Chapter 365



“Understood. I’ll give the orders immediately,” Gordon replied.

He hesitated briefly before adding, “What about those kidnappers? How should we deal with them?”

Lucas considered for a moment before answering, “Leave the matter to Verena. Let her decide.”

“Yes, Mr. Clark.” With that, Gordon turned and left the office.

Lucas exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples before standing up.

He intended to head back to the house on the outskirts of the city, seeking some respite.

But as he approached the office door, his phone rang.

He answered the call.

Ryan’s urgent voice echoed on the other end of the line. “Lucas, can you come to the hospital now? Verena… Something’s wrong with her. She has locked herself in the bathroom with the shower running. She won’t come out, and no matter how much I call her, she just says she’s fine. But I’m really worried about her. What if she does something reckless?”

Lucas’ brows knitted tightly.

Frustration simmered within him, but he pushed it aside. He couldn’t ignore this.

“I’m on my way,” he said before ending the call.

Abandoning his original plans, Lucas drove directly to the Grand Plains General Hospital.

When he arrived at the hospital room, he found Ryan at the bathroom door, speaking softly yet urgently. “Verena, please come out. You’ve been in there too long. I’m worried.”

From inside, Verena’s weak voice responded, “I am fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Ryan knocked again, desperation seeping into his tone. “If you’re fine, then open the door. Let me see for myself.”

Lucas quickly walked over, his voice firm. “Verena, open the door.”

The bathroom fell silent for a moment before Verena’s faint reply came. “Lucas…”

“You have five minutes,” Lucas said directly. “If you’re not out by then, I’m leaving.”

“No! I’ll come out right now!” Verena’s response was immediate, almost panicked.

Lucas turned, sitting on the sofa without another word, waiting.

Three minutes later, the bathroom door creaked open.

Verena emerged, her damp hair clinging to her flushed face, an unnatural redness coloring her cheeks.

“Verena!” Ryan rushed to her side, his face etched with worry. “Are you okay?”

Verena gave him a faint smile. “I told you, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”

But as Verena stepped toward Lucas, Ryan suddenly grabbed her wrist and pushed up the sleeve of her hospital gown.

A vivid red mark stood out on her arm.

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