Chapter 1030: Chapter 1029
Serena spoke up in a timid voice, "I’ll handle his wound care. Just leave the medicine he needs."
The nurse had had enough of her. Ever since she found out that the entire Cooper family had been hospitalized because of Serena’s actions, and yet she strutted around the hospital like she owned the
place—almost as if she was parading in front of the three patients to claim her territory.
The nurse couldn’t hide her disdain.
Now, hearing Serena’s insincere offer to tend to Martin’s wounds, she didn’t bother to hide her contempt. Rolling her eyes, she dropped the medicine on the table and walked away without a word.
Fuming, Serena couldn’t believe that this lowly nurse, earning a measly paycheck, dared to treat her with such disrespect.
If it weren’t for Martin being so worked up and not noticing the exchange, she would have found a way to ensure that the nurse lost her job.
"Martin, let me help you with the dressing," Serena said, pressing a button on the armrest of the wheelchair to move closer and gently tugging at his sleeve.
The gesture melted Martin’s heart, his anger subsiding considerably. He looked at Serena with a mix of guilt and gratitude, "I’m sorry, Serena."
"I know. He’s got a thing for your sister, and with her in this state, he’s just torn up inside. He just wants to figure out whether the crash was intentional or an accident."
Serena coaxed Martin into sitting down, her voice tender, "Actually, I’m kind of happy for your sister. To have a guy who cares so much about her. I’m even more eager than he is for Diana to wake up. I hope they can tie the knot soon."
Touched and heartbroken, Martin stroked her hair and pulled her close into his embrace.
"Even after what he did to you, you still speak so kindly of him." Martin’s affection for her grew, along with his sense of guilt.
"The fact that Diana was against our relationship and now she’s in this condition—it’s natural for him to suspect me." Serena said understandingly, "Once he figures out that I have nothing to do with the accident, and after seeing how I behave while your sister and parents are in the hospital, I believe that they will eventually accept me."
Looking at her innocent face, Martin was moved even more.
"Let me tend to your wounds now." Serena said gently, "Look at you, fighting with your best friend.
Once this is all over, you guys will need to make peace. A friend who cares so much for you and loves your sister is hard to find."
At that moment, a bodyguard knocked on the door and reported, "Sir, the truck driver responsible for Miss Diana’s accident has passed away after unsuccessful resuscitation efforts."
Serena heard this, continuing to dress Martin’s wound with a calm demeanor.
"I understand, you can leave now," Martin replied, his attention fully on Serena. The fate of the driver was of no concern to him.
She passed out from grief and, upon awakening, found a handsome, well-dressed young man by her side.
"Who are you?" she asked, puzzled and defensive.
The driver’s wife, baffled, asked, "Why are you helping me?"
The driver’s wife was still uneasy. "You’re not going to pursue my husband’s liability?" she asked, with a tremor in her voice.
Her worry was that Diana’s family might come after her for a slew of expenses—medical bills, care costs, nutritional support—as it was her husband who had dozed off at the wheel, leading to the accident.
Though Diana was driving fast, she was within the speed limit and had not violated any traffic laws, so the bulk of the fault lay with her husband.
"I checked the road surveillance," Fitch began, "and your husband’s driving was definitely erratic, like he was nodding off."
Before Fitch could finish, the driver’s wife quickly interjected, "He’s been driving for twelve years and never once fell asleep at the wheel! He goes to bed early every night so that he can be alert the next day when driving."
She explained to Fitch, "My husband works as a driver for an orchard out in the countryside. It sprawls over a large area with all kinds of fruit trees. Every morning, workers pick the freshest fruit which my
husband then delivers to various stores around the city in his truck. Because the orchard’s produce is fresh and affordable, many shop owners prefer to order from them."
She continued her story. "We live in the countryside, not far from the orchard. He leaves home at seven in the morning, helps load the freshly packed fruit, and delivers it to the stores. Usually, he’s not done until five or six in the evening. Then he drives the truck back and we, a family of seven, have dinner together."
Her voice wavered as she recounted the events of the previous night. "Last night, like always, he was driving home. I never expected him to have an accident on that mountain road."
Tears welled up in her eyes again. "After that road, it’s just a short way to our house. He’s driven that road for twelve years. I just can’t believe it."
"So, you’re saying his route has never changed?" Fitch picked up on something.
"That’s the only road back to the orchard. Normally he parks the truck and walks home, it’s just a six or seven-minute walk."
"And how likely do you think it is that he fell asleep at the wheel?" Fitch probed further.
"I find it impossible. I’m not just speaking for my husband, but his driving skills and professional ethics would never allow him to doze off while driving."
Fitch asked another delicate question, "I heard you crying outside earlier; it seems like there’s a lot of financial pressure on your family. I don’t mean to be rude; I just want to understand. In your opinion, is
there any chance that your husband was trying to ease the family’s financial burden by taking such risks with his life?"
Without hesitation, the driver’s wife shot down the notion. "Impossible! My husband would never do something so harmful to others and himself. When my father-in-law was in the ICU, the daily costs were unbearable. Some suggested my husband could sell a kidney, but he firmly refused."
"Sorry," Fitch said, feeling remorse for his earlier suspicions.
"My husband is a responsible man. With ailing parents and three kids who aren’t grown up yet, he would never abandon us." The driver’s wife wiped away her tears and couldn’t help but add, "Thinking
about it now, his death really does seem suspicious."