From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 100

"Boss, there's a massive pile-up... none of them have arrived yet," Wesley replied, looking stressed.

"Take her into the OR."

Xavier's eyes grew even colder as he pulled his gaze away and issued the order to Alistair.

In that split second, Lydia shot her hand out and grabbed his wrist. The steady, powerful thrum of his pulse beat against her palm.

He stopped dead in his tracks. A dangerous flicker crossed his eyes.

"Xav... ier..."

A frail, raspy voice drifted through the oxygen mask.

Lydia looked up in shock and saw Eleanor reaching for Xavier's other hand. A second later, Xavier ruthlessly shook Lydia off.

It was as if the last shred of strength had been ripped from her spine. She started to collapse.

But she couldn't fall. She was all Madeline had left.

Slamming her hand against the wall, she forced her trembling body upright and stumbled back toward the ER doctor.

"I'm here, Grandma."

Behind her, she heard Xavier's voice. It was shockingly gentle, a softness she had never heard from him before.

Eleanor's whispers grew so faint Lydia couldn't hear them anymore.

She looked at the ER doctor. "Please give me the files for any surgeon who can operate on my mother right now."

Her fists clenched violently at her sides.

"Wait."

Suddenly, Xavier's voice sliced through the chaos behind her.

She spun around in shock just as he spoke. "Why did you grab me?"

Two minutes later.

Inside the dead-silent VIP lounge, a thick glass door separated them from the life-and-death struggle outside.

Xavier sat on the leather sofa, his expression dark and terrifying.

"Ms. Sterling, I just heard from the ER staff... there was an explosion at your house? Your mother is in critical condition?" Wesley asked, hovering nervously.

She had no time to waste.

She didn't know why Xavier had pulled her in here, but this was her only shot.

"Mr. Ford, my mother was caught in the blast. Her heart is failing, it's on the verge of stopping entirely. I'm begging you..." Lydia met his pitch-black, suffocating gaze, her hand clutching her chest as if she could rip her own heart out and give it to him. "I'm begging you... let Dr. Vaughn operate on my mother."

The moment the words left her mouth, tears cascaded down her face.

She felt vile. How could she beg him to trade his grandmother's life? She violently dropped her head, unable to look at him, biting her bloodless lip until she tasted copper.

Xavier shot a freezing look at Wesley. "Are they still not here?"

Wesley immediately dialed his phone, then hung up. "Boss, they're rushing, but right now... no one has made it."

Lydia had no idea what they were talking about. She twisted her fingers together, sheer panic setting in. There was no time left.

She ripped her gaze up, slamming right into his predatory stare.

She was about to tell him to forget it, to leave, when he finally spoke.

"Give her the contract."

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