Chapter 28

The night was ink-black. Emily Smith curled up alone on the small guest bed.

The vibration of her phone shattered the silence.

Fumbling, she pressed the answer button. A nurse's urgent voice came through: "Family of Emily Smith? The patient has gone into cardiac arrest—"

The phone slipped from her fingers.

Barefoot, she rushed into the walk-in closet, hastily pulling on clothes. As she stumbled toward the foyer, William Johnson's deep voice called from behind: "What's wrong?"

She whirled around, tears spilling. "My sister—"

The words caught in her throat.

Emily yanked open the door and plunged into the night. The predawn streets were empty. Trembling, she pulled out her phone to call a ride. The old device suddenly went black. Desperate, she crouched by the roadside.

A screech of brakes pierced the air.

A black Range Rover jerked to a stop in front of her. The window rolled down, revealing William's sharp profile. "Get in."

She scrambled into the back seat, voice shaking. "The doctor said... she's fading..."

William dialed a number with one hand. "Contact Professor Johnson immediately. Have him meet us at City Central Hospital."

The car tore through the empty streets.

Fifteen minutes later, Emily sprinted down the hospital corridor. The OR light still glowed. A nurse approached. "They're still working on her."

A doctor emerged, removing his mask. "Miss Smith, the patient's condition—"

The elevator dinged open.

A white-haired man strode forward, flanked by staff. Someone gasped: "It's Professor Johnson!"