Chapter 260
Chris didn’t fall asleep until around two in the morning. It felt like he had only just dozed off when the shrill ring of his phone startled him awake. He thought it might be Jessica and hurriedly grabbed the phone to check, but it was the hospital calling.
“Hello?” Chris answered immediately.
Jake’s voice came through, sounding slightly panicked on the other end. "Mr. Green, our hospital is being asked to send personnel for emergency support.”
Outside, the sound of thunder mixed with heavy rain, making Jake’s voice difficult to hear. Chris sat up in bed, his voice still groggy and low. “What happened?”
“Major landslide.”
Hearing those words, the blood in Chris’s body seemed to freeze, but he quickly reasoned that the hospital closest to Montvue Tower probably wasn’t the Summit Infirmary. He paused for a few seconds before asking, “Where’s the landslide?”
There was an even longer silence on the other end. Finally, he heard Ashley’s voice.
“The hillside district. Montvue Tower.”
Days of continuous rain had caused a minor landslide in a small mountain valley near the hillside district of Montvue Tower. Unfortunately, that small valley was exactly where the communications tower had been located. The landslide had cut off all communication in and out. Hospitals near Montvue Tower had already been providing support since that afternoon. Originally, they thought assistance from Impelia hospitals wouldn’t be needed, but the second landslide trapped everyone inside – including the rescue teams, who couldn’t get out.
Ashley took the phone from Jake. “News just came in. Resources from five hospitals are being consolidated. The Summit Infirmary will lead the rescue, and you’ll be in charge.” Ashley glanced at the time. “Meet up at our hospital entrance by five in the morning. You need to come now. Leaders from the other hospitals have already arrived. We’re waiting to start the meeting.”
“I’m on my way.”
Chris couldn’t stop picturing Jessica in his mind. He didn’t try calling her again – since all communication had been cut off, no calls could get through. He was better off racing against time to reach her in person. Grabbing the suitcase he had already packed, Chris was out the door in five minutes, slamming the gas pedal down.
The rain was coming down too hard – even the windshield wipers weren’t doing much. The streets were empty at that hour, and anxiety gripped Chris’s chest.
The first call he received was from Roy. Roy had been busy all night at the police station. When he saw unit three returning to pick up supplies, he stopped the team leader and learned they were also heading to the Montvue Tower area for disaster relief.
“Don’t panic. The landslide occurred quite a distance from Montvue Tower. Jessica has been staying inside the compound doing internal assessments. She likely didn’t leave. At worst, she’s just trapped and unable to get out.”
Chris nodded and said, “I know. The leaders from all five hospitals are already at the Summit Infirmary. We’re preparing to have a meeting. We leave at five.”
“This rescue operation will be handled by police units two and three. Once you’re inside, you’ll only be able to communicate via walkie-talkie with those nearby. Remember, don’t act impulsively. Disaster relief is not something you can get too emotional about.”
Chris said, “I know. I remember I’m a doctor. Patients and the injured always come first.”
“Good. Then go. I can’t leave right now. I just got a call from Jaden – Hurricane Media already dispatched a press team. Mandy is among them.”
For this kind of breaking news, Hurricane Media was always first on the scene. Mandy had already led the journalist team and was on the way.
The second call came from Maggie. It was still early morning, and not many of the senior executives at the Wilder Group knew what had happened, but Maggie knew Chris would definitely go.