Chapter 25 Our Time Will Come

Chapter 25 Our Time Will Come

Sebastian's words yanked her from crushing grief straight into wild relief.

She turned stiffly and looked at the man standing before her. His suit was covered in dust. His face was grim. But he was alive. The delayed shock of nearly losing him hit her all at once like a wave crashing over her.

Her knees buckled. She collapsed backward.

The cold floor never came. She fell into a solid embrace that smelled faintly of cologne and antiseptic.

Sebastian caught her just in time. His arm locked around her waist, unyielding as steel.

He frowned and looked down at the woman in his arms. Her face was as pale as the hospital sheets. Her whole body was trembling. That vague irritation in his chest grew stronger.

"Stand up." His voice was hard. He let go.

Sophie leaned against the wall and barely managed to stay upright.

The fear hit her in waves. Her stomach churned. She covered her mouth and forced down the nausea, but her eyes stayed locked on him. She scanned him from head to toe.

"Are you… are you really okay?" Her voice was still thick with tears. It shook badly. "Are you hurt anywhere? What if there's internal bleeding?"

She was babbling. The composed professional she usually was had vanished. All that was left was raw, instinctive worry.

Sebastian didn't like being scrutinized like this. He didn't like the way she looked at him—like he was fragile. Like he might break.

"I'm fine." His tone was flat. He turned to leave this place that reeked of disinfectant.

"No!" Sophie lunged forward without thinking and grabbed his arm.

Her hand was cold as ice. Her fingers were still trembling. But her grip was surprisingly strong.

Sebastian stopped. He looked down at her hand on his arm. His frown deepened.

"You need to get checked out." Sophie lifted her head. Her eyes were red but steady. "This was attempted murder. Who knows what else they tampered with in that car? You need to make sure you're okay, Mr. Carter. This isn't something you can ignore."

The shock had cleared her mind. She was thinking sharply now.

Sebastian studied the determination in her eyes. The concern didn't look fake.

He was silent for a few seconds. Then he didn't pull away.

"Aiden will handle it. You don't need to get involved."

"Aiden's still in the ER. He can't handle anything right now!" Sophie shot back without hesitation. She pulled him toward the VIP wing. "You need to rest. I'll get a doctor."

Her forcefulness surprised him.

He didn't resist. He let her lead him down the empty, quiet hallway.

Her palm was damp with sweat. The warmth seeped through his shirt sleeve and onto his skin. It was an unfamiliar sensation.

He watched her slender back, straight-backed and determined. His mind replayed the scene he'd walked in on earlier.

She had thrown herself at that gurney covered with a white sheet. She had looked like her entire world had collapsed. Who had she thought was under that sheet?

Would a subordinate care that much about a boss?

Something flickered in Sebastian's ice-blue eyes. A question he couldn't quite answer.

Sophie settled him into an empty private room and finally let herself breathe.

"Mr. Carter, please stay here and rest. Don't move around." She spoke to him like he was a stubborn patient who wouldn't follow orders.

Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed. His expression returned to its usual cold detachment.

He undid his cufflinks and rolled up one sleeve, exposing his forearm. "Don't tell anyone about what happened today."

"I understand." Sophie nodded immediately.

This kind of power struggle within a wealthy family—the fewer people who knew, the safer it was.

"I'll get a nurse." She still wasn't satisfied. She turned and hurried out of the room.

Sebastian watched her leave. He leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes.

The impact from the crash still lingered in his body. He felt drained.

He needed to calm down. He needed to think this through.

Then the door opened. But it wasn't Sophie.

A man in his fifties walked in. He was slightly overweight and dressed expensively. A fake smile stretched across his face.

Two stone-faced bodyguards followed behind him.

It was George.

Sebastian opened his eyes. His gaze turned ice-cold.

"Well, well, Sebastian," George said, his voice dripping with false concern. He walked closer. "I just got to City A and heard you had a little accident. So naturally, I came right over to check on you. You're not hurt, are you?"

His words sounded caring, but his eyes were dismissive. He looked Sebastian over like he was inspecting damaged goods.

"I'll live." Sebastian's voice was flat and cold.

George's smile stiffened for a moment. Then it returned, just as fake as before.

He pulled over a chair and sat down without being invited. He even crossed his legs.

"You're still young. Don't let your temper get the better of you. I'm just giving you a friendly reminder—in this business, luck runs out eventually. Don't think you're untouchable just because you're sitting pretty right now. One day, someone else might take your place."

It was a blatant threat.

Sebastian's hand, resting at his side, slowly curled into a fist. His knuckles went white.

A cold fury rose in his chest. He stared at the smug face in front of him. His ice-blue eyes were murderous.

The tension in the room was stretched tight, ready to snap.

Then the door opened again.

"The doctor will be here soon. The nurse is going to check your blood—" Sophie's voice cut off abruptly.

She saw the extra people in the room. She saw the tension crackling in the air. She understood immediately.

The nurse behind her stepped forward, her professional demeanor firm and unyielding. "Excuse me, gentlemen. The patient needs to be examined and needs rest. You need to leave. Now."

George turned around. He saw a nurse and an unfamiliar young woman. Annoyance flashed across his face.

But he didn't want to cause a scene in a hospital. He stood up and straightened his suit. He gave Sebastian a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Well, since the doctor's here, I'll get out of your way. Take care of yourself. Our time will come."

He walked out with his men, his stride slow and arrogant.

The door closed. The room was quiet again.

The nurse efficiently checked Sebastian's blood pressure and heart rate. Sophie stood off to the side, a chill running down her spine.