Audrey stared at the officer in disbelief, her world spinning with confusion and fear. Jonathan in a coma? How could that be? Her mind raced, and her heart pounded violently against her ribcage. This was not normal. This felt like a threat, a sinister message aimed directly at her. Who would do this? First, her godmother's body vanished, and now Mr. Jonathan, who had witnessed the mysterious intruder in her office the night before her project presentation, lay unconscious in a hospital bed.
"This is fishy. I need to get to the bottom of this," Audrey resolved, a fierce determination hardening her features. She wouldn't let the perpetrators get away with this. No way.
With trembling hands, she called Rosaline. Her voice wavered as she explained the situation, and Rosaline, sensing the urgency, arrived within minutes.
"I'm sorry for always disturbing you, but I don't think I'm fit to drive yet," Audrey confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. The trauma from the recent events had left her terrified of getting behind the wheel.
Rosaline gave her a sympathetic look. "It's okay, Audrey. I'm here for you," she said softly, guiding Audrey to the passenger seat. Without another word, she started the car and pulled away.
The drive was tense, the silence filled with unspoken fears. Suddenly, Rosaline swerved to avoid a cat and clipped another car. The sound of metal scraping against metal sent Audrey into a panic. Her breath caught in her throat, and she clutched her chest, eyes wide with terror.
"It's just a scratch," Rosaline muttered, trying to stay calm. But Audrey was far from calm. The minor accident had triggered a wave of anxiety so intense that she couldn't breathe. She gasped for air, her vision blurring as her panic spiraled out of control.
"Are you okay?" Rosaline asked, her voice rising in concern as she noticed Audrey's distress. She turned to the driver of the other car, who was yelling angrily, and tried to explain. "Please, I have an emergency!"
As she glanced back at Audrey, she saw her friend's face turn pale. Panic surged through Rosaline. "Audrey! Breathe, just breathe!" she urged, rushing to her side. But Audrey had already fainted, slumping in her seat.
The angry driver, witnessing the scene, backed off, his expression shifting from anger to worry. Rosaline didn't waste a second. She gently eased Audrey back, buckled her in, and sped towards the nearest hospital, her hands gripping the wheel tightly.
At the hospital, the staff quickly took Audrey in, and a doctor began examining her. Rosaline paced the waiting area, her mind a whirl of worry and fear. When the doctor finally approached, she almost ran to him.
"Doctor, what's wrong with her?" she asked, her voice trembling.
The doctor gave her a reassuring smile. "She's experiencing severe trauma-induced anxiety" the doctor said making Rosaline's heart pound faster.
"We'll administer a sedative now and prescribe something to help manage her symptoms. She needs rest and support."
Rosaline sighed with relief, tears springing to her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. She returned to Audrey's side, taking her friend's hand in hers and holding it tightly. Minutes felt like hours until Audrey's eyes fluttered open.
Audrey looked around, disoriented. "Where… where are we?"
"We're at the hospital. You fainted," Rosaline explained gently.
"No, no, we need to go. I have to be at the company," Audrey insisted, trying to sit up, but her body felt weak.
"You're not well, Audrey. You need to rest," Rosaline said, her voice firm but caring.
Audrey shook her head, tears filling her eyes. "If I don't go, we might lose everything. The company could go bankrupt if we don't catch the thief."
Rosaline sighed, knowing Audrey was right. "Okay, but you're taking the medication the doctor prescribed. And you're not driving," she said, handing Audrey the prescription. "Promise me you'll take it if you feel overwhelmed again."
"I promise," Audrey said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. She called for a cab while Rosaline took the car to the mechanic.
Soon, the cab arrived at the company, and Audrey stepped out, her heart still racing from the earlier events. As she walked toward the entrance, employees bowed and greeted her, acknowledging her new status as the heir. Her godmother was gone, and now the weight of the entire company rested on her shoulders.
As she made her way through the building, Audrey overheard snippets of conversations among the employees. "We still haven't received our payment," one said, frustration evident in their voice. The comment struck Audrey like a blow. How could this happen? It had never happened before. Anger surged through her, a hot, pulsing wave that quickened her steps.
She rushed to her office, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and fears. Bursting through the door, she called for her secretary, who appeared almost instantly, sensing the urgency in her boss's voice.
"Report it to the police, and ask those in the control room to check the last time the accountant was here. We need to find him quickly," Audrey said, her voice trembling with barely controlled anger and desperation. The secretary nodded and left to carry out her orders.
Audrey sank into her chair, feeling the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. She rubbed her temples, trying to stave off the headache that threatened to overtake her. The phone on her desk rang, jolting her from her thoughts. She picked it up, her heart sinking as she recognized the voice on the other end.
"Ms. Audrey, I'm calling to inform you that I am withdrawing my investment from the company. I cannot afford to lose money on a sinking ship. Frankly, your leadership has been disappointing," the investor said, his tone cutting and cold.