Chapter 240

Chapter 240

Seeing the panic written all over her face, Drew spoke up. "Need some help?"

Emily nodded, her tone slightly hesitant. "Could I borrow your phone? I need to make a call."

Drew use his good right hand to awkwardly reach into his soft pocket, looking somewhat comical in the process.

Emily quickly took the phone and dialed Charles's number from memory.

As the dial tone rang out, she rose and moved toward the window.

But to her surprise, no one picked up.

Emily didn't give up. She dialed again.

This time, the call connected.

"Charles, it's me."

She spoke rapidly, identifying herself first.

There was a distinct pause in the breathing on the other end, followed by Charles's urgent voice. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm at—"

Emily rattled off the address.

"Stay where you are. I'm coming right now." Charles's voice grew tense again. Emily tried to reassure him. "I'm really okay. I got lucky today. You don't need to worry."

Just then, a nurse pushed the door open, carrying a tray of medications and bandaging supplies.

Seeing Emily standing by the window and Drew struggling to reach a glass of water on the table with one hand, the nurse frowned.

She raised her voice in a pointed reminder. "Family member, you should be paying more attention to the patient right now."

With that, she handed the water glass to Drew.

Drew had turned quite a few heads among the young nurses since arriving at the hospital. Seeing him up close, they'd all agreed he was absolutely stunning.

Someone this good-looking could probably ask for anything and people would happily oblige, the nurse mused absently as Emily walked over.

Emily glanced at Drew's injured arm, puzzled as to why he seemed half-paralyzed. But remembering he'd gotten hurt saving her, she bit back any comment. Instead, she returned his phone with an apologetic look. "Sorry, you could've asked me for help just now."

Drew took a couple sips of water. His parched throat felt much better. He shook his head with a slight smile. "It's fine. I'm just not used to functioning with one hand yet. Give it a few days."

Their exchange was exceedingly polite. The nurse's gaze discreetly swept between the two of them.

She cleared her throat lightly and began explaining the follow-up care instructions. Emily listened intently, committing everything to memory.

Just then, a series of urgent, heavy footsteps echoed from outside—forceful, oppressive, closing in fast.

The next second, the emergency room door was flung open.

Charles stood in the doorway. His black dress shirt outlined his taut, unyielding frame. His dark eyes swept the room, and the moment they landed on Emily, unharmed and whole, the tight set of his jaw eased ever so slightly.

But when his gaze shifted to Drew—arm wrapped in layers of bandages—sitting beside her, his eyes turned cold.

The air seemed to freeze.

Drew studied the man radiating sheer dominance before him. He keenly sensed the undisguised hostility in those dark eyes, but maintained his gentlemanly composure, offering a subtle nod of acknowledgment.

Emily immediately stood and went to greet him.

Charles paid no mind to the others present. He pulled her into his arms in one swift motion.

Then he released her just enough to grip her shoulders, scanning her from head to toe. Only after confirming she had no visible injuries did he let out a breath.

His voice trembled with barely suppressed fear. "Are you hurt? I was so worried."

His tone was heavy, laced with the frantic relief of someone who'd thought they'd lost everything. His warm fingertips gripped her wrist tightly.

Sensing his distress, Emily squeezed his hand back and offered a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. Someone helped me. My phone died, and thanks to him, I was able to reach you."

Charles's gaze followed her words to Drew on the hospital bed.

He gave a curt nod, his expression polite but distant. "Thank you for helping my wife, Mr.—I'll cover all your medical expenses, compensation for distress, and I'll have a gift sent to you as well."

The nurse standing nearby looked utterly stunned. Was the hospital hosting some kind of celebrity convention today? How were they all so ridiculously good-looking?

She dismissed her earlier speculation and instead shot Emily an approving look before picking up her tray and leaving, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.

Emily looked bewildered.

Drew noticed Charles subtly positioning himself to block Emily from view. He smiled faintly.

He'd heard of Charles Howard—the man supposedly immune to feminine charms. Yet here he was, guarding his wife like a dog refusing to give up its bone.

"It was nothing, Mr. Howard. You're too kind."

"I'll have something sent to your home." Charles's tone was firm, brooking no argument. He was clearly intent on throwing money at the situation to shut it down. His bluntness bordered on rude.

Emily tugged at the hem of his shirt and whispered, "His name is Drew Patel. We met once before at a gala."

"Drew Patel?" Charles repeated the name, his dark eyes flicking coldly toward Drew.

Drew remained composed, smiling lightly as he nodded.

"Mr. Howard, we've actually crossed paths once before. Though I doubt you'd remember me."

Charles had met far too many people to bother remembering every face.

He frowned slightly, as if searching his memory. After a moment, he spoke. "If the Patel family is interested in collaboration, feel free to contact my assistant."

This time, he wasn't being dismissive. He actually handed over Mike's business card.

Drew accepted it with a smile, his manner neither servile nor arrogant. "Thank you, Mr. Howard. I look forward to working with you."

The two men exchanged pleasantries, and the atmosphere settled into an odd calm.

Emily was about to say something when Charles grabbed her hand.

His voice was insistent in her ear. "We should go. I'll have someone look after Mr. Patel."

Emily nodded, then turned to Drew. "Thank you again for today."

Drew watched the natural chemistry between the couple and suddenly felt like a third wheel. He waved dismissively. "No need to thank me. Since Mr. Howard's already arranged everything, you should go with him. Before he starts worrying again."

He saw the situation clearly and had no desire to play the awkward outsider.

Emily relaxed at Drew's easygoing demeanor and added, "I'm sorry. I'll come check on you later. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."

With that, Charles half-guided, half-pulled her out of the emergency room.

The moment they stepped outside the hospital, the evening breeze swept over them, cool and sharp.

Once inside the car, Charles pulled her tightly into his arms. His voice was rough, edged with vulnerability. "Emily, do you have any idea how terrified I was on the way here? I kept thinking—if I was even one second too late, something might have happened to you…"

He'd never lost his composure like this before. In all his years running the Howard Group, no crisis had ever made him so much as blink. But when it came to her safety, he panicked. He feared. He lost control.