Chapter 85

Yet, even now, his features remained strikingly handsome, every line clear and defined, alluring in a way that almost seemed unfair. Ivy couldn’t help thinking, What a waste of such a perfect face.

Their eyes met. The man didn’t bother to soften his expression; in a low voice, he said, “In your condition, you really shouldn’t be alone. With a concussion, you ought to stay in the hospital for a couple of days under observation.”

Ivy’s face was still drained of color, the pain having chased away any sign of warmth. She replied coolly, “That’s unnecessary. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Would it kill you to lean on your family for once?” he pressed.

Jamison’s meaning was clear: call home, tell them about the accident, say you need to stay in the hospital and that someone should come to help out. It wasn’t difficult – she just had to ask. But to Ivy, his words felt like rubbing salt into an open wound. She already disliked Jamison; now she was downright furious.

If she weren’t so dizzy and nauseous, she would have lashed out at him right there.

Seeing that Ivy didn’t even have the strength left to argue, Jamison realized just how bad things were. He turned to the student behind him and ordered, “Bring a wheelchair. Take her for a CT scan.”

“Yes, Professor Ludwig,” the student replied with deference.

“I don’t need it,” Ivy insisted, still trying to hold her ground.

Jamison shot back, “This is a hospital. You follow doctor’s orders, or if something happens, it’s on us.”

With that, he left her leaning weakly against the wall and strode away without another word. The medical student soon returned with a wheelchair, gently helping Ivy into it and wheeling her toward the CT room.

Another wait. Another line.

Her phone buzzed – it was Katrina calling.

“Katrina…”

“Ivy, are you alright? The car’s been towed, and I finished up the paperwork with the police. Which hospital are you at? I’m coming over.”

“Are you hurt?” Ivy asked.

“I’m fine. Just a bit shaken up, that’s all.”

Ivy felt a wave of relief. As long as her best friend was okay…

She couldn’t hold on alone any longer and finally told Katrina the name of the hospital. Half an hour later, Katrina arrived by taxi just as Ivy’s turn for the scan came up. Katrina stayed by her side through the entire exam.

About ten minutes after the scan, the doctor returned with the results: a mild concussion, and recommended she be admitted for observation. But Ivy refused. She signed the forms and left on her own.

By now, it was afternoon – what should have been bright daylight. Instead, the sky had darkened unexpectedly, rain pouring down and turning the world gray, almost like nightfall. Katrina dashed out into the rain, coming back with an umbrella and steadying Ivy as they left the hospital together. But the streets were gridlocked, the rain making it nearly impossible to get a cab. Katrina tried calling for rides again and again, but no drivers accepted.

“Ivy, maybe you should just stay in the hospital tonight. I’m really worried about you.”

Ivy swayed unsteadily but still frowned and shook her head. “No, let’s just wait a little longer. I’ll be fine.”

There was a reason she refused to stay. While waiting for her CT, Ivy had replayed everything in her mind. Her gut told her the failed brakes were no accident – almost certainly sabotage.

If… she ventured a guess – if Emma was behind this, then if something happened to her, if she suddenly vanished, Emma would be elated. She needed to test her suspicion, which meant staying off the radar for now. If she were admitted to the hospital, the Windsor family could easily find her.

“I’m not going back to the Windsor house. Let’s just go back to our apartment. I’ll need your help for a few days,” Ivy said weakly.

Katrina replied, “It’s not trouble. Of course I’ll take care of you. Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to sleep if you went back to that place. They don’t care what happens to you anyway!”

Ivy forced a bitter smile.

The rain kept pouring, the sky growing even darker. Katrina checked her phone – the rideshare queue still had twenty people ahead of them. Anxious, she kept raising her hand at the curb, but every passing taxi was already full.