Chapter 138

Olivia Valdemar's fingers clenched the hospital blanket, her knuckles turning white. She stared at her brother's pale face, her chest heaving with each breath.

"Don't look at me like that, sis." Sebastian Valdemar reached for her hand but winced as the movement pulled at his wound.

"You still feel pain?" Olivia's eyes reddened, her voice trembling. "If Mom and Dad find out you're hurt again—"

"It's just a scratch." He forced a weak smile. "The doctor said I'll recover in a few days."

Olivia abruptly stood, knocking over a nearby monitor with a loud clatter. "I'm getting answers from the doctor."

In the hallway, Theodore Ashcroft approached with a medical report. Olivia intercepted him. "What really happened?"

Theodore glanced toward the hospital room before lowering his voice. "Mr. Valdemar was inspecting the Colorado Mines with Miss Roland when the tunnel collapsed—"

"Her again?" Olivia's pupils constricted.

"Miss Roland carried him out herself," Theodore added. "She was injured too."

Olivia's fingers turned icy. First the car accident, now this. Evelyn Roland was like a jinx—yet always there when it mattered most.

"Which room is she in?"

"306, third floor." Before Theodore could finish, Olivia was already striding toward the elevator.

The sharp scent of antiseptic filled Room 306. Evelyn sat propped against the pillows, a faint bloodstain seeping through the bandage on her temple.

"Why take him somewhere so dangerous?" Olivia demanded without preamble.

Evelyn lifted her pallid face. "It was Isabella—"

"Sis!" Isabella Langley threw herself at the bedside, tears streaming. "I messed up the safety assessment!"

Sophia Roland immediately embraced her eldest daughter. "Isabella meant well. She wanted to expand the company's operations."

Alexander Roland frowned over the investigation report. "The tunnel was dilapidated. It was an accident."

"An accident?" Evelyn's laugh was bitter. She remembered clearly—three deaths in her past life, all because of—

"Enough!" Edward Roland slammed his hand on the table. "Evelyn, your sister has apologized."

Evelyn gripped the sheets. The wound beneath her bandage burned, but the chill in her heart was worse. She turned to her father. "I want to see the full report."

Outside the window, dusk deepened. Olivia stood in the doorway, watching it all unfold.