Chapter 45 Protect Her

Chapter 45 Protect Her

Clyde couldn't keep his anger from showing.

He wasn't planning to control it either. 

What the hell was she doing that his daughter almost lost her life?

How did she fall into that state in the first place? 

When he received an urgent call requesting emergency assistance to save a little girl's life, who knew that little girl would turn out to be his own daughter?

Shock-stricken, Violet stared at him with widened eyes. 

Her lips trembled, and her teary eyes blinked. “C- Clyde.”

“Dr. Crawford, do you know each other?” Dr. Brown glanced between them, his brows knitting in confusion. 

Clyde disregarded his question. 

He couldn't help but imagine what would have happened if he wasn't around.

What if he'd taken off to IvoryHills City as he'd initially planned?

After finding out that Violet had blocked him, and he couldn't have access to them in any other way because the Villa’s security had suddenly been tightened, he'd decided to leave and bring his family here instead.

As luck would have it, his jet hadn't taken off yet when the call came in from Dr. Brown.

And luckily, he'd been nearby. 

“W- Well, I presume you already know each other.” Dr. Brown forced a smile. “Young Lady, you should thank Dr. Crawford for saving your daughter's life.”

Violet looked disoriented though.

After she was done blinking at him, she lost her footing and staggered forward. 

Clyde didn't plan to catch her when she fell against him. 

But something was wrong.

Her body became limp, her weight getting heavy against him. 

She fainted. 

How strange!

“Oh my goodness, Vi! Are you alright? Violet!?” The lady who was with her went frantic immediately, filling up the hallway with her anxious screams.

Clyde couldn't believe what was happening.

Why would she faint out of nowhere? 

His anger evaporated almost instantly, and he caught her, feeling her temperature. 

It was very high. 

“Mr. Crawford, she's already going through a lot! How could you be heartless!?” The lady pinned the blame on him.

Clyde was confused.

Was it his fault that Violet fainted? 

He only scolded her, expressing his anger. 

A nurse came and took her away with the help of the hospital staff.

Compared to his daughter's condition, Violet's case was minor. 

Clyde would rather be with his daughter than follow them. 

He wasn't sure that his anger wouldn't return once she regained consciousness.

Right!

He deserved an explanation. 

What the hell had she been doing that Mimi had to cry for hours? 

Her lungs weren't very healthy as it is. And the impact almost damaged her breathing pathway. 

Clyde returned to the emergency ward. 

Her life was out of danger, but taking her out of here sounded like a nightmare.

He wasn't so sure if he'd done a good job. He wasn't sure if the side effects of the medications wouldn't act up. 

Sitting inside the chair beside the bed, he watched her tear-stricken face silently. 

His heart was still racing. The anxiousness hadn't left him. 

Clyde couldn't help but think about what could have gone wrong.

He'd never felt this fear before. 

Leaving the decision in Violet's hands was probably his biggest mistake. 

Something similar had happened on the Island, causing the girl a permanent health condition.

What happened today was even worse. 

Their daughter was obviously endangered, but Violet didn't appear considerate enough.

She was always careless. Could he trust her with Mimi's custody? 

Watching the girl's face as she slept peacefully, Clyde silently listened to the sound of her steady heartbeat from the heart's monitor. 

He gently stroked her hair until, gradually, the beeping sound lulled him to sleep. 

Moments later, he felt tiny fingers brushing against his hair.

A lot of time must have passed. His eyelids felt heavy as he opened them, and the sun outside was turning red. 

“Daddy…” 

Clyde lifted his head to find her smiling at him. “Am I dreaming, Daddy? Are you really here?”

Clyde rubbed his eyes, suppressing a yawn. 

He nodded to her question. “You're not dreaming. Daddy's here. How do you feel now?”

“Hungry.”

“Huh?”

“I'm so hungry, Daddy…” She pursed her lips, rubbing her stomach. “I promised Mummy that I won't eat until she brings you. Now that you're here, can I please have some food, Daddy?”

Clyde couldn't hide his smile despite the enormity of what she said. 

He instantly put two and two together and realized what had happened. 

So it was because of him. 

Violet was definitely heartless. How could she lock her up?

“That's dangerous, Baby.” He sighed. “Next time, don't starve yourself.”

“I won't, Daddy… as long as you promise not to run away.”

Clyde sighed in relief, and he resumed stroking her hair. 

She didn't falter in speech or complain of any pain. 

He'd done a perfect job. He couldn't help but be proud of himself. 

When last had he agreed to treat any patient?

If Dr. Brown hadn't begged him, stating the implications during the phone call, he probably wouldn't have come.

And that would have been his biggest undoing.

Clyde pressed a button beside the bed. 

In the next minute, a nurse appeared. “Dr. Crawford, how may I- Oh, Wow, our cute little patient is awake. You're amazing as always, Dr. Crawford. I should go inform her mother-”

“Don't.” Clyde cut the excited nurse off. “Just get her good food. She's hungry.”

“Uhm, okay…” The maid nodded distractedly, giving him a confused look. Then she turned and left.

“Daddy…” Mimi called his attention. “Who's she? Am I in a hospital? Where's my Mummy?”

“She's a nurse, Baby… Yes, you're in a hospital,” Clyde replied. Then he hesitated before adding, “Your Mummy's busy.”

“Oh.” She nodded. 

Somehow, he was no longer comfortable with letting Violet come near her. 

He knew he had no right to, but the desire to protect his daughter was overwhelming. 

“Baby…” A few seconds later, he murmured. “How about after you finish eating, you follow Daddy home?”

“For real?” Her eyes became bright again, dancing with happiness. 

Clyde chuckled and ruffled up her hair. “For real.”