?Chapter 559:


    “What?”


    Jayden’s urgent voice shot through the line.


    “Dad copsed out of nowhere. I can’t leave. You need to get to the hospital now.”


    Waldo stiffened, his pulse quickening.


    “What? How did this happen?”


    “It’s tooplicated to exin. Just get here!”


    “On my way.”


    He ended the call and was already moving. He grabbed his shirt and threw it on in a rush, then turned back toward the bed. Joleney there, watching him withzy curiosity.


    “Wait for me,” he said, before disappearing out the door.


    At the hospital, the air smelled of antiseptic and tension.


    Waldo spotted Corrine seated on a bench in the hallway, her head bowed, hair falling like a curtain over her face as she gripped the edge of the seat. Her hands trembled, knuckles white.


    For all her usualposure, she was barely holding it together.


    “Corrine,” Waldo murmured as he approached.


    She lifted her head sharply, her voice edged with strain.


    “Uncle Waldo.”


    He stepped forward and pulled her into a quiet embrace, his fingers threading through her hair in a soothing gesture.


    ???????????????? ???? ?????????ν????????????


    “How is he?”


    “Still in emergency,” she replied, her voice wavering.


    “The doctors say it was a stroke, caused by a sudden spike in blood pressure. The household staff got him here in time, but if they hadn’t…”


    Waldo exhaled, tension easing from his shoulders.


    “As long as everything is fine. Do you know what happened?”


    Carl had always been in excellent health. A sudden spike in blood pressure didn’t make sense. Something felt off.


    Corrine’s gaze darkened, a cold edge creeping into her tone.


    “They said Grandpa got a call from the cemetery manager this evening. They discovered that my mom’s ashes had been stolen.”


    Waldo’s expression hardened, sharp fury slicing through hisposure.


    “Who would do something like that?”


    A grave was meant to be sacred, a ce of eternal rest. Yet someone had vited that peace, pried open the tombstone, and stolen the ashes. What kind of hatred drove a person to such a vile act?


    “It’s still under investigation,” Corrine said calmly.


    The conversation halted as the doors to the operating room swung open. The attending physician stepped out.


    Corrine and Waldo moved forward immediately.


    “How is my dad?” Waldo asked.


    “How is my grandpa?” Corrine added.


    The doctor pulled down his mask, revealing sharp features and clear, focused eyes. Waldo’s breath caught, recognition shing across his face. His pulse quickened.


    .


    .


    .