Chapter 391: She Loves You with Great Difficulty

Chapter 391: She Loves You with Great Difficulty

"The blade was poisoned?" Harriet's face turned pale. "Take me to see him right away!"

"Yes!"

Harriet quickly arrived at the emergency room to examine Caspian.

Fortunately, just in case, she had brought her medical kit when she left home. Inside was an antidote she and Ondine had developed together to relieve toxicity.

Harriet first gave Caspian the antidote to temporarily ease the symptoms, drew a vial of blood, and had the doctor continue cleaning the wound.

She rushed back home without stopping and began studying the poison.

A few hours later, word came from the hospital that Coralie's surgery was complete and she had been moved to a ward for observation.

Caspian remained unconscious and was staying in the ICU.

Harriet instructed the doctors to report on Caspian's condition at all times and continued studying the poison.

"Harriet, go eat something," Ondine walked in. "Leave this to me."

"I'm not hungry." Harriet turned to look at her. "There's something I'd like to ask you to help with."

"Between us, there's no need to be so formal. Just tell me."

"The poison in Caspian is quite complex. I still need time, but I really can't stop worrying about him."

"I understand," Ondine said. "I'll pack my things right now and go to the hospital to watch over him. If something really goes wrong, I can at least stabilize him first."

"That's exactly what I mean." Harriet said, "I've already prepared the antidote. Take it with you, just in case."

"If I remember correctly, this is the last antidote pill, right? You'll need it when you break the curse later."

Harriet said firmly, "We can make more medicine, but nothing can happen to Caspian."

"I understand. I'll do as you say." Ondine didn't delay and soon left for the hospital.

Harriet ate the food the servants brought in and continued her research.

Haven knew she was anxious and didn't disturb her. Even Tristan didn't call to interrupt her.

Close to midnight, Harriet pressed her aching neck, took a sip of coffee, and picked up her phone to call Ondine.

The phone rang for quite a while before Ondine answered. "Harriet."

"Godmother, why did it take you so long to answer? Is Caspian's condition bad?"

"It's nothing. Don't worry."

Harriet was silent for a moment, then said, "Godmother, I can have my hackers check the hospital surveillance directly, so you don't need to hide anything from me."

Ondine let out a soft sigh. "Half an hour ago, Caspian suddenly coughed up blood. Luckily the doctors were paying attention, and I gave him the antidote right away. He's stabilized now, but he's still unconscious. Harriet, this poison is really powerful. Even the antidote can't suppress it completely - it can only temporarily hold back the outbreak."

"I understand." Harriet's hand holding the phone was trembling. "Godmother, thank you for your hard work. Please make sure to watch over Caspian for me."

"Don't worry. He just took the medicine, so it should hold for a while at least." Ondine advised, "Harriet, don't be too anxious, and don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"I know." Harriet hung up the phone, got up and went to the bathroom to wash her face.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt grateful like never before.

She was grateful she had studied medicine, grateful she still had a chance to save her brother.

Harriet cleared her head and sat back down at the desk to continue her research.

At that moment in the hospital, Ondine confirmed that Caspian's condition was temporarily stable and left the ICU room, planning to work on the antidote alongside Harriet.

As soon as she returned to the lounge, she saw Tristan sitting on the sofa.

"Tristan, what are you doing here?"

"I can't be home with Harriet, so I can only come here to watch over Caspian for her."

"With you here, I feel much better. At least Caspian's safety is guaranteed. By the way, have they caught the person who hurt him and the one who hit Coralie with the car?"

Tristan's handsome face darkened. "They caught them."

"Where are they? At the police station? Are they Caspian's enemies?"

"They were after Caspian. That child was apparently trained from a young age specifically to lower people's guard and kill them by surprise. They first stabbed Caspian with a poisoned blade, then tried to hit him with a car to make sure he was dead. But they didn't expect Coralie to rush out and push Caspian away. When the driver and the child were caught, they were already dead - poisoned."

Ondine frowned. "Such an organized and premeditated murder... was it Griffin?"

"Who else could it be?" Tristan closed his eyes wearily. "Godmother, I know I should have killed him long ago, but Harriet's life is in his hands. I didn't dare take the risk."

