"Boom--!"
Stella Sterling felt her mind go blank, a buzzing noise in her ears, and she couldn’t hear a word of what the nurse behind her was saying.
Injuries from a fall from height...
Rescue...
These words exploded like thunder in her nerves.
The phone slipped from her powerless hand, landing with a heavy thud on the carpet.
"Whose... whose call was that?" Isla Sutton asked, seeing her face turn deathly pale, her voice trembling.
Stella stared blankly, her throat felt like it was blocked by scorching sand, unable to utter a single word.
She clutched her fingers tightly, forcing herself to calm down, "Mom... to the hospital... we’re going to the hospital now!"
Along the way, Stella floored the accelerator, the scenery outside speeding past.
Her fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white, palms cold with sweat.
Isla sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly ahead, lips moving silently, as if praying.
Every second felt like an eternity.
Finally, the glaring red cross of the city center hospital appeared in view.
Stella barely had ti to park the car properly, leaving it at the ergency departnt entrance, supporting her mother as they stumbled in.
The ergency hall was brightly lit, bustling with noise, the sll of disinfectant pungent and overwhelming.
Stella’s eyes anxiously scanned the room, her heart pounding furiously within her chest, almost shattering her ribcage.
From a distance, she saw the harsh red light above the entrance to the resuscitation room.
And under that red light, a familiar, upright figure ca into view through Stella’s blurry, tear-filled eyes.
It was Shane Donovan.
He seed to have just arrived, slightly turning his head to listen to a person in a white coat speaking softly beside him, his brow slightly furrowed, his side profile appearing sowhat stern in the light.
Hearing the hurried footsteps, he turned his head.
At the mont their eyes t, the strong facade Stella had been holding up finally shattered with a ’crack’.
"Shane Donovan..." She dashed toward him, diving into his embrace, "My dad... my dad..."
She almost couldn’t form coherent sentences, all pretense of calm demolished, leaving only fear and dependence.
Shane’s large, warm hand patted her gently, "Don’t be afraid, I’m here."
His voice was deep, carrying a stabilizing force, "The best doctors are in there, Uncle Sterling will be alright."
Isla Sutton, seeing Shane Donovan, clung to this last lifesaving straw, grabbing his arm, sobbing uncontrollably, "Shane... Shane, tell , Theodore won’t be in trouble, will he? What on earth happened..."
Shane allowed Isla to hold onto him, his gaze steady as he looked at her, his tone calm, "Aunty, please stay calm and conserve your strength. Now the most important thing is for Uncle to pull through."
He gestured to the assistants behind him to bring two chairs, helping the nearly exhausted Isla Sutton to sit down, then half-embracing Stella, letting her sit beside.
Leaning against him, Stella’s racing heart finally began to calm down slightly.
She lifted her head, tearful eyes gazing at him, "Why are you here?"
Shane lowered his gaze, gently brushing away the damp hair stuck to her cheek, his actions soft, "I got the news and rushed over."
He paused, then added, "Don’t worry, I’ve contacted top trauma experts from ho and abroad, they’re on their way, Uncle has good fortune, he’ll be alright."
Stella nodded heavily.
Yes!
Her dad would definitely be alright.
Ti passed by the second, every second felt like being fried in an oil pan.
Nobody knew how long it took, but suddenly the door to the resuscitation room was pushed open, a doctor in green surgical scrubs briskly stepped out, most of his face hidden behind a mask, only a pair of weary yet sharp eyes visible.
"Family of Theodore Sterling?"
"Here! We’re here!" Stella sprang to her feet, her legs giving way, fortunately Shane was beside her to steady her.
Isla Sutton also struggled to her feet, rushing at the doctor, her voice shaky beyond control, "Doctor, how’s my husband?"
The doctor spoke quickly, "The patient’s condition is extrely critical, multiple injuries, visceral rupture with massive bleeding, cranio-cerebral trauma, vital signs are very unstable. This is a critical illness notice, family needs to sign."
He handed over a thin sheet of paper, yet it weighed a thousand pounds.
Isla looked at the cold, black words "Critical Illness Notice," her vision darkening, her body swaying, nearly fainting.
Stella bit her lower lip hard, the taste of blood spreading in her mouth.
She took the pen, her fingers trembling almost unable to hold it, the cold touch chilling her from fingertips to heart.
"Stella..." Isla called weakly, her eyes full of helplessness and fear.
Stella took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her wrist, signing her na on the notice.
Every stroke felt like using every ounce of strength.
The doctor took the notice hurriedly returning to the resuscitation room.
The door closed once more.
Isla Sutton could no longer endure, slumping in the chair, hands covering her face as she wept, the sobs stifled and despairing.
During this ti, the critical illness notice was issued twice more.
Each ti felt like a lingchi torture on Stella and Isla Sutton’s hearts.
Leaning against the cold wall, Stella’s body shook uncontrollably, Shane’s arm steadily held her, gently patting her back.
"My dad wouldn’t have given up..." she muttered hoarsely, "He was so happy yesterday, he said he was waiting for my brother to co back for the New Year... how could he..."
Moreover, her father had weathered countless storms, how could he choose to end his life over one business failure?
This was too unreasonable!
She instinctively looked at Shane.
Shane t her eyes, his thin lips slightly parted, "Yeah, you’re right, Uncle wouldn’t just lose hope, he..."
But before he could finish--
"Excuse , are you Mr. Theodore Sterling’s family?"
A stern male voice interrupted Shane’s words.
Stella turned abruptly.
Only to see two uniford police officers standing behind them at so point, expressions solemn.
"I... I am..." Stella hurried to her feet.
The policeman’s gaze fell on her, "Are you Theodore Sterling’s daughter?"
Stella nodded, her throat dry, "I am."
Isla seed triggered by so switch, suddenly raising her head, agitatedly trying to rise but powerless, "Officer! My husband was hurt by soone! He definitely wouldn’t commit suicide! You must investigate clearly!"
The police signaled her to calm down, shifting their gaze to Stella, their tone softened slightly, "We understand the family’s feelings, please calm down. The case is still in the early investigation stage, we won’t overlook any possibilities. Please, do you know Mr. Sterling’s schedule this morning? Or, has he held grudges with anyone recently? Did he show any unusual behavior before falling?"
Stella’s mind instantly flashed with Secretary Wright’s words, but she only knew her father had scheduled to et soone in the morning, the specifics were unclear, and she hadn’t had ti to ask...
She opened her mouth, ready to relay this information—
"t with ."
A low voice echoed.
Only to see Shane Donovan’s stern face et everyone’s gaze, his voice deep,
"An hour ago, I t Uncle..."
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