Chapter 1

"I'm sorry, but the number you've dialed is unavailable."

Listening to the robotic female voice, Elaine Brown bit her lip as her heart sank a little more.

A few strands of smooth hair fell carelessly around her face as she frowned, her eyes filled with undisguised worry.

Her daughter, Vera Smith, had been vomiting continuously. They'd already ruled out food poisoning, and despite trying every medication, nothing worked. Now she'd suddenly lost consciousness.

This was the fourth call Elaine had made to Arthur Smith.

Each time, he'd hung up immediately.

Vera suddenly coughed twice from the bed.

Elaine immediately dropped her phone and rushed over. "Vera," she called anxiously.

Vera's face was pale as she slowly opened her eyes and spoke with difficulty, "I want to find Emily. She has a celebration party today for winning her design award. I want to go see her."

A flash of realization crossed Elaine's eyes.

Suddenly she understood why Arthur wasn't answering his phone—today was Emily Jones's celebration party.

No wonder he hadn't come home, even though she'd texted him about Vera's constant vomiting.

A bitter taste filled her mouth.

Emily was his forever crush, after all.

Years ago, Emily's parents had died saving Arthur, and the Smith family had taken in 16-year-old Emily.

If Elaine hadn't married Arthur, Emily would probably be Mrs. Smith today.

Just then, Julius Smith burst in from outside, clinging to Elaine's leg and whining.

"Mom, I want to go to Emily's party too! When are you taking us there?"

Elaine looked down at Julius and said gently, "Mommy needs to take Vera to the hospital now. You stay home with the nanny and don't run off anywhere."

Vera's vomiting couldn't wait any longer.

With Arthur unavailable, she'd have to take the child to the hospital herself.

Elaine pulled a jacket from the closet, wrapped Vera up tightly, and quickly carried her downstairs.

She made sure to remind the nanny, "Julius is mischievous—don't let him out of your sight."

The nanny nodded immediately, "Yes, Mrs. Smith."

Behind them, an unhappy Julius chased after them, shouting, "I don't want to stay home! I want to find Emily!"

"Be good, Mommy doesn't have time for this right now!"

Without looking back, Elaine rushed to hail a taxi to the hospital.

The trip from her house to the hospital usually took only half an hour, but today the traffic seemed exceptionally congested.

Looking at Vera, who had passed out again in her arms, Elaine's anxiety skyrocketed.

She had medical training.

She knew that severe vomiting could cause irreversible damage to the body.

After a bumpy, traffic-filled journey, Elaine finally reached the hospital with her child, only for her heart to drop when she saw the crowd filling the lobby.

Everywhere she looked, people were vomiting or feverish—children and adults alike. Some leaned weakly against each other, occasionally coughing.

The medical staff were overwhelmed, reduced to shouting at the crowds to clear a path.

A terrible suspicion formed in Elaine's mind—this wasn't ordinary vomiting but a viral outbreak.

Judging by how many people were affected, this virus's main characteristics were high contagiousness and rapid spread.

She quickly pulled Vera's mask tighter over her face.

The more crowded the place, the stronger the virus's transmission.

Arthur probably didn't know this was a virus yet!

Realizing this, Elaine held Vera with one arm while using her free hand to text Arthur, warning him about the virus and telling him to take precautions.

The message went unanswered, like a stone dropped into the sea.

By now, the number of patients seeking treatment far exceeded the hospital's capacity, and many were becoming agitated.

"Where are all the doctors? Come out and treat us! My wife has been vomiting for two days—she's practically dying!"

"Isn't anyone in charge here?"

"Help! My daughter just passed out!"

Someone's shout from within the crowd made the situation even more chaotic.

Elaine quickly retreated to a corner with Vera, trying to avoid the crushing crowd.

She looked around and saw that in just these few minutes, several people had collapsed. Her heart pounding, she tried to comfort Vera.

"Vera, hang in there. The doctor will be here soon!"

Vera's eyes remained closed, with no response.

"Vera, can you hear Mommy? Vera!"

Elaine's pupils constricted with fear as she spoke urgently. With trembling hands, she checked Vera's breathing.

She was still alive, but her breathing was extremely faint. If they delayed any longer.

Elaine couldn't bear to finish the thought.

The hospital was overflowing with people, with no available beds. A virus this strong needed immediate treatment.

The only person who could contact a private doctor was Arthur.

Gritting her teeth, Elaine tried calling him again.

Around her, patients shouted while doctors tried to calm them. In her arms lay her daughter, nearly lifeless. Elaine's heart felt like it was being seared on a hot iron plate.

When the call finally connected, Elaine spoke urgently, "Honey, where are you right now?"

To Elaine's surprise, the voice that answered wasn't Arthur's cold tone but Emily's.

"Elaine, it's me."

Emily's voice was leisurely.

"Arthur isn't available right now. You can tell me what you need."

Desperate, Elaine replied, "Please put Arthur on the phone. I need him to contact his private doctor. Vera has contracted a virus and won't stop vomiting. She needs immediate treatment."

"What did you just say?"

Finally, Arthur came on the line, his voice tinged with worry.

"How did Vera suddenly catch a virus?"

With no time to explain, Elaine urged, "Vera and I are at the hospital now. Have your private doctor go directly to our house. Her condition is serious—if she keeps vomiting, her life could be in danger."

Arthur responded immediately, "Alright, I'll send my assistant over right away."

Elaine gripped the phone tightly, disbelief flashing in her eyes.

"What about you?"

Vera was critically ill.

Was he planning to stay at Emily's celebration party?

"I don't have time right now. If you need anything, tell my assistant directly."

Arthur's cold tone felt like a bucket of ice water thrown in her face.

She suddenly remembered how Emily had gone abroad to study, only to return suddenly when Elaine became pregnant.

Throughout their four-year marriage, rumors about the two of them had never stopped.

For the sake of their children and his grandmother, she had always endured silently. Arthur had explained that those rumors were just media fabrications for publicity.

She had believed him.

He had also said that their children were his top priority.

But now the bloody truth lay before her.

Vera's life was worth less than some ordinary celebration party?

How ridiculous and ironic.

Elaine didn't notice when the call disconnected, but the nanny's call came through immediately after.

"Mrs. Smith, we have an emergency—Julius is missing too!"