Chapter 11
Chapter 11:
Karen exclaimed, “Oh dear, that completely slipped my mind! Your dad was transferred to a premium room. Wait—you didn’t know p>
Surprise shot through Helena. “Since when p>
“Maybe about a week ago p>
That only deepened Helena’s confusion. Could the Wilson family’s compensation have come through earlier than expected?
As Helena and Karen neared the premium room, they suddenly came face-to-face with Valeria stepping out.
Without hesitation, Helena reached for Valeria’s arm. “Did you arrange this? Did you move my dad here p>
With a shrug, Valeria said, “I wish it were me. But I’m completely broke, Helena. I only found out when I dropped by today. To be honest, for a moment there, I thought you’d won the lottery or something p>
Helena was completely dumbfounded. If it wasn’t her, and Valeria was out too—then who could it be?
Helena entered the room.
Her father remained in bed, unchanged—still, unresponsive, and his eyes gently shut. The room was a clear upgrade. The latest medical equipment tracked his vitals, and a team of three caregivers took turns caring for him day and night.
Helena swallowed hard before saying, “This has to cost a fortune, doesn’t it p>
Valeria leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper. “They say it’s twenty thousand a day. You have to pay for the whole year upfront—and have proof of ten million in available assets just to qualify.” Even the faint antiseptic scent in the air now felt like it came laced with money.
Puzzled, Helena murmured, “Could my mom have pulled this off somehow p>
Valeria chuckled.
Helena wouldn’t have been forced to marry to begin with if the Simpson family—or Gemma—had been so kind.
Suddenly, panic set in. Helena backed away from the bed. “This is too much. I can’t accept this. I have to talk to someone and get Dad moved back. We can’t afford this p>
Valeria quickly stopped her. “Don’t do that. Your father has just been through so much. Between getting kidnapped and now this transfer, he looks like he’s lost some weight p>
gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s．çоm takes you away
Helena’s eyes returned to Albert’s pale face, her heart aching. Could she really afford to keep him here?
Valeria nudged Helena lightly. “Did it ever cross your mind that maybe your husband’s the one behind it p>
“Alden?” Helena’s eyes widened in disbelief. A second later, she shook her head. “No. That’s impossible p>
There wasn’t any logical reason for Alden to go out of his way for her. More importantly, he didn’t come across as someone who had that kind of money.
Watching her friend’s stunned expression, Valeria sighed. “You really don’t get it. Alden’s not as ordinary as he looks. You should be careful. Actually, there’s something I p>
She hesitated, unsure if she should mention the odd conversation she’d overheard near the bar.
A sudden chime from Helena’s phone broke the silence—it was time for work.
“Let’s talk next time—I’m going to be late!” she said, already halfway down the corridor.
The words caught in Valeria’s throat. How could she possibly tell Helena? Back at the bar entrance that night, Dorian—Alden’s playboy friend—had mentioned Alden was only pretending to be deaf.
Helena walked into the TV station to find her coworkers gathered around the bulletin board, eyes fixed on a fresh notice.
The triennial selection for news anchors had officially kicked off.
Almost everyone at work had put their name in for it.
Helena had done the same thing three years ago. But her hopes were crushed after a warning from the deputy manager, Laurence, who’d made it clear—one on-air blunder meant permanent disqualification.
That time, she hadn’t even cleared the first screening.
“Is this real? Helena? How did she get on the list?” Eleanor exclaimed. Dominick leaned in, frowning at the sheet. “Helena, come here. Your name’s really up here p>
Making her way through the crowd, Helena stepped up to the board. The sight of her name boldly listed among the preliminary selections stopped her breath for a moment.