Chapter: 194

"I'm dead serious," said Jonathan.

"Come on, you can't be serious with Bethany. Your mom only accepts Maddie as her daughter-in-law. Aren't you worried about her health? Even if you don't have feelings for Maddie, what about your mom? You need to consider her feelings."

Jonathan remained silent, lips tightly pressed together.

His tall figure blended into the shadows.

Suddenly, the light above the emergency room door flickered off, plunging the corridor into deeper gloom. A doctor emerged, peeling the mask from his weary face.

"Who here is Maddie Hinchcliffe's family?" he inquired.

Nikolas shot forward like an arrow. "I am! How is she?"

"The patient's surgical incision reopened, causing significant bleeding. We've re-stitched it, and she'll be out shortly."

"So there's no threat to her life, correct?"

“Yes, but you'll need to keep a close eye on her. It's an abdominal operation, after all. The risk of infection still looms." With that, the doctor departed, leaving a trail of silence in his wake.

Nikolas exhaled in relief, the weight of his worry lifting like a morning fog.

Turning, he spotted Jonathan heading for the exit.

Quick as lightning, he grasped Jonathan's arm. "Isn't it a bit heartless to leave now? Maddie will be out soon. You should at least help me get her to the ward. She doesn't have many friends or family here-she only has us.”

"I need to return," Jonathan stated flatly. "There was blood earlier. Bethany was pretty shaken.”

Despite his haste, the image of a bewildered Bethany lingered in his mind.

“Aren't you worried that if Maddie loses her temper, she might report to the police, claiming Bethany injured her intentionally?" Nikolas challenged.

Jonathan's silence was telling.

If he wasn't concerned about that possibility, he wouldn't have personally rushed Maddie to the hospital earlier.

He worried that if Maddie's condition worsened due to delayed treatment, Bethany, as the prime suspect, would face serious consequences.

When Maddie's eyes fell upon Jonathan, her face brightened considerably. Her gaze never left him.

"I'm fine No need to worry," she murmured, her lips curving into a weak smile. “Don't blame Bethany. She had no idea about my surgical incision. She pushed me out of desperation..."

Jonathan remained silent, but Nikolas' brow furrowed deeply.

“Look at your condition! What are you thinking? Plus, meeting Bethany now was asking for trouble. She claims you framed her."

"Let's not discuss this. Jonathan's still here. After all, she's his..."