Chapter 133: Get Rid of Her
Julian Faulkner asked Ms. Shaw to handle the hospitalization procedures for Grandma Faulkner.
Vivian Lowell, meanwhile, accompanied Julian to wheel Grandma Faulkner into the ward.
The nurse helped set up the oxygen machine for Grandma Faulkner. After checking that everything was normal, she turned to Julian. "The patient’s condition still needs observation. I’ll come back again tonight. If her blood oxygen and heart rate are stable, she won’t need the oxygen anymore.
"However... as we mentioned before, you still need to be careful."
"Got it." Julian nodded, and the nurse left.
"Grandma, how do you feel?" Julian sat on a small stool next to the bed, looking at her.
Grandma Faulkner still looked pale and slightly disoriented. She looked at Vivian, then at Julian, before answering slowly, "I’m fine."
"Rest first, Grandma. I’ll have Ms. Shaw go back to prepare lunch. What would you like to eat?" Julian asked, mentally noting that he needed to arrange some highly nutritious food to aid her recovery.
Just then, Julian’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and exchanged a look with Vivian. She knew he needed to step out to take the call.
"Go ahead," Vivian said, indicating she understood.
Julian answered the call and walked out to the hallway.
Once he was gone, Rachel Faulkner, who had been standing by the bed, took the seat Julian had just vacated. She helped tuck the covers around Grandma Faulkner. Then, she asked somewhat hesitantly, "Grandma, did you see Annie earlier?"
On the bed, the frail old woman immediately recalled what had happened upon hearing that name. She grew agitated, her chest heaving violently.
"That woman... that woman, she..." Grandma Faulkner struggled to speak.
Vivian couldn’t stand it anymore. She thought, "There is definitely something wrong with Rachel!"
"Rachel," Vivian interjected, trying to get her to leave. "I’m not sure how Ms. Shaw is doing with the hospitalization paperwork. Since Grandma has been in the hospital for so many days, the medical bills must be adding up. You should go check on it."
Rachel refused. Frowning, she retorted, "Didn’t Julian give Ms. Shaw his bank card? Why should I follow her? Grandma is sick, and I want to stay and take care of her!"
"But..." Vivian wanted to argue.
Was she really staying to take care of her? The very first thing she brought up was something sure to provoke Grandma Faulkner, whose health was already poor. They didn’t even know the full story of what had happened with Annie yet!
Before Vivian could voice her thoughts, the door opened. Julian walked in, looked directly at Rachel, and said, "Rachel, step outside for a moment."
Seeing that Julian meant business, Rachel had no choice but to comply.
The ward was left to just Vivian and Grandma Faulkner. Seeing that the old woman was not in a good state, Vivian offered a few comforting words and changed the subject, unwilling to let her dwell on Annie.
Not long after, perhaps due to the lingering effects of her medication, Grandma Faulkner grew drowsy and slowly closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Vivian felt a bit relieved. After checking that the monitor showed normal vitals, she walked over to the window and drew the curtains, hoping the old woman could get a good sleep.
Just as she finished pulling the curtains closed, Julian returned. Noticing the darkened room, he realized what was happening and softened his movements as he entered.
Like Vivian, his first reaction upon reaching the bedside was to instinctively check the vitals. Seeing everything was fine, he visibly relaxed.
"Vivian," Julian called her name softly.
Vivian turned her head and saw him pointing toward the balcony. He clearly had something to tell her.
Since she also wanted to speak with him, she quietly got up and followed him outside. Grandma Faulkner’s ward was the best VIP suite at Concordia Hospital. The balcony was spacious, furnished with a small table and two chairs where one could sit, relax, and look out over the hospital grounds.
"Julian, earlier..." Vivian wanted to bring up Rachel but hesitated. Instead, she rephrased her thoughts. "Rachel came here without eating breakfast this morning. She’s been looking unwell, so I was thinking... wouldn’t it be better to let her go home and rest?"
After all, Rachel and Julian were siblings. Vivian was worried that if she didn’t phrase it carefully, Julian might think she was trying to drive a wedge between them.
To her surprise, Julian simply chuckled, looking as if he had already figured everything out. "Don’t worry," he said. "I’ve already arranged for someone to pick her up and take her home."
Vivian was shocked. Had he really acted that fast?
As she processed this, Julian’s expression sobered. He looked off into the distance, his eyes darkening. "I have a pretty good idea of what she’s up to. Besides, when I was outside on the phone, I heard what she asked Grandma."
So he had heard it.
Vivian breathed a sigh of relief. That explained it. No wonder he had agreed so easily without mindlessly taking her side. Julian was nothing like those foolish ancient kings who let themselves be blinded by a pretty face!
Still concerned about what had happened today and worried for Grandma Faulkner, she asked, "So... do we have any answers about today’s incident yet?"
Julian nodded, his tone grave. "The security camera in the stairwell on the fifth floor happened to be broken. So... I’m still not sure what exactly transpired between Annie and Grandma.
"As for Annie, she lost her baby.
"According to the doctor, Annie is getting older, so this was already a high-risk pregnancy. With the loss of this child, it’s highly unlikely she’ll be able to conceive again.
"I imagine she will undoubtedly pin the blame on Grandma and demand compensation."
Julian pinched the bridge of his nose, looking as if a headache was coming on.
Vivian also felt the situation was incredibly troublesome. Why did it have to be Grandma Faulkner that Annie bumped into? Knowing Annie’s personality, she was fully aware of the Faulkner Family’s wealth. Having lost her child, she would definitely latch onto Grandma Faulkner as a prime target and refuse to let go.
"Then..." Vivian pressed on, "do we have any leads on why Annie suddenly returned to the country?"
She felt they still had far too little information. Either way, the more they knew, the better off they would be.
Julian shook his head. They simply hadn’t had enough time.
This was all the information Vance Wyatt had managed to dig up so far. He was still trying to see if the surveillance footage could be recovered. If the video could be restored, they would be able to see exactly why the two women were arguing and how Annie had fallen. That would make things much easier to handle.
Julian firmly believed in his grandmother. He knew she wasn’t the type to act impulsively.
He had to find evidence to clear her name!