Chapter 373
lan had Gavin Young bring the car around while he helped Magdalen down the stairs. They had just reached the lobby when Serena called lan’s phone.
“lan! Something’s wrong-Vanessa just fainted. You need to get here, now p>
“Where is she?” lan’s tone was sharp with worry.
Serena quickly rattled off the name of a hotel and the private suite number.
lan turned to Gavin. “Take Mom and Grandma home,” he said, already striding to the curb. He flagged down a cab and rattled off the address.
The driver floored it, weaving through traffic, cursing under his breath. “This is insane! I just ran three red lights—are you trying to get me killed p>
A wad of bills appeared in front of him, lan’s voice low and icy. “Thanks for the trouble p>
Whatever more the driver wanted to say died in his throat. He snatched up the cash, grinning. “Sure thing, boss p>
lan jumped out before the cab had even fully stopped, breaking into a run toward the hotel entrance.
The cabbie stared after him, half-amused, half-stunned. “Guess it really is an emergency,” he muttered, then happily started counting his windfall.
lan burst into the suite.
The room was bright with party lights, laughter echoing off the walls. Vanessa, champagne flute in hand, was the center of attention, surrounded by friends.
She lowered her glass, her smile faltering in surprise. “lan? What are you doing here p>
Just then, Serena wriggled her way through the crowd, looking exceedingly pleased with herself. “See, Vanessa? I knew if I told lan you’d fainted, he’d show up right away p>
Vanessa’s eyes widened. She had complained before that lan was always too busy for her, but she never imagined Serena would pull a stunt like this.
“Serena! How could you lie about something like that to your brother?” Vanessa demanded, genuinely shocked.
Serena glanced from Vanessa’s face to her brother’s dark expression, realizing maybe her little prank had gone too far. She bit her lip, looking every bit the remorseful child. “I just wanted lan to come spend some time with you, Vanessa. I’m sorry p>
“Serena, please don’t ever do something like this again, all right? You scared lan half to death,” Vanessa said gently, then turned to lan with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry you had to worry p>
lan’s gaze swept across the room. Vanessa’s friends filled the suite, and a congratulatory cake sat on the table. Clearly, it was a party celebrating her recent award.
“I’m really sorry, lan! I didn’t mean to honestly, I just thought-” Serena’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had only wanted to lighten the mood, never expecting her brother to panic like this.
Vanessa put an arm around Serena’s shoulders, mollified by her obvious regret. She turned to lan, pleading, “Don’t be too hard on her, lan. She just didn’t realize how much you care about me p>
The friends nearby exchanged glances, all having witnessed lan’s frantic entrance. It was obvious how deeply he cared for Vanessa.
lan’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and looked at Serena. “Don’t let this happen again p>
With that, he stepped out to take the call.
Serena’s eyes welled up and she threw her arms around Vanessa, who, despite being a bit annoyed at the prank, couldn’t help but feel a secret thrill.
lan still cared about her, just as much as ever.
“Vanessa, you’re so lucky,” one of her friends whispered. “Did you see how worried Mr. Goodwin was? You’re his whole world p>