Chapter 367


    Hannah and I gradually distanced ourselves from the others, and only when we were out of earshot did


    she lean in to whisper, "Things have taken a turn for the worse with Hazel. She had a shock earlier and


    they''ve taken her to the ER!"


    I was taken aback. "Is it that serious?"


    "She''s been screaming all night, looks like she''s genuinely terrified," Hannah shared, obviously


    concerned. "She''s still in the ER, and I bet Jan''s phone is off. Jesper''s been trying to reach him,


    frantic with worry."


    "That exins why Jessica was trying to call Jan first thing in the morning!" I said to Hannah, "She


    must have been up all night too, worn to a frazzle. After all, at Hazel''s age, and with two nights of this,


    it''s no surprise she''s struggling."


    "Do you think this will affect things here?" Hannah asked, "Should we do something about it?"


    "No, let''s wait and see how things unfold. As for impact... I doubt it, though Jan might have to head


    back sooner. Worst case, we wrap up the ns early, especially if time''s getting squeezed." I pondered


    for a moment before pulling out my phone.


    I dialed a number and soon enough, someone answered. "Dr. Dailey! I''m terribly sorry to bother you


    again, but could I ask another favor of you?"


    "Go ahead."


    I briefly exined Hazel''s condition to Dr. Dailey and asked him if there was a way to prolong her stay


    in the hospital.


    "Alright, I''ll check it out," Dr. Dailey said before hanging up.


    Hannah looked at me and said, "With Hazel''s condition, Jan will definitely go back. But if we can buy


    a day or two, that should be enough."


    "Keep me posted on any developments from Goldenvale Town," I instructed Hannah, taking a few


    steps before adding, "And get in touch with Sean. Tell him to get ready to break the story. This could be


    an opportunity! Send him the video from the memorial night too."


    "Don''t worry, I''ve already sent it to him," Hannah assured me, as reliable as ever. She had already


    taken care of what I had in mind.


    "Then let''s head in," I said, and with that, Hannah and I walked into the country club where the others


    had gone. We were promptly escorted to their private room.


    Dad was in the middle of a tense conversation with Bet about the earlier disruption caused by


    Kemp, and it was clear Dad wasn''t pleased.


    Bet seemed unfazed as he remarked, "At tomorrow''s shareholders'' meeting, Kemp will find out the


    cost of leading this ruckus."


    His words confirmed my suspicion: these were actual shareholders of VitalAxis Pharmaceuticals, not


    just extras Dad had brought in for a show.


    After finishing the discussion, Dad openly proposed a partnership with Bet.


    Bet didn''t dodge the proposal butid out his terms, which I found quite demanding.


    Of course, partnering with the Richardson Group was no small matter. And, as Bet had made clear


    earlier in his office, he wasn''t one to y favorites.


    Throughout the conversation, Jan remained silent, but it was evident that Dad''s intentions hit a


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    nerve. The terms proposed by Ronan were intimidating, and if Jan didn''t take his time to think it


    over, he wouldn''t be the shrewd man he was known to be.


    Eventually, the focus shifted from business to pleasure, and everyone enjoyed a hearty lunch together.


    After spending some time at Silent Blossom Pond, we returned to our house on Oldtown Avenue,


    where Jan immediately joined Dad in the study.


    I swiftly took out my phone.


    On my journey home, I missed a call from Dr. Dailey as the timing wasn''t quite right for a conversation.


    As soon as I could, I dialed him back, and he informed me that Hazel''s condition was due to an


    infection from a burn. She was now in an istion room, sedated, and had calmed down.


    I asked him, "Is her life in danger?"


    "That depends on her physical condition and the infection. We''ll do our best to keep her alive," Dr.


    Dailey replied with thepassion of a healer. But I wasn''t as benevolent; I just needed her to hold on


    until she served her purpose.


    "Thank you! I always seem to be troubling you," I expressed my appreciation.


    After hanging up, Hannah leaned in and asked quietly, "How is it?"


    I smiled, "She''s in istion now. That''ll take some weight off Jessica''s shoulders."


    Hannah scoffed, "What use is a daughter like that?"


    What surprised me though was that while Jessica might have been useless, someone else proved to


    be quite the opposite.