Chapter 438

Vivian took a deep breath, bracing herself for another confrontation.

Nathaniel's mother Eleanor suddenly cut in with a darkened expression. "Miss Lockhart," she said sharply, turning to Vivian. "We came to ask if you've seen Nathaniel. It's been twenty-four hours since anyone last heard from him."

Her manicured nails dug into her designer handbag. "We've tried every possible way to contact him. His phone goes straight to voicemail. This isn't like him at all. We're terrified something might have happened!"

Vivian's brow furrowed. "You can't reach him?" She shook her head in confusion. "That doesn't make sense. His surgery was completed hours ago. He should have contacted you immediately after waking up."

"Surgery?!" Eleanor's face drained of color. She clutched her chest dramatically. "What surgery? Where is he? What exactly happened to my son?"

Vivian studied Eleanor's reaction and realized with dawning horror that the woman knew nothing about the accident.

After a tense pause, Vivian decided honesty was best. "I fell from a cliff during our trip. Nathaniel got hurt trying to rescue me." She swallowed hard. "From what I heard, his injuries were more severe than mine."

"He had surgery this morning and should be recovering in another ward. Why don't you check with the nurses' station?"

Eleanor's knees nearly buckled. "My boy..." she whispered hysterically. "He must be alright. He has to be!"

Nathaniel was her only remaining child - her entire world. The woman had been known to summon an ambulance when he got a splinter as a child.

Just then, a young nurse entered to change Vivian's IV.

Eleanor pounced like a feral cat, grabbing the nurse's arm with enough force to leave bruises. "Which room is my son in? What's his condition? Is he in critical care?" Her voice rose to a shriek.

The nurse paled, shrinking under Eleanor's manic gaze. "I-I'm sorry, ma'am. Who exactly is your son?"

"You incompetent girl!" Eleanor screeched. "I'm Eleanor Whitmore! My son is Nathaniel Blackwood, CEO of Blackwood Group! Don't pretend you don't know who he is!"

The nurse's eyes darted nervously to Vivian before dropping to the floor. "I know who Mr. Blackwood is, but..." She bit her lip, clearly terrified.

Vivian's stomach twisted. She'd been trying to get information about Nathaniel's condition for hours, but every staff member had clammed up. Now she understood why - someone had ordered them to keep silent.

"Stop looking at her and answer me!" Eleanor shook the nurse violently. "What are you hiding? Did something happen to my son that she doesn't want me to know?"

The nurse trembled like a leaf. "Mrs. Whitmore, please! Even if I knew anything, I couldn't say! I'm just a nurse - I don't want trouble!"

Vivian's hands clenched the bedsheets. "What exactly are you implying?" Her voice turned icy. "Do you see me holding a gun to your head?"

"I don't know anything!" The nurse was near tears now. "Please stop asking! I can't afford to make enemies of either family!"

Cassandra saw her opportunity and moved closer, placing a comforting hand on the nurse's shoulder. "Don't be frightened of Miss Lockhart," she said sweetly. "She may seem intimidating, but she's not that scary." Her eyes gleamed with malice. "We just want to know where Nathaniel is and how he's doing. That's all."