Chapter: 551

But the urgency in Nikolas’ voice surprised him.

"Jonathan, are you still at East Shade Bay? I've got something to tell you!"

"Yes. Are you coming over soon?"

"Yes, wait for me! I need to talk to you about Maddie—"

Before Nikolas could finish, a sudden loud bang echoed on the other end of the line.

Jonathan's ears rang painfully from the loud noise, quickly followed by the blaring of car alarms.

"Nikolas, Nikolas!" he shouted repeatedly, but there was no response.

A sinking feeling gripped him as he realized something was terribly wrong. Jonathan dialed Brody and directed him to investigate any incidents along the main road to East Shade Bay.

Beside him, Rowan was already scanning his phone screen. “It's Covington Street. Massive traffic buildup."

Jonathan nodded firmly. "Stay here. I'll grant you access to the Bates Group backend. Don't move until I return."

Rowan nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. "Got it."

When Jonathan arrived at the scene, Nikolas had already been taken to the hospital.

Turning his car, he sped towards the hospital. He found Maddie at the entrance of the emergency room, visibly shaken, her hands trembling against the wall, tears smudging her makeup.

“Jonathan.. you're finally here! How could this happen to Nikolas?"

Jonathan's gaze flickered to the ominous red light above the operating room door before settling on Maddie.

"Who called you?"

Nikolas had been on the phone with Jonathan during the accident;

Maddie couldn't possibly have known unless someone else had informed her.

Caught off guard by the question, Maddie's tears momentarily paused.

However, years of lying about every little thing had sharpened her ability to think on her feet.

"The hospital contacted me. Nikolas had me listed as an emergency contact. They must have assumed I was important to him."

Jonathan's gaze narrowed, his doubt quite clear.

Sensing his suspicion, Maddie hurriedly changed tack. “Jonathan, do you think Nikolas will be okay? He was just at work, and now this accident... I was so shocked when I got the call!"

“Contact his parents," Jonathan instructed, dismissing her theatrics.