Chapter 1011: Chapter 1010
"Sure thing."
Rose turned to Romeo with a nod, "I’ll be right back."
Romeo gave a casual thumbs-up, "Cool."
Rose followed Louisa over to a foreign gentleman, "Ms. Rose Collins, it’s been a while! I never realized you were the heiress to the Collins family. I was quite shocked when I saw the news."
Louisa appeared taken aback, "You two know each other?"
"Well, we’ve collaborated a few times before." The gentleman grinned at Rose, then glanced at Louisa,
"Mrs. Collins, I must say, your daughter is incredibly talented and capable."
Rose offered a modest smile and explained, "His imports are top-notch; I’ve sourced from him a few times before."
Louisa hadn’t expected that the connection she wanted to introduce to her daughter was one Rose had already established long ago.
She engaged in light conversation with the gentleman before introducing her daughter to other potential contacts.
Meanwhile, at the hospital.
A nurse administered an injection to Serena to ease her condition.
Seeing Serena lying weakly in the hospital bed, Martin took her hand with a tender grip, "Serena, the other doctors are on their way; they’ll find a way to save you."
"What’s wrong with me?" A tear glimmered in Serena’s eye, "Why?"
Why she had to be admitted to the ICU out of the blue.
Martin was heartbroken and at a loss for answers.
He couldn’t fathom why the girl, who was all smiles just a moment ago, suddenly showed abnormal vital signs.
None of the doctors at the hospital, not even the renowned ones summoned from nearby, could diagnose the root of her illness.
On the TV, the evening’s gala was still the hot topic.
Martin and Serena saw a photo of Romeo and Rose dancing at the gala. Despite it being just one image, the poise and expressions of the couple elicited envy from onlookers, with applause from the
surrounding guests.
A tear welled up in Serena’s eyes.
Why?
Why was she suffering for no reason, while Rose got to wear a dazzling gown and dance with the world’s most distinguished gentleman?
The more she withheld, the more they desired it.
How radiant she used to be.
But now, it was Rose standing in the center of the dance floor, basking in the glory that once belonged to Serena.
Seeing her distress, Martin offered, "I’ll turn off the TV."
Serena shook her head; she insisted on watching!
She vowed to remember every person who had trampled her underfoot!
The television screen flashed with another live photo, capturing Louisa, arm in arm with her daughter,chatting with guests, her smile as radiant as the early spring sun. It appeared she was introducing her
daughter to some influential figures.
Tears brimmed in Serena’s eyes, her gaze flecked with a hint of resentment.
Her mother, who had once showered her with love and affection, showed no sign of sorrow over her loss. Instead, this once tender mother now beamed with warmth and cordiality, a stark contrast to the
cold-hearted woman who had locked her in the basement not long ago.
Serena felt a mix of anger, frustration, and hurt as her tears fell like pearls slipping off a broken necklace.
The following morning.
When Rosemary woke up, the house felt eerily quiet. Upon inquiring, she learned that her grandparents had gone to Hope Hospital for a check-up.
"Are they not feeling well?"
Rosemary wondered if her grandparents were unwell and, not wanting to disturb her after the evening’s gala, had quietly slipped away to the hospital for an examination.
"They didn’t mention why, but your parents heard about it and have already rushed over. I’m not quite sure what’s going on."
Rosemary tried calling her mother, but there was no answer. She then called her father, but again, no one picked up.
Just as Rosemary was about to drive over, a servant hurriedly brought her a sandwich, "Ms. Rose, you should eat something first. In case there’s something there that needs your attention, you might go hungry for a while."
Touched by the servant’s concern, Rosemary smiled, accepted the sandwich with a thank you, and ate her breakfast on the go. As she arrived at Hope Hospital, her mother finally returned her call.
"Rose, why are you up so early? Did you hear about your grandparents coming to the hospital and got worried?"
Louisa’s voice was cheery, "They’re fine, dear. They just wanted to show their appreciation to Dr. Pierce from Hope Hospital. Before you came home, Dr. Pierce took good care of you, and when you were trending on social media, he stepped in to clear up the situation and explain things for you. So, to thank
him, your grandparents donated some medical equipment to the hospital."
Louisa continued, "Now that the equipment has arrived, Dr. Pierce invited them to have a look and take the opportunity to do a check-up. It’s also a chance to encourage more seniors to commit to yearly health screenings."
Rosemary sighed in relief, "That’s good to hear. I’m at the hospital now, where are you guys?"
"My dear girl, you came all the way here? Did you have breakfast? I was chatting with Dr. Pierce and had my phone on silent, didn’t see your call. We’re now in the emergency building, on the twenty-
second floor. Dr. Pierce has been singing your praises all the way."
"Okay, I’m coming up." Rosemary had just ended the call when someone tapped her shoulder.
"Clark? Did you hear about grandparents’ check-up at the hospital too?" Reаd at
But since he was there, he might as well go up, see the grandparents, and keep his sister company.
"Did you grab breakfast yet?" Clark teased, slinging an arm affectionately over his sister’s shoulder.
"There’s a diner just around the corner, let’s grab a bite."
"I ate before I came over, Clark. How about you?"
"I did. When I was heading out, I’ve got a bagel to eat on the way."
"I got one too."
They chatted as they walked, and when they reached the 22nd floor, they were surprised not only to find their grandparents and parents but also their other brothers who had made the trip.
"Why the family gathering." Bernard chuckled, touched by the concern of his grandchildren. It seemed he’d have to be more explicit next time to avoid such a stir.
"Why are you and Rose here together? Get your arm off her this instant!" David stepped forward upon seeing Clark’s arm around Rose’s shoulders, "You’re crowding her, she’s not comfortable."
"I think you’re just jealous." Clark refused to let go, instead pulling her in closer with a mischievous grin.
"You guys hog her all the time, and I never say a word. Finally got my chance to bond, right?"
"Fine, bond all you want, but do you have to be so handsy." David pried his hand away with a smile,turning to his sister, "Rose, did you have breakfast yet?"
Chasel stepped in, "If not, I can go grab something for you."
Hunter added, "Or should I take you down for a snack?"
"How would you know Rose’s tastes? I’ll go." Sean stepped forward and affectionately ruffled Rosemary’s hair. "I will treat you."
"Get your hand off her!" The brothers chorused in objection to his gesture.
The room erupted in laughter at their antics, and Dr. Pierce joined in heartily, "You guys are so protective, I’m scared to even step forward."
"Pierce." Rosemary greeted him with a light smile, then turned to the other elders in the room.
Dr. Pierce beamed, "Seeing you so loved and cherished by everyone here eases my mind. Today, we owe you big time. Thanks to you, the hospital has received a load of cutting-edge equipment. Your grandparents sure know how to give, donating hundreds of units."
Cornelia smiled, "We should be thanking you. Before we found Rose, you took such good care of her for so long."
"Oh, it was nothing." Dr. Pierce waved his hands dismissively, "If we’re talking about care, it’s her eight ’grandfathers’ who deserve the credit, not me. I’m nothing compared to them."
Laughter filled the air once more.
Clark caught Rosemary’s gaze and followed it, just as surprised to find Serena here.
Serena’s caretaker, Dora, was also taken aback, her hand frozen mid-air with the medication for Serena. She hadn’t expected the Collins family to show up en masse.
He had no idea Serena was a patient in his own hospital, and he paused, taken aback.