Christan took a deep breath and finally said, "She's currently in a state of light coma."
"What?! A coma?!" Xavier's eyes dimmed with worry, and he quickly asked, "What happened?!"
"She took sleeping pills. Tried to commit suicide."
"..." Pressing his lips together, Xavier, not wanting to alarm Serena, quietly got out of bed and walked away a little. Then he asked in a hushed voice, "How is she? Is her life in danger?"
"She won't die-at least not right away," Christan replied with a hint of sarcasm, lips twisted.
Xavier quietly let out a breath of relief. "Then..." He glanced back to see Serena still focused on her tablet, not noticing anything. He said, "You can go ahead and scold me now. No matter how nasty it gets, I'll take it all and won't talk back."
"Heh." With a cold chuckle, Christan's voice had lost all emotion. "You think I still have the mood to scold you? My sister's life is hanging by a thread. I didn't call you to assign blame."
"Then what do you want? Just say it."
He hadn't expected Celia to be so mentally fragile. Xavier couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.
He had only wanted to teach her a lesson-not drive her to such a desperate act.
What he wanted was a well-deserved apology for Serena, not Celia's life!
"Hmph." Christan let out a mocking laugh. "You're suddenly so open-minded. Really? Any request at all?"
"Of course. You know me-I always keep my word."
"Then fine. I want you to marry my sister. Can you agree to that?"
"No..." Xavier frowned, replying solemnly, "Now's not the time for jokes."
"Sigh..." Christan sighed. "I knew you'd say that. In your eyes, my sister's life doesn't mean anything. Maybe not even as much as a single word from Serena."
Xavier's face darkened. "I planned all this-it has nothing to do with Serena! If you're angry, come at me. Leave her out of it!"
"Christan!" Suddenly, Mrs. Ryder's tearful voice came through the phone. "Come quickly! Your sister's breathing sounds heavier!"
Christan immediately turned toward the bed.
Celia's eyes were still closed, and her brows were slightly furrowed-she was clearly in discomfort.
He dared not delay any longer. He said bluntly into the phone, "I want to use your family's private clinic! Celia is now the target of everyone. All the media are watching her like vultures, eager to drain her dry for views and profit. If she's taken to a regular hospital and gets recognized, she'll never live it down."
"I don't want her to suffer any more emotional blows. After thinking it through, the most private medical facility in the entire Vernon is your family's exclusive clinic. So-"
Before he could finish, Xavier cut in, "Say no more. Right now, take Celia and head to the private clinic. I'll call and make the arrangements right away."
"Alright!"
Saving his sister was the priority. Christan didn't bother with pleasantries and immediately hung up.
He scooped up Celia and dashed out.
At the doorway, he stopped briefly and asked his mother worriedly, "Mom, will it be a problem to carry Celia directly downstairs?"
Mrs. Ryder instantly understood his concern. "Don't worry. When I went downstairs to call for help earlier, I already sent all the servants out. There should be no one down there now."
"Good."
With that, he didn't hesitate another second and strode forward quickly.
After ending the call with Christan, Xavier immediately dialed the private clinic.
When Dr. Wale saw the caller ID, a sense of alarm surged within him.
His voice was respectful and fawning, "Young Master, what are your instructions?"
"Can the clinic take patients right now?"
"Are you feeling unwell?! Is it your lungs again?!"
Dr. Wale gripped his phone tightly and stood up in alarm, afraid that the pneumonia from before had returned. If so, he'd bear major responsibility-and maybe lose his job.
"My lungs are perfectly fine."
Hearing that, Dr. Wale let out a long sigh of relief. "Oh-then where are you feeling discomfort?"
Just a few days ago, he had personally led a team to give Mr. And Mrs. Blazes a full medical checkup, and both were in great condition. So, he instinctively ruled them out as the patients.
"It's not me. It's a friend of mine."
"A friend?!" Dr. Wale grimaced. "Young Master, you know our clinic's rules. Unless they're part of the Blaze family, no outsiders are allowed-no matter how much they pay. Unless Mr. Blaze gives the direct order, I... I really can't take your friend in!"
Xavier's face darkened. "So, you only follow my dad's orders? My words mean nothing to you?"
"No, no, no!" Dr. Wale quickly forced a smile. "Young Master, I really didn't mean it like that! But the rule came from Mr. Blaze himself. I truly don't dare to break it! How about this-if you could talk to Mr. Blaze first, and he agrees, I'll definitely cooperate without another word!"
Xavier's lips curled slightly into a cold smile.
This lackey was smooth-talking but useless.
If he was calling now, it was clearly because he didn't want his father, Henry, to know who the patient was. Dr. Wale, however, played dumb and used 'rules' to dodge the issue.
Xavier sneered, "So, it really sounds like my words hold no weight at your clinic. Since you only follow my father's orders, maybe I should consider taking up his offer and accept the succession of X Group early. Otherwise, as the only son of the Blaze family, I can't even command a clinic director-what a shame that would be for him."
Though not a single direct accusation was spoken, every word made cold sweat bead on Dr. Wale's forehead.
***