Chasing the Unexpected

apter 14

Chapter 14

Nyla’s face turned pale as she snatched the phone back from Clark’s hand. “I’ll head there right away!”

Clark grabbed her hand. “I’ll go with you.”

Without giving Nyla a chance to refuse, he pulled her along toward the door.

Nyla tried to shake off his grip but failed, frowning in frustration. “Let go of me. I can go by myself.”

Clark looked back at her with a hint of helplessness. “Nyla, your father’s health is at stake right now. Let’s put aside our argument for later, okay?”

Nyla had wanted to point out that their situation wasn’t just a simple argument, but her father’s condition was more pressing. She didn’t have the energy to argue with him either.

They rushed to the emergency room, where they saw Wren Hackett anxiously waiting on a bench in the corridor, her eyes red.

Nyla hurried over. “Wren, what happened? Wasn’t Dad’s condition stable all this time? Why did he suddenly collapse?”

The doctors had previously assured them that as long as Harrison avoided stress, his condition would remain stable.

Wren couldn’t hold back her tears once she saw Nyla. It took her a while before she could speak. “I don’t know… Clement and his daughter came to visit your father this evening.

“After they left, your father remained silent. When I asked if something had happened, he didn’t respond. Then suddenly he started coughing up blood and passed out…”

Nyla’s expression turned icy cold.

The Pollards had quickly distanced themselves from the Jaystons after the bankruptcy of Harris Pharmaceuticals. They hadn’t visited Harrison in years, so their sudden appearance today clearly wasn’t for good intentions.

After comforting Wren and seeing her calm down, Nyla stood up and went to the stairwell, calling Lucia directly. “Lucia, what did your father and you say to my father today at the hospital?”

There was a chuckle on the other end of the phone, followed by Lucia’s nonchalant voice. “Nyla, my father and I visited your father and reminisced about the past. What’s the matter?”

Her casual tone sparked anger in Nyla. “What did my father do to wrong your family? Do you and your father have any conscience?”

If it weren’t for Harrison, Clement wouldn’t have secured the position of procurement manager at Harris

Pharmaceuticals, nor would he be where he is today.

Instead of showing any gratitude, they repaid kindness with malice, rushing to the hospital to provoke him. It was like nurturing an ungrateful viper.

“Nyla, I wasn’t planning to visit your father, but you insisted on coming to Park Pharmaceuticals, which

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Chapter 14

left me feeling unsettled. Thus, I had to make you feel the same way.”

“So that’s how it is…” Nyla lowered her gaze, her grip on her phone tightening slowly.

She hadn’t wanted to deal with Lucia, but the latter had harmed her family. She wouldn’t endure it any

longer.

“You will pay for your actions today.”

Lucia scoffed. “Sure, I’ll wait and see.”

She had heard that Clark was having a passionate affair with his secretary. Soon, Nyla would probably be kicked out. Without the Sumners’s protection, getting rid of Nyla would be as easy as squashing an ant

Nyla didn’t waste any more words with Lucia. She hung up and anonymously sent the files she had prepared earlier to Genevieve’s email.

When she returned to the emergency room, the surgery light had just gone out.

Wren quickly stood up and walked to the operating room door, waiting. Seeing her trembling. Nyla walked up and supported her.

The door to the operation room swung open, and a doctor emerged.

“Doctor, how is my husband?” Wren asked anxiously.

“He’s temporarily out of danger, but from now on, he must avoid any stress. Otherwise, his body might not hold out until the day of the kidney transplant.”

Wren let out a heavy sigh of relief, wiping tears from her eyes and nodding repeatedly. “Okay… Okay, 1

understand.”

“Well monitor his heart rate tonight. You can take turns staying with him. If you have any questions, please press the call button.”

Shortly after the doctor left, Harrison was wheeled out by the nurses.

Still under the effects of anesthesia, he lay unconscious, his eyes closed tightly. His face, gaunt from illness, highlighted his prominent cheekbones, and his complexion lacked any color.

Nyla couldn’t help but burst into tears at the sight.

Since the bankruptcy of Harris Pharmaceuticals, Harrison had fallen ill and spent most of the past few years in the hospital, growing increasingly frail.

Clark wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Nyla, don’t worry. Dad will get better.”

Nyla wiped away her tears and discreetly pushed him away. “Mm.”

Her indifference made Clark feel a stab of disappointment. It seemed she still wasn’t willing to forgive

him.

Back in the hospital room, Clark asked Wren to go home and rest first. He would stay with Nyla there for the night

After Wren left, he sat down beside Nyla and gently took her hand. “Nyla, it’s late now. Why don’t you go get some rest?”

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Nyla shrugged off his hand, her gaze devoid of warmth “Clark, there’s no need for you to pretend to be a good husband or son–in–law here. Ever since you cheated on me, we could never be together again. Leave. I don’t want to argue with you in the hospital.”

Knowing she was upset, Clark didn’t argue with her. He crouched down in front of her, looking at her tenderly. “Nyla, I’m not pretending. Whether it’s caring for you or Dad, it’s all from my heart. Why do you always twist my good Intentions?”

Nyla stared coldly at him. “Because all your good intentions have a purpose. You’re humbling yourself now just to make me forgive your affair, aren’t you?”

“Whether you forgive me or not, I can make sure you can’t leave me. I don’t want to see you sad, so I’m willing to coax you. Do you really not understand, or are you pretending not to?”

Clark’s presumptuous demeanor disgusted Nyla to the core. He had betrayed her, yet he had the audacity to say such shameless words.

Nyla turned away, refusing to engage with him further. Whatever he said, she would never forgive him.

In the middle of the night, Harrison finally woke up.

“Dad, you’re awake? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

“No… Where’s Wren?”

Wren and Harrison were both in their second marriages, each bringing a child into the family.

When they planned to marry, Nyla was already 18 and had no objections. After their marriage, treated Nyla well, and they lived harmoniously as a family.

1. e. Wren

During the downfall of Harris Pharmaceuticals and Harrison’s illness, Wren remained faithfully by his side. It was then that Nyla truly understood their genuine love for each other.

“She’ll be here tomorrow to take care of you. She went home to rest for now.”

Harrison nodded. “I’m fine. It’s late now, You and Clark should go back and rest.”

With the Jaystons‘ decline and Nyla’s marriage into the Sumners, it was a significant social climb. He didn’t want his daughter to face difficulties because of him. Visiting him in the hospital once or twice might not incur Clark’s resentment, but over time, he would inevitably harbor some grievances.

Nyla knew Harrison didn’t want to affect her relationship with Clark, and it filled her with bitter sorrow.” Dad, it’s okay. I’ll stay here tonight with you.”

Clark chimed in. “Yeah, Dad. Nyla and I are here for you. It’s only right.”

Harrison sighed. “With Wren taking care of me, you two don’t need to come here all the time. Just live your lives well. That’s more than enough.”