Chapter 661

The ground was hard and rough. Sidney forcefully turned Zoe around to protect her, striking his head on the ground.

"Tang!" A dull thud sounded.

Zoe looked up, stunned. Her eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. It was the first time someone had shielded her. As a child, her parents instilled in her the responsibility of caring for her younger brother, leading her to frequently put herself in harm's way for him, despite his ingratitude. Later, she became rebellious, but the ingrained sense of self-sacrifice remained. This was why, when Tiffany first saw Zoe, she was so impressed by Zoe’s bravery in saving a kidnapped classmate, even though it resulted in Zoe’s own capture. Zoe was accustomed to giving without receiving. But Sidney's actions today showed her she wasn't alone.

A lump formed in Zoe's throat. Her eyes reddened, and her voice choked with sobs. "Hey, are you alright?"

Sidney didn't move.

"Hey!" Zoe pushed him again, unease rising. "Stop fooling around! Say something!"

He remained motionless. Her push caused his head to tilt, revealing dark red blood flowing onto the rough ground.

"Sidney Pauley!" Zoe cried, trembling. Overwhelmed by guilt and self-blame, she frantically searched for a car but found none.

Ambulance. Ambulance… she thought.

Trembling, she dialed emergency services. "Starlight Street. Please come quickly. Quickly…"

The dispatcher responded immediately. The approaching ambulance siren offered a small measure of relief. Hanging up, she knelt beside Sidney, carefully lifting his head to stem the bleeding. She then noticed a sharp iron block on the ground. If Sidney hadn't pushed her away, she would have been the one injured.

Tears streamed down Zoe's face. Despite her efforts, the bleeding persisted. Fortunately, the ambulance arrived swiftly.

Sidney was rushed to the emergency room at 3:30 AM.

Chapter 661 (Continued)

The Pauleys owned the hospital. Upon Sidney's arrival, his parents rushed to his side. Zoe found the ensuing meeting incredibly awkward.

"Mr. Pauley, Mrs. Pauley. I'm so sorry…" she began. Sidney wouldn't have been injured if it weren't for her.

Larry Pauley, Sidney's father, calmly assessed Zoe, showing no blame. "You're my son's friend? What happened? Why is he hospitalized?"

Zoe struggled to speak. I can't tell them I had a conflict with Sidney, and he accidentally fell down some steps… I don't know how they'll react when our relationship is revealed, she thought.

Before she could tell the truth, Donna Pauley, Sidney's mother, abruptly dismissed her. "Since you're my son's friend, thank you for bringing him to the hospital. It's late. Our chauffeur will take you home."

"No, thank you," Zoe replied, nodding and turning to leave the operating room. However, she hid around the corner.

Witnessing Donna's abrupt dismissal, Larry couldn't help but reprimand her. "Your words were unkind. You're concerned about our son, yes, but why take it out on the young girl?"

"Who knows if she harmed him?" Donna retorted sarcastically. "My son's a doctor, and he's injured and hospitalized. We don't know the extent of his injuries. What if there are lasting effects?"

Larry sighed, defeated. There's no winning when arguing with women, he thought.

Forty minutes later, the red light above the operating room went out.

"How is he?" Larry and Donna immediately asked.

The doctor removed his mask. "Fortunately, his injuries aren't serious. No intracranial damage. Just a concussion causing a coma. The wound is superficial; twenty-three stitches. He'll be fine with recovery."

Donna breathed a sigh of relief. Nurses wheeled Sidney, still unconscious, out of the operating room. Larry and Donna surrounded him, their worry palpable.

Hearing this from the stairwell, Zoe also felt relief. He's alright. He's fine, she thought, forcing a relieved smile before leaving the hospital. Dawn was breaking.

Chapter 661 (Continued)

Tiffany hazily turned, Richard's hand on her waist. She opened her eyes, hugging him. "Morning, Richard."

"Morning," he replied, gazing down at her sweet smile. The heat he'd barely suppressed flared again. But seeing her sleep-deprived face, he said, "It's early. Won't you sleep a little more?"

"No, thanks," Tiffany shook her head, having developed a habit of waking early and finding it difficult to fall back asleep. "I'm getting up. Let's go for a run."

As she rose, Richard pulled her back. "If you want to exercise, there's a shortcut," he said suggestively.

Tiffany, amused and annoyed, glared. "Hurry up."

Richard, helpless, got up and joined her downstairs after washing. The servants were already up. Seeing Tiffany, they exclaimed, "Miss, you're up!" Then, noticing Richard, they were stunned.

Did Mr. Hampton come last night? It seemed he didn’t… they thought. Regardless, the sight of the couple pleased them. They greeted them respectfully before resuming their work.

Thalia and Charlie were still asleep. Tiffany and Richard went for a run in the villa's garden. The morning air was fresh and fragrant.

After forty minutes, it was eight o'clock. Richard received a call, frowning.

"What's wrong?" Tiffany asked.