Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Nora sat with her eyes closed, hoping to get some rest, but the engine’s loud rumble made it impossible. Frustrated, she stretched and looked out the window, noticing the road signs pointing toward Hofport.
Her expression darkened as she realized they weren’t on the route to Kresborough. She narrowed her eyes and turned her attention to Gabriel, who was hunched over the steering wheel, gripping it so tightly his knuckles were white.
Though he felt her watching, Gabriel remained focused on the road, too preoccupied with the fear that the car might fall apart any second to acknowledge her.
Gabriel forced a smile, glancing nervously at Nora. “You’re awake! We’ll be arriving in about an hour and a half.”
Nora’s cold smirk made his stomach drop. “Arriving where? Kresborough?” she asked, cracking her knuckles, her aura tense like a predator about to strike.
Gabriel gulped, realizing with a jolt that he had neglected to mention the Harper family’s relocation. Scrambling to cover his mistake, he stammered, “Actually, the Harper family doesn’t live in Kresborough anymore. They moved to Hofport ten
years ago.”
Nora’s sharp gaze slightly softened as she absorbed this unexpected news. While it surprised her, it made sense. Hofport offered far more opportunities than Kresborough, drawing families seeking better prospects. In a city like Hofport, even those without higher education could earn a living through hard work.
Relieved, Nora’s suspicion toward Gabriel faded. She reached for her phone, planning to check the route to Hofport, her patience with the car’s obnoxiously loud engine wearing thin. But before she could open the navigation app, the vehicle suddenly stopped.
The jolt threw her forward, and with lightning reflexes, she braced herself against the dashboard, narrowly avoiding slamming into the windshield as the useless seatbelt failed to hold her back.
“Did the car break down?” Nora asked, turning toward Gabriel, but he had already unbuckled his seatbelt and was fixing his hair in the rearview mirror while grinning.
“A beautiful lady’s car has broken down!” Gabriel gleefully shouted as he jumped out of the car.
Nora’s frustration surged as she thought about how she had to deal with an arrogant stranger earlier and was now stuck in a noisy wreck with an owner who was too idiotic even to drive it properly.
Cursing under her breath, Nora glanced toward where Gabriel was headed. Due to the car’s poor condition, he had opted for a longer, quieter route rather than risking the highway.
The narrow road stretched ahead, and about ten meters away, a black Audi had its front end stuck in a ditch. The driver stood nearby and was on the phone, presumably calling for assistance. Next to the car, a delicate–looking woman was bent over, supporting herself against the vehicle. Her pale complexion and furrowed brows stood out in the sunlight, making her appear frail.
Noticing something was off, Nora forcefully kicked the car door open, the sudden sound startling both Gabriel and the
woman.
The woman turned her head toward the noise, and Nora quickened her pace. She shot Gabriel a quick command, “Go to the trunk and get my black bag. Now!”
Though confused, Gabriel scrambled back toward the car while Nora strode to the woman. Without a word, she reached out and placed her fingers on the woman’s wrist, checking her pulse.
1/3
3:37 am M MAO
Chapter 4
Just then, the driver finished his call and rushed over, shouting, “What do you think you’re doing? Stay away from her!
However, Nora was already done with the pulse check and looked at the woman.
“You’re over three months pregnant. Your pulse is rather weak, and this pregnancy must have been difficult. Did you strain your waist during the accident?” Nora said, her expression grave.
Samantha’s eyes widened in panic as she gripped Nora’s arm, her voice trembling. “Is my baby okay? I slid off the seat, but the car wasn’t going fast, so I wasn’t hurt.”
As soon as the words left her lips, she felt a sudden warm trickle between her legs. Her face turned ghostly pale as fear gripped her. She instinctively clutched her belly, frozen in terror.
“Scott! When is help coming? Tell them to hurry!” she cried out in desperation.
Nora’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Rescue might not get here in time. If the bleeding doesn’t stop soon, you’ll lose the baby.”
Just then, Gabriel returned with Nora’s bag, panting and confused. “What’s happening? Do you two know each other? Why do you need the bag?”
