From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 552

Chapter 552 A Race Against Time

Chapter 552 A Race Against Time

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Sebastian’s team moved quickly. In just a few minutes, a handful of stone-faced security personnel had led a bewildered Melissa away.

The noisy sobbing and shouting in the hallway gradually faded, leaving behind a heavy, almost suffocating quiet.

Riley remained where she stood, her gaze locked on the solid doors of the operating room.

As her mind cleared, pieces of the puzzle began falling into place with unsettling speed. A slow, creeping suspicion took hold of her.

“Sebastian,” she turned abruptly, her tone unusually tense, “the police’s initial report said the truck driver was DUI, correct?”

Sebastian caught the shift in her voice immediately and gave a short nod. “That’s what’s been relayed so far. The driver’s in custody, and his blood alcohol level was well over the legal limit.”

“But it’s all too convenient,” Riley said, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Right when Melissa was causing that scene by the roadside, threatening to jump, at a turn with clear visibility… a truck loses control and hits him with near-perfect timing. Can we really write that off as just an accident?”

She hardly let herself follow that train of thought too far, but she couldn’t ignore the red flags waving right in front of her.

“Have a few people keep a low-profile watch on Melissa,” Riley instructed Sebastian. “Make sure she doesn’t realize it. I want to know everything she does after leaving this hospital-who she sees, who she calls.”

Raymond, slumped in a chair nearby, looked up, exhaustion and disbelief written across his face. “Riley, what are you implying? You think… Mom could have been involved in this?”

Even after everything Melissa had put them through, he still couldn’t wrap his head around the idea that his own mother might have had a hand in what happened to their father.

Riley shook her head, her expression pained but resolute. “I don’t know. Of course I hope it was just a terrible accident. But something doesn’t add up. Keeping an eye on her won’t do any harm. If there’s anything shady going on, she’ll slip up sooner or later.”

Raymond opened his mouth as if to argue, but no words came out.

He knew Riley’s instincts were rarely wrong, and now wasn’t the time to take any chances.

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15:15 Sat, Aug 1

Chapter 552 A Race Against Time

Letting their guard down could mean letting whoever was responsible walk free.

Just then, the red light above the ER doors finally went dark.

The doors swung open slowly, and both siblings rushed forward almost in sync.

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The lead surgeon-an experienced attending physician-looked at the two anxious young faces before him and let out a weary sigh, his voice somber.

“Mr. Zavier Harper sustained severe frontal impact trauma, with significant damage to the head. We’ve managed to stabilize him for now, but the next forty-eight hours are critical. Any complications could be life-threatening.”

He paused, choosing his words carefully but leaving no room for false hope. You should prepare yourselves. Even if he pulls through, the brain injury is extensive. There’s a strong possibility… he may remain in a persistent vegetative state.”

The term vegetative state hit Riley like a physical blow.

Her legs buckled, and the world seemed to tilt violently around her.

A wave of helplessness, raw and crushing, threatened to tear her apart from the inside.

She staggered backward, only to be steadied by Sebastian’s firm grip behind her.

“No… that can’t be,” Riley whispered, her voice breaking-

The tears she’d fought to hold back the whole ride over finally spilled over, tracing silent paths down her ashen cheeks.

Sebastian’s chest tightened at the sight. He drew her closer, letting her lean into his shoulder

Looking up, his gaze turned sharp and directed at the doctor. “Doctor, we’ll arrange for private, round-the-clock care. I’m also reaching out to top neurologists from across the country for consultations. They’ll be here in the city by tomorrow morning at the latest

The doctor gave a respectful nod, his tone softening slightly. “That’s a good plan. More expert input will certainly help shape the next steps in his recovery.

“Thud.”

Raymond drove his fist into the cold hospital wall.

As if numb to the pain, he pressed his forehead against it, his voice thick with self-repai

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15:15 Sat, Aug 1

Chapter 552 A Race Against Time

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“Why did I have to stay late for that damn meeting today… I was supposed to leave with Dad.”

He shut his eyes, and all he could see was Zavier’s face from earlier that day.

Before heading out, Zavier had pushed open the door to Raymond’s office.

He’d looked at his son, buried in paperwork, with unmistakable pride in his eyes. Reaching out, he’d given Raymond’s shoulder a warm pat, saying cheerfully, “Seeing you take the company this seriously puts my mind at ease. You and Riley… you’ve both got what it takes. Harper Group will go further in your hands than it ever did in mine.”

Back then, Raymond had still been his usual easygoing self, spinning a pen between his fingers and flashing a confident grin. “Well, that’s how it’s supposed to be-out with the old, in with the new. Right, Dad? Maybe you should start thinking about retirement. Go buy that boat you’ve always talked about, do some fishing. Leave the worrying to us.”

Zavier had chuckled warmly at that, a rich, content sound, before turning and walking out, hands in his pockets.

Who would have thought that laugh would be the last vivid memory Raymond would have of his father?

And that relaxed retirement they’d joked about-now it had been forced upon him in the cruelest way imaginable.

Watching Raymond fall apart, Riley felt her own heart splinter in response.

But her father was a legend in this city’s business world. He’d weathered storms his whole life. There was no way he’d let it end like this-quietly, coldly, without a fight.

15:15 Sat, Aug 1