It was Carl Fiona’s
ma’s condition had taken a sudden turn for the wors
Anathea’s face paled instantly. Without a second thought, she rushed toward the hospital as fast as she could.
+25 BONUS
Inside the observation room, Fiona lay weakly on the hospital bed, surrounded by machines that sustained her fragile life. The steady, mechanical beeping filled the air with an eerie coldness.
Through the small glass window on the door, Anathea could see the pain etched across Fiona’s pale face. She instinctively covered her mouth, her eves welling with unshed tears.
“Ms. Jacobson, I’m so sorry. We’ve done everything we could.”
Chapter 43
“Done everything?” Anathea stared blankly at Carl, and suffocating fear surged through her.
“Mrs. Jacobson’s condition has deteriorated to the point where she won’t survive another emergency resuscitation. The surgery can’t be delayed any longer,” Carl advised
Anathea pressed her lips together, aware of the gravity of the situation. However, she still hadn’t managed to get the full 30 million dollars needed for the surgery.
“Can we start the medication first? I promise, I’ll pay the full amount before the surgery.” She looked at Carl, pleading.
Carl had previously informed her that before the surgery, Fiona needed to be injected with a certain medication for two weeks to stimulate her body’s functions, ensuring she could undergo the procedure.
Carl hesitated, contemplating her request. Meeting Anathea’s anxious, hopeful gaze, he finally nodded. “I’ll do my best to get approval for it.”
“Thank you, Dr. Peltz.” Anathea sincerely expressed her gratitude. As long as the medication started, it could temporarily alleviate Fiona’s condition and ease her suffering.
must
Carl reminded her, “But once we start to administer this medication to her, we can’t stop halfway–Mrs. Jacobson continue on it until the surgery. Otherwise, her vital signs will deteriorate rapidly, and by then, she’ll truly be beyond saving.
“Moreover, in addition to this medication, another drug must be used before the surgery to boost her physical condition to its peak for a successful procedure. Currently, our hospital only has two doses of this drug, and it’s extremely scarce.
“We can only reserve a dose for you for a limited time. So, you might need to pay the full amount as soon as possible.”
“I understand. Thank you, Dr. Peltz” Anathea nodded solemnly.
In the next two weeks, she had to gather the remaining funds, no matter what it took.
Anathea stood outside the ward for a long time, silently watching blona lying motionless inside. The once–envied Fiona now looked lifeless on the hospital bed.
Anathea clutched her chest, feeling Fiona’s pai
8 pain as if it were her own, her heart tightening with agony. “I’m sorry, Mom. I promise, I’ll do whatever it takes to save you.”
Anathea lost track of time as she stood there, her legs growing increasingly numb. Eventually, the sensation jolted her back to reality, prompting her to turn and walk away slowly.
However, as she passed another ward, a familiar voice reached herears. “Greg, it hurts so much…”
pale from pain,
Anathea turned her head. Inside, Natalie sat on the hospital bed while a doctor treated her injury. Her face was pale f tears glistening in her eyes as she tightly gripped Gregory’s hand.
“You’re going to be fine. It’ll be over soon.” Gregory’s voice was gentle and reassuring-
It was a stark contrast to the ruthless businessman known as “the frost King” in the business industry.
“All” Natalie cried out in pain and leaned against Gregory’s shoulder, her voice trembling with sorrow.
“Greg, will I never be able to walk again? If I’d known. If I’d know, I would’ve been more careful and wouldn’t have ended up like this…
“Don’t worry, I’ll have the entire hospital’s top specialists come to a consultation. We’ll make sure your leg heals.” Oregory’s tone was steady, but the fact that he was willing to gather an entire team of experts showed just how much he cared for Natalie
It was no wonder he’d brought her along on his business trip to a mantic getaway destination.
Anathes glanced at the diamond ring on her ring finger, finding Itterly fronic. But she didn’t luiger She walked straight out of the hospital. There were more riportant matters to attend to. She had no time for self–pity.
Chapter
+25 BONUS
Fortunately, Gregory didn’t go back on his word. The Jacobson family and the studio were back in operation. However, the Jacobson family had suffered significant losses.
