?Chapter 1198:


    Sadie choked on a sob as his fingers squeezed hers.


    But the doctor’s warning from earlier lingered like a thorn stuck in her side. Even if Noah had woken up, he wouldn’tst long without the proper treatment. Not that Sadie would ever let that happen.


    “You’d better hang in there, Noah,” she muttered. “If you die on me, I swear I’ll marry Nathan and let him be Averi’s stepdad!”


    Noah let out a short exhale, his lips curling into a faint smile. His voice was hoarse, but it still carried a bit of amusement.


    “I wouldn’t dare disobey your orders, Ms. Hudson. I’ve certainly put you through a lot these past few days.”


    Sadie’s nose stung with unshed tears. She had been prepared to give him a good scolding once he opened his eyes, but the words died in her throat.


    Even in his critical state, Noah still had it in him to joke around.


    But one look into his eyes had everyst shred of her anger melting away. They were still a little ssy, but they carried that familiar spark that made Noah who he was.


    “Don’t worry about anything else,” Sadie said, her voice softening without her even realizing it. “Just rest. I’ll take care of the rest.”


    Then she turned to re at Hurst, who had been watching quietly on the other side of the bed with an odd, unreadable calm.


    He looked up, met her eyes, and smirked.


    Hurst didn’t say a word as he followed Sadie out into the hallway, ignoring the curious nces that the hospital sent his way.


    They stopped at a rtively empty spot. Hurst leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.


    “So, Ms. Hudson,” he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “How did I do? I didn’t lie to you, did I?”


    Sadie’s piercing eyes cut through his smug grin. “What is his current condition?”


    Hurst raised his eyebrows, his smile dimming slightly.


    g?lnσν????s, the heart of storytelling


    “Mr. Wall was in critical condition before I arrived. If we had been a few minuteste, not even a miracle could have saved him.”


    He paused to nce back toward Noah’s room.


    “But now… he has an additional three days, at most.”


    Three days… Those two words struck Sadie like a physical blow, each syble hammering against her chest with relentless force.


    Her fists clenched at her sides, crimson nails biting so deep into her palms that they nearly drew blood.


    “Within three days,” she dered, turning to meet Hurst’s piercing stare, “I’ll deliver Stuart’s corpse to you. But if you even consider ying games with me…”


    Her voice dropped to a bone-chilling whisper. “I’ll make certain you die in pieces.”


    Hurst disyed no trace of fear. Instead, he offered a slight bow, every movement dripping with practiced elegance and calcted civility, his lips curling in a perfectly measured smile.


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