Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 37

Nadine's face paled with worry. "Chloe, be honest with me. Did they amputate his legs?"

She found it hard to believe. Ever since Chloe had joined the Blackwood family to ward off death, her eldest grandson's legs had clearly shown signs of improvement.

"Nadine, they didn't amputate his legs. The surgery was to excise the dead, necrotic muscle tissue, which is why it's so painful. But don't worry, he's already past the critical stage."

Nadine pressed her hands together in prayer. "Oh, thank heavens. The universe is watching over us. Let's go see him."

The three of them took the elevator up to the tenth floor and walked into Julius's VIP suite.

It was an ultra-luxurious hospital room, fully equipped with premium amenities to make it as comfortable as home.

Julius was awake. Having taken another dose of painkillers, the sheer agony had finally dulled into something manageable.

Seeing his grandmother and brother walk in, he managed a faint smile. "Grandma, Jason. You made it."

Nadine rushed over and grasped his hand. "We came to see you. How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, Grandma. The specialist is incredible. My legs are saved, and I should be able to go home after I recover a bit."

"Where is the doctor who saved you? I need to thank them personally." Anyone who saved her precious grandson deserved her utmost gratitude.

"Grandma, the doctor is incredibly busy. As soon as the surgery was done, they caught a red-eye flight out of the city. Once I'm fully healed, I'll thank them in person."

Julius paused, catching his breath before continuing, "Actually, Grandma, there's something else I need to tell you."

Nadine looked puzzled. "What is it?"

"The woman standing before you isn't Chloe. Her name is Stella Hawthorne. She is Frederick's eldest daughter. Frederick knew I was supposedly on my deathbed and refused to let Chloe marry me, so he forced Stella to take her place."

Having said his piece, Julius turned his gaze to Stella. "Stella, give Grandma a brief rundown of how Frederick operates."

"Alright, I will."

Stella delivered a concise, unvarnished account of her miserable childhood in the Hawthorne household, explaining how Frederick had used her mother's personal belongings and ashes to blackmail her into the marriage.

She sprinkled in just enough emotional detail to make the story punch hard. Listening to the ordeal, Nadine was both infuriated and heartbroken.

Infuriated that Frederick was a despicable excuse for a father who treated his own flesh and blood like disposable pawns, and heartbroken over the sheer cruelty Stella had endured.

"Stella, don't you worry about a thing," Nadine declared fiercely. "You and Julius are legally married, which makes you a true Blackwood. And now, Julius's legs are officially saved."

"You are our good luck charm. From this day forward, the Blackwood family has your back. If anyone from the Hawthorne family dares to mess with you again, I'll have them destroyed."