?<strong>Chapter 323:</strong>


    Joelle went with Adrian to the hospital to get his hand treated and also arranged for a thorough checkup for the three children. Luckily, the kids were only slightly shaken and unharmed. Adrian’s injury was more severe; he required three stitches for a deep cut on his hand.


    The doctor sewed him up without any anesthesia, and Joelle watched from a distance.


    She felt a twinge of pain just from seeing the needle prate Adrian’s skin, but he didn’t even flinch.


    Looking up, Joelle noticed Adrian had been watching her intently the whole time.


    He had the expectant look of a dog awaiting a treat.


    Of course, Joelle kept these thoughts to herself, never daring to voice them to Adrian.


    Fortunately, a phone call interrupted the ufortable moment. She stepped away to answer. “Hello?” “Joelle…” The voice on the other end was weak.


    “Jonathan?”


    A mocking chuckle followed from the other end. “You were right. Those who deceive often face dire consequences.” Joelle sensed trouble and felt a surge of dread. “What happened to you?”


    “Don’t worry, I’m not dying.” Jonathan breathed heavily, resting his head against a wall and gazing tiredly at the sky. “But that might change soon.” His voice carried a resigned eptance of his fate.


    Joelle shed back to the time she had saved Jonathan. “Are you alright?” she asked.


    “I’m not going to die just yet.” Jonathan held his stomach, looked at his bloodied hand, and scoffed. “But that could change shortly.”


    He was someone she had once saved, but now, he was on the brink of dying again. “Where’s Leo?” she asked.


    “Gone.”


    Joelle was startled. “And Lara?”


    “Gone, too.”


    Joelle gasped, covering her mouth in horror. Just half an hour before, Leo and Lara were still alive.


    Jonathan groaned in agony. “Joelle, are youing to save me or not? You think I called to say goodbye?”


    “I’m on my way!” she replied.


    “Don’t call the police or an ambnce. I’ve been shot, and I can’t handle their questions right now.”


    “Okay, okay,” Joelle repeated affirmatively without hesitation and rushed out.


    “Hey, hey!” Adrian saw her rushing and quickly followed, ignoring the doctor.


    “Joelle! What’s happening?”


    Joelle, in a panic, exined, “Jonathan’s in danger. I have to save him or he might not make it!”


    “Do you care that much about him?” Adrian tightened his grip on her wrist, his expression darkening.


    “It’s a matter of life and death!” Joelle clutched his arm back. “Are you really getting jealous now? He reached out to me; I can’t just ignore that.”


    Adrian held back his annoyance. “Got it. I’ll send Can. It’s too risky for you to go.”


    “Okay.” Joelle looked at his iplete stitches and felt a twinge of guilt.


    “I got carried away earlier. I’ll stay until you’re all stitched up.”


    Adrian wasn’t concerned about his minor injury anymore. “Joelle, who are you more worried about, me or him?”


    Joelle was frustrated. Why was Adrian being so petty right now? The doctor interrupted, saying, “Ahem! Sir, should I finish stitching your wound before you carry on with your conversation?”


    Adrian gripped Joelle’s hand firmly, his gaze locked on hers. “Don’t go anywhere. I have a lot to tell you.”


    Joelle persuaded him to finish getting his stitches first. “Okay, I’ll stay.”


    The doctor internally rolled his eyes. Working under these circumstances was challenging enough.


    Elsewhere, Aurora and Rnd were under Dunn and Gracie’s watchful eyes.


    Aurora was content as long as Dunn kept her entertained. Fred held Rnd, letting Gracie y with his little hands.


    “Honey, should we think about having another child for Dunn?” Gracie asked.


    “Do you remember? After your touch delivery, I went straight for a vasectomy.”


    “Oh, that’s right, you’re always so thoughtful.


    “Why do we need another baby of our own? We’ve already got a perfect little family.” Fred motioned towards Dunn and Aurora cuddling nearby.


    Gracie’s heart warmed instantly. “Dunn, what are you whispering about with her?”


    “Nothing,” Dunn said, subtly pulling Aurora a bit aside. “Aurora, don’t you want to find out who your father is?”


    “Dunn, do you have a way?”


    Dunn nodded and opened his small hand. “I snagged a hair from Adrian when he wasn’t paying attention. With this, we can find out what your rtionship with him is.” Aurora was impressed. “Dunn, you’re brilliant!”


    “Now, give me some of your hair.”


    Aurora pulled out some of her hair and handed it over to Dunn, who carefully stored it. “I’ll get an adult to help us with a test, and I’ll let you know the results on Monday when we’re at kindergarten.” “Thanks, Dunn!”


    When Dunn and Aurora rejoined the group, Gracie and Dunn were already discussing taking Aurora in as their daughter. “Dunn, how about making Aurora your sister?”


    Dunn climbed onto a chair confidently. “Research suggests that an only child tends to be more sessful and well-rounded. Considering your enthusiasm and intelligence, just raising me seems quite the challenge already.”


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