Patrick was all set to call the cops, and Aiden was at his wit''s end trying to stop him. Just as he was about to panic, he caught a glimpse of Charles in the ICU, opening his eyes. Aiden''s heart skipped a beat. Mr. Jenkins was awake.


    Seizing the moment, Aiden boldly grabbed the phone from Patrick and hung up before the call could connect. Patrick was livid. But before he could blow his top, Dahlia, who had been bracing for Patrick to get the police involved, jumped in with a stern look. "Aiden, what on earth are you doing?"


    "Mr. Jenkins is awake," Aiden replied, shifting everyone''s focus to Charles.


    "Charles!" Dahlia rushed to the window, her eyes welling up as she saw him awake. Relief flooded over her, though she couldn''t shake the thought that it might have been better if he had woken a littleter.


    With Charles awake, calling the police was off the table for Patrick. The doctors rushed in, checked Charles, confirmed he was stable, and moved him to a regr room. The first thing Charles asked, once out of the ICU, was, "Where''s Eve?"


    Patrick and Dahlia exchanged looks, their expressions darkening. Patrick was baffled; Charles had just dodged death, yet his first concern was the woman who nearly cost him his life. Meanwhile, Dahlia, sitting in her wheelchair, was hurt that Charles hadn''t even acknowledged her presence.


    Given Charles had just pulled through a critical phase, Dahlia held back her feelings, swallowing her frustration. "Mr. Jenkins, Ms. Evelyn is currently fine," Aiden said, choosing his words carefully.


    Charles caught on to the word "currently." He turned to Patrick, weak but resolute. "Father, leave Eve alone. This wasn''t her fault."


    Patrick knew his son too


    well-Charles''s mind was made up. Despite his anger at Evelyn''s reckless actions, he realized calling the police was pointless with Charles so determined to shield her. "Have it your way," Patrick replied curtly. Their father-son bond was already fragile. Assured that Charles was out of immediate danger, Patrick left.


    Dahlia had hoped Patrick would take a stand. Seeing him let Evelyn off so easily made her clench her fists in frustration. Charles, now in a regr room, confirmed Evelyn was okay and drifted back into a deep sleep.


    When he woke again, the doctors


    gave him a once-over and left.


    Dahlia, upon hearing Charles was awake, had the nurse bring her to his room, Outside, she overheard Charles asking Aiden, "Is Evelyn hurt badly? Is she feeling any better?"


    "Ms. Evelyn was taken by Mr. Brooks to his ce. She hasn''t been out since. He got a family doctor in, didn''t take her to the hospital, so she should be fine," Aiden exined.


    Hearing this, Charles''s tense expression finally eased. Just then, Dahlia was wheeled into the room by the nurse. Charles heard the noise but didn''t nce up. Aiden and the nurse opened the door for her.


    Dahlia sat by the bed, looking at Charles''s pale, worn-out face, her mind reying his unwavering defense of Evelyn. Jealousy bubbled up despite her efforts to keep it in check her eyes misting with unshed tears. "Charles, Evelyn nearly cost you your life on that operating table. Why are you still standing by her?"


    "Once is one time too many. What if she tries to hurt you again?"


    "Charles, I can''t handle another scare like that! Think of me and Sandy. Please, for our sake, keep yourself out of danger?"