?Chapter 1256:
After a small pause, Tina answered, “From what I’ve gathered, Sadie’s mother, Brenda Stewart, used to be employed by the NE Research Institute. Beyond that, I don’t know anything at all.”
As soon as the words left her lips, all traces of Hurst’s teasing disappeared. His eyes grew colder, sharp as des, and for the first time that day, his whole demeanor turned deadly serious. A faint crease appeared between his brows.
“Where’s her mother now?” The urgency in his voice couldn’t be missed.
Tina’s confusion only deepened at his reaction. What was this about? Why was Hurst suddenly so intense? Did he actually have a connection to Sadie’s mother?
She hesitated, uncertain, then shook her head. “I have no idea, either. Sadie’s still searching for her. Her mother vanished seventeen years ago. The only sign of her surfaced five years back at Faron Retreat, but after that, the whole ce was wiped out in a fire. No leads, nothing left.”
Hurst was quiet for a long moment. He dropped his gaze, eyes hidden beneath hisshes, his thoughts impossible to read. A thick tension settled over the room as his silence dragged on.
When Tina saw him retreat inward, her nerves tightened. She cleared her throat and broke the silence, saying, “Dr. Lawson, I’ve told you everything I know. Will you help us now?”
That seemed to jolt Hurst from his reverie. He met her eyes, his trademark smile curling back into ce, though this time it rang hollow. “Naturally. I stand by my promises—if I say I’ll help, I do.”
Tina felt a small wave of relief wash over her. With Hurst on their side, hope still lingered for Jack. A nce at her watch reminded her of the time.
“We should get moving. It’s gettingte.”
An hourter, the two of them stepped into the ICU at Jazmah Hopevale Hospital. Hurst slipped into a sterile gown before giving Jack a swift but thorough assessment.
Jack’s condition was dire—internal bleeding, shattered bones, vital organs ruptured. That he’d survived this long was almost beyond belief.
From the sidelines, Tina observed Hurst’s steady, measured actions, frustration simmering beneath her calm. Unable to wait any longer, she stepped closer. “Can you save him or not?”
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Hurst halted at her question and studied her face. A moment passed before he answered, “There’s a chance. But I can’t promise he’ll ever wake up. And if he does, there’s no telling if he’ll… still be himself.”
Tina’s chest tightened with dread. But faced with impossible odds, there wasn’t a real choice. “Do everything you can. I’ll update Sadie.”
She pulled out her phone and quietly slipped out of the ICU. Hurst watched her go, silent, then turned back and began prepping for the emergency surgery.
Tina rushed down the corridor, only stopping at the far end to call Sadie. Her update was swift and to the point—she outlined Jack’s precarious state and spelled out Hurst’s terms for assistance. She made sure to include the strange part: Hurst’s sudden interest in the NE Research Institute.
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