Chapter 5

Henry pressed the button on the bed to call the doctor. He panicked when Alana regained consciousness, her hysterical cries filling the private room. He was consumed by worry, thinking that Alana had been seriously injured in the accident. Though the child had darted into the middle of the road—it wasn't entirely his fault—Henry knew he couldn't simply walk away from the responsibility. The bitter irony wasn't lost on him: his act of responsibility had now trapped him once more with a ghost from his past love.

After a short wait, the doctor arrived and immediately examined Alana.

"I've given her some medication; she'll be calm and wake up soon," the doctor said. "It's best if someone close to the patient takes care of her. When she wakes up, a familiar face will prevent her from becoming hysterical again."

"Yes, Doctor. Thank you very much," Henry said before the man in the white coat left Alana's room.

After some time, William, Henry's assistant, entered the infirmary, having just settled the hospital administration.

"Everything is in order, Boss. I've paid all of Alana's hospital fees." William reported, keeping the payment files tucked away. They bore Alana's name, including her father's surname, a detail Henry mustn't see.

"How much of the company's money did you use?" Henry asked. William was his CEO's assistant and a trusted accomplice, yet his concern for this child seemed excessive.

"I used my own money, Boss," William replied.

"Why?" Henry asked, trying to contain his annoyance at William for acting like a hero. He waited for his assistant's explanation.

"If I used the company's money, it would be traceable. The Great Mistress would find out everything," William explained.

Henry nodded. He was still wary of William's motives, even though the man had clearly acted to protect him.

"Thank you, Willy, you're the best. I'll reimburse you immediately."

"You're welcome, Boss." William couldn't refuse the reimbursement without arousing suspicion, though he was deeply connected to the situation.

Since Amanda broke up with Henry six years ago, William hadn't left her side. He had been a silent guardian to Amanda, especially after learning she was pregnant with Henry's child. Alana and her twin, Alan, were Henry's biological children, but William had sworn to Amanda to keep the truth hidden. No one protected her except him, and he wouldn't break his promise.

"Sorry, Boss. I'd like a moment of your time," William said softly, nodding toward Henry, who was sitting beside Alana's bed and gently rubbing the girl's arm.

Henry turned to his assistant. Seeing William's serious, worried look, he knew the tall man had something important to say. Henry stood and moved toward the sofa in the room.

"Have a seat," he ordered, settling onto the cream-colored sofa. "What do you need to talk about?"

"Sorry to be presumptuous, but you'd better not tell your mother or Miss Sonya about this incident."

Henry didn't say anything, waiting for William's further explanation. He trusted William's judgment.

"Forgive me for speaking ill of your mother," William continued, though the words pained him. "Your mother has always disliked Mrs. Amanda. If she knew about all this, she would certainly interfere with Mrs. Amanda's life again. What would happen to your ex-wife then?"

"You're right, Willy. Mother will interfere with Amanda," Henry conceded.

"And if Miss Sonya finds out," William went on, "I can't imagine what would happen to Mrs. Amanda. With all respect, Miss Sonya is not a gentlewoman."

"That's true. Sonya is certainly different from Amanda." Henry agreed; everything William said was fact.

"You'd better be careful, Boss. If you want to see Alana again, I'll help, but it must be done secretly."

"OK—"

The ring of his phone cut off Henry. It was Sonya.

"Sonya called," Henry said, showing the contact name on the screen.

"Boss..." William tried to urge him to speak outside the room, but Henry had already answered the call.

"Henry, where are you?" Sonya's voice, laced with frustration, came through the phone. "I'm in your office right now. Your secretary said you haven't been back. Where are you?"

Before Henry could answer, Alana woke up.

"Mom, where are you?" Alana opened her eyes and burst into tears.

"Whose child's voice is that?" Sonya demanded, her voice now sharp with anger.

"I hit a child; I'm at the hospital now. You should go home if you've waited too long."

"I'll be there. Tell me the hospital—"

Henry interrupted her. "There's no need to come here. I'm going back to the office right now. Let William take care of the child. You wait in the office and don't leave until I return."

"Alright, honey, I'll wait for you here."

Henry was silent, watching William talk to Alana. The two looked curiously familiar. Henry wondered why the child immediately quieted down when William calmed her, yet had cried hysterically and fainted while Henry was with her.

He tapped William on the shoulder. "You take care of Alana. I have to go back to the office because Sonya is there."

William stood up and bowed respectfully. "OK, Boss, I'll look after Alana until her mother comes."

Before leaving, Henry approached the child's bed. "Alana, I'm sorry. I hurt you so much, and I didn't do it on purpose."

Alana turned to William. William winked slowly. She turned back to Henry. She wanted to talk to him because he knew Uncle William, who had always been kind to her.

"Yes, Uncle." That was all that came from the lips of the little girl.

Just after Henry left Alana's room, the door opened and Amanda entered.

"Amanda, didn't you run into Boss Henry?" William asked the woman he had protected like a sister for six years.

"No, I didn't. Has Henry gone?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, he went home," William replied.

"Do you know that person well?" Alana asked William.

"He's my Boss," William replied. "Please forgive Uncle Henry; he accidentally bumped into you."

"Since he's your friend, I'll forgive him," Alana said with a smile.

"Alana, you rest now. Uncle wants to talk to your mother for a moment."

"Yes, Uncle." Alana closed her eyes again, her head still feeling dizzy.

William and Amanda were now sitting on the sofa.

"I have something I need to ask you."