MR CEO

episode 2

Hector had barely finished his sentence when the patient monitor began to beep.

Patrick nodded and assured his grandfather, "I heard you, Grandpa. I'll marry the eldest daughter of the Ashton family."

As medical staff, including Kevin, rushed in to provide emergency treatment, they quickly wheeled Hector to the ICU. The urgent atmosphere in the room highlighted the gravity of the situation for both the Lowen family and the Ashton family.Meanwhile, Gwendolyn anxiously bombarded the ICU staff with inquiries.

“When can my daughter be discharged from the ICU? Can I be with her?”

Her palpable anxiety was evident, her eyes reddening as tears threatened to fall.

The nurse responded, “She needs to remain for overnight observation. You can return in twenty-four hours. Rest assured, she will be well looked after.”

Gwendolyn was not about to leave the hospital without her daughter, but she nodded and replied, “Thank you” in acceptance of the nurse's instructions.Gwendolyn asked the nurse, "How is my grandfather doing?"

The nurse checked the files in her hand and responded, “Old Mr. Lowen is still in critical condition, Mr. Lowen. We need to observe him for another twenty-four hours. The director has arranged a lounge for you to stay in.”

Every staff member at the hospital was familiar with Patrick Lowen. He was renowned for his regular visits to see his grandfather, Hector, for the past six years. His unwavering dedication and filial piety were deeply admired by all who knew him.Patrick acknowledged the nurse's explanation with a nod and a quiet, “I understand.”

As he turned to leave, his eyes fell upon a woman huddled in the corner of the room - hugging herself, toes curled, and head buried between her knees. It was a pitiful sight.

Moved by compassion, Patrick removed his coat and gently draped it over the woman before making his way to the elevator. At that moment, Gwendolyn lifted her head, her gaze fixed on his broad back. She called out, “Thank you! How can I return your coat?”Patrick stepped into the elevator. Right before the doors closed, he said, “Keep it. I don't know who's ill, but you should keep yourself healthy while taking care of another.”

His unexpected show of concern for the stranger surprised Patrick as much as it surprised Gwendolyn.

As the elevator doors closed, Patrick smirked and shook his head at his own actions.

Wrapped in the warmth of Patrick's coat, Gwendolyn couldn't help but revel in the unexpected kindness she had just experienced.She sniffed and inhaled the faint, pleasant scent lingering on the coat, finding comfort in its warmth.

Later, the elevator doors opened, and two young boys stepped out. The first boy, in a black windbreaker, carried a long white jacket, while the second, dressed in a gray and white-striped baseball uniform and cap, held a pair of snow boots.

Their handsome, chiseled features bore a striking resemblance, unmistakably identifying them as twins at first glance.A man dressed in a gray coat walked behind the boys. Despite his dashing features, Zayden Surrington looked nothing like the boys.

The older of the two boys was Justin Ashton. He walked to Gwendolyn's side, a hint of anguish in his eyes.

“Mommy, you should wear this.”

Justin had noticed the man's coat wrapped around his mother and realized that a kind-hearted stranger had given it to her.

Guilt briefly flickered across the face of Gwendolyn's second son, Julian Ashton.Worriedly, Julian asked, “Mommy, why didn't you bring Justin and me along? We could've helped you.”

Bending down, Julian gently pulled Gwendolyn's feet into his lap, intending to warm them before persuading her to put on her shoes.

Meanwhile, Zayden sat beside Gwendolyn, observing as her sons comforted her. Envy swelled in his chest, his mind filled with questions.

He inquired, “Gwen, why didn't you tell me Juliette was sick? I promised I would take care of all of you.”Gwendolyn's anxiety had subsided, and the adrenaline rush that had fueled her earlier had dissipated. The winter chill she had ignored in her frantic state now caught up to her, leaving her weak and unable to stand.

Upon receiving the news that Juliette was out of danger, Gwendolyn finally allowed herself to relax, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in.

With her feet now warm and feeling the comfort of the expensive coat around her, she straightened her clothes and wrapped the coat tighter around herself, seeking solace in the warmth and security it provided.Gwendolyn smiled gratefully and replied, “Zayden, you've saved us once. I'm forever indebted to you, and I can't trouble you any longer.”

Despite her words, Zayden's heartache was evident in his gaze. She still doesn't understand my feelings for her.

Six years prior, Zayden's car had accidentally struck Gwendolyn, leading to her hospitalization. Feeling guilty, he had taken care of her expenses, rented a house for her after her discharge, and provided ongoing support. Over time, his initial sense of obligation had evolved into deep emotional attachment as their companionship grew.Zayden felt powerless in the face of Gwendolyn's persistent avoidance of his feelings.

Changing the subject, he asked, “I heard things were tough when you resigned from that investment firm. Did they give you a hard time?”

In the meantime, Justin opened a thermos and poured a cup of warm water for Gwendolyn, offering it to her for comfort.

Taking a sip, Gwendolyn felt instant warmth spreading through her body. Grasping the thermos, she confided in Zayden, “I won't subject myself to a company like that again.”“They're blatantly cheating their clients, especially targeting the elderly. I was handling a case involving an elderly woman that day. She seemed affluent, but I couldn't bring myself to deceive her. When the company discovered the truth, they pressured me to resign.”

Zayden was exasperated. He admired Gwendolyn's kind-hearted nature, despite the challenges it brought. She constantly expressed her desire to accumulate wealth for her children's comfort, yet her conscience hindered her.

“Gwen, why don't you consider working for my company? I have full faith in your abilities.”Gwendolyn quickly declined Zayden's offer to protect her with a firm shake of her head.

“I'm already actively seeking employment, and my qualifications may not align with the positions at your company,” she explained.

Zayden audibly sighed in response to her rejection.

“My reputation will suffer if you continue to decline my offer, Gwen. How would it appear if the CEO of Surrington Corporation couldn't even persuade someone to join his company?”

Few people would refuse a CEO's assistance as persistently as Gwendolyn had.Meanwhile, Julian and Justin shared a knowing look. They had indeed earned a substantial amount of money from successful stock market investments, yet they chose to keep it secret from their mother.

"If Mom found out, she'd think we were up to no good!" Justin whispered to Julian.

The boys discreetly transferred the money to their mother's account, a fact Gwendolyn remained unaware of. She continued to work multiple jobs to support herself and her children, unaware of the financial assistance they had provided.Gwendolyn's children were distressed to see her working tirelessly.

At midnight, a nurse approached Gwendolyn with positive news. "Miss, your daughter's condition has stabilized. You can go home now and come back at noon tomorrow to transfer her to the general wards."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Gwendolyn expressed her thanks, "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Can we visit her?" Justin inquired anxiously.

Given Juliette's fragile health, her brothers, Justin and Julian, were always concerned about her well-being.The prolonged separation from their sister had left the brothers feeling uneasy and distraught.

Unable to resist the hopeful gazes of the boys, the compassionate nurse relented. "Okay, come with me. You can see her through the window."

The group followed the nurse into the ICU. Peering through the ward windows, they caught sight of a pale Juliette lying on a white hospital bed.

Juliette lay on her side, connected to tubes with one in her mouth and others winding across her body.Gwendolyn's eyes filled with tears as she gazed upon her daughter lying alone in the hospital ward.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she was consumed by feelings of guilt. Reflecting on the challenges her children had faced from a young age, the constant relocations and her absence due to work weighed heavily on her heart.

Through sobs, she cried out, "Juliette, this is all my fault! I'm so sorry!"