"Charles!"


    Andrew''s face drained of color-pure panic. He hurried Charles into the next room,unching into emergency care.


    But Charles''s body was spent; after endless experiments, pushing himself beyond his limits again and again, he had nothing left to give. Anyone else would''ve copsed long before now. The only thing keeping him going was his stubborn will to save Charlie. Without that, he never would''vested this long.


    Now, hearing that Charlie was finally safe, thest of his strength slipped away. Charles copsed into a deepa, his breaths growing weaker by the second.


    Sweat poured down Andrew''s face. At this rate, Charles didn''t stand a chance.


    "Quick, call Ms. Evelyn!"


    Right now, the only people Charles cared about were Ms. Evelyn and Charlie. Charlie had just skirted death; her body was fragile, and it''d be a while before she woke up. Their only hope was Evelyn.


    The assistant grabbed Andrew''s phone, dialing Evelyn''s number-but she didn''t have her phone on her. No luck.


    Francis stepped in, voice calm but urgent. "I''ll go myself."


    Half an hourter-


    Francis''s car pulled up at the stadium entrance. The unique tes and sleek ride caught everyone''s eye; word traveled fast.


    The event director hurried out, all deference, ushering Francis inside. Knowing who he''de to see, the staff rushed to fetch Evelyn.


    Evelyn was busy tweaking somest-minute details when someone called her to the lounge. She opened the door to find a strikingly handsome stranger waiting.


    "Designer Su, this is Mr. Francis," the director introduced.


    Evelyn didn''t know Francis and eyed him with polite confusion. Francis spoke first, "I''m Francis, a friend of Charles."


    His tone wasn''t exactly warm, but it was respectful. Evelyn''s expression didn''t change. She asked, coolly, "Is there something you need?"


    She kept her distance.


    The director broke out in a cold sweat, terrified Francis would take offense. Just as he was about to say something, Francis gave his security a look. In an instant, the room was cleared.


    If it had been anyone else, Francis would''ve just taken them away by force. But


    this was the woman Charles cared about most.


    Once they were alone, Francis got straight to the point. "Charlie was poisoned by Luna-she''s in critical danger. Charles risked everything to save her, testing the antidote on himself. Charlie''s safe now, but Charles''s life is hanging by a thread..."


    Evelyn''s face changed in a heartbeat.


    In the car-


    Evelyn sat in the back seat, staring at a photo of Charlie lying in a hospital bed.


    Her heart felt like it was being squeezed tight.


    Even though the monitors said


    Charlie was out of danger, even though the doctors said she''d be okay, Evelyn couldn''t shake the


    anxiety twisting inside her. Sh


    wanted nothing more than tobe by Charlie''s side right now.


    The car raced back, pedal to the floor.


    They barely stopped before Evelyn jumped out, sprinting inside Francis''s estate.


    Francis led her straight to the medical suite.


    Evelyn rushed to Charlie''s bed. She grabbed her tiny hand, cupping Charlie''s little face with the other. The warmth finally eased a bit of her fear.


    Her Charlie really was okay.


    Eyes rimmed red, Evelyn bent down and kissed Charlie''s cheek. Only then did she let go, following Francis to Charles''s emergency room.


    Andrew had tried everything, but Charles was still unresponsive. When he saw Evelyn, he clung to her hand as if she was hisst hope.


    "Ms. Evelyn, please-you have to save Charles!"