Chapter 2

"W-What...?" Drive straight through her? James shot him a cold glance, and Lucas instantly got the message. The black Bugatti suddenly reversed, swerved hard, then lunged forward—back end whipping around, slamming Emily straight to the ground. Her arm scraped along the wet pavement, skin torn and bleeding. By the time she looked up again, the car was already vanishing into the rain, taillights fading fast. "Oliver... Oliver..." It was like something snapped—Emily pushed herself up, limping as she staggered after the car. Once past the luxury complex, traffic thickened. Her white shirt was soaked and stained red, cars speeding past her without a second glance. She threw herself in front of a taxi, blocking the road with her arms spread wide. The brakes screeched. She jumped in. “Central City Hospital,” she choked out. By the time she arrived, it was already late. Down the hallway, the sharp silhouette of James caught her eye. "James! Where did you take Oliver?!" Sopping wet and a mess from head to toe, her eyes were dark and hollow. "Emily?! You seriously dare show your face here?" A woman yanked her back—the shrill voice cutting through the corridor. "You already killed one of my grandsons! Are you here to ruin Ethan's chance too?!" Her voice was full of venom, eyes blazing. The elegant face twisted in rage—it was Sophie Taylor's mother, the matriarch of the Taylor family. Emily had no time for her accusations. Her eyes darted across the hallway. Sophie's mother... James... some of the Taylors' bodyguards... But— No Oliver. She started trembling. James's gaze lingered on Emily's scratched-up hand, then shifted to her pale, rain-soaked face. "Who said you could come here?" Emily's blurry focus finally snapped onto his face. Suddenly, she yanked her arm free from Mrs. Taylor's grip, lunging forward to grab James's arm. "Where's Oliver? Where's my brother? Please—" Mrs. Taylor's voice cut in again, soaked with hatred:"That little bastard's in the OR giving a kidney to my Ethan. Surgery's already started!" "Why?! You guys could've found a donor easily. Why are you hell-bent on killing my brother...?" Emily was almost hysterical when Mrs. Taylor slapped her hard across the face. "Because your lives are worthless! Anyone who's hurt Sophie deserves to pay!" "You monsters! He's just a kid! He didn't do anything wrong!" Emily lunged at Mrs. Taylor, but the bodyguards quickly held her back. Mrs. Taylor snapped, "Your brother's life? I'm taking it today! The fact he got five extra years before donating already makes him lucky!" Emily staggered back a step, then turned and slammed her fists desperately against the operating room door. “Oliver! Open up!” “Are you deaf? Get her off there!” The bodyguards rushed in and pinned her down, but she thrashed wildly under them. “Beat her! Don't hold back!” Mrs. Taylor barked viciously, pointing down at her. "Stop it!" James stepped in, his face darkening as he pulled them away. Emily clutched the hem of his coat, pleading with tear-filled eyes. Mrs. Taylor raged, “It's been five years. You still wanna protect them? Don't forget who killed your mother, and who lost her baby trying to save her! James, how can you look my daughter in the eye?” James tensed up, his Adam's apple bobbing. He stepped back, voice cold, "If this keeps up, it'll mess up Ethan's surgery." Mrs. Taylor's expression eased a little, but for Emily, those words hit like ice water. So that's all he cared about—the procedure going smoothly. Her hand dropped to the floor with a dull thud as her voice trembled, "If it's a life you want, or a kidney... take mine instead. Just let him go..." Then she pulled out a fruit knife. “What are you doing? Trying to kill someone?” "Emily! Drop the knife!" Mrs. Taylor shrieked. James's face turned pale. But Emily turned the blade toward herself. "Take mine. Spare him, please." "My kidney... take it..."The blade sank into her stomach, and blood came pouring out, deep red and terrifying.