Torn Between Love and Hate

216

Chapter 216 Critical Condition Notice

Deborah struggled to find the right words, but regardless, Ashton had risked his life to save her this

time.

The doctor informed that his condition is quite serious.

Getting hit by a bullet, coupled with lung cancer, it wouldn’t be easy to pull through..

Joseph didn’t say much more. He stood up and said, “I’ll go check on him. Let Evelyn come in and

keep you company for a while.”

Deborah wanted to explain something, but Joseph interrupted her, “It’s alright. After all, he saved you.

We should keep things separate. It’s only human nature. Even if you didn’t mention it, I should visit him

to express my gratitude.”

Deborah watched Joseph leave, and suddenly, she remembered the first time she saw him three years

ago.

At that time, Ashton took her to a nightclub, intending to hand her over to another man.

She was in the private room, feeling panicked and helpless under the lecherous gazes of a group of

men.

That day, she met Joseph for the first time. As soon as he entered, he swept her off her feet, declaring

that he had taken a liking to her.

At that time, he had a conflict with Ashton and the Mullen family.

He probably took her away just to spite Ashton, but it could indeed be considered as saving her.

Deborah still remembered that night when he took her to the hotel room, which scared her into a faint.

The next day when she woke up, he handed her a check, as if acknowledging that he had slept with

her.

But later on, she realized that Joseph hadn’t touched her that night..

If he really touched her, there’s no way she wouldn’t have noticed afterward.

Even more so, after they got together, Joseph would just lie in the same bedroom with her, both of

them extremely

nervous.

Not long ago, they lay down on a bed together, and Joseph excitedly said, “Debby, this is the first time

we’ve been in

the same bed.”

At that time, he was seen as utterly wicked, and people outside were saying that he was rotten to the

core.

But in reality, he had his bottom line, principles, and a kind heart.

Deborah couldn’t help but laugh. Everyone else pretended to be good, but only he chose to play the

villain.

Pretending to be genuine, but the act was exposed.

The first time she met him, she could never have imagined that he would be the one to truly save her

from danger

later on.

Deborah gazed out the window at the gradually deepening night, and suddenly thought to herself,

“Thank goodness I met him later on.”

If she were a bit luckier and had met him earlier, there probably wouldn’t be anything between her and

Ashton.

Joseph stepped out of the ward and, after asking the medical staff for directions, headed towards the

emergency room where Ashton was located.

Upon arriving outside the emergency room, there was quite a crowd gathered.

FINT

All familiar faces, Hector was there with a few of his followers, as well as Rebecca.

Alyssa also came over, standing next to Rebecca, with Adrian and Evelyn nearby.

Hector was in a terrible men tal state, sitting off to the side, not even noticing when Joseph walked by.

Hector was getting on in years, having already surpassed eighty

Nowadays, his health was not good, plagued by various illnesses. It was as if half of his body had

already been buried in the ground.

He had been recuperating all this while, but upon hearing about Ashton’s accident, he mustered all his

strength and hurried over.

The emergency room doors remained tightly shut, with no sign of Ashton coming out, nor any news

from within. During this time, a doctor handed Hector a critical notice, detailing all the possible

emergencies that could occur during the rescue process, including death. Hector was then asked to

sign the document.

Afterwards, in the emergency room, no medical staff came out.

Hector sat outside, his aged eyes unblinkingly fixed on the emergency room’s entrance.

Wayne was in prison, Ashton’s parents had passed away, and now it seemed that the only family this

old man had left was Ashton, lying in the emergency room.

He was filled with regret, never before had he experienced such remorse as he did now.

He regretted opposing Deborah and Ashton’s relationship three years ago.

He never had a good word to say about Deborah. Instead, whenever Ashton misunderstood or hurt

Deborah, he would relentlessly add fuel to the fire and kick her when she was down.

Even later on, he personally caused the death of a child in Deborah’s womb.

If only things had been done differently back then, if only someone had persuaded Ashton to work

things out with Deborah, to help him understand his own feelings sooner.

So now, there should be laughter and joy at Mullen Manor.

This old man was truly blessed he had the talented and capable Ashton, a virtuous and understanding

daughter-in-law, and a little great-granddaughter who could sing and play the piano..

