Chapter 677
Chapter 677:
Without hesitation, Gabriela followed as the paramedics loaded Matthew onto a stretcher and whisked him into the emergency room, where doctors were already waiting.
Matthew’s injuries were severe, and the doctor, aided by two nurses, spent over an hour carefully tending to his wounds.
Once the medication had been applied and antibiotics administered, the doctor reminded Gabriela, “He’ll need plenty of rest and should stick to a plain, light diet for now p>
“Thank you, doctor,” Gabriela replied softly.
After the medical staff withdrew, the room fell quiet. Gabriela remained by his bedside, watching over him until his eyelids fluttered open.
When Matthew stirred, she helped ease him upright against a pillow, her hands steady despite the tremor in her chest.
𝘙еаd 𝖿𝗿𝗲𝖾 𝘯𝗈𝘷𝘦lѕ 𝘰n
His once-elegant features—still refined and striking despite the years—were now drained of color, leaving his face ghostly pale.
Overwhelmed by a tangle of emotions, she leaned closer and murmured with genuine sincerity, “Mr. Howard, I truly owe you my thanks for what you did earlier p>
Gabriela couldn’t make sense of why Matthew would go so far to save her.
His reckless self-sacrifice resembled the instinct of a father protecting his child.
Watching her intently, Matthew relaxed once he saw she was unharmed, a quiet smile softening his face.
“It’s nothing serious,” he said lightly. “My injuries will heal in a few days. For someone like you, a scar would be no small flaw—it would be an outright disaster p>
He leaned closer, scrutinizing her features until he noticed the mark Rebecca had left had already faded.
A muted sigh slipped from him, subtle but genuine.
Although he spoke with practiced ease, Gabriela’s emotions twisted into an uneasy tangle.
She still couldn’t unravel what drove him.
Even if hidden motives lurked beneath his actions, the way he regarded her carried only clarity—an elder’s open kindness, free of anything untoward.
“Anyway, thank you so much. I won’t forget this favor, and if there ever comes a time p>
Gabriela’s words were cut short when the door slammed open.
A flurry of footsteps rushed in—Lauren, Rebecca, and Beverley had come straight to the hospital after hearing the news.
Without a word, Lauren stormed toward Gabriela. Her palm cracked across Gabriela’s cheek, the slap sharp and merciless.
“You bitch!” she spat with malice.
Caught off guard, Gabriela couldn’t avoid the blow.
Heat stung her face, but she held back her reaction. Lauren’s fury came from seeing Matthew nearly sacrifice his life for another woman—and in that, Gabriela could not entirely fault her.
In a steady, sincere tone, Gabriela explained, “Mrs. Howard, Dustin’s been on the run these last six months. I don’t know why he suddenly risked everything just to attack me. While I regret Mr. Howard’s injury deeply, your anger at me is misplaced p>
Lauren’s chest rose and fell sharply, her voice dripping venom. “You know you are his daughter. If you hadn’t been so desperate to cling to him, he never would have been hurt saving you. Don’t even dream of stepping back into the Howard family p>
The accusation rattled Gabriela. Her pulse hammered in her ears as she frowned. “Daughter? What are you talking about p>