Joshma stood nearby, his eyes fixed on Celeste as she lay motionless on the floor. A heavy sense of dread tightened in his chest.
“Everyone who doesn’t need to be here, clear out now!”
Adrian’s commanding voice cut through the tension. Without hesitation, Joshua and the senior staff began ushering the crowd away.
The second–floor hallway was empty within moments, leaving only Adrian, Celeste, and Joshua, who stayed close.
“Mr. Wrenford, is she in cardiac and respiratory arrest?” Joshua asked.
Adrian didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped over Celeste’s waist, dropped to his knees beside her, and placed his hands on her chest, beginning a series of forceful compressions.
Celeste’s body jolted with each push, rising and falling in a steady rhythm. But after several rounds, there was still no change in her condition.
Adrian’s forehead was slick with sweat as he stared down at Celeste’s face. His hands, muscles straining beneath his skin, pressed into the floor on either side of her head.
He hesitated momentarily before slipping one hand under her jaw to tilt it up, while the other pressed firmly over her nose. Without a second thought, he leaned in.
As Adrian breathed air into Celeste’s lungs, Joshua froze, his eyes wide in shock. He had never seen anything like this.
Adrian’s rescue breaths and chest compressions finally paid off. Celeste’s heartbeat sputtered
to life, and her breathing started again.
Adrian pulled back quickly and glanced at Joshua. “Is the ambulance here yet?”
“Two minutes out,” Joshua replied.
Celeste woke up at 8:00 pm. She opened her eyes and found herself staring at a plain white wall. The sharp smell of disinfectant hit her nose, making her cough softly.
“Celeste, are you okay?”
Annie, who had been dozing in the chair beside the bed, woke up with a start at the sound.
Celeste looked around the room but didn’t see Adrian anywhere she clearly remembered that he had been the one who saved her from the fire.
“I’m fine,” Celeste said, nodding slightly before asking, “How did you know something
happened to me?”
17
“I called you, and a man answered. He said he had urgent business by the time I got here and left.”
Celeste’s voice tightened as she asked, “Was it Adrian?”
“Adrian? You mean the CEO of Grotto Corporation? Damien’s uncle?”
Surprise flashed in Annie’s eyes.
the
Right. Celeste had forgotten that although Adrian was a well–known figure in the business world, very few people actually knew what he looked like.
“I’m not sure if he’s the one you’re talking about, but he was tall and handsome, about 6’2“, wearing a white dress shirt and black pants. He had a black ring on his right index finger that looked really expensive.”
Every detail matched Adrian perfectly, especially the ring. At least he was unharmed.
Celeste gave a slight nod, her heart sinking.
“Celeste, the medical staff said there was a fire at the orphanage, and you ran into the flames to save the children. They even told me your heart stopped for a moment. I was terrified when I heard that. How could the fire get that bad?”
Celeste noticed Annie’s worried expression. She began explaining everything that had
happened.
“Thank goodness!” Annie grabbed her hand. “You might not be here right now if it weren’t for Adrian.”
“Yeah.”
As Celeste’s voice trailed off, the sound of the door opening reached them. When it swung
open,
she looked up, eyes briefly flashing with surprise. Why were they here?
Chap 1
Chapter 17