"It looks like Harriet shooting at Griffin really set him off." Ondine analyzed, "Last time we took out a lot of his people, but there will always be some who slip through the net. Griffin is too careful to let all his subordinates get caught."

"The security around you and Harriet is too tight. It's not easy for him to find an opportunity to strike. The others stay hidden away. The easiest target really was Caspian."

"If Harriet's brother dies, she'll be devastated. Griffin is really ruthless."

Tristan opened his eyes, his deep gaze unreadable. "We can't let Harriet know about this for now."

"I understand. Right now she needs absolute focus to develop the antidote."

Harriet didn't come out of the lab all night. Iris, worried about her, sat outside the door keeping watch and accidentally fell asleep. When she woke up, she realized it was almost dawn.

Iris knocked and entered to find Harriet still busy working. She said with concern, "Mrs. Lancaster, please rest for a while."

"I'm not tired. Go make me another cup of coffee."

"But if you keep going without sleep, your body will break down."

"Caspian is racing against death right now. I can't spare time to sleep." Harriet said seriously, "Just do as I say."

"Yes."

Iris brought the coffee, and Harriet instructed again, "Go tell everyone in the house not to disturb me."

"Yes."

Time passed minute by minute, but there was still no progress on the antidote.

Harriet, exhausted, went to the bathroom to wash her face, trying hard to stay calm.

She couldn't panic.

If she lost her composure, Caspian's hope would become even slimmer.

Harriet opened the door, went to the dining room to eat something, then came back, locked the door, and continued her research.

When Iris went to bring refreshments, she heard the sound of glass breaking in the lab. She quickly knocked and asked, "Mrs. Lancaster, what happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Harriet's voice came quickly. "Go away. Don't disturb me."

"Yes, I'll leave the food by the door then."

It wasn't until evening that Harriet finally emerged from the lab, anxious to leave.

"Harriet, how did it go?" Haven came forward to ask.

"I've developed the antidote. I'm going to the hospital to see Caspian now."

"That's wonderful!" Haven looked at her pale face. "You look terrible. Why don't you rest at home and have someone else deliver the medicine?"

"No, I have to stay with Caspian. Grandma, I'm fine." Harriet gently patted Haven's hand and headed straight to the hospital.

Ondine was very excited. "Harriet, I've been studying the poison in Caspian all night too, but I haven't made any progress. I can't believe you were able to develop an antidote in such a short time!"

"How is Caspian?"

"He coughed up blood again during the day. I used every method I could and barely managed to keep him alive. If you hadn't come, I really would have been out of options. He couldn't have made it through tonight."

Harriet immediately rushed to the ward and gave Caspian the medicine.

Before long, the unconscious Caspian showed a reaction. He coughed heavily several times and spat out a large mouthful of black blood.

Harriet quickly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

After a moment, Caspian calmed down and fell back into unconsciousness.

Ondine came forward to examine him and said with delight, "His condition is much more stable!"

An hour later, the doctor drew blood for testing. The toxins in Caspian's blood had already decreased significantly.

Harriet breathed a sigh of relief. "I knew it. Caspian isn't meant to die. He won't die so easily. Godmother, you continue to watch over him here. I'm going back to make more antidote."

"Okay."

Harriet turned around, but after just a few steps, she suddenly clutched her chest.

The next second, blood spurted from her mouth!

"Harriet!" Ondine rushed forward to support her, panicking. "What's wrong? Don't scare me!"

"Godmother, I'm fine."

Ondine suddenly realized something and said in shock, "To develop the antidote quickly, you tested it on yourself, didn't you? Are you crazy? I told you, no matter how familiar you are with medicine, you can't just test poison on yourself, especially with the curse on you - the situation is more complicated than usual! If anything goes wrong, you could die!"

"But he's my brother." Harriet's lips curved slightly. "I can't just watch him die. No matter what it costs, I have to save him. And I succeeded. Like Caspian, I'm coughing up old blood. One more dose of the antidote and I'll be fine."

Ondine felt both heartbroken and sad. "You child, why can't you ever give me peace of mind!"

