Without saying another word, Brian walked out of the EMP office. He drove directly to the hospital.
When he reached the hospital, he didn't look for Molly and Becky. Instead, he went directly to Wing and
brought her back to the mansion. He got a phone call from Weston in the afternoon, he didn't want to
push Wing too hard. Nevertheless, whether Wing liked it or not, he had to bring her to the auditorium
this time.
He had no objection to his thoughts. He didn't care whether Weston would be hurt, all he was
concerned about was Wing's happiness. That's his number one priority and nothing else. Also, no one
knew how much longer Wing could hold on. He wouldn't allow himself to hinder Wing's happiness
merely because of a Weston!
That night, the wind began to intensify as the night deepened. The "whirring" sound of the wind rustled
along the trees, making it sway violently. The eerie atmosphere seemed to portray an imminent
disaster, it was uncanny and terrifying.
The following day dawned dully. The dense layers of fog wafted in the air, everything was covered in
dreary frost. The temperature had slumped noticeably after a whole night of roaring northern wind.
However, the air inside the hospital was still warm and cozy. The powerful air conditioner was blowing
warm and comfortable air over the people throughout the day and through the night.
Molly watched Eric exercising in the gym. He seemed to be getting fitter and healthier by the day. Her
eyelids felt heavy. It felt as though she didn't sleep a wink last night, no matter how weary and sleepy
she was. Disturbing nightmares kept her awake all through the night until she finally dozed off in the
early morning. Her heart still lingered on what had happened yesterday. She still had no idea what to
do next.
She hadn't seen Brian since their dinner the night before yesterday. Now it's almost noon and still no
sight of him. Molly's heart felt heavy with anxiety and worry. She was afraid that something bad would
happen to Daniel and Edgar, but the possibility of something bad happening to Brian, squeezed her
heart. She had no idea what scheme Jenifer was planning, but she's almost sure that it would be
something terrible. And now, waiting for Brian to show up, her mind was utterly tortured, how could she
survive if something bad would happen to Brian?
Eric sensed that something was off with Molly since last night after her walk. Noticing her anxious look
and pale face, he walked over to her holding on his sticks and sat next to her. "Little Molly, what's up?
Are you ok?" he asked gently.
Molly was startled to hear Eric's voice beside her. She managed a weak smile at Eric and said,
"Nothing's up. I'm good. It's just I didn't sleep well last night," she answered with a slight stammer.
He regarded her with narrowed eyes. Her face is pale and she looked haunted. After a while he said,
"With swollen red eyes, and a face as white as a ghost. People would think you went out to steal
something in the middle of the night."
Molly forced herself to smile at his joke. She was in no mood for his jokes, but she didn't want to be
alone either. At least with Eric's company, she wouldn't be completely overwhelmed with her struggle.
Even though he knew nothing about it, his presence alone gave her strength.
"Eric," Molly said suddenly after a moment of silence. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course!" Eric nodded in assurance.
"Well…" Molly hesitated, not knowing how to bring up the subject. "I just want to ask you how powerful
Brian is," she asked tentatively.
"Why do you want to know that all of a sudden?" Eric frowned in puzzlement. Apparently, he was not
pleased with Molly asking him about Brian.
Biting her lip in embarrassment, Molly lowered her head to hide her uneasiness. "I just want to know,"
she insisted faintly.
Eric could sense that something was bothering Molly deeply. Since she came back last night, she had
been acting very strange. "I had no idea how strong Brian is, because I haven't witnessed it myself
yet." But I can safely say that he is more powerful than what you think he is!"
"Really?" Molly's eyes flickered in doubt. She was not satisfied with Eric's answer. She was hoping he
could have given her a definitive answer. She wanted to evaluate the risks, to know the worst-case
scenario the situation might get to. Although she had neither the power nor wisdom, she could not
allow herself to abandon Daniel and Edgar. However, thinking about the backfire, if Brian got hurt on
her account, she could never forgive herself either.
"Little Molly," Eric said gently. "You don't look well. Is there anything I could help you with? Don't bottle
up your feelings inside. I'm here if you need help." Eric stared into Molly's eyes, trying to read her mind.
But Molly's expression was inscrutable. He sighed deeply. He knew that something was going on.
"Nothing," Molly denied adamantly. "There's nothing wrong with me. I told you I was just tired…"
She muttered under her breath, then turned her face aside to hide her embarrassment. After so many
days of getting along well with Molly, Eric had already learned how to read her expressions perfectly.
He could easily see from her eyes that she was lying. He felt disappointed that Molly didn't feel close to
him enough to confide in him. He felt estranged.
Noting the dismal look on Eric's face, Molly knew that he was not convinced by her lie. She smiled
brightly, trying to cover up the panic in her heart. "I was having nightmares all night long, so my head
was woozy when I woke up this morning…"
Eric frowned worriedly. He was about to ask her if she was feeling better but Molly got in ahead of him.
"Have you finished your exercise?" she asked in a solicitous tone.
"Nope!" Eric grinned. Sensing that Molly was avoiding the subject, Eric let it drop. He knew that
whatever it was that's bothering Molly, he would find out by other means. After appeasing Molly for a
moment, he went back to his exercise. But before he left, he signaled Lenny to track Molly.
Molly stood for a while watching Eric do his exercise. Inside her heart, a storm was raging. She felt
helplessness as if she was about to drown and there was nothing to keep her afloat. The night was
coming soon, the appointed night. 'How should I choose? Is it even a choice?' she muttered under her
breath in anguish.
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