Chapter 49

Aurora remembered little after the incident. Maura was preoccupied with her impending marriage to the Newton heir. Aurora only knew that Sunrise Pharmaceuticals had suffered a catastrophic loss of market share, crippling the company and ultimately forcing its withdrawal from the pharmaceutical industry. This paved the way for the Crawford family's ascent. While suspecting foul play, Aurora was determined to uncover the truth. Hearing of a talented manager named Giles, she considered recruiting him for her planned pharmaceutical company.

"So, you—" Aurora began, but was interrupted. Irene, walking beside her, clutched her stomach and collapsed. Her rosy complexion turned deathly pale.

"Ms. Crawford… Please… call an ambulance…" Irene gasped, sweat glistening on her forehead, yet her voice remained remarkably steady.

Maura's eyes widened at the sight of blood seeping between Irene's legs. Margaret cried out in shock, "Y-you're bleeding!"

Aurora immediately called 911. After hanging up, she knelt, supporting Irene. "Where's your phone? Call your husband."

Irene, struggling with pain, pointed to a crossbody bag on the stroller. "It's… in the bag…"

Aurora retrieved the phone, but before Irene could unlock it, a sharp cry escaped her lips as her wrist gave way. The phone fell.

Margaret pointed at the spreading blood, screaming, "Oh no! What are we going to do, Rory? Is she going to die?"

"She's not going to die!" Aurora declared firmly. She scanned for help, but found no one. She considered contacting the nearby property management, but only had the general manager's number, not the direct line.

"Margaret, do you have the property management's number?" Margaret shook her head, panicked.

Aurora decided to check on the ambulance.

"Hang in there. We're on our way," the nurse reassured Irene.

Aurora then asked Margaret, "Do you remember the way to the property management office? Can you go get help?" She worried Margaret might get lost. Aurora decided to stay with Irene, as Margaret's distress over the blood was greater than Irene's.

Margaret nodded fiercely, "I know the way!"

"Alright. Go back and find them. I'll wait here."

"Okay," Margaret replied, running off.

Irene gasped for breath, thanking Aurora. "Ms. Crawford, I'm so lucky… If I were alone—"

Aurora squeezed her hand. "Don't talk. Save your energy."

Five minutes passed. Margaret hadn't returned. Aurora called; she was lost. Frustrated, Aurora muttered, "I shouldn't have sent her."

"Forget it. I'll go myself," she sighed, standing.

Irene grabbed her pants leg, pleading, "Ms. Crawford, please… Don't leave me alone…"

This was Irene's first childbirth. Despite her calm demeanor, she was terrified. Aurora's presence offered comfort. The ambulance arrived shortly thereafter, and Irene was rushed to the operating room.

When Giles received the hospital call, he had just been ejected from Sunrise Pharmaceuticals by security. A shareholder's nephew sneered, "Give it up, Giles. They have the evidence. Wise up, or you'll be in prison."

Giles fumed. 'Evidence? Company employees will say anything. The physical evidence is faked—my name slapped on a file?' Rage burned in his eyes. He was about to confront the man when his phone rang. "What? Irene's in the hospital?"

A chill ran down his spine. Justice faded from his mind. He raced to the hospital.

As he reached the operating room, the light switched off, and the doctor emerged. "Doctor, how's my wife?"

The doctor smiled faintly. "She arrived just in time. Mother and baby are safe." Giles breathed a sigh of relief.

The doctor's gaze was reproving. "What were you thinking? She was about to give birth, and you had her doing heavy lifting? The baby's position shifted. If it wasn't for…" Giles admitted his mistake.

Irene and the baby were wheeled out. Giles followed them to the ward. He remembered the bill.

At the counter, the nurse asked for the ward and bed number. "The person who brought your wife paid."

Giles froze. Even at his lowest point, kindness existed. "Miss, did they leave contact info?"

"They did. One moment."

Giles memorized the number on the slip of paper.

In a Jydratica hospital, Lola (Annie) sat on a sofa, watching TV and laughing. She felt guilty for disturbing the man at the desk.

A week had passed since her rescue. This week felt dreamlike compared to her life with the Whitakers, filled with endless chores, insults, and beatings. She might have been sold to a bar.

Noticing the man closing his laptop, Annie asked Daxon, "You said someone told you where I was. Can I meet her?"

She wanted to thank Aurora, who had saved her from a bleak future.

Daxon's eyes softened. "She's in Mereida, far from here. Once you're better, I'll take you to visit." Annie nodded.

Three knocks sounded at the door. Annie opened it, exclaiming, "Dexter, you're here!"