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Novel Catalog
Chapter_9
Vivienne walked into her bedroom, her expression serious as she made her way to the window. She stared out, her mind preoccupied with the little girl she had just saved at the mall entrance. Her brow furrowed in concentration.
The girl had been poisoned—she had recognized it instantly. It wasn’t just any poison, but a potent concoction created by the girl’s mother. If it took effect, it would horribly disfigure her face. Before her mother passed away, someone had stolen the formula for the poison. It had taken Vivienne years to develop an antidote.
Vivienne’s fingers lightly tapped the windowsill, her mind racing. Time was running out for the girl. Who had stolen the formula? And why would they use it on a child?
Vivienne stopped tapping and pulled out her phone to dial Matthew.
“Can you check if any hospital admitted a five-year-old girl with sores all over her face today?” she asked.
Matthew’s voice was quick but calm. “Okay.” Then he hung up.
Vivienne leaned against the window, waiting. About half an hour later, Matthew called back. “I found her. She’s in the VIP ward at Havenwood Hospital in the internal medicine department.”
“Got it. Thanks,” Vivienne replied.
Vivienne arrived at Havenwood Hospital, stepping out of the cab. As she made her way toward the entrance, a black sedan sped past her.
Inside the car, Percival noticed Vivienne in the rear-view mirror. His eyes narrowed instantly.
“Stop the car,” he ordered.
Thomas slammed on the brakes, sending everyone forward with a jolt.
“What’s going on, Mr. Ellington?” Thomas asked, looking confused.
Percival didn’t respond. He didn’t even wait for Thomas to help him with his wheelchair. He just opened the car door and stepped out, scanning the crowd for the figure he’d seen earlier. But she was nowhere to be found.
Leopold, following behind, asked, “What’s going on?”
Percival paused, then withdrew his gaze. “Nothing. Let’s go.”
Vivienne entered the VIP ward, her gaze landing on the little girl. The girl looked much better after taking her medicine. Vivienne stood at the door for a moment, her hand resting on the doorknob, unsure whether to go in.
It was one of the toughest decisions she’d ever faced. Getting involved could expose her cover. Her mother’s dealings were complicated, and she needed to stay low-key. But the sight of the little girl’s innocent, bright eyes made her hesitate. If only someone had helped her mother years ago, perhaps she wouldn’t have had to watch her die right in front of her. Vivienne couldn’t bear to see the same thing happen to this little girl.
Just as Vivienne was about to decide, the door opened. A voice rang out, “Miss, is that you? Are you here to see me?”
Isolde stood in the doorway, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She had spotted someone outside who looked like the lady who saved her, and without thinking, she ran out to meet her. To her delight, it was really Vivienne.
Vivienne looked down at the girl’s hand, which was gripping hers, and then into her clear, hopeful eyes. Something inside her softened. She smiled faintly. “Yes, I came to see you.”
“I knew you’d come!” Isolde said, tugging at Vivienne’s hand. “Miss, can we go in?”
Vivienne was pulled into the ward before she could even respond.
Inside, Eartha looked up in surprise. “Ms. Hawthorn?”
Vivienne nodded. “Yes, I was just taking care of a few things and saw you here, so I thought I’d stop by.”
Eartha quickly poured Vivienne a glass of water. “Please, have a seat.”
Vivienne nodded politely and turned to Isolde. “I’m here to check on you.”
Isolde beamed and nodded back. “Great!”
Vivienne placed her hand on Isolde’s wrist, checking her pulse using her medical knowledge. After a moment, Vivienne’s brow furrowed deeper. Her face grew serious.
Though Isolde had taken her medicine, the poison had already started to affect her organs. Some toxins had been cleared, but the damage was done. Her organs were failing, and treatment would be difficult.
Eartha, noticing Vivienne’s concerned expression, asked softly, “Is our young miss okay, Ms. Hawthorn?”
Vivienne glanced at Isolde, her lips pressed together. She gently stroked Isolde’s head and spoke softly, “I can cure you, but it might be painful. Are you afraid?”
“Really?” Isolde’s eyes lit up. “Can my face go back to the way it was?”
“Yes, it can.”
“Then I’m not scared,” Isolde said seriously. “As long as you’re here, I’m not scared.”
Vivienne smiled. “Good. But I have one condition. You can’t tell anyone that I’m treating you, not even your family.”
Vivienne thought to herself, Better to be cautious.
“Deal,” Isolde said confidently, patting her chest.
Vivienne turned to Eartha. “And you?”
Eartha looked a little uncertain. She was just a nanny and couldn’t make such decisions on her own.
Before Eartha could respond, Isolde suddenly burst into tears. “Eartha, they call me a freak every day. I have no friends, and I can’t go to school. I’m so miserable…”
Eartha, shocked by Isolde’s outburst, immediately rushed to comfort her. “Don’t cry. I’ll agree to Ms. Hawthorn’s request.”
Vivienne nodded and left her phone number with them. “Okay, I’ll start treating you tomorrow.”
She left the ward, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision she’d just made.
When Percival entered, he was immediately greeted by Richard’s loud voice. “Oh good heavens, why am I so unlucky? I finally found a wife for your grandson, but he’s such an idiot he scared her off… At my age, I can’t believe I’m still worrying about his marriage. I can’t take it anymore. Please, come help me!”
Percival watched his grandfather venting in the living room, rubbing his temples. “Grandpa, it was the Hawthorn family’s daughter who called off the engagement.”
Before Percival could say more, Richard exploded. “You ungrateful grandson! You’re trying to make me break my promise? I promised Evelyn that I would marry you to the Hawthorn family’s daughter, but now you’re making me break it! What am I supposed to do? How do I explain this to Evelyn when I meet her after I die?”
Percival leaned back in his wheelchair, exhausted. Thomas and Leopold stood quietly behind him, not daring to speak. Saying anything now would only make things worse.
“Enough. What do you want?” Percival asked, a headache brewing.
“You’re coming with me to the Hawthorn family,” Richard suddenly announced, springing to his feet.
Leopold and Thomas exchanged surprised glances as Richard’s outburst shocked them.
Percival rolled his eyes. What else could he do?
