Save Myself from Desperation

Ashley’s mind echoed with a thunderous crash, briefly freezing her in place. Warm, crimson blood dripped onto her face.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Valentin!” Ashley's eyes turned red in an instant, her voice trembling.

Valentin let out a muffled groan due to the intense pain, a strong scent of blood surging from his throat. Despite the agony, he reassured her in broken breaths, “Don’t be afraid, I’m fine...”

Ashley’s eyes were sore. How could he be fine? The ground was covered in shattered pieces of chandeliers and glaring red blood, all flowing from him.

“Valentin!” Joseph was shocked, and he ran over in panic. While supporting Valentin, he took out his cell phone with trembling fingers to call an ambulance.

Ashley rose from the shelter of Valentin’s embrace, witnessing the massive bloodstains on his back. Giant chandelier fragments had cut his skin, and some penetrated into his flesh. Blood rushed out eagerly.

And his head... The back of his head was also struck, his hair soaked in fresh blood. He looked as if he had just been pulled from a pool of blood. the air heavy with a pungent smell of it.

Ashley’s hands trembled uncontrollably. Half-supporting, half-carrying Valentin, her voice quivered. “The ambulance will be here soon!”

His injuries looked too terrifying. Ashley dared not move him recklessly. fearing she might worsen his condition.

The restaurant manager and staff rushed over immediately at the sudden

turn of events.

Seeing the injured person in the hall, the restaurant manager turned pale instantly.

He thought, ‘Valentin! It's over.

This kind of influential figure getting seriously injured in their restaurant would be a severe blow, even if it meant closing down. 1/5

09:51

The manager’s hands and feet were ice-cold. He ran over in a panic, trembling as he pulled out his phone, nearly in tears. “Ms. Ramos, Mr. Fox. I'll arrange a car to take Mr. Kingsley to the hospital immediately!”

Seeing the manager approach, Joseph immediately suppressed his impatience and coldly ordered, “Seal off all the information. Nothing can be leaked.”

What happened to Valentin today would significantly impact his family, company, and the outside world. It was crucial to keep it under wraps.

The restaurant manager was at a loss. After hearing what Joseph said, h immediately nodded and followed the instructions. Simon and Clinton heard the commotion and rushed out of the private room.

Seeing Valentin was injured, Simon was immediately flustered. He hurried over. “Ashley, what happened to Mr. Kingsley? And you, are you

hurt?”

Ashley shook her head, eyes glued to Valentin since the incident. She just briefly replied, “Mr. Hunt, I'll take him to the hospital first.”

“Alright, go quickly!” Though he was unclear why Ashley and Valentin were so close, Simon recognized this wasn’t the time to ask such questions.

The wailing siren of an ambulance echoed from outside.

Joseph finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Ashley turned to the manager, her tone unusually stern. “Trouble yourself to check the surveillance in the main hall, as well as the corridor on the second floor and the exterior of the restroom.”

The manager nodded repeatedly. Even if Ashley didn’t say so, the restaurant facing such an incident required checking the surveillance. footage to find out the details.

Finally, they were in the ambulance, rushing to the hospital.

Valentin’s injuries were on his back and head. He was lying on a stretcher covered in blood. Medical staff urgently cleaned the chandelier fragments embedded in his body.

Ashley carefully held Valentin’s hand, her eyes burned by his bloody 2/5

09:51

wounds, both sour and bitter. “How do you feel now?”

“I'm fine...” Valentin wearily lowered his eyelids as if he could fall asleep at any moment. He suppressed the rapid gasps caused by the pain because he didn’t want to worry her. “Ashley, don’t worry...”

Ashley felt her chest was tight and painful. How could she not worry? How could he rush over so quickly, shielding her regardless of everything?

Joseph also got into the ambulance. Seeing this situation, he felt as if there was something stuck in his throat. He opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

Traffic was congested during the dinner rush hour, and even the ambulance moved slowly.

When would they finally reach the hospital?

Frustrated, Joseph cursed under his breath and called a director on his phone.

In no time, patrolling police cars and motorcycles swarmed in. Sirens. blared, clearing a path for the congested traffic. Escorted by the police, the road ahead was all green lights, and they swiftly arrived at the hospital.

Exiting the ambulance, they were immediately taken to the emergency

room.

Ashley and Joseph anxiously waited outside.

The hospital's director, vice director, and a team of medical staff hurried over. “Ms. Ramos, Mr. Fox, don’t worry. We’ve got the best doctors in town taking care of Mr. Kingsley.”

Joseph nodded and looked at Ashley, who hadn't taken her eyes off the emergency room door. Sighing, Joseph realized that comforting words were futile. The best outcome would be Valentin coming out of the emergency room safely.

In less than ten minutes, Zain, supported by Tom, staggered over. “Ashley, Joseph, what’s going on? How could he get injured out of the blue?”

09:51

“Grandpa...” Ashley heard the voice and turned to look at Zain, a wave of self-blame washing over her. Seeing through her thoughts, Joseph quickly reassured her, “Ashley, this has nothing to do with you.” He could guarantee that even if it happened again, Valentin would still protect her without hesitation. Joseph explained the incident of the falling chandelier and Valentin shielding Ashley to Zain.

Only then did Zain understand why Ashley felt guilty. He quickly grabbed her hand. “Silly girl, don’t overthink it. This has nothing to do with you. Now, let’s wait for Valentin to come out of the emergency room, alright?”

Ashley nodded. Her gaze fixed on the emergency room door, and she couldn't shake off the worry.

After a while, Joseph’s parents also arrived. They were Valentin’s elders and equally worried.

Ashley greeted them politely.

Ralph and Maggie were amiable. Naturally, they knew about Ashley and treated her like a family.

“Grandpa, you sit down first.” Joseph supported Zain, helping him sit on a

chair.

“Yes, Dad, don’t worry. Valentin will definitely be fine.” Ralph and Maggie. also consoled him.

Zain sat down. His eyes, weathered by the years, filled with concern. He held onto Ashley’s hand. “Ashley, don’t worry too much.” Ashley responded with a sound, verbally assuring everyone while. keeping her eyes fixed on the emergency room. Time crawled by, each minute and second feeling extraordinarily slow.

Outside, the sky grew darker, fully enveloped in the night.

After what felt like an eternity, the emergency room door finally opened.