Owen immediately came forward, his face etched with lingering\u00a0<\/p>\n
worry and urgency:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is she?\u00a0<\/p>\n
What did Mrs. Miller tell you?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Did she say what exactly happened?\u00a0<\/p>\n
How could she have just fainted like that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roderick\u2019s expression had mostly returned to calm, but a cold,\u00a0<\/p>\n
unthawable ice remained deep in his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He took a step forward, slightly shielding Madeleine, and\u00a0<\/p>\n
answered in a steady voice:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDad, don\u2019t worry too much. Mrs. Miller just said she suddenly\u00a0<\/p>\n
felt dizzy and nauseous and couldn\u2019t stand steady. She can\u2019t\u00a0<\/p>\n
really explain what happened, it was probably just a sudden\u00a0<\/p>\n
spell.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The doctor also said it was a sudden episode.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 318\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine quickly nodded in agreement, trying to make her\u00a0<\/p>\n
expression look natural:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right, Dad. Mrs. Miller needs to rest right now. We\u00a0<\/p>\n
shouldn\u2019t make her relive those scary moments.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s wait until she\u2019s feeling better to ask for details.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Owen looked at the two of them, his brow still furrowed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After years in the business world, his intuition was sharp. He\u00a0<\/p>\n
could sense his son and daughter\u2013in\u2013law were hiding\u00a0<\/p>\n
something, a subtle evasiveness in their words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But seeing their equally worried and tired faces, and\u00a0<\/p>\n
considering that Mrs. Miller did need to rest, he didn\u2019t press them further and just let out a heavy sigh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSigh\u2026 As long as she\u2019s okay, that\u2019s all that matters.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking exceptionally tired\u00a0<\/p>\n
and old.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDad, you\u2019ve had a long day too. I\u2019ll stay here. You should go lie\u00a0<\/p>\n
down in the lounge for a bit.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roderick urged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 318\u00a0<\/p>\n
Owen shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ll just stay here. It\u2019ll give me peace of\u00a0<\/p>\n
mind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roderick knew his father\u2019s temper and didn\u2019t insist. He turned\u00a0<\/p>\n
to Madeleine instead:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaddie, you should go home and rest. Pick up Kevin from\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rebecca\u2019s on your way. Dad and I will be here, so don\u2019t worry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine was indeed exhausted, both mentally and physically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her mind was a mess, and she needed space to process the\u00a0<\/p>\n
shocking information and her fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She nodded. \u201cOkay, then\u2026 Dad, Roderick, I\u2019m leaving now. Call\u00a0<\/p>\n
me anytime if anything happens.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBe careful on your way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Owen added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roderick naturally put his arm around Madeleine\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2018||\u00a0<\/p>\n
walk you downstairs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They walked to the elevator in silence, not a word exchanged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t until they were downstairs and at the hospital entrance\u00a0<\/p>\n
that the evening breeze brought a touch of coolness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 318\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine finally couldn\u2019t help but stop and look up at Roderick,\u00a0<\/p>\n
her eyes filled with unease and confusion:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRoderick, what you said to Mrs. Miller inside\u2026 about leaving it\u00a0<\/p>\n
to you. What are you going to do?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Do you\u2026 Do you already have a plan?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roderick looked down at her. In the darkness, his features were\u00a0<\/p>\n
sharp, his eyes deep and unreadable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair, tousled by\u00a0<\/p>\n
the wind, behind her ear. His touch was still gentle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaddie,\u201d his voice was low and steady, \u201cdon\u2019t think about these things anymore, and don\u2019t ask.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine grabbed his wrist anxiously. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo buts.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roderick cut her off, his gaze calm but carrying a powerful,\u00a0<\/p>\n
reassuring strength.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just need to know that I\u2019ve got this. Take care of yourself, take care of Kevin, and live your life like before. That\u2019s enough.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He leaned down slightly, pressing a soft yet firm kiss on her\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 318\u00a0<\/p>\n
forehead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLeave the rest to me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He repeated, each word landing with weight, \u201cTrust me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine looked at the unwavering determination and deep\u00a0<\/p>\n
protectiveness in his eyes. It was as if the kiss and his words\u00a0<\/p>\n
had temporarily pushed away all her anxiety and doubts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She knew she wouldn\u2019t get anything more out of him by asking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Roderick decided she shouldn\u2019t be involved in something,\u00a0<\/p>\n
she could never pry his lips open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She finally nodded, her voice a little hoarse, \u201cOkay, but you\u2026 you\u00a0<\/p>\n
have to be careful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMm.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roderick patted her back gently. \u201cGo on, the driver\u2019s waiting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Text me when you get home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watching Madeleine get into the car as it slowly pulled away\u00a0<\/p>\n
from the hospital and merged into traffic, the tenderness on\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roderick\u2019s face vanished completely, leaving only an icy\u00a0<\/p>\n
sharpness and a hint of bloodthirsty ruthlessness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 318\u00a0<\/p>\n
He took out his phone and dialed a number again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Livingston.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
On the other end of the line, Gerry\u2019s voice was grave, ready for\u00a0<\/p>\n
orders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are Edward\u2019s recent movements?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Roderick\u2019s senior special assistant, Gerry had already started\u00a0<\/p>\n
investigating the moment he found a connection to Edward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He had just received an update.\u00a0<\/p>\n
d has been busy with the project in the south district.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ve\u2013billion\u2013dollar investment has put a strain on the Carroll Group\u2019s finances, and they\u2019re very sensitive about their cash flow right now. Also, I found out he\u2019s attending a private, high- end salon tomorrow afternoon. Ostensibly for art appreciation, but it\u2019s actually a chance for him to meet with several key\u00a0<\/p>\n
bankers to pave the way for the next phase of project financing. The salon is at The Dynasty Club. Security is tight, it\u2019s invitation-\u00a0<\/p>\n
only, and no media allowed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 319\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
Night Carved Paths Into Silence by Zyrel Ash ` 318 Owen immediately came forward, his face etched with lingering\u00a0 worry […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-heart-surgeons-last-patient-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29615"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29615\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}