Chapter 456


    "God bless Lucas," Amanda murmured, her voice thick with worry. "That boy has done so much for us


    over the years."


    "Son, there''s something I forgot to tell you," she continued. "While you were away, Lucas has been


    picking up Roman from school every day. He must''ve sensed something was wrong and was trying to


    protect Roman. But now he''s severely injured," she said, her voice trembling. "He came to our house


    first. He must''ve wanted to tell us something. Poor boy, he''s so young. If he... If he..."


    "Mom..." Elio interrupted gently, "Astrid is with him. Lucas will be okay."


    "I know Astrid is a brilliant doctor," Amanda replied, her voice filled with doubt. "But the specialists at


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    the hospital said his wounds are fatal. When I think about the way he looked... I bandaged him up as


    best I could, but there was so much blood..."


    "Mom, trust in Astrid," Elio said soothingly, patting her shoulder. "He''ll be fine. You should go home. I


    don''t like the idea of Roman being alone. We''ll stay here."


    After some hesitation, Matthew chimed in, "He''s right, dear. We can''t do anything here. We should go


    home and wait for news. Remember that interview we watched? Astrid is more than capable. Lucas will


    be fine."


    Reassured, Amanda left, reminding them to inform her as soon as there was any news.


    The surgery took six hours. When Astrid finally emerged, dawn was breaking.


    "You look exhausted," Elio said, rushing over to steady her.


    "Aren''t you going to ask about him?" she asked softly.


    "I trust you," Elio replied simply.


    Astrid went on to exin that Lucas was out of immediate danger, but he couldn''t stay at this hospital


    for long. Once his condition stabilised, they would move him to a safer location.


    The doctors, initially skeptical of Astrid''s abilities, now approached her with a newfound respect.


    "Ms. Irvine, could you exin some of the techniques you used during the surgery?" one of them


    asked.


    "I''m too tired today. Can we discuss this another time?" Astrid replied. “And one more thing, please


    keep my identity under wraps,” she added.


    After ensuring the doctors would respect her privacy, Astrid and Elio left, leaving a team of bodyguards


    to protect Lucas.


    Noticing Astrid''s face getting fatigue, Elio suggested, "Why don''t you go home and rest? We can deal


    with everything elseter."


    "It''s almost seven in the morning. I have an interview at ten. Just drop me off at the office. I can nap in


    the car," Astrid said, already closing her eyes.


    Elio was conflicted. He wanted to take her home, but he also didn''t want to go against her wishes. As


    he started the car, Astrid''s voice rang out, cold and clear.


    "If you dare take me home, I guarantee you won''t be weed at my house for a year."


    Elio paused, then asked, "And if I do as you say and take you to the office, can Ie over to your


    house tonight?"