Chapter 330
Jamison was in so much pain he couldn’t bring himself to speak. He shot the other man a dark look, but stayed silent.
Ivy could see how much he was suffering and quickly answered on his behalf, “We don’t need anything right now. The villagers here, and those out–of–town police officers–they’re all badly hurt. Please, do what you can to get them the medical attention they need as soon as possible.”
While they spoke, the local police chief had already gone to talk with the villagers and learned the identities of the plainclothes officers.
It turned out this operation had been carried out by officers brought in from another district. Only a handful of top county officials had been notified; the local station hadn’t been told a thing.
It was clear why they’d been bypassed: nobody trusted them.
“Don’t worry,” the town mayor assured them. “The county leaders are on their way with doctors. They’ll be here soon.”
With that, all they could do was wait.
It would take more than an hour by car to reach the county hospital. With everyone injured, the rough drive would only make things worse.
It was easier on everyone to stay put and wait for help to arrive.
Ivy turned back to Jamison, squeezing his hand with worry in her eyes. “How are you holding up? Can you hang on a little longer?”
Jamison’s forehead was slick with cold sweat. “I’ll be fine. It’s not going to kill me.”
“Don’t say that!” Ivy snapped, her eyes flooding with tears again.
Just then, Jamison’s phone rang–it was Thad calling again.
Ivy answered for him, explaining everything in detail.
“Don’t worry, big brother. The local authorities are taking this seriously. We’re safe now. Thank you for everything–you’ve all been so worried about us.”
She felt deeply grateful. This mess had started because of her, but in the end, it was Jamison and the Ludwigs who had to clean it up.
She knew that no matter how capable she might be in her own little world, when it came to real influence and connections, the Ludwig family stood in a league of
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their own.
She owed them, and she wasn’t about to forget it.
Thad, hearing how steady she sounded even in a crisis, found himself quietly impressed with her. He understood a little better why his brother cared so much.
“Ivy, we’re too far away to get to you,” Thad said gravely. “Please, take care of Jamison for us. If anything happens, call me right away.”
“Of course. Don’t worry, I’ll look after him,” she promised.
She was racked with guilt for getting Jamison hurt, and would do everything in her power to care for him.
After she hung up, Jamison had already been taken inside and was lying face–down on the bed while the doctor prepared to stitch his wound.
Ivy tried to follow him in, but Derek stopped her at the door.
“Ma’am, Mr. Ludwig said you should wait outside.”
Ivy frowned. “That’s not necessary. I want to be with him.’
She tried to step past, but the bodyguard blocked her again.
“Please, ma’am, don’t make this harder on us. Mr. Ludwig doesn’t want you to worry. He’ll be alright.”
Ivy understood. Jamison was just trying to spare her the sight of him getting stitched up, so she wouldn’t have to watch and be scared.
But waiting outside, doing nothing, made her anxious and miserable.
When the county officials finally arrived with the medical team, the doctor had just finished stitching the wound on Jamison’s back.
At last, Ivy was allowed in.
She saw him lying there, his back exposed. The stitched wound looked like a jagged scar, stretched across his skin like an ugly centipede. It made her heart ache just
to look at it.
She stepped closer, unable to stop the tears from falling, and knelt down by his bedside.
Jamison’s eyes were closed. His face was pale, and sweat still beaded on his forehead.
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Ivy felt her insides twist with pain. She watched him quietly for a long moment before speaking, her voice hoarse. “Jamison…”