"I'm really fine." Harriet comforted her. "Time is tight, I need to get back. Oh, and don't tell Tristan about this. I don't want him to worry."

"I understand. Be careful on the road."

"Okay."

Early the next morning, after Caspian took the antidote for the second time, he was finally out of danger.

Though he hadn't woken up yet, he was moved to a regular ward.

Harriet was still worried and stayed at the hospital, but she was already exhausted. Under Ondine's insistence, she went to the lounge to sleep.

When Caspian woke up, it was already evening.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Harriet sleeping with her head on the bed.

He raised his hand and gently stroked her hair.

Harriet's eyes flew open, and she said with delight, "Caspian, you're awake! How do you feel? Is anything uncomfortable?"

"I'm fine." Caspian smiled, his weak voice speaking slowly. "Harriet, thank you for all your hard work."

Harriet couldn't hold back anymore. Tears streamed down her face. "You really scared me to death, you know? You can't scare me like this again!"

"Okay, I promise." Caspian asked, "Coralie... how is Coralie?"

Harriet froze. "Caspian, Coralie... she couldn't save the baby."

Caspian's pale face showed no extra emotion, but a barely noticeable sadness flashed in his eyes. "What about her?"

"That car was coming for your life. Coralie was badly hurt, and with the miscarriage, although she's out of danger, she hasn't woken up yet."

"How could this happen?" Caspian struggled to sit up. "Why hasn't she woken up?"

"There's nothing wrong with Coralie's body that would prevent her from waking up, but she just hasn't. I've arranged for a medical team to do a full examination. Their conclusion is that Coralie's will to live is too weak, which is why she hasn't woken up."

"Her will to live is too weak?" Caspian frowned. "She doesn't want to wake up?"

"Maybe she knows the baby is gone and can't accept it." Harriet said, "Godmother and I are already trying to find a way."

"I want to see her."

"Caspian, you just woke up. Take it easy first."

Harriet helped him lie back down and examined him. "You're doing well, but we need to do a detailed physical examination. I'll arrange it right away."

After Caspian finished his physical examination and ate something, he was finally allowed to leave the ward.

He was too weak to walk and could only sit in a wheelchair. Harriet pushed him to Coralie's room next door.

Coralie lay quietly on the hospital bed with a breathing mask on her face.

Caspian looked at Coralie on the bed, and that strange yet familiar stabbing pain swept through his heart again.

"Harriet, during the days I was unconscious, I seemed to have a very, very long dream. Or more accurately, all the moments I spent with Coralie over the years played out in my mind like a movie, and from her perspective."

"I seemed to see her devotion, her patience, her despair."

"The last scene was the car accident that day. I saw her walk out of the hospital. When she saw me get stabbed, she was terrified. Before she could react, she saw that car coming at me."

"Actually, she's usually pretty slow to react, but that day, for some reason, she suddenly became very alert. She pushed me away without any hesitation."

Harriet choked up. "Caspian, I've seen the surveillance video from the scene. You're right. Coralie really did rush out and push you away without any hesitation. If she had hesitated for even a few seconds, you would have been the one hit. With the poison and the car accident, you would have had a hard time surviving."

Caspian closed his eyes in pain. "I wasn't good to her. Why would she sacrifice herself to save me?"

"I know why. It was Coralie's instinct." Harriet wiped the tears from her eyes. "Because she loves you more than she loves herself."

Caspian opened his eyes and said with difficulty, "But didn't she already decide to leave me?"

"Caspian, she wanted to leave you because she had accumulated too much disappointment, but that doesn't mean she stopped loving you." Harriet explained. "She loved you for so many years. How could she just let go like that?"

"She was just constantly trying to convince herself to give up on you, to bury her love for you deep in her heart."

"Actually, Coralie's love for you was very painful. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get a response from you. She could only choose to give up on you."

"When she decided to abort the baby before, it was actually a very painful decision. For someone like her who values family so much, how could she bear to abort the child? But she had no better option."

"Now that the baby is gone, I can imagine how desperate she must be. I've had similar experiences myself. Maybe she doesn't want to wake up because she simply doesn't know how to face the reality of losing the child."