlie’s only hope had just vanished before Arianna’s eyes...
If Charlie eventually left her, she couldn’t imagine how she would go on.
Unconsciously, she curled up and wrapped her arms around herself, resting her head on her knees as her shoulders trembled slightly.
"Why is it that you're always hurt whenever I see you?"
A warm voice sounded above her head. At first, Arianna thought she was just imagining it, but she quickly became stunned.
Her downcast gaze caught sight of a pair of shoes in front of her, and her pupils contracted suddenly as she raised her head.
The sun shone exceptionally brightly that day, casting a warm yellow glow that made the man standing with his back to the light appear slightly blurry.
Arianna was a little dazed, afraid to blink or speak, fearing that everything in front of her might not be real.
The man chuckled and asked again, “Don’t you recognize me, Arianna?”
Arianna’s long eyelashes trembled fiercely.
‘It is Dr. Woods …’
The excitement that she had earlier lost instantly returned, coursing right through her entire body. Arianna propped herself up on the ground and attempted to stand.
However, she accidentally grazed the wound on her knee and fell forward with a hiss.
“Be careful!” Alan stretched out his hand just in time, grabbing her slender waist and saving her from falling to the ground again.
After Arianna steadied herself, she hurriedly said, “Thank you.”
Alan retracted his hand, looked at her miserable appearance, and shook his head with a laugh. “Why are you injured again?”
Hearing the word ‘again’ left Arianna in stark disbelief.
She had only become acquainted with Alan due to her frequent injuries.
When she was abroad, she had not yet acclimated to the new place and fell sick very frequently. There was also the occasional injury during her work, often necessitating a trip to the hospital.
However, living in difficult circumstances meant that she had to be very frugal with her money. Getting treated for her injuries and illnesses was something she could not afford. As a result, she often disregarded the doctors’ advice. All she would ask for was some of the cheaper medications, which she would take or apply at home and just sleep off.
She got to know Alan after injuring her leg. That was the time she called Xander, who not only didn’t answer but also turned off his phone. The entire ordeal saddened her so much that she could not help crying.
At that time, Alan walked over suddenly to her side and asked,
“Does it hurt?”
