Byron lit a cigarette at the emergency stairwell and extended it to Markus. "Need a drag?"Markus accepted the cigarette and took a few sharp drags. Yet, it couldn't alleviate the weight in his heart.Byron lit another cigarette and took two drags from it."Do you want Randall to hate Victor so that he would stop Tally from getting together with him?"Since Randall was in the emergency room, Byron could guess what Markus was plotting.Markus' silence affirmed his suspicions.He took another drag and said, "You'd better pray that Randall pulls through."If something happened to Randall, it would spell disaster for both Markus and Tally.A heavy, suffocating feeling overwhelmed Markus as he took two deep drags from his cigarette."I never expected things to unfold like this."Everything was according to his plan. Victor was supposed to chase Tally en route to the airport, especially in such a dramatic manner.The goal was to make Randall resent Victor deeply. But no one could
Victor swiftly caught Tally in his embrace as she lost consciousness, as he was the closest to her at the moment.Randall was swiftly sent to the intensive care unit. Tally's fainting caused another commotion.Kathryn repeatedly dialed Chris's number, a sense of unease looming over her.Chris answered, "What's up?""Is Tally okay?" Kathryn asked."Yes, she is. Go and sleep if you feel tired.""Did Tally get on the plane?" Kathryn asked again."Yes. We still need to discuss some things here. Go and sleep, okay?""Okay!"Kathryn heaved a sigh of relief when she heard Tally had gotten on the plane.…That very night, Kathryn slept soundly, oblivious to everything. The rest of them weren't as lucky.Markus and Victor were in Tally's ward.They didn't get into a fight. Yet, neither was willing to leave, causing a palpable tension between them.Tally only regained consciousness the next morning, and her first response was to see her father.Markus and Victor instinctively foll
Victor could find her no matter where she went. Why did he have to chase after them on the road?Markus didn't utter a single word. His words were few ever since Tally's father got into an accident. He was blaming himself.Just like that, three days passed in the blink of an eye. Yet, never once did Randall wake up in the three days. He remained unconscious after three days.Eventually, the doctor declared that Randall had entered a vegetative state."Vegetative state? What do you mean?"Tally's heart constricted in her throat upon hearing "vegetative state."Was it exactly how she understood it?Did it mean that her father would never wake up again?The doctor looked at Tally regretfully. "I'm sorry. We will need to wait for a miracle for Mr. Johnson to wake up."Tally's body went limp at the word "miracle" and immediately fainted.Markus caught her this time.The atmosphere turned even colder at this moment, and Victor seized Tally from Markus' arms without hesitation. M
Everyone boarded the plane successfully.Kathryn stayed by Tally's side the entire time.However, the men stared at each other, especially Victor and Markus. Tension was palpable between them.Byron said, "What do you plan to do with the Johnsons?"That was the most pressing issue they needed to address at the moment. Randall went into a vegetative state after the accident in Fernland. This development had created turmoil within the Johnson family. They were aware of the challenges that awaited Tally upon her return."Both of you started this mess in the first place. You need to find a way to solve this," Chris said."How did I start this mess? Tally and I were on track with our engagement," Victor defended.He wouldn't leave Tally stranded in her situation. Yet, he was unhappy that the blame was on him.Chris gave him a look, and Victor instantly felt guilty.Yet, did it matter if he was guilty?"I will handle this," Markus said."Who needs your help? She is my fiancée,
Chris left with Kathryn, followed by Taylor and Tally, leaving only Markus, Victor, and Byron behind. Victor shot Markus a glare, cursing, "Just you wait until I get my hands on you, you useless prick!"His pent-up anger decided to show its face then and there, making Markus and Byron's expressions turn ugly. Lucky for them, Victor wasn't the kind to lose himself in public, so they were safe for now in the airport. Still, Byron felt like saying something to Markus as Victor left, but in the end, he said nothing before turning to leave himself.Joseph called out to Markus right after Byron left. "Sir."His voice was tense, too, as he didn't expect something like this to happen between Markus and Tally.Markus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Let's go then.""Yes, sir!"Meanwhile, Victor made several phone calls in his car, setting out his plans for the Johnson family. "Yes. Make sure you watch the board so they don't do anything to her.""You got it, sir." Speaking to him on
Markus massaged his temples, gritting out, "Do we have any joint ventures or projects with the Johnson Group?""You're not thinking to—""The Johnson Group must fall into Tally's hands!""Do you think she has what it takes to manage it?""Yes, I do!" Markus had a newfound faith and trust in Tally's capabilities. Though she appeared innocent and sometimes silly, she always managed to come out on top, whether it was in Albert Group or Skyline Group's marketing department. There was surely something special about her if such was the case.Byron nodded. "Alright."Even without Markus' instruction, Byron knew they had to do everything they could to keep Johnson Group on their side. They could never permit Randall's situation to lead to the Johnson Group's downfall. Otherwise, Tally would harbor hatred for Markus for the rest of his life.Markus had never felt so panicked in his life, ever."Honestly, look at the mess you've done!" Byron groaned, shaking his head.Even though
Throughout all these years, her father's every endeavor was undertaken with her best interests in mind. The Johnson Group was unlike most other businesses—it was a conglomerate.There were several other shareholders besides her father, all with substantial shares in their hands. Right now, there was no question that these people were threats to her and her father.Taking a deep breath, Tally stood up. "Have you settled everything on this end?""Yes, miss. We've weeded out everyone related to Mr. Hunt." Taylor nodded.Tally heaved a sigh of relief. She wanted nothing to do with Markus anymore.She prepared to leave the hospital with her assistant. Though it was late at night now, she could no longer have that carefree attitude like she used to. In fact, she didn't even know what to expect now at the office.The moment she reached the office, a smartly dressed woman in a bob cut approached her."Good evening, Ms. Johnson. My name is Irina Mitchell."Irina? Tally eyed her cautio
Kathryn scowled. "I can still care for myself.""But, Madam, it's imperative to exercise extra caution right now," Nalia insisted.She was the first maid who bore no ulterior motives or ill will toward Kathryn since the latter's arrival in Sunshine Bay. There used to be other household staff who aligned with Mia, but they had all been dismissed.Chris walked in and held Kathryn's hand. "Come on then."Nalia beamed at them, knowing she had nothing to worry about with how much Chris doted on Kathryn.Another maid whispered behind Kathryn, "Madam's figure is fantastic. Just look at how slender her arms are, even though she's pregnant!"Nalia agreed. "Everyone is different, after all."Most pregnant women would gain weight as their pregnancies progressed, but Kathryn was different. Despite some weight gain, she still looked quite proportionate.…Upstairs, Kathryn wearily made her way to the bathroom. "I'm going to take a bath."Chris gently helped her out of her clothes.As she