Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 143

Emma didn't reveal everything she had overheard, merely asking Carter to look into Peacehaven Hospital.

Carter immediately sent a text to his contacts before turning back to her. "I've also brought in a specialized security detail to shadow you. At the end of the day, my carelessness caused this."

If he had assigned a team to protect Emma from the start, they wouldn't have been left helpless watching the kidnappers' car speed away without backup to intercept it.

Emma lay back against the pillows, unbothered as she closed her eyes. "And what about the Ryders? Do you know anything?"

"One of the men we caught belongs to Mavis Ryder's racing club. He confessed that Mavis paid them to grab you."

Emma frowned. Was the Ryder family genuinely behind this?

It didn't make sense.

She couldn't piece it together, and she didn't have the energy to try. Exhaustion took over, and she drifted back to sleep.

It wasn't until the following morning that Emma finally felt like herself again.

When a nurse arrived to apply fresh ointment, Carter turned to leave, but Emma called him back.

"Where's my private aide? I'll need to keep using this ointment after I'm discharged. If you can grab her, I'd like the nurse to show her the proper application technique."

Carter tensed. He had been so busy getting lectured by Julian yesterday and worrying over Emma that he completely forgot to arrange a caregiver.

Martha had already returned to the city last night, so there was no time to call her back now.

"Have her teach me."

Carter offered after a brief hesitation. The nurse blinked in surprise. "Excuse me, but what is your relationship to the patient?"

The nurse only knew the VIP in this suite was a high-priority individual, but she was required to ask by protocol.

Carter didn't miss a beat. "I'm her husband."

A rush of quiet satisfaction bloomed in his chest as he said it.

Having that marriage certificate gave him absolute leverage.

"Alright then." The nurse relaxed and turned her attention back to Emma. "I'll need to help you take off your top first."

Emma's cheeks flushed crimson. The refusal was right on the tip of her tongue, but she remembered this hospital belonged to Julian's family. Julian had undoubtedly instructed the staff to give him daily reports on her condition.

The security guard tapped on the heavy wooden door, projecting his voice from the hallway.

Emma had zero desire to see Tristan, but knowing Sebastian was there changed things. Sebastian's family was deeply rooted in Garrison City. If anyone knew the history of its local hospitals, it was him.

"Go bring them in. Have them wait in the lounge."

Emma obviously couldn't receive guests half-naked, but she also didn't want to leave Sebastian standing in the hallway. Thankfully, the VIP suite was massive and featured a separate living area.

She naturally asked Carter to handle it. Though her tone was slightly demanding, to Carter, it sounded like pure, wonderful reliance.

Carter stood up, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'll come back to help you dress once the gel dries. Just call my name."

He stepped out of the bedroom and pulled the door firmly shut behind him. As he opened the main door to the suite, he projected the overwhelming, territorial aura of a man defending his home.

Carter waved the two men inside, planting himself firmly in front of the bedroom door like an imposing sentinel.

Neither Sebastian nor Tristan dared to sit down under his piercing gaze. Carter struck first.

"What do you want with my wife?"