How did such good days end up being ruined like this?

Hector wore a desolate expression, as if he couldn’t see the people around him, nor hear the sound of Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

their voices.

Joseph walked straight over to Alyssa, and as Adrian saw him approaching, he spoke up to explain.

“Rebecca, Ms. Moxley saw Alyssa and wants us to come over there together.”

Joseph looked at the closed emergency room door and asked, “What’s the situation inside? How is Mr.

Mullen doing?”

Rebecca’s tone was quite unpleasant, as if she were a lit firecracker. She said, “What else can be

done? The doctor has already issued a critical condition notice. He risked his life to save Deborah, but

what about Deborah?

Did Deborah consider his life and death when she refused to provide Alyssa’s bone marrow to save

him?”

Joseph has become much gentler now, but he still abi ded by the principle of not offending others

unless they offended

him first.

Now, as Rebecca spoke ill of Deborah, he felt displeased.

“Ms. Moxley, do you always mind other people’s business like this?”

Rebecca was somewhat annoyed and embarrassed. “What do you mean? Did I say something wrong?

Deborah is so capable, and she doesn’t get along with Ashton at all. Why would she want him to risk

his life to save her now?”

Adrian couldn’t take it anymore and interrupted her impatiently, “Just shut up, will you? Say less.”

Rebecca’s face was filled with anxiety and resentment, but she didn’t continue speaking.

The emergency room door remained closed for quite a while, and Joseph waited outside. Soon, he

noticed that something was off with Alyssa’s condition.

Her hands were hidden in the pockets of her coat, her face pale, and her lips tightly pressed together.

Head lowered, concealing the emotions on their face, their body still trembling slightly.

Joseph could tell that she was trying her best to restrain herself, as her rationality wouldn’t allow her to

show any signs of unease or concern.

But after all, he’s just a seven or eight-year-old child, and it’s not easy for him to hide his emotions.

Joseph reached out and patted her shoulder, “Don’t worry too much, trust the doctor, everything will be

fine.”

Alyssa immediately looked up at him, her voice filled with excitement as she said, “Who’s worried? My

mom and I both hate him the most, so there’s no way anyone would be worried about him!”

Joseph understood the conflict within her heart, and didn’t say anything more, falling silent.

Ashton had been waiting in the emergency room for a long time, and it wasn’t until close to midnight

that he was finally wheeled out and taken to a hospital room.

The doctor’s expression was serious as he gestured for the family members to follow him to his office.

Joseph wanted to find out about Ashton’s current situation, so he could go back and inform Deborah.

Thus, he followed along.

The doctor’s office was not suitable for accommodating too many people, so he didn’t go in.

Alyssa, Adrian, and a few others were standing together outside the office.

Aside from the doctor, only Hector and Rebecca went in.

The office door was left open, and the doctor’s words could be faintly heard from inside.

“Late-stage lung cancer, and now hit by three bullets. It would be a miracle to survive, but the current

situation is still

very grim.

There is no more time to delay. Once the gunshot wound had healed a bit, we must quickly arrange for

the tumor removal surgery and bone marrow transplant.

I’ve already mentioned the surgical risks before. Please discuss it with the patient as soon as possible

and let us know your decision. This way, we can make the necessary arrangements.”

Alyssa stood outside, clearly hearing the doctor’s words.

She kept reminding herself that she had absolutely no connection with that man.

He would be dead, and that would be for the best. It was his retribution, and both she and Deborah

should be happy

about it.

But her body was trembling, and she couldn’t control it no matter how hard she tried; the shaking only

grew more

intense.

The doctor continued to speak, and Rebecca tried to persuade her to donate bone marrow, but she

couldn’t really take in what they were saying.

Adrian’s mind was in a mess, and it wasn’t until they had all finished speaking that he finally took her

away, saying they would go back to Deborah’s place.

Rebecca anxiously asked Alyssa to stay, but Adrian stopped her.

Alyssa followed them as they left, heading towards Deborah’s hospital room.

As she was about to reach the entrance of the ward, she suddenly stopped and began to speak.

“Adrian, I just remembered, I need to make a call to my agent. You guys go ahead, I’ll join you once I’m

done with the

call.”