Chapter 197 Were you expecting me to go see Clare's… Clare's lifeless body, first?

Chapter 197 Were you expecting me to go see Clare's… Clare's lifeless body, first?
Rhys's POV

My blood ran cold. “What… what did you just say?”

The nurse brushed me aside. “I'm sure you heard what I said clearly.”

I leaned against the wall, just enough to keep me from falling. Mandy's threat message flashed through my mind, bringing a lot of questions into my mind.

“Was that Clare?” I shook my head. “No, it couldn't be her. She couldn't be the one.”

I didn't wait for the words to make any meaning to me before dashing towards the rooftop. Pain exploded through my body but I didn't want to care.

The staircase and elevator that led to the roof top was crowded with a whole lot of people.

I turned towards the stair case as I had a better opportunity of reaching the rooftop if I pushed through the crowd.

I was just about to push through the crowd when I saw Mandy being led down the stairs by two doctors.

My mind went blank as the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

‘If she was coming down alone. Does that mean Clare is…’ I shook my head, pushing the thought away as I kept my eyes glued at the top of the stairs.

My heart beat began accelerating when no one else was led downstairs anymore.

But my attention was soon diverted to a group of doctors whispering.

“The victim is a young girl who just survived surgery. Apart from this woman here,” one of the doctors pointed at Mandy. “There was no one else on the elevator.

Anger surged through my chest. I covered the distance between me and Mandy in the blink of an eye and threw a slap on her face.

Everyone gasped in pure shock as no one had expected it.

The slap threw her off her feet and she crashed into the wall nearby.

“You pushed her off the rooftop, didn't you?!” I yelled, trying to reach for her but a few doctors held me back.

“Young man, you need to calm down. There's no CCTV surveillance on the rooftop so we can't be sure if he did it,” a doctor said.

“She did it.” I interjected, my voice cold. “She took her off her bed and carried her all the way to the rooftop. She threatened to push her off the rooftop. So tell me what other proof you need.”

“She made threats?” The doctor asked.

I reached for my phone and turned it on. With a few clicks, I found the message.

“Can you see what the message said?” I asked, waving the phone in front of the doctors.

Mandy staggered to her feet. “I didn't do it.”

“And I should believe that?” I snarled.

“I'm your mother. I know you're still angry with me but you have to believe I didn’t do it.” Her voice was smooth like velvet.

If one of the doctors weren't fast enough to grab my hand, I would have slammed Mandy's head into the wall.

“Young man, is she your mother?” One of the doctors asked.

I was just about to reply when Mark came rushing over. He was with Zane and two police officers.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw me. “Rhys, this isn't what I'm thinking right?”

I diverted my attention to Mandy without a word. My hand was shaking so badly that if they touched her by mistake, she would surely not survive it.

Mark hurried toward me, shaking her head. “No… no… no. Rhys, answer me and tell me it's all a joke, please.”

I avoided his eyes, unable to find my voice. I wanted all these to be a lie. Maybe a prank or a joke or even a nightmare. Something that could keep me sane.

“Mother, you didn't push her off the rooftop, right?” Zane's voice cracked.

Mandy shook her head. “I didn't.”

“Then… then what happened?” He asked.

Mandy pressed her lips together and lowered her head without a word.

I froze.

“Mother, how could you?! Didn't you say you would just convince her to accept my proposal?!” Zane shrieked, struggling to set himself free from the officers but they held him tightly.

Reed rushed in before Mandy could reply. The frown on his face turned into displeasure when he saw me there.

“What are you doing here, Rhys?” He demanded.

I turned my back on him, pretending like I didn't hear him.

“Have you forgotten you have an image to maintain? I'm beginning to think you're doing this intentionally. Don't you want to join the team again?” Reed asked in one breath.

I ignored him completely.

“Don't give me that attitude. You know—”

“Clare was pushed off the rooftop!” Mark cut him off sharply.

The hallway that was filled with loud noises fell silent immediately as everyone's focus shifted to us.

“What did you just say? Clare was pushed off the rooftop?” Reed asked to be sure.

Mark nodded. “You heard me clearly.”

Reed glanced from me to Mark and then Zane. “Did any of you see her body?”

“Are you trying to mock me?” I snapped.

“You're the one mocking and making a fool of yourself. How can you be making a ruckus here without confirming the details?” Reed demanded.

I pointed at Mandy. “What else do I need to confirm? She was on the rooftop. She sent a threatening message to me about pushing Clare off. Were you expecting me to go see Clare's… Clare's lifeless body, first?”

“Haven't I always told you to confirm details before jumping into conclusions?” Reed asked. “Clare is awake in her ward.”

My stomach flipped. “What did you just say?”

“You can follow me or remain here.” Reed added, ignoring my question.

He turned around and began walking away. I didn't think twice before running after him with Mark trailing behind.

My pulse hammered loudly in my pulse as we approached her ward. Reed opened the door and stepped inside but I couldn't bring myself to follow him in.

Mark walked past me and stepped inside. I wanted to turn around when he widened the door and my eyes met Clare's.