Chapter 94 Like Strangers
He was about to speak when he spotted Emily leaning against the wall. "How is she?"
Grace's face froze.
He... actually passed right over her to ask Emily?!
Emily looked up at him, paused briefly, then slowly said: "They saved her, but Grandma suffered an acute cardiac and neurological episode. The best-case scenario is still a vegetative state... the odds of her waking up are very low."
Alex's pupils contracted, a strom brewing in his dark eyes. After a long moment, he asked, his voice rough: "How did this happen so suddenly?"
"The doctor said it was extreme agitation and emotional distress that triggered it." Emily glanced at Grace. "When Grandma collapsed, Miss Miller was right there. She was the first to spot it and call for help."
Suddenly, Alex narrowed his eyes.
A chill ran up Grace's spine. She hurried forward, eyes reddened, and said: "Alex, it's all my fault... I was there for a checkup and meds. I felt my blood sugar drop and was heading to the rest area for water when I saw Grandma passed out on the sofa. The doctors and nurses can vouch for me. I found her too late—blame me, not you. Just don't stress yourself sick..."
He lashes lowered, her tear-streaked face full of grief.
Everyone around was moved by her.
Ryan nodded. "I checked with the nurses. Miss Miller did call the doctor first. The records show she was there for an appointment. Probably just a coincidence."
Alex's gaze settled on Grace—cold, but softer than before.
Just a Grace was about to speak further, Ryan pulled her aside. "Miss Miller, this is their business. Let's not get involved, alright?"
Grace forced a smile, her nails digging into her palm. "Mr. Morrison's right. I was just really worried about Grandma."
Then she cast a resentful look at the operating room door.
Damn it!
She couldn't let anyone find out who had called Emily!
Otherwise, once she became Mrs. Baker, that meddlesome person would be the first one fired!
By the bench.
Alex's eyes held a complex expression. "You... here for a checkup too?"
Emily pressed her lips together. "Susan couldn't reach you, so she called me."
"Anyway, I'm not here for anything else. Grandma was always good to me—I should stay with her." Her tone was distant, like he was a stranger.
Alex was quiet for a moment, then said in a low voice: "I'm here now. Go home and rest."
"No need." Emily refused flatly. "I'll wait until Grandma is out of the ER. Once the nursing arrangements are in place, I'll leave."
Alex said nothing more and simply kept vigil outside the ER with her.
Two hours later.
Margaret was finally moved to a premier VIP room, connected to monitoring equipment throughout.
The spirited, smiling old women from yesterday now lay motionless on the bed, her face pale, showing no sign of awareness.
Emily sat by the bed, gently holding the old women's frail hand, eyes growing red. "Grandma, you have to wake up. Eleanor’s still waiting to play with you."
She couldn't hold back—her voice broke.
Alex stood at the door, staring at her slight figure, his eyes dark. He turned to his assistant. "Get the best nursing team for round-the-clock care. And find specialists here and abroad for a remote consultation!"
He would find a way to bring Grandma back.
That evening.
Once the old lady's vitals stabilized, Emily rubbed her tired brow. "I'll head out then. Call if anything comes up."
Eleanor was still waiting at home.
She couldn't stay at the hospital forever.
Alex simply hummed, his eyes flat and expressionless.
After Emily left, Ryan patted his shoulder. "Don't be too hard on her, Emily is hurting too -- she was more panicked than anyone when the old lady collapsed. But if Grace hadn't found her when she did, it could have been far worse."
Alex's eyes darkened. "I've got Michael checking the hospital cameras."
For now, Grandma's condition came first.
It was getting dark.
Emily drove back to the Johnson family's home.
She walked in to find Andrew holding Eleanor in the living room, face full of worry.
"Mommy!" Eleanor wriggled free from Grandpa's arms and toddled over on her little legs. "Mommy, Eleanor missed you so much!"
Emily knelt down, pulled her daughter into a hug, all her tiredness melting away.
But thinking of Grandma... her eyes stung. "Mommy's here, Eleanor be good."
Andrew stepped forwards, his tone heavy. "I heard about Margaret. How's she doing?"
Emily's voice was rough. "They saved her, but... she's in a vegetative state."
Andrew sighed, full of regret. "The old lady's a good soul—just bad luck. Your position with them is awkward now. Keep your distance if you can."
He didn't want his daughter caught up with the Baker family again.
Emily pressed her lips and hummed.
The next morning.
Emily looked into several kindergartens.
There were international options, but she wanted to go with whatever her daughter liked.
She was about to take Eleanor out to visit a few when a familiar figure stepped out from the living room.
"Emmie, heard your talk at the Morrisons didn't go well yesterday?"
It was Matthew.
He'd been tied up with work lately -- hadn't stopped by in two days.
Emily carried Eleanor downstairs, at a loss. "Yeah, Grandma collapsed suddenly, so we all rushed to the hospital."
We?
Matthew caught that word immediately.
So she'd seen Alex again.
Eleanor lit up at the sight of Matthew and wanted a hug.
He scooped her up and—as if by magic -- produced a fancy little gift box.
"Does our little princess like it?"
Eleanor opened it with her tiny hands. Inside was a limited-edition crystal hair clip, edged with perfect-cut South African diamond chips.
"Wow—Eleanor loves it!" Her light eyes sparkled.
She tried to clip it on her head right away.
Emily laughed in exasperation. "That crystal clip is a bit heavy. Won't it weigh down your little head?"
She still clipped it into her hair for her.
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Taking Eleanor to look at schools? I know a guy in the international school department—kindergarten flows right into elementary. Wanna see it?"
Emily brightened. "That setup sounds great."
Eleanor sat quietly in Emily's lap, behaving perfectly.
Suddenly, she held up her cheese stick. "Mommy, Eleanor wants Grandma."
Emily's eyes reddened instantly.
She hugged Eleanor tight, swallowing the lump in her throat, trying to sound normal. "Eleanor be good. Grandma's not feeling well right now. We'll go see her and play in a couple days, okay?"
Eleanor nodded very seriously, then her eyes lit up again. "What about handsome uncle!"