Across from her, Caleb could no longer sit still. He rolled over and sat up, clearly determined to visit Gianna. Before he could take another step, Chelsea blocked his path. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Caleb was anxious. “Ms. Yardley, you saw the news. Gianna’s been in an accident. I have to go see her.”
She had helped him again and again. If he turned his back on her now, he’d be no better than the people he resented. He had always lived by one code—repay kindness with gratitude, and betrayal with justice. The Quixall family’s chapter was over. Now, it was time for him to settle everything with the Shermans and the Yardleys.
Chelsea frowned. “I know you’re grateful to her. But you’ve just regained consciousness. If you rush out like this, there’s no telling what might happen.”
Caleb grew more agitated. “Ms. Yardley, even if I collapse, I won’t hold your hospital accountable. Please, let me go.”
She shot him a sharp look. “Do you think that’s what I’m worried about?”
Caleb’s brows furrowed in confusion. Without another word, Chelsea reached into her pocket and pulled out a set of car keys. “Come on. I’ll drive you.”
Caleb blinked, stunned. Chelsea raised an eyebrow. “Well? Don’t you want to see Ms. Sherman? Then quit staring and move.”
A beat of silence passed before Caleb muttered, “Thank you.”
Chelsea waved him off, turning on her heel. “Save it. Just try not to be a pain in the ass.”
In just a short span of time, Caleb had visited the hospital three times. He couldn’t help but wonder how he’d managed to survive each one. The car ride was quiet. Chelsea kept her eyes on the road. It wasn’t long before they arrived at the Sherman family’s hospital.
To avoid any trouble, she had Caleb wait to the side while she handled the conversation with the receptionist herself. After verifying her identity and hearing her request, the receptionist didn’t hesitate to dial Norman, who was surprised to receive that call.
Norman, the trusted right hand of Phillip, usually handled matters on his behalf. Phillip was a busy man, and with Gianna in the ICU, any unsolicited visit would normally be turned away without a second thought. But this wasn’t just anyone. It was Chelsea Yardley—head of the Yardley family. And no one in their right mind would dare risk offending Miriam Yardley.
He turned to Phillip and asked, “Mr. Sherman, Ms. Yardley is here to see Ms. Sherman. Should we allow her in?”
Without hesitation, Phillip snapped, “Absolutely not.” His daughter’s life was hanging by a thread, and he had no patience for visitors. Anyone who dared interrupt at a time like this would only provoke his fury.
Norman hesitated, then added cautiously, “Ms. Yardley also mentioned that Mr. Jenkins is with her.”
Phillip froze for a moment. Caleb? What the hell is he doing here? Come to laugh at me? From the very beginning, Phillip knew he hadn’t left a good impression on Caleb. The first time they met, he had stood silently by as Caleb was beaten by his father, offering no help. Afterward, he had done everything in his power to keep Gianna away from Caleb, firmly opposing their relationship. Caleb must have resented him for that.
And when his opposition failed, he resorted to sending Gianna abroad, thinking distance would sever their bond. He never imagined fate would twist so cruelly—that an accident, of all things, would find her on that journey. So now, why else would Caleb show up at the hospital right after the news broke? He must be here to rub salt in my wounds.
Distraught over his daughter’s accident, Phillip had grown increasingly paranoid, blind to any possibility beyond suspicion and pain. Norman, ever tactful, gently reminded him, “Mr. Jenkins doesn’t even know about your falling-out with Ms. Sherman. He’s likely just here out of genuine concern. After all, she’s done a lot for him. It’s only natural he’d want to see her.”
Phillip remained silent, his expression unreadable. Could that really be the reason? Ever since Gianna’s accident, his thoughts had been a chaotic storm. He hadn’t paused to consider anything else.