Chapter 758
The golden afternoon light spilled through the windows as Victoria and Charlotte cuddled on the sofa, sharing a bowl of strawberries.
Suddenly, the phone shattered the peaceful moment.
Victoria gently disentangled herself. "Charlotte darling, I need to get that."
Charlotte's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Do you think it's Father calling? Or Grandmother?"
"Let's see who it is."
Victoria answered the call, immediately recognizing the voice. "Mrs. Victoria, it's me."
"Harrison! Did you and Nathaniel get your marriage license today? You should start calling me Victoria now!" Her voice bubbled with excitement.
An uncomfortable silence followed.
"We... didn't get married today," Harrison confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Victoria's smile vanished. "What? Why not? Nathaniel was so determined to marry you today!"
Harrison's voice trembled. "He never showed up."
Victoria's grip tightened on the phone. "That foolish boy! Where could he possibly be?"
"I've tried calling repeatedly, but his phone goes straight to voicemail. Has he returned home?"
"No, I haven't seen him since breakfast."
"This isn't like him at all. Do you think... something terrible happened?"
Victoria's maternal instincts kicked in. "He wouldn't abandon you without reason. Stay calm - I'll have the staff locate him immediately."
"Thank you," Harrison murmured.
Without wasting a second, Victoria summoned the head butler. "Find Nathaniel this instant! I want to know his exact whereabouts!"
"Right away, madam."
Five tense minutes later, the butler rushed back, his face ashen. "Terrible news! Mr. Falcon has been in an accident!"
Victoria shot to her feet. "What kind of accident?"
Charlotte's tiny hands clutched her grandmother's sleeve. "Is Daddy hurt?"
The butler swallowed hard. "He's been admitted to Silver Pines Medical Center."
What?!
Meanwhile, Harrison and Rosalind remained in the private dining room at The Grand View. Rosalind asked quietly, "Did Mrs. Victoria send someone to investigate?"
Harrison nodded numbly. "Yes. She'll call back soon with news."
As if on cue, her phone rang - Victoria calling.
Harrison answered instantly. "Any news about Nathaniel?"
"Nathaniel's been hospitalized!" Victoria's voice cracked with panic.
Harrison's blood ran cold. How could this happen?
Rosalind stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "What happened? Is he alright?"
"Mrs. Victoria, please stay calm. I'm heading to the hospital now." Harrison ended the call and turned to Rosalind. "I'm so sorry, but we'll have to postpone lunch. Nathaniel's been hospitalized."
Rosalind grabbed her purse. "I'm coming with you."
"Thank you."
The two women raced through the city streets toward Silver Pines Medical Center. In the sterile white hallway, Harrison approached the nurse's station. "Excuse me, could you direct me to Nathaniel Falcon's room?"
The nurse checked her records. "Mr. Falcon? He's in our VIP wing - Room 405."
"Thank you."
Harrison sprinted down the corridor, Rosalind keeping pace beside her. "Harrison, try to breathe. I'm sure he'll be fine."
Harrison burst through the door of Room 405, her voice breaking. "Nathaniel..."
Her words died in her throat.
Standing beside Nathaniel's hospital bed was Isabella.