Chapter 48

Outside Olivia's hospital room, Chris gave Kevin a cold, piercing look. "Found anything?" he asked.

Kevin shook his head. "Nothing yet."

"Nothing?" Chris's expression darkened. "Then what's the point of all this?"

Kevin sighed, adjusting his posture. "I've only just begun, but someone's already trying to obstruct my investigation. Whoever's behind this is not someone to trifle with."

Chris narrowed his eyes, his suspicion confirmed. The active attempt to hinder his investigation made it clear: this person wielded power and was concealing something. He couldn't forget the incident at Cloudridge Valley the previous night, when a man had pointed a gun at him—a clear warning. This was no ordinary person.

Kevin hesitated. "Maybe you should ask Miss Giovanni directly. She might know something."

Mentioning Stephanie intensified Chris's headache. Involving her was the last thing he wanted. Yet, the memory of her with another man caused a dull, painful ache in his chest. The man's identity remained a mystery, seemingly untraceable.

Chris couldn't conceal his frustration. Returning to Olivia's room, she immediately noticed the tension on his face.

"What's going on? Another work crisis?" she asked softly.

Chris shook his head, his lips pressed into a thin line. "No, nothing like that."

Olivia, exhausted, didn't connect his unease to Stephanie. Pain flickered across her face. "Chris, I want to leave the hospital," she said.

Chris's face darkened. He refused instantly. "Don't be ridiculous."

Olivia's voice trembled, but her resolve held firm. "The smell of disinfectant… it's suffocating. I feel like I might never leave here."

Her words struck Chris harder than he anticipated. Who could blame her? The prospect of facing multiple illnesses simultaneously would shake anyone.

Seeing his silence, Olivia reached for his hand. "I want to live by the sea… somewhere I can see the ocean, the sunrise, and the sunset," she said. "Chris… I'm scared. I'm afraid this might be my last moment."

Seeing the fear in her eyes, Chris softened. He sighed and agreed. "I'll have Kevin arrange for you to stay by the sea."

Olivia's smile was faint, but genuine. "Thank you. I don't want to spend my last days in this hospital."

"Don't say that. You'll get through this," Chris murmured.

Chris left Olivia's ward at noon. In the car, he lit a cigarette, lost in thought. After a moment, he turned to Kevin, exhaling slowly. "Go to the Shallow Bay area," he said. "Talk to the person in charge. I want to rent Whispering Bay for a while."

Olivia would be happy in Shallow Bay. The air was fresh, ideal for her recovery. The rooms offered views of both sunrise and sunset. Most importantly, they were spacious.