Isaac noticed that Irene was going to make a move.And just as he spoke, Irene somehow managed to shake off the two goons restraining her and started running toward the river!Isaac's face fell and he gave chase right then.He managed to catch her by the wrist and firmly pulled. As she fell into his arms, he quietly told him, "Just stop…"Irene shook her head in despair. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me."She had lost all hope when Isaac said that he was only being nice to her because of Tommy. Still, she did not want him to be coerced by Ian because of herself, and decided to do one last thing for him.After all, he was the only man she had ever loved! Seeing that they were both together, Ian remembered his dead mother and crippled father right then, and promptly pressed the detonator he was holding, intent on blowing them both up.Irene, however, sensed it before he could, and bit Isaac's arm as hard as she could. The pain made him release her ever so slightly, an
The doctor appeared very apologetic and regretful. "We've done our best, but her injuries were too extensive…"James's heart skipped a beat and he promptly turned toward Isaac, whose face contorted with emotion. Knowing that he was treading on thin ice, he said, "Mr. Jefferson…""Are you kidding me?" Isaac growled straight out of his throat.The doctor appeared apprehensive but said, "We won't joke about something like this, sir,"Isaac did not want to believe it, but the doctor's words were clear.His neck was straight and stiff as his Adam's apple bobbed repeatedly."You have to calm down, Mr. Jefferson." James tried to reason with him, but it did not work—if there was one moment when Isaac could not calm down, it was this.He strode toward the operating room, but he stopped at the doorway after he opened the doors, his legs seemed to turn into lead just then.All the doctors who took part in the surgery all stood in a row beside the surgical table, each of them keeping their
James sighed and said feebly, "Everyone, please leave."Given the circumstances, it was ideal to let him calm down right now.As all the doctors filed out of the room, Stephen remained afraid to talk to Isaac, and so told James instead, "We really shouldn't leave the body there. It needs to be sent to the morgue soon."James certainly understood and agreed, or Isaac would never leave this room."I'll try my best," he told Stephen.Stephen lowered his gaze. "Sorry for all the trouble."James actually thought that this was what he was supposed to do anyway… How was it any trouble?Meanwhile, Isaac was standing alone in front of the surgical table after chasing everyone out. Everything around him seemed to turn still, and it looked as if he was alone in the world!Hours passed, and he never stepped out even though it was already nighttime. Outside, James was beside himself with worry, but he did not dare to go in.Stan arrived just then and asked, "How happened?"James's eye
Stan became excited. "What is it?""Who's the reason Irene's dead?" James asked.Stan suddenly stared at James as if he was stupid. "Ian Jefferson, of course!""And what if Ian Jefferson suddenly escaped—""There's no way he can—I'd never allow him to," Stan cut James short right then, growling viciously, "I'll break his legs if he does."James did not stop him from finishing, and instead waited until Stan calmed down before explaining, "I know. He isn't getting away, but we can let him go…""Let him go?" Stan exclaimed, unable to catch on to what James was planning just then. "It's already merciful enough that we're not cutting him into pieces. Did you suddenly have a brain fart or something?"James rolled his eyes at Stan. "Could you pipe down and hear me out first instead of interrupting every single time?"Stan finally did so. "Fine. What were you trying to get at?" he asked."Since Mr. Jefferson is still grieving Irene, what do you think would happen if we suddenly told h
The patient on the bed was burned from her right cheek down to her neck. Although it had been bandaged and medicated, the gruesome carnage underneath could not be concealed.Unlike incisions or lacerations, burn scars remain because the dead skin cells would linger. While grafting and plastic surgery were advanced enough to restore Irene's face completely, the problem was that she was pregnant right now. She must get an abortion for the antibiotics necessary for surgeries, and even if she did not, it would lead to defects in fetal development or a miscarriage.Stephen tried to reason with her, saying, "You can have another baby…"Irene was staring blankly up at the white, fluorescent lights that were dizzying, and closed her eyes. "No. There's a reason I survived that explosion… Maybe it's someone up there intent on having me keep my baby."In the instant she was falling into the river, she somehow slipped out of the explosive vest, which only detonated after she dropped unde
While Stephen was too nervous to speak, the hospital chief gave him a look that said he knew everything, and rebuked him from the very start, "What do you take this hospital home for, your backyard? A place where you can do anything you like?!"He had been lenient toward Stephen after the drama with Mick Gooding before, but warned him that nothing like that could be allowed to happen again.This time, Stephen was caught abusing his authority again to help Irene. Even if it was the right thing to do, he was committing a serious crime by helping her fake her death, even using someone else's body in replacement!"I'm sorry…""I don't need apologies. I'm not playing along this time. I'll send someone to inform—""Sir." Irene got to her feet despite much difficulty. Stephen moved up to help her stand. "You're still hurt…"Even so, Irene kept her eyes fixed on the hospital chief. "I asked him to help me. Blame me if you want, but I hope I have your forgiveness this one time."The
Nonetheless, James hurried to Isaac's side. "Sir."Isaac glanced at him briefly and asked, "Did you find a place?""Yes, sir," James replied. "We can use it in a couple days.""Good." Isaac remained impassive. At the same time, James turned toward the man with them, who was dressed formally over his exceedingly fair skin. Also, there was something shady about that face even though he clearly appeared solemn."Sir, who is this gentleman?"Isaac did not answer, and instead headed straight inside the operating room with the man. James followed, curious.The man first put down his box and opened it, taking out a pair of gloves and wearing it before pulling off the sheet placed over Irene's head.He frowned when he saw the face. "...I don't think I can do anything here. Burn scars only regenerate on living tissue, but if she's dead, I can't restore her face."In reality, he was the best mortician Isaac had found to reconstruct cadavers so that they would look their best before t
It was Lulu Adams—she rarely called Ricky, and she had not done so since her last return to Sunny City.Naturally, her calling him now took him completely by surprise. While he would have made time to chat with her for as long as he could on any other day, now was not the time for that."Lulu, whatever it is, it would have to wait. I'm very busy right now.""What are you busy with?""Beating up someone. I'm hanging up now—I'll call you later." He hung up just as he said, leaving Lulu dumbstruck over on the other end.Ricky was young and maybe brash, but he was not going to break the law, was he?Lulu quickly called him again, but Ricky was bent on violence. He actually found the call irritating, and turned his phone off without answering it.Lulu kept trying on the other end, and when she was greeted by an automated voice, she was actually left panicking a little……James's men led Ricky into a dark room. There were no windows, only walls and one steel door that opened f