Written Off as Trash, I Activated My Hidden Queen Mode novel Chapter 455

"Nicole, go change," Frederick urged. "You'll catch a cold."

Nicole reached out and patted his head affectionately. "Wait for me here." Both boys nodded obediently.

After Nicole changed, Frederick insisted that a doctor re-dress the wound on her arm. She hurried back as quickly as she could and pulled the boys into a tight embrace.

"I'm not leaving," she whispered. "I'm never leaving again."

Seeing Jasper and the others in such a state, she realized that even if they managed to run away, they would spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders. She and Jasper would just have to find another way. Besides, she couldn't bring herself to leave her family behind.

"Jasper!" Vivian cried out as she rushed down the hall. "Nicole, where is he? Where's Jasper?"

"He's in surgery," Nicole replied.

Vivian had always been fond of her, but in this moment, Nicole wasn't sure where they stood.

"Nicole, don't blame yourself," Vivian said softly. "What happened to him isn't your fault." Nicole felt a lump form in her throat and gave a small, silent nod.

Before long, the Cross and Wellington families arrived. Weighted down by guilt, Nicole bowed deeply to them. "I am so sorry," she said, her voice trembling. She knew that her and Jasper's attempt to elope was the reason Jaron and Amelia were lying in hospital beds.

Before anyone else could speak, Lauren rushed forward and pulled her into a hug. "It's all right, dear. None of us blames you." Nathaniel started to say something, but the words died in his throat as he looked at them.

The atmosphere shifted instantly when Felix appeared.

"Look at how many people you've hurt, Nicole," Felix spat.

Before Nicole could respond, Frederick stepped firmly in front of her. "Mr. Moore, if you truly believe Nicole has committed a crime, feel free to sue us. But don't use your age as an excuse to stand there and insult her."

"Why, you—" Felix stammered.

"I'm just a child," Frederick interrupted smoothly. "I don't always say the right thing. Surely you aren't going to pick a fight with a kid?"

Felix turned purple with rage. With so many eyes on him, arguing with a child would be a massive blow to his dignity.

Nicole pulled Frederick back, shielding both boys behind her, while the Shaw family bodyguards stood ready to intervene. Finally, the Cross and Wellington families stepped in to play peacemakers. The bickering ceased, and a heavy silence fell over the waiting room as everyone turned their eyes toward the operating room doors.

Jaron and Amelia were eventually moved to regular wards after their wounds were treated, but Jasper remained in surgery. As the hours ticked by with no word, Nicole grew increasingly frantic.

Please, Jasper, you have to be okay.

In the middle of the night, the rest of the Shaw family arrived at the hospital. Nicole kept her head down, unable to meet her father's eyes. "Dad," she murmured.

"We're going home," Vincent said flatly.

She reached out, tugging gently on his sleeve. "Dad, please... I want to wait until Jasper comes out."

Vincent had heard the details of the night's chaos, and despite himself, he respected Jasper's resolve. He glanced at Felix with clear distaste; even coming to the hospital to collect his daughter had been a blow to his pride. "They don't want you here anyway," he muttered. "What's the point in staying?"

His main concern was her injuries. He'd heard she had been caught in the downpour, soaked to the bone, and hurt.

Running away? She can't even look after herself.

"The rain could cause an infection in Nicole's wound," Sylvie interjected. "It's better if she stays in the hospital overnight for observation."

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