Chapter 797
Half an hour later, the car rolled to a stop. Anthony stepped out first, circled around, and opened the door for Charlotte. He offered his hand, drawing her gently into his
arms.
“Careful,” he murmured.
Charlotte’s thoughts were all over the place. She leaned into Anthony, gripping his hand without thinking.
“Don’t worry,” Anthony said softly, bending down to press a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Grandma will be okay. Trust me.”
Charlotte nodded, her cheek brushing against his chest. The steady warmth of him, his familiar scent, helped her breathe a little easier.
They walked together through a garden bursting with flowers, then into a long, beautifully decorated hallway that led to Patricia’s rooms. Inside the main hall, three or four doctors in white coats were clustered together, deep in conversation.
Matthew and Daniel sat with their wives on nearby chairs, faces tense and anxious. Andrew and Emily stood quietly in a corner, both looking worried. Nobody in the room seemed at ease.
“Anthony and Charlotte are here,” a staff member announced.
Everyone looked up at once, turning toward the entrance.
“Anthony, Charlotte,” Andrew and Emily greeted, straightening up as the two entered.
“Lottie!” Lavinia pushed past Matthew, hurrying over to Charlotte. She grabbed her hand, her voice a little frantic. “Did you get everything sorted out at court?”
Patricia had collapsed without warning. The house had filled with doctors, but all of them said there was little they could do for someone afferage The last time Patricia had fallen ill, it was Lottie who’d brought her back. That’s why everyone was so desperate to have her here again.
“It’s all handled,” Charlotte said quietly with a nod. “I want to see Grandma.”
“Come on, this way.”
Lavinia led Charlotte into the inner room. Anthony went to talk to the doctors, trying to get the details of Patricia’s collapse, and then followed close behind.
As soon as Anthony was out of sight, Dorothy’s voice cut through the tense silence, sharp and bitter. “Patricia’s in real danger this time. Even the doctors say they can’t help. What’s Charlotte supposed to do?”
“Charlotte is the medical expert, Black,” Andrew shot back, interrupting his mother. “She saved Grandma before. She can do it again.”
“That was then. This is worse,” Dorothy scoffed. “Honestly, I wonder if her last treatment was too harsh and caused some side effects. Maybe that’s why Patricia keeps passing out.”
“Dorothy, you’re crossing the line,” Emily said, unable to stay quiet. “I wasn’t here last time, but I know how serious Grandma’s illness was If Charlotte hadn’t been there, she might not have survived. If you can’t be grateful, at least don’t throw shade at her now.”
“Oh, so now you’re lecturing me?” Dorothy’s expression turned cold. “Just because your mother was Patricia’s favorite, don’t think you get to run things around here. Don’t forget, your mother married out, and you’re not really one of us. This isn’t your place to speak.”
“Emily may be related by marriage, but at least she’s still a Blair,” Andrew muttered.
“If we’re being technical, you’re the one who married in.”
“How dare you talk to me like that? I’ll make you regret it!” Dorothy glared at Andrew, ready to unleash her anger.
“That’s enough. Do we really need more chaos right now?” Matthew, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, his voice low and stern. He fixed Dorothy with a hard look. “Mother’s still with us. This is not your house to rule.”