As Kyle floored the accelerator, his eyes blazed with fury, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. But in an instant, his tire blew out, sending the car careening out of control. A moving truck ahead slammed into him, the crash echoing through the air.
Lily, pedaling down the road, skidded to a halt and rushed toward the wreckage. "What's going on there?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
A bystander shook his head. "A truck collided with him."
Lily's eyes widened as she took in the scene as the man lay motionless, surrounded by shattered glass and twisted metal, a pool of blood spreading from his battered body.
She knelt beside him, placing two fingers on his neck to check his pulse. "He's still breathing," she said, her voice firm. "Call an ambulance."
A nearby onlooker hesitated. "The road's heavily blocked due to construction ahead. It'll take hours before they arrive."
Lily's expression turned grim. "Hours? He'll die before then."
Lily's gaze darted from her bicycle to the injured man, and a spark of determination ignited in her eyes. She swiftly mounted her bike, carefully balancing Kyle's limp form on the back.
Pedaling furiously, she sped toward the hospital, the wind whipping through her hair. Time seemed to blur as she rode, her focus fixed on saving the stranger.
Finally, she screeched to a halt outside the hospital entrance. With gentle care, she lifted Kyle off the bike and rushed him inside.
"Nurse! Doctor!" she called out, her voice urgent.
Medical staff rushed to her aid, quickly transferring Kyle to a stretcher and whisking him away to the Intensive Care Unit.
"Miss, please wait outside," a nurse requested, firmly closing the ICU door behind her.
She paced restlessly while waiting, then suddenly remembered she was holding the man's phone. "It's his phone," she murmured, quickly opening it since it had no password. She dialed a number.
"Hello?"
"You mean to say Kyle isn't here?" Max's deep voice demanded.
"Yes, sir," a hesitant voice replied.
Max clenched his fists, wondering what had happened. His thoughts were interrupted by his ringing phone.
"Kyle, where—" Max started, but was cut off.
"He had an accident," the caller said.
"What!" Max yelled.
"Which hospital?"
"Green Light."
"I'm on my way," Max barked, before hanging up.
"Clean this mess," Max ordered, gesturing to the bodies nearby, and hastily departed.
"Yes, boss," his men replied, slightly bowing and exchanging uneasy glances.
"Lily! Are you okay?" Karina, Lily's best friend, asked worriedly as she rushed into the hospital and approached Lily. Karina's long, curly brown hair bounced with each step, and her bright brown eyes sparkled with concern. Her petite frame and gentle features belied a fierce loyalty to Lily.
"I'm fine. Still waiting for the doctor," Lily replied, forcing a reassuring smile.
Karina sighed in relief, her shoulders relaxing. "You're always doing good deeds, but in the end, you receive bad ones instead," she said, shaking her head.
"Don't say such things, and besides, I'm not doing all this to receive anything in return," Lily replied.
"Oh, come on, didn't you learn anything from the past?" Karina almost yelled, her voice rising.
Lily's eyes pleaded, her puppy-like gaze melting Karina's frustration. "Hey, don't be mad; it's just this one time, and after that, I won't meddle in anyone's business."
Karina's expression softened. "Fine, after this, we're going home."
Lily nodded, relieved.
Just then, the hospital entrance swung open, and a tall, imposing figure commanded attention. Max's broad shoulders and chiseled features made him hard to ignore. His piercing black eyes scanned the room, locking onto the receptionist.
Max approached the receptionist, his deep voice urgent. "Excuse me, I was called that my friend had an accident and was brought to the hospital."
The receptionist's gaze drifted upward, her eyes glassy. "Uh...?"
Max's intensity snapped her back to reality. "Oh, yes... he's currently in the ICU, and that lady over there is the woman who called you," she added, pointing toward Lily.
Max's gaze followed the receptionist's gesture, his eyes narrowing as he approached Lily and Karina.
"Thank you," Max said, his voice firm, and walked toward Lily and Karina.
"Excuse me..." Max trailed off, drawing their attention. "I got a call about my friend's condition."
"Yes, I'm the one who called," Lily replied. "We're still waiting for the doctor."
"Okay, thank you," Max said, offering a handshake. "I'm Max."
"I'm Lily," she replied, accepting the handshake.
"And yours?" Max asked Karina, offering another handshake.
"Karina," she replied curtly, declining the handshake. Lily discreetly nudged Karina with her elbow, signaling her to behave. Max smiled and lowered his hand.
Hours passed, and the doctor finally emerged from the ICU. The trio rushed toward him.
"Doctor, how's he?" Max asked, worry etched on his face.
"Who among you is the patient's guardian?" the doctor inquired.
"I am," Max replied.
"Please follow me to my office," the doctor said.
"Okay," Max nodded and trailed the doctor, leaving Lily and Karina behind, their faces filled with concern.
Meanwhile, in the grand Lee's mansion, a majestic estate with sleek marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the meticulously manicured gardens. A middle-aged man, Mark Lee, sat on his king-sized chair, sipping wine. He was a man in his late 40s, with a receding hairline, a well-groomed beard, and piercing brown eyes that seemed to bore into those he looked at.
As he took a sip of his wine, he laughed maniacally, the sound echoing in the sitting room. His assistant stood silently behind him.
"Dad, did something good happen?" Susan asked, descending from the stairs. She was a stunning young woman in her early 20s, with long, curly brown hair and piercing brown eyes. She had a petite nose and full lips that curled into a perpetual smile.
"More like the best thing that happened," Mark replied, laughing even harder.
"And what could that be?" Susan asked, curiosity etched on her face.
"The so-called Mafia king is on his deathbed," Mark said, his eyes gleaming with malice.
Susan's eyes widened in shock. "What! Really? That's indeed the best news," she said, a sly smile spreading across her face.
Mark nodded. "So, what will you do next?"
"What else? Take over the empire," Mark replied, his eyes glinting with ambition.
Susan smiled, seeming to savor the idea. "I heard you've completed your training. You did well."
"Thank you, Dad," Susan replied.
Mark's expression turned wistful. "How I wish your sister was here with us."
Susan's smile faltered. "Dad, why did you suddenly bring her up? I'm sure she's doing well wherever she is."
Mark sighed. "I miss her, and I want you to look for her."
Susan's face twisted into a fake smile. "Okay, Dad. I'll make sure to bring her safe and sound."
Mark nodded, seemingly satisfied. "That's good."
As soon as Mark left, Susan stormed into her room, her anger palpable. She clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Come out," she hissed, her voice low and menacing.
Damian, Susan's secret ally, emerged from a door that led to the restroom. He was a tall, lean man in his mid-20s with short, spiky black hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into those he looked at. He had a strong jawline and a small scar above his left eyebrow, which added to his rugged charm.
As he walked towards Susan, he asked, "What's wrong?" noticing the anger etched on her face. "What did the old man do?"
"He wants her back," Susan replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Damian's eyes narrowed. "And who is that?"
"My sister," Susan said, her expression making Damian's eyes widen in shock.
"What! I thought he had completely forgotten about her? Why did he have to bring her up?" Damian asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Susan shook her head. "I really don't know what's going on in his head."
She paused, taking a deep breath to calm down. Damian's eyes never left hers, his expression a mask of concern.
"What will you do now?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.
Susan's face transformed, a sly smirk spreading across her lips. "Plan," she said, her voice dripping with determination.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Lily asked Max, "What did the doctor say?" when he emerged from the doctor's office.
Max's expression was grim. "He's out of danger, but there's a problem," he replied, his eyes scanning Lily's and Karina's worried faces.