Chapter 231

Chapter 231

Victoria shook her head, "Nah, it's a crazy time right now. If you show up unannounced, the head nurse will totally chew you out."

She added nonchalantly, "It's cool, I'm more concerned about you. The head nurse already gave me the green light."

The young nurse, even more jittery than Victoria, chimed in, "Plus, if it's just you popping in, the hotel owner might not even recognize you. It'd be awkward if they were caught off guard by any drama."

Only then did Victoria give a reluctant nod.

Despite not wanting to stir up trouble for everyone, the situation had spiraled out of control, leaving her no choice. She figured she had to tackle the immediate issue first and then make it right with everyone.

As she tried to lead the young nurse outside, the nurse grabbed her arm. After slipping a mask onto Victoria's face, she guided her towards the back exit, cautioning, "There could be reporters lurking at the hospital's main entrance. Let's tread carefully."

Victoria acknowledged, realizing her earlier optimism was misplaced.

Following the young nurse's lead, they swiftly reached the lodging where the couple was holed up. It was dubbed a hotel, but truth be told, it was more of a rundown inn.

The inn's ambiance was lackluster, with dim lighting casting shadows inside.

The elevator's clunky noises filled the air, prompting Victoria to opt for the stairs upon spotting their room on the third floor.

Approaching the room, the young nurse reminded her, "Dr. Neville, take it easy. I'll start recording on my phone."

Victoria quipped, "They can snap pics, can't they?"

"Just remember to seize the moment and closely monitor the patient's condition," the nurse advised.

Victoria nodded, impressed by the young nurse's quick thinking and attention to detail. While Victoria had been focused on examining the patient's body to prove herself, she hadn't considered the importance of covering their tracks.

Once everything was set, Victoria took a deep breath, strode to the front, and rapped on the door.

A woman's voice snapped from inside, "Who's there?"

The impatience was evident in her tone.

The young nurse jumped in, "I'm the hotel maid here to grab the trash from your room."

Unsuspecting, the woman swiftly opened the door.

Seizing the moment, Victoria slipped in, and before the woman could react, the young nurse followed suit.

In stark contrast to the dim hallway, the room was well-lit, with the TV humming in the background.

Upon entering, Victoria laid eyes on a man who had feigned illness in the hospital, now lounging on the bed, puffing on a cigarette, legs crossed, and engrossed in the TV. He looked far from sick; in fact, he seemed quite at ease.

Victoria paused for a beat.

Clearly caught off guard by her unannounced entrance, the man blurted, "Dr. Neville."

Victoria couldn't help but chuckle at herself.

She had been pondering if she missed a diagnosis, but it appeared she was the punchline all along!

"No wonder you were dodging my examination. Seems like you weren't ill at all."

Her tone was icy, rendering the guilty couple speechless.

"We..."

"Dr. Neville, the charade's up. No need to waste time on them," the young nurse interjected, ensuring she had the evidence secured.

At her proclamation, the couple snapped to attention, noticing the phone in her hand.

"Hubby, we can't let them leak this online, or we're done for," the woman panicked.

Upon hearing the woman's plea, the man lunged for the phone.

The woman restrained the young nurse, preventing her escape. Fearing the phone would be snatched, she surrendered it to Victoria, urging, "Dr. Neville, get that phone out of here, quick."

"They won't lay a finger on me."

Hesitating briefly, Victoria, seeing the man advancing, dashed out, "Fine."

A scuffle ensued between the young nurse and the woman.

The woman yelled at her husband, "Hurry and grab that phone from her."

Determined, the man pursued Victoria out of the room, but the elevator was nowhere in sight, forcing her to sprint for the stairs.

His strides outpaced hers, swiftly closing the gap.

Yet, when he reached for the phone, Victoria's hands were empty.

"Where's the phone, you witch?"

His true colors emerged.

Victoria remained silent, unfazed.

Observing her, the man smirked wickedly, produced something from his pocket, and taunted, "Then it's on you."

Before she could shield her nose, it was too late.

Back at the hospital, the young nurse noticed Victoria's absence.

Her phone was unreachable, and even her calls went unanswered. The man hadn't returned to the hotel. The elation of escape waned, replaced by mounting dread.

After scouring every nook of the hospital, she reluctantly dialed Victoria's emergency contact from the office phone.

As the call connected, the young nurse broke down, "Mr. Hamilton, I'm sorry, I work with Dr. Neville."

"I have something important to tell you."

"Dr. Neville is missing."

"What?!" The calm voice on the other end was now tinged with panic.

The young nurse, flustered, recounted the events.

"Okay, I got it."

The man's voice, now composed, seemed to dismiss her earlier panic.

"Thank you."

He even offered an apology.

The young nurse couldn't believe the intensity in Edward's eyes on the other end of the line.

"Mr. Hamilton, I'm so sorry, it's my fault. I never expected Mrs. Hamilton to appear outside the hospital." The man in black attire bowed apologetically.

Edward orchestrated this situation for Victoria.

Edward stayed silent but inquired to the person on the line, "Any updates?"

In reality, he had been informed the moment Victoria went missing.

The tech team tracking Victoria's movements nodded eagerly, "We've located her."

"Mrs. Hamilton's phone signal keeps shifting."

"It's possible the other party intentionally took her phone."

Edward furrowed his brow but wasted no time, "Prepare to move out."

"Got it."

The team swiftly geared up.

Edward rose from his wheelchair, a move not surprising to those present.

Each person executed their duties efficiently.

Though Edward seemed composed, those familiar with him sensed the brewing anger beneath his stoic facade.

They couldn't fathom the consequences if these abductors harmed Victoria; they suspected Edward would leave no stone unturned.

After finalizing arrangements, Edward checked his phone.

Unexpectedly, a call was coming through.