Chapter 3

In the end, I had 600cc of blood drawn in one go.

After a long rest, my legs were still weak when I left the room, needing someone to support me.

Marcus and Liam still wouldn't let me go, insisting I wait until Chloe woke up.

It wasn't until the next morning that I finally left the hospital.

I slowly descended the stairs, holding the handrail. Just as I reached the intersection, I received a message from Chloe.

"How does it feel to be falsely accused and unable to explain yourself? Eleanor Evans, you'll never win against me!"

"They're all against you, you must be heartbroken, right? Don't worry, I've prepared a surprise for you. Be sure to check it out."

A surprise?

Recalling all the pranks and schemes she'd concocted in the past, my heart sank.

I touched the needle mark on my hand, about to hail a cab, when a speeding car suddenly swerved directly towards me.

I didn't have time to dodge. My body was flung several yards like a ragdoll, then crashed heavily to the ground.

Blood flowed out, pooling into a terrifying crimson puddle.

The pain from all over my body made me feel like I was being torn apart, and my mind grew foggy.

In a haze, I felt someone taking me to the operating room. A cacophony of voices surrounded me.

"Miss Carter clearly woke up yesterday and is perfectly fine, but she keeps complaining about discomfort and pain, which made Mr. Evans and Mr. Carter demand all available doctors be diverted to her examinations. Now, Miss Evans has suddenly been in a car accident, and there isn't a single surgeon available for her. What are we going to do?"

"Go ask quickly, see if we can get even one doctor to do the surgery!"

Ten minutes later, someone ran back, their voice filled with helplessness.

"They won't agree! They insist we transfer the injured patient, even saying they'll cover all the costs!"

"Transfer?! She's so badly injured, how can she survive a transfer! So Miss Carter's life matters, but no one else's does?!"

The clamor of arguments filled my ears, but I felt like I couldn't hear anything clearly.

My vision blurred with tears, and for a moment, I saw the past.

Back then, if I even caught a cold, Marcus would be incredibly worried, calling in many doctors.

Liam would stay by my side, never leaving, drinking any medicine with me, just to cheer me up.

But that was all a long, long time ago.

Now, I was on the brink of death, alone, without even a single doctor.

My eyelids grew heavy as if filled with lead, and the willpower that had sustained me slowly dissipated.

Before losing consciousness completely, I managed only a vague, delirious murmur.

"The, the 97th time..."

When I next woke up, I saw two faces filled with guilt.

Marcus tucked in my blanket, his voice apologetic.

"Eleanor, I'm so sorry. We didn't know you were in a car accident."

Liam brought a cup of hot water, wanting to help me drink, his eyes overflowing with anguish.

"You were fine when you left this morning. How did you get hit?"

Recalling the messages I'd received just before the accident, I averted my gaze, my voice hoarse.

"Ask Chloe."

Meaning, Chloe was behind everything.

Marcus and Liam's expressions froze, instantly turning grim.

"Eleanor, why are you still slandering Chloe? She's just a girl from a modest background; how could she possibly plan something like this?"

"Yeah, Chloe is still in the hospital. How would she have time to hurt you!"

Seeing their certainty, I didn't want to waste any more words.

I closed my eyes, my voice filled with weariness.

"I'm tired. Please, both of you, just leave."

The two men, who had more to explain, saw my pale face and finally held their tongues.

They left the room, one after the other.

A few minutes later, my phone on the table rang.

"Eleanor, everything's arranged on my end. We should be leaving in about a week."

"Understood. I follow orders, ready to leave anytime..."

My words were cut short as the door was pushed open.

Marcus and Liam walked in, their brows furrowed, looking at me with suspicion.

"What departure? Where are you going?"

I calmly hung up the phone. "I was asking about being discharged. Why are you two back?"

Liam picked up his forgotten car keys, still wanting to ask more, but was interrupted by a hurried nurse.

"Mr. Evans, Mr. Carter, Miss Carter just threw up..."

Watching their rushed departure, I smiled silently.