?Chapter 3092:
“Yeah.” Ernest paused. A heavy dread pressed against him, tightening his breath.
Even so, he forced himself to ask, “Did you speak to a doctor?”
The report alone wasn’t enough; he needed a professional to walk him through it.
“Yes, sir,” the bodyguard replied at once.
He never needed extra reminders when dealing with matters like this.
Ernest braced himself. “What did the doctor say?”
“The doctor said Miss Hond has a ventricr injury.”
Ernest understood that much from the report. It exined her moments of childish behavior—sudden softness, unexpected confusion.
“Go on.”
“Yes… The doctor also said it’s an organic injury. Mostly irreversible.”
“Irreversible.”
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The word settled coldly in Ernest’s chest. He didn’t speak for a while.
The vi was silent around him, yet the weight of that silence felt crushing.
“Alright.” He lowered the phone, but the tremor in his hand betrayed him. His chest tightened with sorrow that edged into anger.
So this was the truth. The confirmation he feared.
His eyes stung. Moisture blurred his vision before he could stop it.
He tore off his sses and hurried to the bathroom.
The faucet roared to life as he sshed cold water across his face, again and again, trying to steady himself.
It took a long while before he straightened. But the ache inside him had not eased.
He lifted his head and faced the mirror. His reflection looked pale, strained.
Thank goodness Elissa hadn’t seen him like this. It would have frightened her.
He grabbed a towel and pressed it over his face, trying to breathe.
The doorbell rang.
At this hour, it wasn’t the housekeeper. Ernest paused, uneasy. Who could it be?
He tossed the towel aside, grabbed his phone, and opened the surveince app.
His expression sharpened at once.
Savannah stood at the gate.
He slipped his sses back on, stepped out of the bathroom, and headed for the door.
“Mrs. Brown, pleasee in.” He unlocked the gate and opened the front door.
A momentter, Savannah crossed the threshold.
“Mrs. Brown,” Ernest greeted politely. “This way.”
“Hm.” She gave him a short nod and walked past him.
She settled on the sofa with practiced grace, cing her bag beside her and folding her shawl neatly over it.
“Mrs. Brown, would you like something to drink?” Ernest asked. “Tea or coffee?”
“No.” Savannah’s refusal was sharp. A thin edge of mockery slid beneath her voice. “I’m not here for refreshments.”
She gestured to the opposite seat. “Mr. Flynn, sit.”
“Of course.” Ernest nodded and took the seat across from her.
Savannah nced toward the staircase. “Is Elissa upstairs?”
“Yes.” He kept his tone steady. “She’s asleep.”
“Asleep?” A flicker of disbelief crossed her face. “Mr. Flynn, you really are impressive.”
“Not in the way you think,” Ernest answered quietly. “I honestly didn’t expect you to find out so quickly.”
“Of course I found out.” Savannah leaned back with a cold sneer. “Did you assume I wouldn’t notice? That I’m blind?”
Emma had been visiting too often, too eagerly.
At first, Savannah was pleased her daughter had made a friend. But for Elissa’s sake, she stayed cautious. She had even told Elissa she didn’t need to report every detail—and then assigned a bodyguard to follow Emma this morning when she sneaked out.
And as she suspected, Emma had been nothing more than a convenient excuse for Elissa to meet Ernest.
“Humph.” Savannah’s gaze swept over him, frosted and unforgiving.
“For Elissa’s sake, I won’t make a scene,” she said in a firm voice. “But you need to be sensible. Go back to Srixby and stay away from her.”
“Mrs. Brown,” Ernest frowned. “You know that’s impossible. I came to Ontmond to take Elissa home. She belongs with me—she’ll spend her life with me.”
“Humph!” Savannah let out a bitterugh. “She belongs with you? Don’t insult me with that nonsense.”
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