Chapter 227

“Mr. Ratcliff’s condition is critical. You should start preparing yourselves.”
Reese felt her heart clench. She didn’t waste time arguing with Sebastian anymore. “But didn’t you give him the new medication? Why is it still like this? “We did, but Mr. Ratcliff was without oxygen for too long, and his health was already fragile. We’ve done all we can,” the army doctor said with a heavy sigh. “Right now, there’s no telling when he’ll wake up. It could be a few minutes, or it could be days. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
“But you need to be ready. If he does wake up, it’s probably the end.”
Reese felt like something was squeezing her heart, sharp and relentless. She’d tried to prepare herself for this day, but now that it was here, the pain was still overwhelming.
Almost without thinking, she reached for the recorder in her pocket. If Mr. Ratcliff woke up, he could finally clear her name.
But that also meant the man who’d changed her life, and who, in the end, had respected her choices, would be gone for good.
Sebastian’s anger faded as soon as he heard the doctor’s words. All that was left was sadness.
He didn’t argue with Reese anymore. He just rubbed a tired hand over his face. “Got it. I’m going out for a smoke.”
He walked down the hall to the smoking area, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag, then let the smoke out in a slow sigh. But no matter what he did, the anxiety in his chest just wouldn’t go away.
He was lost in thought when his phone buzzed. He glanced down at an unknown number and hit decline, but it rang again immediately.
“Hello? Who is this?”
“Is this Mr. Sebastian Ratcliff? Leslie was in a serious car accident. She’s at Constance Hospital and needs emergency surgery. We need a family member to sign the paperwork.
“We checked all her contacts. You’re her only emergency contact. Please come as soon as possible!”
Sebastian’s eyes dropped.
Leslie’s mother had died young, and her father was sent to prison for life after a drunk driving accident when she was still a kid. Her relatives all shunned her, called her bad luck, and cut her off.
She’d only just come back to the country, and aside from him, there was no one else.
Sebastian hesitated for a long
moment, then stubbed out his
cigarette and called over his security
team “Stay here and keep watch If
grandpa wakes up, call me right away.”
Sebastian had barely left the hospital when Jane stormed in, clutching her purse and seething. She couldn’t believe Sebastian had actually sent her off on vacation for Reese’s sake.
If anything happened to Mr. Ratcliff while she was gone, people would talk about her forever.
Luckily, she’d managed to slip away from the bodyguards and rush back.
She was determined to get answers. In Sebastian’s heart, was she less important than that bitchReese?
When she got to the ICU, Sebastian was nowhere to be found. Only Reese was there.
“What are you doing here?” Jane demanded, striding over, ready to shove Reese aside. Reese had already heard her coming and sidestepped smoothly.
Jane lost her balance and nearly fell, but a bodyguard caught her just in time.
Steadying herself, Jane glared at Reese. “Weren’t you arrested? Are you still trying to hurt Mr. Ratcliff?”
Reese’s voice was calm and cool. “I was released on bail. Not enough evidence.” She even dragged out the words, just to get under Jane’s skin.
Jane was furious, practically stomping her feet as she yelled at the bodyguards, “What are you waiting for? Throw her out! Get her out of here!”
The bodyguards looked at each other, unsure.
Just then, the ICU door swung open and the army doctor poked his head out. “Mr. Ratcliff is awake. He wants to see you both.
“But the medication only gives him about ten minutes. That’s just enough time for some last words. Family members, get in there now.”
The second she heard that, Jane lost it. She turned and screamed at the bodyguards, “Go! Hurry, before Sebastian gets too far! Bringo Sebastian back right now!