Chapter 416
Chapter 416:
Gracie froze for a beat, her heart skipping as she avoided meeting Brayden’s eyes. “Yesterday was exhausting, so I turned in early to recharge—nothing more. There’s no reason for me to feel upset p>
She quickly checked the time on her phone. “If I linger any longer, I’ll be late to the office. As the head of the company, I have to lead by example and stay punctual p>
In an instant, she brushed past him and hurried away.
Brayden remained rooted in place, his eyes fixed on her retreating silhouette, a faint crease forming between his brows.
He was certain she was deliberately avoiding something unspoken—not just now, but since the day before. Yet the exact issue she was sidestepping eluded him.
As Gracie drove away from their luxurious residence, she sent Charlie a quick text en route. “Which hospital is Lia staying in? I want to pay her a visit.” Charlie responded almost immediately with the location.
Without hesitation, Gracie tightened her grip on the wheel and made a sharp U-turn, redirecting straight to the medical facility.
Thirty minutes later, she stood outside the ward, peering through the glass at Lia resting on the hospital bed.
It had only been a short time since their last encounter, but Lia’s vibrant allure had vanished entirely. Her complexion was sickly and gaunt, her vitality faded like a once-blooming flower now drooping, stripped of its former energy.
A physician walked by and spotted Gracie lingering at the doorway. “Miss, are you acquainted with the patient in there? Feel free to step inside if you’d like p>
Gracie shook her head. “I’ll observe from here. Could you tell me… what condition is she battling p>
The doctor let out a heavy sigh. “It’s cervical cancer—a heartbreaking diagnosis for someone so young p>
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A subtle frown creased Gracie’s forehead.
She knew fragments of Lia’s background. Though her childhood in the countryside had been marked by hardship, Lia had been a constant presence in Brayden’s life since their university days. With annual health screenings as part of her routine, it seemed inexplicable that such a severe illness could have developed undetected.
“Isn’t it possible to use the advanced Cancer Cell Elimination procedure in her treatment?” Gracie asked.
The doctor shook his head regretfully. “In most cases, it effectively removes the majority of malignant cells, but this patient has strongly opposed it. I tried to persuade her just last evening, yet she remains adamant in her refusal p>
A flicker of complicated emotion crossed Gracie’s face; she had already surmised the likely reason.
Lia knew the proprietary rights to that groundbreaking treatment rested with Gracie herself, which explained her stubborn rejection.
Gracie wasn’t the type to extend boundless mercy or overlook past betrayals without reservation. If Lia was determined to invite her own downfall, Gracie saw no need to bend her principles or plead for reconciliation just to change her mind.
“I appreciate the information, doctor. Please keep my visit confidential from the patient.” With those words, Gracie left the hospital.
As she entered the spacious entrance hall, she unexpectedly caught sight of Clive stepping into an elevator.
Her brows knit in puzzlement. “What brings Clive here? Could Brayden have sent him p>
She didn’t dwell on it. Clive and Charlie were among Brayden’s most loyal confidants. Since Lia’s temporary medical release had likely been arranged by Brayden, Clive’s presence at the hospital hardly seemed out of place.
Upstairs, in the patient room—
Clive set a basket of fresh fruit beside Lia, whose pallor looked stark against the white sheets. “Now that you’ve been granted release from detention to seek proper care here, you should follow the medical team’s guidance and fight for recovery. Why turn down the Cancer Cell Elimination treatment p>