Irene was not even in Zidonia, but she could hear the urgency in Lulu's voice.Irene asked, "Is it Ricky?" "No, it's M-Martin…" Lulu said and pleaded, "Irene, I don't have much time. Please hurry…""Is the baby coming too?!" Irene gasped. "Yes, but listen—Martin was shot… they say the bullet was near his heart… S-Save him…"Irene was afraid of telling Lulu that she was abroad right then. "Got it. I'll be right over."Irene hung up, and she was planning to call James when she realized that it would take her over ten hours to return to Zidonia.It was far too long, and way past the optimal time to treat Martin.She quickly called Finn Crowe instead—thankfully, the youth was reliable as ever, and he quickly answered her call. "Director Spencer?" "Don't say a thing, Finn. Just listen to my instructions: go to Brian Adams and ask him to head over to New Kent. I'll send you the exact address later."She had picked Brian Adams to succeed her as director of Hotmesh because she ha
Irene quickly and hastily treated her sprain before leaving.Tommy ran up to her, hugging her leg. "Mommy, where are you going? Can't you play with me? This place is really fun. I really like it here!""Sorry, Mommy's busy," Irene said, tenderly petting his little head. "You stay here and listen to Grandma."Tommy blinked at her. "Mommy…?"Eagle came and scooped Tommy up in his arms. "I'll keep them safe, ma'am."Irene certainly believed in Eagle and nodded. "I'm counting on you.""It's what I should do," Eagle replied.As Irene started down the stairs, Eagle called out to her again. "Ma'am…"Irene turned. "Yeah?"Eagle headed inside his room and brought her a bottle of ointment."People in my line of work always have some medication prepared. Just spray it on the affected area, and it will ease the swelling.""Thank you," Irene said."You're welcome," Eagle replied. - James arrived just as Irene stepped out of the front door of the castle, and he took her straight to t
Seeing Lulu's pleading look, Pippa could not refuse Lulu and she ran to the surgery wing again. However, they were still operating on Martin.When Johnny saw Pippa return, she said, "The obstetrician says Lulu's having difficulty in labor and suggested a C-section, but she refused. I think she wants to wait and make sure the captain is safe… But I think if he really dies, she won't have the will to live.""I'll talk to her." Johnny was left bristling from the information and ran to the maternity ward with Pippa in tow.Johnny entered the maternity ward with the obstetrician's approval, and he quickly tried to reason with Lulu as soon as she saw her. "Lulu, the captain's fate is unknown, but that's exactly why you have to deliver his child for posterity! Continue the bloodline…"Lulu feebly closed her eyes right then, refusing to hear a word of it.She would have agreed to C-section if the child were Martin's.As a matter of fact, she now regretted listening to Martin about keep
Johnny refused to listen to or to understand Lulu. But as the stalemate persisted, Pippa suddenly had an idea. She whipped out her phone to answer it. "Hello? Oh! The surgery is done? Thank goodness… That's great news!"Johnny's eyes lit up in turn. "Is it about the captain's surgery?!"Pippa nodded. "Yes. They're saying it was a success." Lulu's hand eased from the doorframe right then.She smiled, rejoicing, although her eyes still welled with tears. Pursing her parched lips, Lulu said, "As long as he’s alright.""Can you undergo the C-section now?" Johnny asked.Lulu said nothing, but it was basically a silent approval.After they wheeled her into the delivery room, Johnny was about to turn and leave when Pippa stopped him."I was lying, Johnny," Pippa said.Johnny looked at her in surprise, but he was soon frowning. He obviously understood what Pippa meant."That call just now…""No one called me," Pippa admitted."It’s fine. It’s better this way." Johnny, howe
Irene lowered her eyes to hide her emotions. "Isaac really wants a daughter."Lulu was silent for a moment. "How could he be so greedy?""He never mentioned it, actually," Irene said quietly. "I just think it's regrettable I can't grant him his wish.""Then you're being paranoid," Lulu told Irene. "Why pressure yourself when he's not saying anything?""Fine, I'm the greedy one, alright?" Irene smiled. "You are greedy. You'd want a son if you had daughters instead… but that's human greed for you. It's endless, and humans only ever ask for more," Lulu said, suddenly staring at the ceiling. "Irene… I just want to live the rest of my life peacefully with Martin.""And you will," Irene said. "Martin's surgery was a success."Lulu pursed her lips in silence, while Irene suddenly apologized—Johnny had told Irene everything and that Ricky would have been the one getting shot if not for Martin.In the end, Ricky was the one who caused them so much trouble.Sighing, Irene said, "I didn
Irene was so anxious her voice was shaking. "Hello?"Meeting Lulu's eyes just then, she quickly stepped out of her ward and leaned against the wall outside, calming herself for a moment and asking softly, "Is there news on Isaac?"James was quiet for a while before answering, "It's bad news."Irene's heart sank, and it felt as if every bit of strength she had was drained from her body.Afraid of bad news, she almost did not want to listen… But that was when James said, "Someone leaked the news that Mr. Jefferson is missing."Irene had no idea what that would lead to, and she asked, "Is that something concerning?"James was quiet again before saying, "It would be great if you can speak on his behalf. You're legally Mr. Jefferson's wife and would therefore inherit everything, so—""Isaac's not dead! I'm not inheriting anything!" Irene shouted, but she soon regretted it—she should not have responded to James like that, but she was really in a bad mood! She could not accept peop
Lulu was actually left stunned for a moment. "W-What am I hiding from you?"Irene's question was to the point, and she was staring fixedly at Lulu's face. "I heard that you were refusing to deliver the baby while Martin was in surgery. Why?"As Lulu lowered her gaze, Irene pressed on. "Is your child really Martin's?"It was not as if she was suspicious, but Lulu's decision at the time begged a lot of questions.Lulu declared that she would give up and die if Martin did… and take his son with her to the grave?!It was simply illogical."Actually, forget it," Irene said, since she did not want to push Lulu too far. "I won't ask if you don't want to tell me.""The baby would be gone if not for Martin," Lulu suddenly said, looking up to meet Irene's gaze. "There's more, and I hope you can keep this a secret for me."Irene nodded. "Yeah." "The baby… is Zachary's," Lulu said flatly. There was no emotion in her voice even as he mentioned that name.She had composure too, because
Irene was still moody on the flight to Cloud City, and it was written all over her face."What's wrong?" Brian asked. "You're scowling although the patient was saved."Irene came to her senses right then, and she sighed even as she glanced at him. "I'm thinking about something else.""Oh," Brian replied, and he did not bother her again.Irene then said, "Thank you for your help.""Oh, it's fine," Brian replied—it was actually not a big deal, and Irene would not have asked him if it was not that important.Moreover, he owed her—he would never have become director of Hotmesh Research if not for her, since he had always been a loner who did not have influences to call upon. He was convinced that he would not amount to much in life, and he was surprised to have such an opportunity appear in his life."Are things going well at work?" Irene asked—things certainly had been rough for her when she first became director herself. Brian knew that too. He said, "Well, they're more accept