When she arrived at the hospital entrance, she saw Ms. Archer already waiting there, looking around in a panic. Seeing Shalma Hughes step out of the car, Ms. Archer immediately ran over.
"Ms. Archer, why are you waiting for me here? What about Miss Laura?" Because she had rushed to catch her flight, Shalma hadn't even had time to change clothes. Her long hair was casually pinned up, and her normally bright, beautiful face had lost its usual luster due to extreme exhaustion.
Ms. Archer hurried forward to take the bag from Shalma's hand. "Don't worry, Miss Hughes. Their people have already hired a caregiver to watch over her."
Shalma furrowed her brows. She had almost forgotten—they were currently in Eldoria. This was their territory; how could they possibly stay out of it?
"I understand. Let's go! Let's head up," Shalma said softly.
The ward was on the twelfth floor of the hospital, the first room on the left after exiting the elevator.
Just as Shalma stepped out of the elevator—her right foot barely out and her body still half inside—she raised her head and crashed straight into a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes. All sound seemed to vanish, and everything fell perfectly still.
Shalma knew that returning to Eldoria meant she might run into him again, but she never expected it to happen so soon!
"Jasper Hawthorne! Long time no see!" she said softly in her heart.
Jasper Hawthorne was just as handsome and tall as she remembered. The passing years had only added a touch of maturity to his appearance. He exuded the absolute confidence of a highly successful man, commanding the attention of anyone he walked past.
But Shalma did not look. She walked right past him with extraordinary composure.
When she reached the door to the ward, she found three people standing outside. Seeing the trio, Shalma paused for a moment before finally stepping forward.
"Uncle Leroy, Aunt, Wanda. Long time no see," Shalma said softly. Her head was slightly bowed, as if she were enduring something, yet her voice was incredibly clear.
Leroy Thorne looked at Shalma with deeply furrowed brows and scoffed. "We can't bear such titles from you. When you left three years ago, didn't you say you would never return? Why are you back now? If you're so capable, you should have stayed away forever. What did you come back for?"
"Miss Laura was in a car accident. I came back to see her," Shalma replied calmly.
Wanda Thorne also stepped forward, her voice icy. "Since you left, you shouldn't have come back. What are you doing here?"
Shalma had tolerated Leroy's questioning because he was her elder, and she was obligated to respect him. But Wanda was her peer. Why should she hold back?
She lifted her gaze to Wanda. The woman was dressed in a white sundress that made her look exceptionally elegant and poised. Her dark hair was gracefully pinned up, revealing a flawless neck adorned with a pearl necklace. Shalma recognized it immediately—it was a Hawthorne family heirloom.
"What, are you afraid of my return? It's been three years, Wanda! You're still as insecure as ever," Shalma said, casting a mocking glance at her.
"You!" Wanda flared with anger. However, bound by the poised demeanor of a high-society lady, she couldn't immediately find the words to snap back.
"I'm here today to see Miss Laura. Furthermore, this is a hospital, not the Thorne family home. I will keep the vow I made three years ago." Shalma stood her ground. Even though she was so exhausted she could collapse at any moment, she carried herself with exceptional grace, like a proud peacock.
She would let anyone else see her at her lowest, but never them.
Having said her piece, Shalma walked into the ward and firmly shut the door behind her.
The ward smelled heavily of disinfectant, its interior stark white and meticulously clean.
As Shalma entered, Miss Laura opened her eyes. She lay on the hospital bed, looking at her. Her head was wrapped in gauze, which was seeped with a faint crimson hue. It was hard to tell if it was blood or iodine—perhaps a mixture of both.
"Miss Laura, you're awake?" Shalma asked with excitement.
Miss Laura smiled weakly. "I even heard you arguing with them again! Shalma, that's just how your personality is. You absolutely refuse to yield."