Mirabe paused for a moment, then picked up the bottle. When she noticed thebel said "French," a soft chuckle slipped from her lips.


    "Quite the resourceful move," she thought, amused by the idea of a little liquid courage.


    She tucked the bottle back into his jacket pocket.


    ...


    Ten minutester, the car pulled up at the back entrance of the alternative medicine clinic. By now, it was 8 PM, and the ce was quiet except for Dr. Ray and a surgeon waiting for them. An hour before, As had made sure everything was ready for their arrival.


    Nick was quickly rushed into the emergency room, with Mirabe right behind him. Unlikest time, Nick''s survival depended solely on the unique acupuncture technique inherited by the Stevenson family. So, she only let Dr. Ray stay inside with him, while everyone else waited outside.


    Adler stayed too, parked on a bench in the hallway just outside the emergency room. His heart felt heavy, burdened with guilt. He had raced over to the medical school with Andy from the precinct as soon as he got Mirabe''s message, only to find out Nick was already in surgery by the time he arrived.


    So, he sat there, trying to be patient and not let any stress show on his face, knowing there wasn''t much more he could do but hope for a miracle.


    What he hadn''t anticipated... Adler leaned back, his gaze unfocused as he stared at the emergency room door. When he had helped get Nick out of the car, he had felt for a pulse—but there was none.


    The absence of a pulse spoke volumes.


    Adler''s throat felt dry. Though Mirabe hadn''t said who Nick was to her, their sharedst name made it pretty clear. It gnawed at Adler that he couldn''t even help his boss out in this way.


    As, standing nearby, asionally nced at Adler, grateful to the man who had helped Mr. Nick escape theb safely. Sensing Adler''s guilt, he took a moment, then approached him.


    "Thank you for getting our young master out safely today," As said, bowing slightly to Adler.


    Adler snapped back to the present, standing up quickly and offering a wry smile as he shook his head. "I just did what I could, but... I''m sorry, I couldn''t keep himpletely safe."


    As nodded politely. "There''s no need to me yourself; this is already the best oue."


    Getting him out of theb without any exposure was something none of them could have done on their own.


    Adler opened his mouth to respond


    but found himself speechless. The light above the emergency room was still on, and hope lingered in As'' eyes. Yet, the reality that Nick had arrived at the hospital without a pulse was something Adler couldn''t bring himself to say out loud.  swnovel


    As seemed to sense what Adler was wrestling with. His hands tightened at his sides before he


    looked back at the emergency room door with determination. "I believe Our Miss can save him."  swnovel


    If it worked once before, it could work again.


    1.n


    This was As''s deep, unwavering belief, and it left Adler momentarily speechless. He knew of Mirabe''s impressive medical skills, but bringing someone back from the brink of death seemed like a tall order, even for the most legendary doctors.  swnovel


    In the end, Adler stayed silent, keeping his eyes fixed ahead.


    Hope was vital, wasn''t it?


    What if it worked again?


    Time dragged on, and in the third hour, the light above the emergency room finally flicked off.