Riley hadn't expected Adrian to care this deeply about Mrs Hales.
He had gone overseas just to find doctors for her—and now he was even willing to bankrupt himself to save her.
She could tell… he wasn't saying it for show.
If it came down to it, he really would do it.
So he's not as cold as he looks…
Her gaze lifted, sweeping toward the room behind them.
The equipment inside was fully prepared—clearly arranged with great care.
Under Adrian's pressure, the three doctors hurried off to set up the operating room.
Mrs Hales's condition was too unstable to move her to a hospital. They had no choice but to convert a room in the Yates Estate into a temporary surgical suite.
As long as they weren't the ones performing the operation…
It didn't matter where the surgery took place.
Soon, with the help of the servants, the doctors finished preparing a sterilized operating room. All that remained was to wait for Lucas to arrive before transferring the unconscious Mrs Hales in.
But then—
"Sir," someone reported urgently, "the people sent to fetch Mr Chase just called. The weather is bad today. The helicopter can't fly. He… won't be able to come."
The words hit like a death sentence.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "I don't care how dangerous it is—or what method you use. Bring him back."
He was ready to take the risk.
"Absolutely not!" Mr Hales stepped forward immediately, his voice urgent. "Master Adrian, you can't risk Mr Chase's life for Frances. The Chase family has only one heir. If anything happens to him, how could we bear that responsibility? Please think this through."
Adrian's hands clenched around the wheelchair handles, the sharp lines of his face cracking just slightly.
He hesitated.
He couldn't be selfish.
He couldn't ignore Lucas's safety.
Damn it, Lucas…
You were drinking with Zachary just yesterday—why did you suddenly go back this afternoon?
After a long silence, he spoke again, voice strained.
"How long does Mrs Hales have?"
For the first time, there was weakness in his tone.
A flicker of pain crossed his eyes—like a wounded lion barely holding itself together.
The doctor answered carefully, "Her condition is critical. If the nail in her thigh isn't removed soon… she may not make it through the night."
"Tonight…" Adrian murmured. "So… half a day at most."
He closed his eyes briefly, then turned to Derek.
"Contact Zachary and Lucas. Have them reach out to Sheena. Maybe… she can try."
Derek hesitated. "Sir… we already posted Mrs Hales's case on the medical forum at the same price you offered. Miss Sheena didn't accept it. I'm worried she—"
"Contact her anyway."
Adrian's eyes snapped open, sharp and commanding.
"No matter what conditions she asks for—if she's willing to come, I'll agree to all of them."
"Understood." Derek nodded and stepped away to make the arrangements.
Standing nearby, Riley nearly collapsed on the spot.
Contacting Sheena won't help.
Because Sheena is standing right here.
But I still need a chance to actually examine Mrs Hales first!
After issuing all the orders, Adrian turned his wheelchair and moved toward his room.
His back looked… lonely.
Heavy.
Even he knew this hope was slim.
While everyone else was distracted, Riley slipped quietly into the room and approached the bed where Mrs Hales lay, drifting in and out of consciousness.
She leaned in, quickly assessing the condition—
But her luck ran out.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
Clara spotted her immediately and shouted sharply.
"Are you trying to harm Mrs Hales?!"