Chapter 229

A response soon arrived: "Josiah, we couldn't reach Howard!"

Josiah hesitated, glancing at those around him. Leaning close to Sienna's ear, he whispered, "Sienna, I need to take a call outside."

Sienna looked at him, sensing something was amiss, but didn't inquire. "Alright, go ahead."

Josiah stepped outside and dialed a number. Yvette's agent answered promptly. Without preamble, Josiah asked, "What's going on?"

The agent replied nervously, "Yvette collapsed on set!"

Josiah's brow furrowed in anger. "Call an ambulance! Why are you calling me? Am I a doctor?"

"Don't worry, Josiah, she's already in the ambulance," the agent said anxiously. "I thought it was important to inform you and Howard."

Josiah rubbed his temples, controlling his anger. "How is Yvette now?"

"It's unclear. The doctor suspects exhaustion..." The agent trailed off. Yvette had been intensely preparing for her wedding, and the stress was taking its toll.

The agent asked quietly, "Josiah, will you be coming?"

"I'll contact Howard," Josiah said, hanging up and immediately calling Howard's number. As the agent had stated, Howard's phone was unreachable.

Josiah was perplexed. Howard hadn't returned to work yet, and today wasn't even his scheduled day off. He should be home.

Josiah called the Flynn residence. Linda answered, "Josiah?"

"Is Howard home?"

"No, he left this afternoon with Hervey. Is something wrong, Josiah?"

"No," Josiah replied, ending the call with a frown and a growing suspicion. He mused, Howard went out with Hervey this afternoon! What were they doing for so long? I trust my brother, but there are too many strange occurrences since his recovery!

Josiah returned to the screening room. Sienna was still seated, laughing with the audience. "Sienna," Josiah began hesitantly.

"You're back," Sienna replied without looking up.

Josiah leaned close, speaking softly, "Yvette collapsed on set and is going to the hospital. I can't reach Howard, so... I might need to go."

Sienna stopped and turned to him. Josiah felt a surge of guilt, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Before he could finish, Sienna waved dismissively. "Understood. Then go." She returned to the movie.

Her nonchalant response unsettled Josiah. He took her hand. "Are you upset? Honestly, I didn't plan to go, but Howard is unreachable."

"Shh," Sienna hushed him, placing a finger to her lips. "This is a public place. Don't speak so loudly. I told you to go, didn't I?" To prevent further argument, she added, "I'm not upset."

Josiah searched her calm expression for any sign of displeasure. His anxiety lingered. He held her hand. "If that's the case, why don't you come with me?"

"Why would I do that?" Sienna glared at him, pulling her hand away. "You can go and take care of her. I want to watch this movie. It's really good."

"Sienna..." Josiah began, but Sienna interrupted, clearly annoyed. "You won't stay to watch it with me, and now you're not even letting me finish it on my own? I actually really like this movie."

She turned away, refusing to engage further. Josiah hesitated before conceding. "Alright, you keep watching." He checked his watch. "I'll call Zaid to pick you up. Bye."

Sienna didn't respond, merely waving him away. Josiah frowned as he stood to leave.

At the door, he paused and texted Sienna: [Sienna, if I can make it in time, I’ll come to get you. If you decide to head home first, call me.]

Receiving no reply, he assumed she was engrossed in the movie, sighing softly and deciding to wait until she finished.

Josiah rushed to the hospital. He found Yvette settled in her room, awake but pale and weak. "Josiah, you're here," Yvette said, leaning against the headboard. "I've made you hurry, but there's really nothing seriously wrong. I just skipped lunch while filming and feel weak from low blood sugar."

She gestured to the IV drip. "Two bags of fluids will fix that." She then chided her agent and assistant. "They're always making a fuss."

"They're just worried about you," Josiah said, sitting beside her. "But I have to scold you a little. You're already so busy with the wedding; why are you still working so hard?"

Yvette chuckled softly. "You talk as if it's wrong to take my work seriously." Her gaze drifted, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Howard hasn't come, has he?"

Despite his issues with Howard, Josiah wouldn't speak negatively about him. "I asked them not to tell Howard yet. I wanted to check on you first so he wouldn't worry unnecessarily."

"Oh, I see," Yvette replied. "You're very thoughtful. Howard's recovery isn't complete yet."

Josiah nodded. His phone buzzed. "I need to take this call."

"Go ahead," Yvette said.

Stepping outside, Josiah answered, his expression darkening. "Howard, where are you?"

"I just got to the hospital; I'll be there soon."

"Okay," Josiah replied, hanging up and heading to the ward entrance. He saw Howard and Hervey exiting the elevator.

"Josiah," Howard greeted, his face tired. "How's Yvette? Is she okay?"

"Howard," Josiah met his brother's gaze directly. "Linda said you left this afternoon. Can you tell me what you've been busy with?"