Lamont glanced back at his sister. Instantly, his expression shifted to something more composed as he shook his head. “No, I’m just worried she might have some lingering side effects…”

“The doctor already said she’ll be fine. What are you still worried about?” Celeste didn’t buy it for a second. Putting on her big-sister face, she warned him sternly, “She’s a married woman, and you’re still in grad school. Don’t do anything reckless that could ruin your future.”

Lamont turned fully to face her, hesitated, then shot back, “What about you, sis? That woman just now called you her rival—wait, do you have a thing for her husband or something?”

For a split second, Celeste looked flustered. She averted her eyes. “That’s none of your business. Just focus on your studies.”

Before Lamont could respond, Celeste cut him off and launched into another lecture. “I’ve been swamped at work lately. It’s rare I get off early, and now I have to come bail you out? Next time, be more careful!”

She spun on her heel and started to walk away. Lamont called after her, “Hey, have you eaten yet? If not, dinner’s on me!”

Celeste waved him off without looking back. “No need. Just get yourself back to campus.”

She raised her hand and flagged down a cab. Once inside, she immediately pulled out her phone and scrolled to Jamison’s number.

She called.

No answer.

She knew Jamison was working the night shift and was probably busy. Maybe he just hadn’t seen her call.

Or maybe, she thought with a twinge of resignation, he just didn’t want to pick up.

After a moment’s hesitation, Celeste dialed the main line at the surgical ward.

“Hello, Thoracic Surgery Inpatient Department.”

“Hi, this is Dr. Quinn, could you please page Professor Ludwig? I need to speak with him urgently.” Celeste made it clear she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The nurse paused, then turned to a colleague. “Is Professor Ludwig out of surgery yet? Dr. Quinn says it’s urgent.”

“He just finished. He’s in the patient ward now—I’ll go get him.”

The young nurse hurried off and found Jamison checking on a patient. When she told him Dr. Quinn was looking for him, Jamison didn’t hesitate. “Tell her I’m busy,” he said, and went back to his work.

The nurse nodded and left, but quickly returned. “Professor Ludwig, Dr. Quinn says it’s about your wife.”

Jamison’s face darkened. He looked up sharply, hesitated only a moment, then quickly gave instructions to his assistant before striding out of the room.

He picked up the receiver, his tone clipped and tense. “Dr. Quinn, what’s happened to my wife?”

Celeste finally heard his voice, and couldn’t help the cold, bitter laugh that slipped into her words. “Jamison, we work in the same department, and yet you won’t say a word to me—unless I tell you it’s about your wife.”

“You lied?” His tone grew even sharper.

Afraid he’d hang up, Celeste rushed to explain, “No, I really did just see your wife. She may have a mild concussion—she just left the hospital after a check-up.”

“A concussion?” Jamison’s voice tightened, his concern unmistakable. “What happened? Was she in an accident?”

“I only just found out that Miss Windsor studies at Neo Haven University. My brother’s a first-year grad student there. This evening, he was playing in a college basketball game and accidentally threw the ball out of bounds. It hit Miss Windsor. He took her to the hospital for a check-up—she’s fine, just a possible mild concussion.” Celeste explained everything, calm and unhurried.

It was, ironically, the longest conversation she’d had with Jamison in ages—all thanks to Ivy.

Jamison listened, his expression growing stormy, his voice tight with frustration. “She’s got a concussion and you call that nothing serious?”

“A mild one doesn’t need much treatment,” Celeste replied. “She just needs to rest in bed for a few days. We’ll take responsibility for what happened, and we’ll—”

She was about to say they’d cover any expenses or compensation, but Jamison had already slammed down the phone and was heading for his office.

Chapter 555

During dinner earlier, Ivy had called him asking for Naylor’s number. Now, just hours later, she’d been hit in the head by a basketball and possibly concussed?

The more Jamison thought about it, the more worried he became. He hurried to his desk and pulled out his phone.

Elsewhere, Katrina was walking Ivy back to her faculty apartment. As the car pulled up, Ivy said, “You should go meet your mom. No need to walk me upstairs—just have the driver drop you at the hospital.”

Katrina shook her head. “It won’t matter if I’m a few minutes late. I’ll walk you up. I haven’t seen your place yet anyway. I’ll take the subway to the hospital afterward—it’s cheap and fast.”

“Alright, if you insist.”

They headed upstairs. As soon as they stepped inside, Ivy’s phone rang.

She saw Jamison’s name on the screen and immediately understood—Celeste must have called him.

“Hello…”

“Ivy, are you alright? Is your head hurting, are you dizzy? Did you make it home?” Jamison’s concern was obvious, even over the phone.

Ivy rushed to reassure him. “Don’t worry, I just got home. I’m fine. Dr. Quinn must have called you, right?”

“Yeah. She said her brother hit you with a ball during a game and took you to the hospital. Why didn’t you call me right away?”

Ivy thought to herself, You’re working the night shift—it’d take you at least an hour to get here even if I told you. Why make you rush for nothing?

But she knew if she said that, he’d only get upset, thinking she was deliberately keeping things from him.