Nora didn’t waste time answering him. She swiftly grabbed the bag, pulled out a case of acupuncture needles, and placed it on the trunk of the Audi. Her focus was laser–sharp as she turned to Samantha, meeting her terrified gaze.
“I’m about seventy percent sure I can help,” Nora said calmly but firmly. “You can either let me try or wait for rescue. But you have less than fifteen minutes. If the bleeding continues, neither I nor anyone else will be able to save you or your baby.”
Scott returned, wiping his forehead after his phone call. “Ms. Sinclair, help is on the way, but it’ll take at least another half an hour.”
Samantha winced, feeling a tightening in her lower abdomen. She didn’t wait any longer and grabbed Nora’s hand, her voice trembling, “Please! Save my baby!”
“Ms. Sinclair…” Scott started to protest, but the words died in his throat as he saw the urgency in Samantha’s eyes. He was drenched in sweat but didn’t dare step in.
Nora quickly took control of the situation, assessing the area and realizing there was no time to wait for a proper treatment setting. “Carefully help her lie down,” she instructed Scott and Gabriel. Together, they eased Samantha onto the ground while Nora grabbed a cushion from the car to elevate her hips.
With a steady breath, Nora began the acupuncture procedure, her fingers moving with precision as she gently inserted the needles into specific points on Samantha’s body. The atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with anxiety. However, as Samantha’s contractions gradually subsided and the bleeding came to a halt, Nora finally allowed herself to relax, a sense of relief washing over her after rechecking the pulse.
“The immediate danger has passed, but this pregnancy will be a difficult one. There could be complications during delivery due to your health condition,” Nora said, rummaging through her backpack before pulling out a piece of paper. “If you don’t have a reliable doctor, you can contact me. But next time, I’ll have to charge for my services.”
Before the ambulance could arrive, Nora administered one final round of acupuncture to stabilize Samantha’s condition.
Samantha squeezed Nora’s hand, her eyes filled with emotion. “Thank you,” she said softly. “Once I recover, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
As the ambulance and the Audi disappeared down the road, Gabriel turned to Nora, his eyes practically sparkling, “Nora. you’re amazing! You know traditional medicine?”
2/3
Chapter 4
Nora glanced at him with a small stile. “Why? Do you need to book an appointment?
Gabriel stammered, following her back toward the Santana. No, I’m perfectly healthy, but I wanted to tell you something,
He had initially planned to impress Nora with his wealth before reaching Hodgen, envisioning a dorper connection that could blotsom into a close friendship. He believed that by building, this bond, Julian would have no choice but to accept their relationship.
However, before Gabriel could finish his thoughts, the thunderous roar of an engine cut through the air, starting, hien from
his reverie.
A silver Pagani screeched to a stop in a perfect drift right before them. Gabriel’s eyes widened in panic as he recompared the car. He instinctively grabbed Nora’s arm, trying to leave quickly. Put it was too late.
Julian had already stepped out of the vehicle, his tall frame exuding authority. His voice was low and commanding as he said, “Where do you think you’re taking my sister?
Nora blinked and turned to look at the man startling before her. There was something oddly familiar about him, and for a moment, tears welled up in her eyes, though she held them back.
Gabriel, however, was undeterred. “Julian, she’s my sister now, too! I’ll take great care of her. He barely finished the sentence before a firm hand shoved him aside.
Julian stood before Nora, his expression tight and his usual sharp demeanor softened by anxiety. Even someone as sharp- tongued as him found himself stumbling over his words as he introduced himself, I’m Julian Harper… your brother?
“Oh, Nora responded, acknowledging him without a hint of emotion or warmth.
*****Meanwhile, Samantha Sinclair breathed a sigh of relief at the hospital after completing her medical checks. She picked up the note Nora had given her, preparing to make a call, when her phone rang first.
“Andrew, have you arrived in Sheybridge? How’s it going?” Samantha asked, her tone soft
“Samantha, I just heard from Scott. He said you were in an accident. What happened? Andrew’s voice was taut with concern.
I’m fine, Samantha reassured him. “A beautiful lady helped me, and her medical skills are remarkable. The doctor just told me it’s a miracle she managed to save me and my baby in that circumstances. When you return to Hofport, Ill introduce her to you?
3/3
AD
Comment
