He Said She Saved His Life, So He Gave Her Mine

During a field survey in the mountains, Adrian Vale brought back a woman he had found there. He said they would never have made it out without her. Serena Ashford believed him. Later, Adrian gave her a name, Elara Vale. He said she was strong-willed and dependable. Little by little, he began handing over the resources around him for her to manage. Until the day Serena's mother fell critically ill, and Elara withheld the medical resources that could have saved her. … "Why can't my mother use those resources? No one else is using them right now." Serena rushed into the hospital administration floor. Her eyes were red as she stared at Elara. "The allocation follows a fixed schedule." Elara sat in her chair and glanced at her watch. "The next available slot is tomorrow. Come back then." Serena stared at her in disbelief. "What are you talking about? My mother is dying. How can this wait until tomorrow?" "Rules are rules. If others can wait, so can you." Elara's tone remained calm. "Do you think being Mrs. Vale gives you special privileges? People like you have no shame." Serena's fingers trembled. She thought of her mother lying weak on the hospital bed. She forced herself to swallow the humiliation. "What will it take for you to release the resources to my mother?" "I already told you. Come back tomorrow. Security, remove her." Elara's impatience was clear. The guards grabbed Serena by the arms. She struggled against them, her voice breaking. "It is only one day. I will pay double. My mother will not make it." Elara did not react. The doctors nearby kept silent. Serena looked at them, her hands curling into fists. Then she saw Adrian walking toward her. Hope surged all at once. "Adrian, my mother is dying. They refuse to provide the resources. Tell them to save her." She broke free and ran to him, crying. Adrian saw her tear-streaked face. A flicker of concern crossed his eyes. "Adrian, are you going to break my rules?" Elara stood up abruptly. "You said these matters were under my control." "But Serena's mother…" "If others can wait, why can't she? Is this how wealthy people behave?" Elara's voice turned cold. "If that is the case, I might as well stop managing any of this." She threw the file in her hand onto the table. "I should go back to the mountains. Pretend I never saved you." Adrian's expression changed at once. He let go of Serena's arm and walked straight to Elara. "Why are you upset? Did I say I would interfere?" Serena stood frozen. Her face turned pale the moment she heard those words. She had to brace herself against the wall to stay upright. "What are you saying? Adrian, that is your mother-in-law. How can you not save her? She is dying. She cannot wait." Her voice broke into a desperate cry. Tears blurred her vision, yet she could still see Adrian coaxing Elara. The cold of December crept up from her feet to her head. Even her blood seemed to freeze. "Serena, one day will not matter. I will arrange the best team to monitor her. These are Elara's rules. Come back tomorrow. Be reasonable." A sharp ringing filled her ears. The world around her faded. Pain spread through her chest, slowly consuming her whole body. The metallic taste of blood rose in her mouth.