Chapter 263Eric Wood stepped out of the car, his driver quickly moving to open the door for him. He nodded in acknowledgment, adjusting his suit jacket as he stepped onto the pavement.The familiar sight of the hospital loomed before him, a place he had visited countless times with his daughter, Claire, for her checkups. It felt different today, though. This visit wasn’t for Claire—it was business, and it was personal.As he walked toward the entrance, a few hospital workers milling about recognized him. Their faces lit up with recognition as they approached him.“Mr. Wood, good afternoon!” one of the nurses greeted him with a warm smile. “It’s been a while since we last saw you.”“Good afternoon, Mr. Wood,” another worker chimed in, extending a hand. “How have you been?”Eric smiled politely, shaking hands with them. “Good afternoon,” he replied, his tone friendly but professional. “It’s good to see all of you. How’s everyone doing?”“We’re doing well, sir,” the first nurse responde
Chapter 264As they approached Liam’s room, Eric’s thoughts shifted to the task at hand—one that could shape the future of EMC and his own personal fate.“We are here, Sir.” The nurse said, interrupting Eric's thoughts.“Oh! Thank you,” Eric replied and smiled at her.He readied himself before entering.As Eric stepped into Liam's room, he noticed the subtle tension in the air. Liam was seated upright in his hospital bed, a book resting on his lap. He looked up as Eric entered, his expression neutral but with a hint of curiosity.His lips curled into a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Eric,” he said smoothly, closing the book and placing it on the table beside him. “What a pleasant surprise.”Eric forced a smile, trying to hide his nerves. "Liam, it's good to see you. I wanted to check in and see how you're doing after... everything that happened."Liam’s smile widened, a predatory glint in his eyes, as he cracked his knuckles. “That’s very considerate of you. I’m recove
Chapter 265Eric Wood’s thoughts were swirling as he walked out of the hospital. His encounter with Liam Carter left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest.He was so lost in his own mind that he didn’t even notice when his driver opened the car door for him.“Sir,” Jackson called respectfully, his voice cutting through Eric’s reverie.Eric blinked, coming back to reality. “Oh, sorry, Jackson,” he murmured as he slid into the backseat of the sleek black sedan. Jackson, without needing any instructions, started the engine and pulled out of the hospital parking lot, heading towards Diamond Ville, the upscale neighborhood where Eric’s family resided.As they drove, the streets were alive with the evening’s activities. Vendors packed up their stalls, couples strolled along the sidewalks, and children played with the last remnants of daylight. But the sights and sounds of the bustling city barely registered with Eric.His mind wa
Chapter 266Eric stepped into the house, feeling the comforting warmth of home surrounding him. He closed the door behind him and called out, “Honey, I’m home!”Almost instantly, he heard the rapid patter of small footsteps on the wooden stairs. “Daddy!” Claire’s excited voice echoed through the hallway as she dashed down the stairs, her little legs moving as fast as they could.Eric’s face lit up with a smile as he saw his daughter, her curls bouncing with each step. She practically launched herself at him, and he caught her in a warm embrace, lifting her off the ground.“There’s my little princess!” Eric said, laughing as he spun her around. Claire giggled uncontrollably, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck.“I missed you, Daddy!” Claire exclaimed, her voice muffled slightly as she buried her face in his shoulder.“I missed you too, sweetheart,” Eric replied, holding her close. He could feel the stress of the day melting away, replaced by the pure joy of being with his daughter.
Chapter 267Eric took a moment to enjoy the tranquility of the bedroom as he freshened up, splashing cool water on his face and changing into a more comfortable outfit.The mirror reflected his tired eyes, but there was a lightness in them now that hadn’t been there earlier. He could hear the clinking of dishes and the soft hum of conversation coming from the dining room below, and it filled him with a deep sense of peace.After a final glance in the mirror, Eric made his way downstairs, where the scent of Mary’s cooking wafted through the air, making his stomach growl in anticipation. As he entered the dining room, he saw Mary placing the last dish on the table while Claire bounced in her seat, her feet barely touching the floor.“There he is!” Mary announced with a smile as Eric walked in, her eyes lighting up when she saw him.“Daddy, come sit next to me!” Claire called out, waving him over enthusiastically.Eric chuckled, his heart swelling at the sight of his daughter’s excitemen
Chapter 268Eric and Mary found themselves sitting quietly on the couch in their cozy living room. The evening had settled into a peaceful lull, with the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light over the room. Claire had already been tucked into bed, leaving the couple to enjoy a rare moment of quiet together.Mary, feeling the weight of the silence, took a bite of the dessert she had brought out—a slice of her homemade pie—before finally breaking the quiet. “So, how was your day?” she asked gently, her eyes searching Eric’s face for any sign of how he was feeling.Eric smiled at her, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It was...eventful,” he began, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “Work was the usual hustle, but I also went to visit Liam Carter at the hospital.”Mary’s brow furrowed slightly with concern. “Liam Carter?” she repeated, setting her plate aside. “How is he doing? And how did the visit go?”Eric leaned back against the couch, his expression thoughtful. “He’s
Chapter 269Just as Eric and Mary were settling into their comfortable silence, Eric's phone began to ring, cutting through the quiet of the room. He reached for it and saw James's name flashing on the screen. With a sigh, he stood up from the couch and walked over to the window, answering the call."James," Eric greeted, trying to keep his tone neutral, though the underlying tension was palpable. "How are you?""Eric," James replied, his voice steady but with an edge of curiosity. "I'm good. I just wanted to check in with you—how did your visit to Liam Carter go? Anything I should know?"Eric glanced back at Mary, who was watching him with a concerned expression, before turning his attention back to the call. "It went about as expected, I suppose," Eric began. "Liam was...well, Liam. He was in a decent mood, considering the circumstances. We talked for a bit, but it felt like he was fishing for something, testing the waters."James's voice took on a more serious tone. "Testing the wa
Chapter 270The morning broke with a critical task at hand for Williams and Sasha. They were holed up in their hotel room at Sky Suite, going over the final details of the night’s plan. The air in the room was thick with tension, mingling with the acrid scent of cigarette smoke as Sasha leaned against the windowsill, her eyes narrowed in concentration.Williams sat at the small, round table in the center of the room, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the wooden surface. The room was dimly lit, with only a sliver of sunlight cutting through the curtains, casting a narrow beam across the table. His gaze was fixed on the detailed floor plan of Sky Care Hospital, the designated route marked out in bold red ink."Are you listening, Sasha?" Williams' voice cut through the haze of smoke, sharp and demanding.Sasha took a long drag from her cigarette, the tip glowing a fierce orange before she exhaled slowly, her breath curling in the air like a serpent. "I'm listening," she replied, her t