Chapter 90 Deceased
"Joshua!" Janna yelled, her voice cracking as she called for the medics.
In the chaos, Fiona's eyes accidentally locked with Joshua's.
His frail hand reached out towards her, trembling.
His mouth moved, but no sound came out.
"Miss..." Joshua managed to whisper.
Before the medics could get to him, the light in his eyes dimmed, and his hand dropped like a stone.
The heart monitor let out a sharp, continuous beep, signaling Joshua's death.
"Joshua!" Janna screamed, throwing herself over him, sobbing uncontrollably.
She hadn't been crying for long when she suddenly collapsed.
"Ms. Rhoads!" Fiona shouted.
After a whirlwind of activity, Janna was also laid up in a hospital bed.
Fiona used a translation app to chat with Stuart about Janna's medical history.
Luckily, Janna was usually in good health.
Today, she was just crushed by grief.
Stepping out of Janna's room, Fiona took a deep breath.
The early winter night was freezing.
Fiona stood by the railing, her mind replaying Joshua's final gaze, which seemed to be fixed on her.
Her phone buzzed twice in her pocket.
Fiona snapped out of her thoughts and pulled out her phone.
There were several voice messages from Thalassa.
"Fiona, remember I told you about that tough project the company wanted? This afternoon, some guy claiming to be the project manager called me to discuss the contract. And guess what? They just signed it!"
"I was ready to quit! And now this huge project lands on me!"
"My boss wants to promote me to director of the sales department!"
"I studied design, and now, less than a month into the job, I'm gonna be head of sales?"
A few minutes later, Thalassa sent another voice message. "I just saw off their rep. He said Mr. Solomon highly recommended me. Is he Darwin?"
Fiona frowned.
Who else could it be but Darwin?
She immediately called Thalassa.
Thalassa picked up right away. "Fiona, what took you so long to get back to me?"
"Did you read the contract carefully?" Fiona asked bluntly.
Thalassa sighed. "Yeah, I read it twice and even had my lawyer friend check it out. No traps!"
Fiona bit her lip.
What was Darwin up to?
First, he donated to Dagwood, and now he was landing Thalassa a project?
"Don't worry, I'll ask him directly!" Fiona said, determined.
"Fiona, don't be rash. Maybe he means well?" This project was a huge break for their small company, one that many others wanted.
And they got it without lifting a finger.
Fiona didn't respond. Then she added, "Keep reading the contract."
After hanging up, Fiona checked the time.
It was almost midnight.
Darwin should be with Hathaway now.
Fiona hesitated for a moment.
Then she thought, 'Screw it!'
She dialed Darwin's number.
The phone rang several times.
Fiona braced herself for Hathaway to answer, just like that time in New Port.
Just before it went to voicemail, the call was answered.
Fiona stayed silent.
A voice came from the other end. "It's me, not anyone else."
Fiona didn't say anything, feeling a bit awkward for being so easily read.
"Thalassa got a new project. Was that you?" Fiona asked bluntly, her tone a bit sharp.
Darwin replied, "Yeah, I gave her the project. And you're mad at me for that?"
"Darwin, what are you trying to pull? I'm already sticking around. Can you just leave Dagwood and Thalassa alone?" Fiona asked seriously.
She'd seen Darwin's tricks too many times.
A lot of people fell for his initial generosity, only to get trapped later.
There was a pause on the other end.
"What do you think I'm trying to do?" he asked, his voice heavy.
Fiona stayed silent.
Darwin continued, "I just want you to be a bit happier because your friends are doing well. If I wanted to mess with them, it would be easy. No need for any schemes."
Fiona was taken aback.
She'd thought of a million reasons for Darwin's actions.
But she hadn't considered that he just wanted to make her happy.
"I get it." Fiona's anger started to fade.
Darwin still sounded a bit miffed.
Fiona could hear his breathing and wasn't sure if she should hang up.
"Ms. Rhoads' friend passed away," Fiona said softly, "She's really upset and even fainted."
"Okay," Darwin responded.
"I'm not coming back to the city tonight. I need a day off tomorrow to help her out," Fiona continued.
"Fiona, don't you think you owe me an apology for jumping to conclusions?" Darwin suddenly asked, his tone stern.
Fiona was quiet for a moment, thinking about Thalassa.
If Darwin got mad and caused trouble, it could spell problems for Thalassa.
"I'm sorry," she paused and added, "I shouldn't have thought so badly of you."
Darwin let out a cold laugh. "Be back before dinner tomorrow."
"Got it." After hanging up, Fiona rubbed her aching head.
Her relationship with Darwin was getting weirder and weirder.
After a bit, she sent a text to Thalassa: [Stop stressing over the contract. It's fine. Just focus on nailing the project.]
Thalassa: [Was it really him?]
Fiona: [Yeah, it was him.]
Thalassa sent a long string of ellipses.
Then she added: [So, what's the deal now? Is he trying to win you over by helping me?]
Fiona didn't know how to explain.
Thalassa added: [Honestly, he's super handsome and loaded. If it weren't for... he might actually be a good match for you.]
Fiona looked into the distance.
It was pitch black.
There weren't that many "ifs."
Fiona and Thalassa chatted for a bit.
Stuart came over, saying Janna had woken up.
Fiona hurried over.
Janna looked visibly tired and worn out.
"I thought you had gone back." She reached out to Fiona.
Fiona inexplicably thought of that withered hand reaching out to her.
She went over and held Janna's hand.
It was very cold.
She instinctively held it tighter.
Seeing this, Janna smiled. "If I had a granddaughter as good as you, I'd wake up laughing from my dreams."
She wasn't that lucky.
She only had sons, and her sons had sons.
Fiona smiled, trying to cheer Janna up. She proudly said, "What a coincidence! My grandma used to say the same thing!"
Janna indeed laughed. "I can't praise you too much. Then you'll get all proud!"
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