THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 334

Ann was lying in the emergency room now, yet Keira seemed less concerned about her condition than she was eager to lay blame at Ann’s feet.

Was this really how a caring relative acted?

Just then, the doors to the emergency room swung open.

The doctor stepped out, and both Amanda and Keira rushed forward.

“Doctor, how is my daughter doing?” Amanda asked anxiously.

The doctor pulled down his mask and said, “She’s out of immediate danger for now. But since the wound is in her lower left abdomen—a rather sensitive spot—we’ll need to observe her overnight. The family should keep a close eye on her tonight.”

Amanda and Dowager Hannah Richards both sighed in relief at the news.

Especially Amanda.

She’d known all along that Caitlin’s warnings about life-threatening danger and the possibility of Ann being crippled were just scare tactics.

Now that Ann was stable, Caitlin quietly approached Keira. “Harlan’s here too. I’m going to check on him.”

Keira nodded. “Go ahead.”

It didn’t take Caitlin long to ask around and find her way to the hospital morgue, where Harlan had been taken.

Liam was there, gripping Harlan’s hand, unable to let go.

“My condolences, Mr. Somerset,” Caitlin said softly as she approached.

Liam looked up, his eyes lighting with desperate hope. “Miss Gonzales, it’s you! Please—please see if there’s anything you can do for Harlan. Maybe there’s still hope?”

Although Caitlin knew it was futile, she placed her fingers on Harlan’s wrist out of respect.

There was nothing. No pulse—no life.

After a long moment, Caitlin shook her head slowly. “Heart failure doesn’t happen in an instant. Harlan had taken Heartsteady Elixir, so his situation should have been better than most. If he’d been brought to the hospital right away, there might have been a chance. But…”

Truthfully, Amanda hadn’t been wrong—if the Somersets had insisted on taking Harlan to the hospital, Ann couldn’t have stopped them. In the end, it was the Somersets’ own negligence that led to his death.

Of course, Ann bore her share of responsibility as well.

Liam buried his face in his hands, his voice breaking. “It’s all my fault. He kept telling me he didn’t feel well, but I thought he was faking. I’m a terrible father…”

Caitlin frowned imperceptibly.

“Thank goodness I stopped her from meddling. Who knows what would have happened if she’d been allowed to do whatever she wanted. Ann might have ended up crippled for real!”

Just remembering Caitlin’s attempt to treat Ann sent shivers down Amanda’s spine. In her mind, Caitlin was just waiting for a chance to hurt her precious daughter.

Knock, knock, knock—

A sharp rap sounded on the hospital room door.

“Come in,” Amanda called, turning around.

Ann’s attending physician entered.

“Oh, Dr. Aaron, you’re here,” Amanda said, forcing a smile.

Dr. Aaron nodded. “I’m here to inform you of something. Because of the location of her injury—and because she didn’t receive proper treatment immediately after being hurt—she may experience some lasting effects.”

“What kind of effects?” Amanda and Gavin asked in unison.

Dr. Aaron continued, “The wound is very close to the nerves that control her left leg. Going forward, she may have difficulty walking.”