Chapter 274: Chapter 274

"Are you quacks sure that you know what you are doing?" Ian roared in the private room. It had been days! Almost five days, to be exact, but Shelby had not shown any signs of waking up. All her vitals were apparently okay, but that was not what Ian wanted to know. Ian just wanted his Elfin back, and every reason the health professionals gave sounded like an excuse to him.

He had referred to the medical staff as quacks, but they chose not to respond to his insults out of fear. They felt embarrassed by their inability to uncover the patient’s condition. They could not find anything else after ruling out the poisoning issue.

Despite the presence of top doctors from both the island and beyond, none could determine the cause of Shelby’s continued unconscious state.

Ian grew increasingly desperate as he fed Shelby the contents of numerous vials, yet no miraculous effects appeared. It was baffling how one vial had revived him, but many could do nothing for Shelby.

The Faes were at their wit’s end and did not know what to do. The longer Shelby remained unconscious, the more irritable Ian became. Their human family, the Thornston, were not in any better shape. The children were restless, and Gabriel wouldn’t shut up about his Mama Shelby.

The doctors were unsure of what else to do because they had never seen a case where nothing was wrong with the patient, but the person remained comatose.

There had been periodic episodes of seizure, like the one from the first day where the patient’s heart rate shot up suddenly, and all the other monitors did the same. However, it subsided within minutes as if it never happened, which added to Shelby’s mystery. The worst part of it all was that Ian could not get to her! and the doctors had no idea.

Shelby was able to breathe on her own, and the oxygen had been disconnected from her, but she remained in that state as if she was just in a long, deep sleep.

Ian paced around the room with his hands at his back. Right behind him, Gabriel imitated Ian’s every move, matching his pace step by step.

Gabriel’s stern expression, which mirrored his father’s, made the tense atmosphere a bit comical, but none of the people in the room were in any mood to laugh or dare to, even if they could.

Ian gestured dismissively, prompting the medical staff to hurriedly exit the room as though pursued. They dared not look up at the terrifying man. Each had their own thoughts, yet wished the same: ’Please let her wake up!’

Ian walked up to Shelby and sat on a chair by the bed. He caressed her cheeks lovingly and bowed, laying his head over the middle of her immobile body.

The warmth of her body and the slight rise and fall of her chest were all that assured him she was okay. Ian did this almost every hour as if that was the only thing that could give him hope. Even the constant beeping machines that demonstrated the signs of life were getting irritative for him.

Gabriel rounded him and placed his hand on Ian’s thighs. He patted it gently.

"It’s okay, Daddy. Mama Shelby is just sleeping. I miss her too."

The words surprised the people in the room. Even Ingrid, who had made herself comfortable in a chair not far from them, raised her head to look at her younger brother.

Ian raised his head slightly and picked Gabriel to sit on his lap. Ian found solace in grasping Shelby’s smaller hand while seated. They sat undisturbed for a while, father and son, all quiet as if arranged beforehand, with the only sounds being the machines.

Currey called out quietly from the back, so as not to interrupt them. Ian did not respond, but Currey knew he was listening. Ian was aware that Currey wouldn’t interrupt him during this time unless it was truly urgent. Currey continued.

"It’s been done as requested."

Ian nodded as Gabriel settled comfortably in his arms, adjusting until finding the right spot and resting his head on Ian’s shoulder.

Ian gave a curt nod, but his expression remained the same. No context was needed, as Ian knew what Currey spoke of.

"Also, some stakeholders require an audience at the headquarters...."

At this, Ian turned in his seat and stared pointedly at Currey.

"Arrange for them to come here within the hour!"

Currey bowed and turned to leave.

Suzie busied herself in the back while Ingrid closed her eyes and curled up. Her little face showed such concern, which seemed overwhelming for someone her age.

Ian sat by Shelby for a while and then moved to the couch on the opposite side of the room to the bed. This ensured he had a direct line of sight to the sleeping beauty. Gabriel had fallen asleep at some point and had been placed on the bed Ian had previously occupied.

"You mean Chairman Ian wants us to go to the hospital for this meeting?" The leader of a group of men in suits asked, his face scrunched in disapproval.

"Why not?" Another added and turned to look the two speakers straight in the eyes.

"Your wives have you wrapped around their fingers, and you have the audacity to question the chairman? Did I not tell you we should consider cancelling this meeting because the timing is bad? I-"

"Why should we do that? For all we know, the Chairman is going to disappear for heavens knows how long before he comes back again-"

"I would watch my mouth if I were you! The fact that you can say something does not mean you should! We all know how much Chairman Ian adores his new wife, but none of you thought it wise to visit the woman after that unfortunate incident a few days ago, and you have the audacity to let out words like that?" Carmichaels, the same person who had been against the lot, spoke again.

After this, none dared to utter a word as they awkwardly clambered out of the meeting room and paraded towards their respective cars like it was their haven. Those few words by Carmichaels had given them a reality check of a sort. It did not take long for them to arrive at the hospital.

Exactly an hour later, the same men filed into the hospital room. Murray gave each one a thorough rundown before they had been allowed to enter, further compounding the dissatisfaction of some of them.

The news that Ian had also fainted and had been hospitalized alongside Shelby had been suppressed so that no one knew that. They only thought that Ian was in there solely because of his wife... which was not far from the truth.

"Chairman Ian, do not worry, the missus is strong enough to get through this. Carmichaels said they handed Suzie a large bouquet of flowers on Shelby’s behalf as soon as they entered.

Ian nodded at him, and one could see his expression ease up a bit.

The rest had awkward looks on their faces as they had not thought of bringing anything.

’Curse that Carmichaels guy. Why is he always bootlicking him!’ The thought flashed through some of their minds.

The leader cleared his throat.

"Chairman Ian, we offer our sincere-"

Ian’s gaze silenced the man, causing his words to falter. He cleared his throat once again and then said instead, a bit awkwardly as well,

"Have the police provided any updates on the perpetrator of this outrageous incident that occurred on our company’s premises without our knowledge? People are getting bolder! ... To think that they would target our Chairman’s dear wife?!"

Being part of the main team managing Manager Agents, they were also present at the wine-tasting event where they heard of Shelby’s accident. Apart from news updates and police reports, little information was available due to the suppression of details about Brianna and Avril.

"Provide me with any updates on the Manager Agents!"

The short comment made the previously confident men who were making somewhat sarcastic remarks shrink back. It also showed that their comments on Shelby were not welcomed. Ian just wanted their work reports and nothing else.

They stood upright and started with their updates while wiping off non-existent sweat.

"We have an update on the yield for the vineyards from the north -"

Ian remained silent, yet his intense gaze made the elderly men perspire heavily. Who would have thought the man they belittled could make them cower that way?

As Ian listened to them, his eyes kept drifting back to Shelby.

’Ian...’ A whisper filtered into his head, making him shiver.

Ian sat up immediately, causing the person who had been talking to stop. The man exchanged a look with the others, thinking he had done or said something wrong, but he only noticed Ian staring straight at his wife.

By mutual unspoken agreement, none of them had strayed their looks to Shelby.

Ian remained like that for a whole few minutes and then he relaxed back into his seat. He was not sure if he was hallucinating or not. He raised his hand to gesture for them to continue but then,

This time, Ian was sure that he had not misheard it.

The man who had been speaking stopped in surprise, but before he could say another word, Currey approached them,

"Gentlemen, please?" He bowed and gestured towards the door.

The words never made it out as Ian rose to his full height and his eyes turned a shade darker,

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