Chapter 52
"Calm down. This isn't about whether you're willing to admit it or not."
The police officer's tone was fairly calm. "Since the case has already occurred, we'll naturally handle it fairly and ensure no innocent person suffers any injustice."
"But we're still in the evidence-gathering stage, so please be patient. Don't worry, we know what we're doing."
Since the police had said this much, Emily couldn't voice whatever thoughts she had, even if she wanted to.
She couldn't quite explain why she was so certain, but that was just how it felt to her.
This definitely wasn't an ordinary case of picking a fight, especially when the police said the attackers had been very measured in their assault—that statement was the best evidence.
"Thank you." Although Emily still had many doubts, she had no choice but to thank the police first.
The police asked a few more questions before leaving.
Watching the two officers walk away, Emily and Lily looked at each other, both seeing unease and worry in the other's eyes.
"Emily, what should we do?"
Lily looked confused and anxious. "Why do I feel like what the police said just now was kind of strange? Could it be that Mr. McCoy really offended someone?"
"Impossible."
Emily still shook her head. "You and I both know what kind of person Mr. McCoy is. He wouldn't do something like that."
"Right, he wouldn't." After thinking for a moment, Lily became more confident. "We should trust Mr. McCoy. Let's hope the police can give us an answer soon."
After another hour or so, the emergency room doors finally opened.
Emily quickly stood up and rushed over. "Doctor, how is he?"
She asked anxiously.
The doctor removed his mask and let out a long breath. "The patient is out of danger now. Most of his injuries are external wounds and soft tissue contusions, nothing life-threatening. Just a minor rib fracture, that's all. He'll need to rest for a while."
This was a blessing in disguise—no internal organs were damaged.
Thank goodness. Emily's heart, which had been hanging all night, finally settled back into place.
She followed Rodolfo as he was wheeled to his room. Rodolfo was wrapped in bandages, looking shocking. Emily felt terrible seeing him like this.
Seeing Emily there, Rodolfo struggled to open one eye and tried to smile. "Emily, you're here. Please, sit down."
"Mr. McCoy..."
Emily's voice choked up, her eyes already filling with tears. "Please don't talk. Rest well. This incident must have been a huge ordeal for you physically and mentally, but don't worry, I'll definitely get justice for you."
"No, Emily, stay out of this." Rodolfo struggled to shake his head.
Though his injuries weren't severe, they covered his entire body, making it very difficult to speak.
"Let this matter end here. Whatever you say or do won't help. Why waste your time? Listen to me—let it go."
"How can I do that?" Emily quickly shook her head. "Mr. McCoy, I know you're afraid I won't handle this well and will get myself into trouble, but I'm not scared. You're my teacher. How could I possibly stand by after something like this happened to you?"
Lily had gone to get hot water, so only the two of them were in the room.
Rodolfo was silent for a long time, slowly closing his eyes. His voice was gentle yet heavy. "Emily, do you remember the funeral home property I mentioned to you before?"
Emily nodded.
"This time they sent people to warn me."
With just that one sentence, Emily suddenly understood everything.
She had indeed heard Rodolfo mention before that a group of people had been eyeing the funeral home for a long time, wanting to get that piece of land, but Rodolfo didn't agree.
Both sides had been at a standstill. No matter what generous terms they offered, Rodolfo never considered selling the property. But she never imagined this group would actually resort to violence.
How outrageous! Emily was even angrier now that Rodolfo had explained.
"Emily, please listen to me—don't get involved in this, okay?"
Rodolfo struggled to raise his hand, his eyes even showing a hint of pleading. "You know that whatever I do, it's for your own good. Right now, I'm doing the same."
"I don't want you to get hurt over this, and I don't want you involved. Emily, you still have children to raise. Even if you won't think of yourself, think of the kids."
Emily wanted to say something more, but seeing how exhausted Rodolfo looked, she swallowed her words.
Lily called Rodolfo's family. Emily didn't leave until Rodolfo had fallen into a deep sleep.
Emily took a deep breath. Her heart felt uncomfortable, as if a huge stone was pressing on it.
Her instinct had been right after all. This incident was clearly deliberate; someone intentionally targeting Rodolfo.
But Emily still couldn't understand—they were just some street thugs, how could they have such nerve? To do something so outrageous, weren't they afraid of the police?
And this property—she'd never heard anything about development near the funeral home before. How did this news suddenly come out? And spread so convincingly that people were now showing up to beat people up.
If this matter wasn't thoroughly resolved, what would happen next? Wouldn't they become even more reckless?
Would Rodolfo be so lucky next time to only suffer minor injuries? Probably not. Next time, it might cost him his life.
The hospital corridor's lights were harsh white, casting Emily's slender shadow.
She took the elevator down and had just reached the hospital entrance when her phone suddenly vibrated. It was a text from an unknown number.
Emily opened it, and her pupils suddenly contracted.
[If you keep getting tangled up with James, next time it won't just be Rodolfo in the hospital. You'd better watch yourself.]
Emily's blood instantly froze, her mind going blank.
After several seconds, she finally came to her senses and dialed the number back with trembling fingers. It was disconnected. If it hadn't been disconnected, she might have recognized the person.
A fine layer of sweat appeared on Emily's palms. The first person she thought of was Sophia.
This text mentioned James's name and said she was getting tangled up with James—now that was interesting.
Anyone who knew Emily understood that it was never her pursuing James, but rather James pursuing her under various pretexts.
Yet this text claimed she was the one pursuing James. Besides Sophia, who else would have such a ridiculous idea?
That meant those arrogant thugs were very likely people Sophia had deliberately hired, wanting to teach Emily a lesson.