Chapter 2 A chance encounter

Time stood still as Victor raced toward Rose. The car's tires screeched in opposition to the pavement, the motive force desperately looking to prevent. At the remaining 2d, Victor reached Rose, wrapping his hands around her and pulling her out of harm's way. They tumbled to the floor, rolling onto the grass as the automobile sped past.

For a second, they lay there, hearts pounding. Rose becomes trembling in Victor's arms, her face buried in opposition to his chest. Despite the whole thing, keeping her felt proper.

"Are you okay?" Victor asked softly, assisting her sit up.

Rose nodded, her eyes huge with shock. "You... You stored me," she whispered.

Before Victor ought to reply, a commotion down the street caught their interest. A crowd was gathering around an elderly man who had collapsed on the sidewalk.

"Oh no," Rose gasped. Without hesitation, she jumped to her feet and ran in the direction of the scene, leaving a shocked Victor in the back of.

As he approached, Victor saw Rose kneeling beside the fallen guy, checking his pulse. "Someone call an ambulance!" she shouted.

Victor pulled out his phone, fast dialing 911. As he relayed the records to the operator, he couldn't assist but be inspired by Rose's calm efficiency. She had positioned the man on his aspect, to him soothingly as they waited for help to reach.

It wasn't until the ambulance arrived that Victor was given a great look at the victim's face. His blood ran bloodless. "Grandfather?" he exclaimed, pushing through the group.

Richard Maxwell lay at the stretcher, his face pale however his eyes alert. "Victor?" he stated weakly. "What are you doing right here?"

"I live nearby," Victor explained, his mind reeling. "What passed off?"

Before Richard ought to solve the problem, the paramedics commenced loading him into the ambulance. "Sir, are you family?" one in all them requested Victor.

"Yes, he's my grandfather," Victor answered. "I'm coming with you."

As they prepared to leave, Victor suddenly remembered Rose. He grew to become, scanning the group, but she became nowhere to be seen. A pang of unhappiness hit him, however he pushed it apart. His grandfather wanted him now.

At the clinic, Victor paced the waiting room, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. The medical doctor had confided in him that Richard might be high-quality; it became just a minor heart episode brought on by way of stress and overexertion. But the scar had shaken Victor greater than he cared to admit.

"Mr. Maxwell ?" a nurse approached him. "Your grandfather is asking for you. And... He is also inquiring about seeing the younger female who helped him. Do you recognize who she might be?"

Victor's heart skipped a beat. "Yes," he said slowly. "I assume I do."

Back in Richard's room, the old guy changed into sitting up in bed, looking a lot better than he had in advance. "Victor, my boy," he stated warmly. "I listen, I have you ever to thank for buying me here so quickly."

Victor shook his head. "It wasn't me, Grandfather. There was a lady... She changed into the only person who truly helped you."

Richard's eyes lit up. "Ah yes, the angel with the type eyes. I'd like to thank her. Did you discover her?"

Before Victor should respond, there has been a smooth knock at the door. Rose poked her head in, looking uncertain. "I'm sorry to interfere," she stated. "The nurse stated Mr. Maxwell wanted to look at me?"

Victor stared at her, a mixture of feelings swirling in his chest. She seemed beautiful, her cheeks flushed and her hair barely missed from the earlier excitement. How had he never observed the warm temperature in her eyes before?

Richard beamed at Rose. "Come in, my pricey. Come in! I recognize I owe you my lifestyle."

Rose blushed, getting into the room. "Oh no, sir. I simply did what all of us could do."

As Rose approached the mattress, Victor observed something glinting at her wrist. His breath caught in his throat. It changed into a delicate gold bracelet, one he recognized at once. It belonged to his grandmother.

Richard noticed it too, his eyes widening in popularity. "My pricey," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "That bracelet... Where did you get it?"

Rose seemed down, touching the bracelet self consciously. "Oh, this? It became a present from my mother. She said it has been in our circle of relatives for generations."

Victor and Richard exchanged a loaded look. Could or not it's feasible? The implications have been stunning.

Before they may query Rose further, a commotion within the hallway interrupted them. James, Victor's stepbrother, burst into the room, his face a mask of difficulty that failed to quite attain his eyes.

"Uncle Richard!" he exclaimed. "I got here as soon as I heard. Are you alright?"

Richard's expression cooled incredibly. "I'm high-quality, James. No need for theatrics."

James' eyes darted between Victor and Rose, a calculating look crossing his face. "And who might this lovable young lady be?" he asked, his tone oily.

"This is Rose," Richard stated warmly. "She's the sort soul who saved my lifestyles these days."

James raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, we need to discover a way to repay such kindness. Perhaps a reward is as?"

Rose shook her head firmly. "No, without a doubt. I do not want any reward. I'm simply satisfied Mr. Maxwell is ok."

As James opened his mouth to argue, a nurse entered the room. "I'm sorry, however Mr. Maxwell desires his rest now. You'll all go away."

As they filed out of the room, Victor stuck Rose's arm lightly. "Rose, wait. Can we communicate?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, but no longer right here. There's espresso kept down the street."

As they walked, Victor's thoughts raced. He had so much he desired to say, a lot to express regret for. But where to start?

Meanwhile, returning within the sanatorium room, James lingered behind, his eyes narrowed in thought. He pulled out his cellphone, quickly dialing a number.

"It's me," he said in a low voice. "I need you to discover the whole lot you can about a girl named Rose. She's somehow related to the Maxwell family, and I want to recognise how."

As he hung up, a gradual, predatory smile spread across James' face. Whatever occurs, he becomes determined to use it to his gain. The CEO position could be his, one manner or any other.