Even though things were back on track with the Jacobson’s company, it would take time before they could regain financial stability. William was already struggling to hold everything together on his own, and Anathea couldn’t bring herself to ask him
for money.
Anathea hesitated for a moment before deciding, to call Hannah. However, as soon as she unlocked her phone, she saw Hannah trending at the top of the news.
“Famous Actress Hannah Cole Betrayed by Her Own Father, Faces Massive Breach of Contract Penalty.”
Anathea’s grip on her phone tightened as she immediately dialed Hannah’s number. The phone rang for nearly a full minute before it was finally answered
“Thea?” Hannah asked hoarsely.
“I saw the trending news. Are you… okay?” Anathea’s voice was filled with concer
She knew a bit about Hannah’s situation with her father. Hannah’s parents, Leon Cole and Celeste Everett, had divorced and gotten married to others, leaving Hannah to be raised by her grandparents. Neither of her parents had ever really cared for her.
Chapter ¿¿
However, after Hannah’s years of struggling and working her way up to become a celebrity, Leon had come to her. He’d repeatedly used Hannah’s grandparents, Sebastian Cole and Isla Montgomery, to threaten her, trying to extort money from her
Anathea clearly remembered that Hannah had resolved this issue five years ago. She hadn’t expected the greedy Leon to cause more trouble
Besides, this incident had even made it onto the trending news. It was obvious that the situation had escalated significantly. She couldn’t help but wonder how Hannah planned to handle it.
Anathea was deeply worried about Hannah’s situation. When she didn’t hear a response, she called out again in concern, Hannah?”
Just then, a strange sound suddenly came from the other end of the line. Anathea froze for a moment.
“Uh…don’t worry,
I’m fine.” Hannah’s voice was broken and unsteady.
“What are you doing? Working out?” Anathea asked in confusion when she heard Hannah breathing so heavily.
However, the moment she faintly heard a low male voice in the background, she was startled, and her face began to turn red. She wasn’t inexperienced. So, of course, she knew exactly what Hannah was doing
“Yes, I’m working out right now. I’ll call you back later,” Hannah replied before hanging up.
Anathea remained in the same position, holding her phone to her gar, feeling awkward. It seemed that asking Hannah for financial help wasn’t the best option after all. She would have to find another way on her own.
Over on Hannah’s end, the hotel suite was in disarray, with clothes scattered across the floor. Hannah struggled to hold her phone as a man behind her steadied himself with one arm and took the phone from her hand with the other.
His voice carried a teasing edge. “You still have the mind to take calls at a time like this?”
“It was my dear Thea. Of course, I had to pick up” Hannah glared at him before urging impatiently, “Are you done yet?”
Dominic Lancaster let out a low chuckle, using her own words against her. “Didn’t you say you were working out? Since when did your workout end so quickly?”
Hannah frowned, cursing at him, “Dominic Lancaster, you bastand ”
Dominic sneered coldly. “Then don’t come begging me. You want my help, yet you refuse to offer any compensation? Ms. Cole, do you really think the world works that way?”
Hannah was momentarily at a loss for words. She simply bit her lip and remained silent.
Dominic tilted her chin up, intending to kiss her, but she stubborn y turned away. Her red lips curled into a cold smirk, “Mr. Lancaster, kissing comes at an extra cost.”
Dominic’s gaze turned intense and predatory, like a humter ready to consume his prey completely.
Anathea returned to the studio and saw everyone cheering with joy now that the issue had been resolved. A relieved smile gradually appeared on her face as well. At the very least, the crisis was finally over.
This is great! No more working overtime to make bouquets!”
“Yeah! Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. As soon as work is over, I can go on my date.”
“Ugh, ger out of here with that lovey–dovey nonsensel” Evangelin said in mock disdain.
She walked up to Anathea and studied her slightly weary expression before asking, “You don’t look too great. Do you want the to give you the day off tomorrow to rest?”
Chapter 44
“No need, I’m fine.” Anathea shook her head, declining the offer
20 BUNUS
as possible to secure more funds. Thus, when she got home,
She needed to finish the custom floral arrangement project as soon as she worked late into the night, revising the design once again.
