Chapter 203
Outside the ER.
Stella Joyner got the emergency call and rushed from the obstetrics ward, not even bothering to take off her white coat.
Briony stood there like a statue, frozen in place, her clothes soaked in blood, her face streaked with tears. She looked utterly lost, like the life had drained out of her.
Stella called her name several times, but Briony didn’t react. Her tear–filled eyes were glued to the tightly shut doors of the emergency room.
“Bryn!”
Stella gripped her shoulders, giving her a gentle shake.
Briony’s lashes fluttered. Her gaze finally landed on Stella’s face. “Star…”
“I’m here. Try not to worry. Mr. Delaney will be alright.”
Briony shook her head. When she spoke, her voice trembled. “He lost so much blood. His whole back was soaked. I kept calling his name, but he… he didn’t respond…”
“Don’t be scared. He’s going to pull through–he will, Bryn!”
Stella wrapped her arms around her, trying to comfort her. “Mr. Delaney’s a fighter, and Dr. Clarke and the best surgeons are in there with him. He’s young, strong–he works out, remember? He’s got every chance to make it through this.”
Briony was still in shock. Ever since James was rushed into surgery, she’d been strung tight as a wire.
Now, in Stella’s embrace, the adrenaline faded, leaving her body shuddering uncontrollably.
She felt cold–so cold. Her lips were pale as she bit down hard, but in the end, she couldn’t fight it anymore. Darkness closed in and she collapsed.
“Bryn!”
Stella caught her before she hit the floor and shouted for help. “Quick! Get a gurney–she needs the ER!”
10:00 AM, outside City Hall.
The Maybach had been parked there for over half an hour.
In the back seat, Stewart sat with a frosty expression.
Carl Shaw had heard his phone buzz several times, but Stewart hadn’t answered any of the calls.
1/3
1713
He guessed it was Ms. Lockwood again–she’d been hounding his boss relentlessly these days.
Stewart’s mood had clearly taken a nosedive.
For the umpteenth time, Carl glanced at Stewart through the rearview mirror.
Stewart looked up, meeting his gaze.
Carl’s breath caught. He quickly looked away, flustered.
A beat later, Stewart’s deep voice filled the silence. “Call Briony.”
“Yes, sir.” Carl pulled out his phone, found Briony’s number, and dialed.
It rang and rang, but no answer.
He tried twice more, with the same result.
“Mr. Wentworth, Ms. Kensington isn’t picking up.”
Stewart let out a cold, humorless chuckle, as if he’d expected nothing less.
“She’s really playing hard to get, isn’t she?” Stewart turned to look out the window.
People streamed in and out of City Hall.
He’d already tried calling Briony twice himself–no answer either time.
And now Carl couldn’t reach her.
Could it be any clearer?
She didn’t actually want a divorce.
A faint, almost satisfied smirk played on Stewart’s lips. “She can’t let go of this marriage after all.”
His tone was low, emotionless.
Still, when Carl risked a glance in the mirror, he could swear his boss looked almost… pleased.
Carl scratched his head in confusion.
Strange–stood up, and yet he’s in a good mood?
So is it Ms. Kensington who doesn’t want the divorce–or is it my boss?
Stewart’s phone buzzed again.
Rosita’s name flashed on the screen.
He frowned slightly and answered.
“Stewart, Irwin’s running a fever.” Rosita’s voice was thick with panic and tears.
Stewart’s face darkened instantly. “I’ll be right there.”
2/3
Chapter 203
He hung up and barked, “Drive to Lunar Heights Estate.”
“Yes, sir.”
“James!”
Briony jolted awake from a nightmare, screaming his name.
Stella rushed over at once. “Bryn, listen–Mr. Delaney made it through the surgery.”
The words barely left her lips before Briony threw off the covers, ready to leap out of bed. “I need to see him!”
“Wait–you can’t right now.”
“What do you mean?” *
Stella let out a weary sigh. “He’s still in the ICU. The bullet went straight through his back–barely missed the main artery to his heart. He’s lucky, honestly. Dr. Clarke and the other surgeons did everything they could. They got the bullet out, but the wound is so close to his heart. The next forty–eight hours are critical.”
Briony finally understood.
“You mean… his life was saved, but he’s not out of danger yet. He could still…” Her voice broke, eyes filling again. “He could still…”
17:13
