Chapter 53

Chapter 53

This operation was to deal with Killian's counterattack and help me resolve some issues.

They had been preparing for a long time, but if I were there, Virio was worried this would drag me into it. Besides, he didn't want me to see him take action against my family.

That was when I understood his good intentions, and why Luca told me to trust him.

At that moment, I suddenly couldn't stop crying. "How badly is he hurt? Where is he now?"

Luca told me this information couldn't be leaked. "If others find out, it could trigger counterattacks from other families. The news is tightly sealed, so don't ask around for now."

Soon, the call was disconnected. I knew Luca must have been called away by someone.

I stared at my phone, restless, my mind flooded with all the moments I'd spent with Virio.

No, I absolutely couldn't stay here.

I had to go back to Emerald City!

Only by returning to Virio's side could I know how badly he was hurt, and properly take care of him.

I told Charles my plan.

Luca was on Virio's side, and to protect me, he carried out his promise to Virio without hesitation.

He said that before Virio was injured, he told him this absolutely couldn't be revealed to me. He only told me because he was afraid my worry would lead me to do something even more rash.

The only one who could help me now was Charles.

When Charles heard what I said, his first reaction was to refuse and hesitate.

But in the end, he couldn't resist me. He arranged for someone to secretly drive me back to Emerald City.

That day I returned to Virio's residence.

Charles kept this from them, so neither Luca nor Virio knew.

I thought my return would be a huge surprise for them, but when I got back, I learned that Virio had been recovering at home for several days.

But it wasn't what I imagined—just bedridden. Instead, he was unconscious.

When Luca stopped me at the door, I could see all the hesitation on his face. I said urgently, "I'm already back, why can't you let me see him?"

But his eyes went straight to Charles, looking displeased. "When Virio wakes up, do you know what punishment you'll face?"

Charles didn't seem afraid. "Given Mr. Soren's critical condition right now, I believe my choice was right."

"Only Ms. Lacey can help him."

Tears streamed down my face, and when I spoke to Luca again, my voice was choked with sobs. "Since I heard he was hurt, I haven't slept well for a whole day! This was all my idea. I pressured Charles into this. If you're going to blame someone, blame me. This isn't Charles's fault!"

Seeing me cry so hard, Luca opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

After a long while, Charles sighed. "Luca, let her in. Right now, we also need someone who can publicly help Mr. Soren handle affairs, don't we?"

I didn't understand what he meant, but Luca seemed to get it. He exchanged a look with Charles, then stepped aside to let me into the room.

The two of them stayed outside the door, and soon I heard sounds of an argument. I couldn't hear clearly, and I had no mind to figure out what they were talking about.

My eyes fell on the person in the bed.

Compared to before, Virio looked extremely pale. His tall frame lying there no longer gave off that usual sense of pressure, but only made me feel his weakness.

Luca said that when the accident happened, Virio was right next to one of the enemies, close enough to touch, fighting hand-to-hand.

Neither had time to pull out a gun or knife, but that person was clearly a trained killer too. In the end, he grabbed a sharp weapon nearby and stabbed Virio in the chest.

Just a few inches away from piercing his heart.

Even the doctor who came to examine him said they considered it a miracle that Virio was only unconscious.

Thinking back on it still made my heart race with fear.

Sitting by the bed, I slowly took Virio's hand and lifted it to my cheek.

His usually warm palm was now cold. I couldn't help crying out loud. "Mr. Soren, look at me."

He lay there unconscious, not responding to my words.

I looked at him through my tears, stroking his palm, seeing the bandages wrapped around multiple parts of his body, my heart aching until I could barely breathe.

After sitting in the room for an hour, a nurse came to change Virio's dressing, and I left the room.

If I stayed there any longer, I felt like I might break down.

Luca and Charles were waiting outside the door. Seeing me come out, they both approached. "Elvira, we need to talk to you."

I was still in a daze. Hearing them say this, I thought they were going to send me away again. I shook my head instinctively. "I'm not leaving!"

Luca looked at me, wanting to speak but hesitating. Instead, Charles said, "No, this time we're not sending you away."

"We've discussed it. The best solution now is for you to start handling affairs in Mr. Soren's place."

I never expected they would actually do this. I was stunned. "Me? But I..."

Then Luca found his logic again. "I know what you're thinking. You don't know what title to use. Don't worry, we've already figured all that out."

They explained that during Virio's critical unconscious period, they had been handling things for him, but this reason wouldn't satisfy everyone.

Everything Virio left behind before falling unconscious was related to me, and they were also following Virio's wishes in entrusting me.

"From today on, your public identity will be Virio's fiancée," Luca said.

Hearing this, I felt like I'd been struck by lightning. "Me? How is that possible? Mr. Soren and I aren't even..."

"But you saved his life, and you're the only person who's stayed by his side during this time." Luca's emotions were complex when he said this to me. I could feel it.

I looked at Charles beside him, asking if he thought the same. He nodded. "However, Ms. Lacey, I must remind you of one thing. This way, you'll be deeply tied to Mr. Soren from now on. You and the Lacey family..."

I interrupted him. "I already can't go back anyway. So for me, it doesn't matter anymore."

"As long as I can help him during this time, I don't care about anything."

Over the following period, with Luca and Charles's help, I began acting on behalf of the Soren family affairs as Virio's fiancée.

I encountered many difficulties and obstacles from the start, which was within our expectations.