Just as she was engrossed in her work, Xander, rubbing his sleepy eyes and dragging a large rabbit plushie behind him, walked over. “Mom, Where’s Dad?”
Hearing this, Anathea recalled the scene she’d witnessed earlier, with Natalie leaning against Gregory’s shoulder. Without even looking up, she replied, “No idea.”
He was probably still at the hospital, keeping Natalie company.
Xander wasn’t entirely convinced by her answer. So, he took matters into his own hands and need his smartwatch to video call
Gregory.
The moment the call connected, he excitedly shouted, “Dad, where are you?”
Before Gregory could respond, Xander spotted Natalie sitting beside him. “Oh, you’re with Ms. Whitman! What are you two doing?”
At the same time, Anathea’s phone lit up with a breaking news notification. “Sinclair Group’s CEO Sets Off Romantic Fireworks for His Girlfriend on Valentine’s Night.”
Chapter 45
“Wow! The fireworks are so beautiful!” Xander exclaimed in awe
The sound of fireworks exploding in the night sky came through from the smartwatch. It was lively and festive.
Just then, Anathea’s phone buzzed with a new message. It was a photo from Natalie.
Under the dazzling fireworks, Natalie sat in a wheelchair, turning her head slightly to look at Gregory, a blissful smile on her face. Gregory’s coat was draped over her shoulders, a silent yet undeniable display of his gentleness and care. His care was reserved for her and her alone.
That was exactly why Natalie had sent this picture. It was a declaration of ownership.
In fact, ever since Natalie had returned from overseas a month ago, she’d been occasionally sending Anathea photos of her and Gregory together. But Anathea had never responded, and this time was no different.
Without a change in her expression, she turned off her phone screen. To be honest, the first time she’d seen such photos, there had been a sharp pain in her chest so intense that it nearly took her breath away. But now, all that remained was an endless calm.
However, Xander was displeased. “Dad and Ms. Whitman are so mean. They didn’t take me to see the fireworks. J want to go too! I want to go too!”
Anathea felt a headache coming gon from his complaints. She reminded him gently, “Xander, it’s already ten o’clock. Time for
bed.
“That’s right, Mr. Xander. It’s time for bed, okay?” Je
Jenny stepped in, trying to guide him back to his room.
“No, I don’t want to!” X.
Xander refused outright, pouting as he walked over to Anathea. “I just want to set off fireworks with and Ms. Whitman. Mom, can you take me there?”
In the past, whenever Xander made a request, Anathea would always do her best to fulfill it. Hence, he was certain that as long as he begged a little, she would give in.
But this time, Anathea didn’t respond. She simply held her p
pen and continued sketching, as if she hadn’t heard him at all.
“Mom!” Xander, who’d always been spoiled, couldn’t tolerate being ignored. He suddenly yanked Anathea’s hand forcefully.
Anathea was caught off guard. Her pen dragged a long, abrupt stroke across the carefully drafted sketch, ruining it in an instant. She froze, staring at the damage in stunned silence.
Xander was completely maware of his mistake. Instead, he raised his voice even more. “Mom, why are you ignoring me?”
Anathea took a deep breath, her gaze turning cold as she watched ander throwing a tantrum. She frowned and spoke in a firm, unwavering tone. “Xander, go to bed.”
There was no room for negotiation.
“Hmph! You’re a bad mother!” Xander was shocked when Anathea spoke to him so sternly: Frustrated, he grabbed her pen and threw it on the floor.
Jenny was startled and quickly stepped forward to stop him. “Mr. Xander, you have school tomorrow. You need to sleep early so you have the energy to learn. Mrs. Sinclair is just looking out for you-“.
“I don’t need her concern!”
Xander shouted, pointing at Anathea, “You’re so mean! No wonder Dad likes taking Ms. Whitman out and never brings you along. I don’t want you either. Go away! You’re not allowed to stay ere. This is Sinclair Villa, not your home.”
“Mr. Xander! You can’t say things like that.” Jenny luimediately stopped him.
Xander stoinped his foot in frustration and then ran off angrily.
