Chapter 335
Inside the main conference chamber of Luminara Group headquarters, Hannah oversaw the company's inaugural central leadership gathering after the merger.
Her phone lit up. She assumed the call was from her parents inquiring about the arrangements for the anniversary event. She chose to return the call once the meeting concluded.
Yet, the screen glowed again. And again-each time in quicker succession. Focused on work, Hannah didn't notice.
Bang! The conference room entrance flung open.
The jarring sound fractured the concentration in the space. An abrupt stillness spread through the group.Every gaze shifted toward the doorway.
Claude appeared there, hair tousled, breathing hard as though he had raced all the way.
Hannah's brows knit in bewilderment. At this hour, he would never intrude without cause. "Claude? Why are you here?" she asked.
He staggered forward, voice raw. "Hannah-your parents. There's been a terrible incident."
"What is it?" An icy wave of dread surged through her.
Claude's features twisted in pain. "On their route to the venue... there was a collision."
Hannah sprang upward so suddenly that her chair toppled. She bolted toward the doorway without pause, Claude following swiftly.
At Dorbarrow Hospital, the indicator above the operating theatre glowed steadily.
Claude kept HHannah steady-her legs threatened to buckle.
At last, the door opened. A doctor emerged, his face somber. His eyes scanned the anxious two. "Who here is related to Raymond Scott?"
"I am! I'm his daughter!" Hannah slipped from Claude's grasp, stumbling toward the doctor.Her voice quavered under the strain of suppressed sobs."Doctor-my father...Is he..."
The doctor removed his mask. Grief shadowed his gaze as it met hers. "I regret to tell you we've exhausted every measure," he said heavily. "Mr.Scott endured catastrophic trauma. Several vital organs were irreparably damaged. He suffered uncontrollable internal bleeding and died on spot.We couldn't save him..."
Hannah's reality shattered in that breath. Her mind clung only to the vision of her father's radiant,booming laugh-how mere days ago he had been brimming with joy over the approaching anniversary.The warmth in his eyes... Gone. Now, all that was gone.She would never witness it again.
An unbearable weight crushed her chest. Her body weakened, and she crumpled. "Hannah!" Claude leapt forward, catching her just before she struck the floor.
He wrapped her in his arms as violent tremors wracked her frame, grief pouring from her in raw,jagged cries. "I'm here," he murmured, his own voice unsteady. "I'm here. I won't leave you."
Her tears seeped into his jacket as she clung to him,broken.
Claude held her tightly but lifted his gaze, urgency flickering as he addressed the doctor, "What about the other patient?"
The doctor exhaled slowly. "Mrs. Scott is still in surgery. She's been pulled from immediate danger,but..." He gave a grave shake of the head. "Severe head trauma. Multiple internal injuries... The outlook is grim."
Hannah shook uncontrollably. She grasped Claude's arm so fiercely that her nails nearly pierced his skin."How... How could this happen? How could they just crash like this?" A dangerous glint passed through Claude's expression. "Authorities reached a preliminary conclusion-it was a drunk driver. Blew through a red signal on the highway. Total fault."
Drunk driving. Just two words-yet they had dismantled her world. The fury and grief slammed into her with merciless force. All she could do was remain outside the operating room, waiting.
She stood there for the entire duration of the procedure. Not a syllable escaped her lips. She refused even a sipof water.
Claude stood wordless beside her.
After an eternity, the door opened.
Hannah stepped forward quickly. "How is my mother?"
The doctor's glance swept over them, his tone clipped."Who here has type B blood? The patient requires an immediate transfusion. The supply is critically depleted." Hannah's tears spilled. "Neither of us does."
Claude placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't lose hope.I'll secure it."
The doctor shook his head. "There's no time.You must locate a donor instantly."
"I'm type B." A voice rang out from behind them.Vincent had appeared abruptly the far end of the hall.
Vincent had just completed a global acquisition spanning continents when his assistant delivered the news. There had been no chance to change out of his tailored suit-he'd chartered a helicopter and flown straight over. Even so,it was already far too late for some matters.
He moved forward, a fine sheen of perspiration on his brow. He approached the doctor, his tone resolute. "I'll donate."
"Very well. Follow the nurse," the doctor instructed,signaling for assistance. Vincent gave a small nod.
Hannah clutched his hand, her words trembling with gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you so much..."
Even Claude offered a brief nod in acknowledgment.
But Vincent's attention stayed on Hannah. He gave her hand a light pat, murmuring, "She's going to be okay."
Time dragged once more. Finally, the doctor emerged, but his expression was laden with sorrow."Ms. Scott," he said quietly, "I regret to inform you-"
A horrific realization struck Hannah like a bolt. Her mother gone as well?