Chapter 100
Monday arrived, but Maria still showed no signs of waking.
Willow had requested time off from work in advance. Her manager, though reluctant, had seen the viral photo circulating online and knew Willow was genuinely at the hospital, so couldn't object too strongly.
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At the Lancaster Group, the morning meeting had just concluded.
As Sterling rose to leave, Baron approached him respectfully.
"Mr. Lancaster, the vacation resort project is currently under Willow's supervision, but she's taken leave for the past few days," Baron explained. "Should we assign someone else to take over?"
Since it was Sterling's personal project, Baron didn't want to delay progress.
Sterling narrowed his eyes. "She's still at the hospital?"
Baron nodded. "She requested leave last night."
Sterling's expression darkened slightly. "No need. The resort project isn't urgent."
Baron acknowledged the decision.
As the two men exited the conference room, Blake was waiting outside. "Mr. Lancaster, Mr. Myers."
Baron exchanged greetings with him, discussed a few work matters with Sterling, then excused himself.
Once alone in the hallway with Blake, Sterling asked, "Is there anything in this afternoon's schedule that can be postponed?"
Blake considered for a moment. "There's a dinner meeting we could reschedule."
He glanced curiously at his boss's back, unable to guess what Sterling needed to clear his schedule for. Sterling had always prioritized work—this was the first time he'd voluntarily requested to postpone business.
"Reschedule it then," Sterling said, noticing Blake's curious gaze but maintaining his composure. "We'll visit the hospital this evening."
Blake's interest was piqued. He carefully asked, "Which hospital, sir?"
Sterling gave him a sidelong glance, a hint of displeasure in his eyes. "Harmony Health Center."
Blake's suspicions were confirmed. He respectfully acknowledged the instruction.
---
Meanwhile, Willow had spent days by the intensive care unit, leaving only for meals and bathroom breaks, terrified Maria might take a turn for the worse in her absence.
The strain was evident in her appearance. She looked utterly exhausted.
Charles had visited twice during this time. Seeing her condition, he'd been deeply concerned and offered to take her place so she could rest. Both times, Willow had firmly sent him away.
She'd rather exhaust herself than risk Maria waking to see someone she didn't want to see, possibly causing another setback.
As evening approached, Willow sat outside the ICU.
Dinner time had passed, but she had no appetite. Her stomach cramped painfully, but she paid it no mind.
Days had gone by, and Maria still showed no signs of waking.
Leaning back on the bench outside the room, Willow couldn't help feeling terrified. What would she do if her grandmother never woke up?
In the midst of her distress, steady footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway, followed by the hospital director's deferential voice: "Rest assured, Mr. Lancaster. Mrs. Spencer's vital signs are stable. She'll be fine."
Willow slowly came back to herself, frowning slightly, assuming Charles had returned.
A few seconds later, Sterling's tall, elegant figure appeared around the corner, followed by the hospital director and Maria's attending physician. The two medical professionals were explaining Maria's condition in detail.
Blake followed behind them, casting a concerned glance toward Willow.
Stunned, Willow watched as they approached. She slowly rose to her feet.
"Uncle Sterling, Mr. Bailey... what brings you here?" Willow asked, both touched and surprised.
The hospital director knew of her relationship with Charles and naturally assumed Sterling was their uncle. In his presence, Willow saw no need to pretend they weren't acquainted.
Their timely appearance lifted Willow's spirits somewhat.
Sterling stood at the door of the hospital room, observing Maria through the window without responding to Willow.
Noting this, Blake explained, "Mr. Lancaster heard you were at the hospital and came to see if you needed any assistance."
He deliberately emphasized that it was Sterling's idea.
Willow understood and looked gratefully toward Sterling. "Thank you, Uncle Sterling."
Sterling's deep eyes swept over her. "I haven't done anything yet. What are you thanking me for?"
Since he'd known Willow, "thank you" seemed to be the phrase he heard most often from her lips. An outsider might think he'd done her enormous favors.
Yet Sterling didn't feel he'd done anything for her at all.
The only explanation was that in Willow's eyes, he was an outsider who needed to be flattered—a realization that irritated him.
Chastened by his response, Willow pressed her lips together and remained silent.
She knew she should say something to appease him, but after days of exhaustion, she simply didn't have the energy for social niceties.
"Hace you had dinner, Ms. Spencer? Mr. Lancaster brought chicken soup for you. Perhaps you should have some," Blake suggested, breaking the tense atmosphere.
Willow instinctively began to decline. "That's not necessary, I—"
She wanted to say she had no appetite, but Sterling's gaze on her face made the words die in her throat.
Willow hadn't looked in a mirror for days and didn't realize how haggard she appeared, her lips nearly colorless.
When she didn't continue, Blake followed his boss's instructions and poured her some soup, offering it to her.
Willow obediently accepted it.
Nearby, the doctor continued explaining Maria's condition to Sterling. Willow sipped her soup while quietly listening.
Sterling exuded an air of authority—as if his mere presence meant any situation was under control.
With her mind in chaos, Willow desperately needed a pillar of strength. Sterling's arrival gave her exactly that.
After the doctor finished his lengthy explanation—which amounted to continued observation and planning treatment after Maria woke and stabilized—Willow felt less panicked than she had in days, though the information was essentially the same as what she'd been told before.
After the doctor left, Sterling looked down at her. "Charles hasn't come?"
Having finished her soup, Willow felt her stomach settle. "He did, but I sent him away. I thought Grandma wouldn't want to see him when she wakes up."
Her tone still carried resentment at the mention of Charles.
Sterling raised an eyebrow, glancing at the sleeping Maria. "This is related to Charles?"
Willow smiled tightly without answering.
There was no need to drag Sterling into the complicated history between her and Charles. Nor did she want to expose her wounds in front of someone unrelated to the situation.
When she didn't elaborate, Sterling didn't press the issue.
The hallway fell silent for a moment.
As Willow's emotions settled, she began feeling awkward, worried she was wasting Sterling's time. She was about to suggest he leave when Blake's voice broke the silence.
"Is Mrs. Spencer waking up?" he asked uncertainly.
Willow swallowed her words and turned toward the hospital room.
Through the window, she could clearly see that Maria had opened her eyes and was shifting uncomfortably.
She was really awake!
"I'll get the doctor!" Willow exclaimed, taking a step forward. Suddenly, her body went limp, her vision darkened, and she lost consciousness.