“So, her grandmother is still stuck in that small town?” Conrad asked.
George clearly forgot about her grandmother’s situation too. They had all focused entirely on saving Conrad, especially since it had been a race against time for his survival. There had been no room to think about other matters.
Once they finally had a moment to rest, Lillian tried to escape again, and there was no time to consider her grandmother.
“George, what are you waiting for? Go contact that hospital!” Conrad snapped.
“No! If George contacts anyone, the island’s location will be exposed. All our plans over the years will be ruined!”
“Then let’s go back to the mainland.”
“Conrad, are you out of your mind? If we go back, what if you suffer another poisoning episode? There’s no medical equipment on the way. Conrad, do you think this woman is more important than us now? Are you willing to risk everyone for her?”
“Make arrangements. We’re going back to the mainland.”
“Conrad!” Fox shouted, “What the hell are you doing? Are you even thinking straight?”
“I’m thinking perfectly clearly. Go prepare!” Conrad snapped back.
Fox turned to Andrew.
Andrew turned around and walked out, and Fox immediately chased after him. “He’s out of his mind, and now you’re following suit?”
Andrew lowered his gaze. “Sir’s orders-I only need to execute them.”
Seeing she couldn’t stop the group, Fox turned to Hogan. “Can’t you guys talk some sense into him?”
Hogan shrugged. “Isn’t this exciting? Besides, now that he’s awake, if we don’t go back and fight but stay here hiding, that wouldn’t be our style.”
Lionel passed by Fox with his hands in his pockets, expressionless. “If we can’t even protect our own woman, hiding here doesn’t make much sense.”
Gordon added, “I have no objections. Going back will also help silence the rumors.”
After all, those following Conrad against Kenneth were pretty shaken up, and there was no better way to reassure them than Conrad showing up in person.
George glanced at Lillian, who was so ill she started rambling. Conrad ordered the preparations to return home to begin immediately.
Fox trembled with anger. “I’m done trying to stop you. You’re crazy about this woman!”
Conrad knew Kenneth was looking for him and definitely didn’t want him making it back alive.
“Grandma… Grandma…” Lillian mumbled.
Conrad held her tightly, pressing his forehead against hers and grasping her hand. “We’re going back now.”
She gradually calmed down under his soothing words.
Despite Fox’s protests, Conrad was determined to return home.
“Why don’t you say something? You’re just watching them go wild?” Fox turned to Python, who had been silent in the corner.
Python pulled up the hood of his black hoodie and coldly turned away. “It’s his decision. Why stop him?”
“You know it’s wrong. Why allow it?”
“He’s an adult with the ability to think for himself,” Python replied, looking at Fox. “He knows what he’s doing. Besides, if Conrad doesn’t want to do something, who on earth could force him?”
The helicopters were already prepared.
Despite her fury, Fox could only watch as Conrad was about to leave.
“This is enabling him, letting him sink deeper. He shouldn’t be with that woman.”
“Then who should he be with?” Python asked calmly. “Everyone can see that Lillian means something different to him. How long are you going to keep lying to yourself?”
“But we’ve been through life and death with him. Is a woman now more important than us?”
“Fox, don’t overestimate yourself. Conrad is human, and humans have emotions.”
As Conrad carried the unconscious Lillian onto the helicopter, the sea breeze tangled their clothes together.
The pure white dress, the pitch-black suit.
Like two colors that shouldn’t mix, blending into a gray area, repeatedly entangled until they finally merged.
As soon as the plane landed back home, George contacted the local hospital.
They breathed a sigh of relief. “You finally contacted us. Grandma Kristin is in bad shape-she’s been in a coma!”
George’s expression darkened. “How long has it been?”
“Three or four days. She even went into shock, but we managed to stabilize her. However, our hospital’s medical capabilities are limited. We’ve already contacted a higher-level hospital and transferred her to the Thomas Family Hospital in City N. You family members need to get there quickly!”
George quickly called the hospital and learned that Grandma Kristin had indeed been transferred and was on her way, not yet admitted.
“Are the medical staff ready?”
“Dr. Beck and his team were just at a meeting, but I’ve already called them to return quickly.”
“What about Eric?”
“Expert Eric’s assistant contacted us just now; they’re on their way!”
“Alright,” George felt somewhat reassured and turned to Conrad. “We should head directly to the hospital. Grandma Kristin’s condition is serious.”
Lillian, barely conscious, opened her eyes as Conrad carried her into the elevator.
“Don’t move,” Conrad said softly.
“Where are we?” she asked, her gaze shifting around.
“We’re back home, on our way to see your grandmother.”
Lillian clutched his shirt. “How is Grandma?”
“Her condition is critical, but the medical team is ready. Emergency care will be administered as soon as she arrives at the hospital.”
Hearing this, Lillian grew anxious and nearly fainted from worry.
******
Meanwhile, Daisy was leaving the hospital with her medication when she bumped into someone in a corner. The person’s sunglasses fell to the ground, and just as Daisy was about to apologize, she recognized the person as Evelyn, who had been hiding like a rat in the sewers recently.
Daisy took a step forward, her high heel pressing down on Evelyn’s fingers. “What, did you forget what I told you before?”
Evelyn winced in pain, glaring at Daisy.
“Weren’t you the one provoking people? How come you’re a street rat now, even wearing sunglasses to the hospital?” Daisy squatted down, looking at the bruise on Evelyn’s eye, and clicked her tongue twice. “You actually look better in this sorry state than before.”
Thanks to Daisy’s suppression, Martin didn’t dare to help Evelyn, and the rich kids who once flocked to her because of Conrad had long since scattered. Rumors spread that Conrad had abandoned her.
Now, those who helped Daisy step on her were exposing Evelyn’s past blunders, and media outlets repeatedly dragged out her mistakes. She was living in constant fear, hiding while facing astronomical business compensation claims.
Evelyn glared at Daisy with hatred, wishing she could tear a piece of flesh from her. If it weren’t for this woman, she wouldn’t have fallen so hard. What made Daisy so special? She was just lucky to be born into the right family!
Evelyn thought her downfall was because she had been born into a rural family, but she still lived in the house Conrad had prepared for her. She believed she had a chance to turn things around. She had been enduring, hiding, hoping to regain control once Daisy’s anger subsided. But now, this vile woman had appeared and cornered her.
Seeing Evelyn so furious but unable to retaliate, Daisy felt utterly satisfied. Finally, this little vixen knew the consequences of challenging her!
Daisy lifted her foot and prepared to leave with an air of superiority.
“Miss Daisy.”
Daisy glanced sideways, looking down at Evelyn. “What? Do you want me to pay your medical bills now?”
“Nothing. Miss Daisy, I just thought there might be something you don’t know.”
Daisy’s smile faded. “What do you want to say?”
“I heard before that your grandfather had specially hired an expert from abroad, spending a lot of manpower and resources just in case. However, although that expert is currently in City N, he’s not on standby at your family. Conrad personally took him away. Miss Daisy, do you want to know why Conrad took him away?”
Of course, Daisy cared. This matter had always been a topic of speculation, and people in the circle would occasionally bring it up, forcing her to make excuses each time. But it remained a thorn in her heart.
Daisy’s smile faded. “What? You know?”
Evelyn looked at Daisy and slowly said, “Conrad told me personally that he took the expert, risking offending your family and nearly jeopardizing your engagement, simply because he wanted to reserve the expert for someone more important.”
Daisy stared at her. “You’re not about to say that this more important person is you, are you?”
Evelyn’s smile stiffened slightly, and she said with a bitter tone, “Of course not. That person is someone you also know.”