Chapter 716: Deep Coma

Just then, one of the maids downstairs added, “You’re telling me. I heard this car accident involving the Fifth Master has something to do with the Fifth Madam.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was all Ethan Kingsley’s doing. When the Fifth Master was going to marry her, Ethan Kingsley was against it. He only agreed later because of Claire Sinclair. Now, he regrets it and wants to take her back.”

“That Ethan Kingsley must be crazy! But who did you hear that from?”

“I overheard Sean talking about it one night.”

“Who’s Sean?”

“He’s the young guy who works for Ayla Ryan. You know, the Fifth Master’s bodyguard!”

…

‘Ethan Kingsley!’

Ivy Tanner sat bolt upright. ‘He really did it!’

‘No wonder things have been so quiet lately. He was already making his move.’

‘Does Lucas Rhodes know it was him?’

‘No, he must have known. He probably figured it out after the last accident.’

For a moment, Ivy Tanner wanted nothing more than to run and confront Ethan Kingsley, to demand that he back off. But she forced herself to stay rational. She couldn’t be impulsive.

‘I have to contact Mr. Rhodes first and see what he thinks.’

‘Yes, that’s what I have to do.’

Ivy Tanner tried calling Lucas Rhodes. She didn’t expect it to go through, but the call connected instantly. “Mr. Rhodes!” she said at once.

“This is Ayla Ryan.”

“Big Brother Ryan…” Ivy Tanner paused, then asked anxiously, “How is Mr. Rhodes? Is he okay?”

Ayla Ryan’s voice was heavy. “He’s in a deep coma. We don’t know when he’ll wake up.”

“A deep coma…” Ivy Tanner covered her mouth as tears streamed down her face. A growing sense of dread filled her. “Will he… will he wake up?” she asked tentatively.

Ayla Ryan said, “The doctor’s exact words were that it depends on his will to live. He could wake up at any moment, or it could be six months from now, or even ten years. But the chances are slim.”

“How could this be…” Her vision blurred with tears. ‘No, I can’t cry. This isn’t the time for crying. Mr. Rhodes will be fine! He has to be!’

Ivy Tanner wiped furiously at her tears and asked through a choked sob, “What happened? The accident… was it Ethan Kingsley?”

Ayla Ryan glanced toward the man lying in the intensive care unit. His voice was grim. “At this point, I won’t hide it from you. Ethan Kingsley was behind the last accident, too. Mr. Rhodes can’t protect you anymore. I’m sorry.”

“So it really was him… I’m so sorry…” Fresh tears fell down Ivy’s face. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. Don’t worry. I won’t let Mr. Rhodes suffer for nothing. I’ll go find Ethan Kingsley and settle this. I’m going right now!”

“Ivy—” Ayla Ryan seemed to want to say more, but Ivy Tanner had already hung up.

Ivy Tanner got out of bed, walked to the wardrobe, and began to change her clothes.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

Ivy Tanner’s heart tightened. She walked back to the bed, picked up her phone, and looked at the screen.

Ayla Ryan had sent a text. It was a photo of her Down syndrome screening report. The final result was negative.

‘The baby is healthy. I can go through with it…’

But she found she couldn’t feel happy.

‘To save this child, I ended up hurting Mr. Rhodes. I truly can’t feel any joy.’

Ivy Tanner texted Ayla Ryan a reply: “If Mr. Rhodes wakes up and I’m not back, tell him… I’d be his wife again in the next life.”

Then, she set her phone on the nightstand, changed her clothes, and took the few hundred dollars she had saved from a drawer before leaving.

When she got to the first floor and was about to leave, several maids came over to block her path.

Ivy Tanner gave them a small smile. “It’s time for me to go. Thank you for taking care of me.”