Chapter 160

Eleanor walked up with slow, graceful steps and slipped her arm through Daniel’s, her smile dazzling. “Just the person I was looking for,” she said sweetly.
She scrunched her nose, feigning difficulty. “There’s been some new progress on the project over in R&D. Could you come and take a look?”
She wasn’t even trying to hide that she was stealing him away.
It was a silent show of triumph.
Daniel gave her an indulgent smile. “Of course.” The two of them turned and headed back toward the elevator.
Aurora felt her heart sink, heavy and cold.
She couldn’t help but hurry after them, only to be blocked by Will. “Ms. Quinn- please, don’t,” he pleaded, awkward and anxious.
Aurora clenched her jaw.
She’d finally managed to see Daniel again—how could she just give up?
She could wait as long as it took for him to forgive her, but Payne’s illness couldn’t wait.
With sudden force, Aurora shoved Will aside.
Caught off guard, Will instinctively grabbed for her arm, trying to steady himself.
But Aurora had already stepped forward, momentum carrying her on. He didn’t manage to hold her up.
Both of them tumbled to the ground.
Aurora landed half on top of Will.
The moment was mortifying.
An oppressive silence fell, so sharp that you could hear a pin drop.
Will felt like the sky was collapsing. He had no idea where to put his hands. There went this month’s bonus.
“Ms. Quinn… Ms. Quinn he muttered, desperate for Aurora to get up.
But Aurora didn’t move.
Out of the corner of his eye, Will saw Mr. Chambers striding over, exuding a chilling intensity.
Panic seized him. He reached out to nudge Aurora, voice trembling. “Ms. Quinn, Mr. Chambers is coming.”
Daniel stood over them, looking down with a cold, menacing glare that could freeze blood.
“Get up,” he ordered.
Aurora still didn’t move.
Daniel’s scowl deepened, his voice grating with fury. “Aurora. I said get up.”
Will’s hand shook as he reached out again, on the verge of tears. “Mr. Chambers, I-I think she’s fainted.”
Daniel froze, his expression shifting in an instant.
He dropped to his knees and swept Aurora into his arms.
Long hair slipped away from her face, revealing how pale she’d become, eyes shut tight. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ ~net
All the anger drained from Daniel’s face, replaced by raw fear. He held her tighter, tossing his car keys to Will and barking, “Get up. Go start the car. Now.”
At the hospital, after a quick examination, the doctor delivered the verdict.
Aurora had fainted from exhaustion.
She just needed rest.
When Aurora finally woke, the sun was dipping toward the horizon, casting the room in a golden, sleepy glow.
She pushed herself up on the bed, looking toward the window.
Daniel stood nearby, his tall frame haloed in warm, orange light, silhouette blurred by the fading sun. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets, gaze cast downward-lost in thought.
Aurora couldn’t help but call his name, her voice barely above a whisper. “Dan?”
He turned, his tone flat and matter-of-fact. “The doctor said you’re just overworked.”
Aurora bit her lip, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Payne’s illness had left her sleepless night after night. Once she’d learned Daniel was a match, she’d chased after him nonstop.
She’d spent last night waiting outside North Manor.
This morning, she’d gone to the Chambers Group to find him.
Her slender, pale fingers curled tightly in the bedsheet. Aurora’s pride crumbled; she made herself as small as she could.
Her eyes rimmed with red, voice trembling, she pleaded, “Daniel. Please. I’m begging you—save Payne.”
Daniel’s voice was detached. “What about Louis? The two of you could have another child. Chances are high the match would work.”
Aurora shook her head with a bitter, broken smile. “We can’t.”
“Why not? You’re his biological parents. What’s stopping you?” Daniel pressed.
Plenty of children with leukemia couldn’t find a suitable donor. Their parents often chose to have another child.
He and Aurora were divorced. He’d given her her freedom.
She could be with Louis, have another child to save Payne.