"The patient’s kidney was punctured, and he’s lost a lot of blood. He’s not out of the woods yet. We’re moving him to a room for observation. A family member needs to stay with him at all times. If anything changes, get a doctor immediately." The doctor emerged, his expression grave.

Megan Dalton swayed, nearly losing her footing.

Ryan York steadied her and asked the doctor, "How could my son be so badly injured? What exactly happened?"

The doctor glanced at him. "You’ll have to ask the investigating officers about that, not us. We’re only in charge of medical treatment. The patient is being moved to his room now. You can go downstairs to settle the bill."

Ryan York took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration. He told Megan Dalton to go with Sean to his room while he turned to pay the bill.

As he turned, he noticed Joanne Chase standing to the side, her face pale, staring anxiously after Sean York. He frowned at her for a moment but ignored her and strode past.

Grace Winslow didn’t realize Joanne Chase had been out all afternoon and still hadn’t returned until she got back to her dorm that evening.

A sense of unease settled over her. She worried something had happened, but staying on campus was the safest option right now. She fought the urge to go out looking for her, right up until the dorm matron came to tell her she had a visitor downstairs.

Grace Winslow frowned instinctively. Standing in her doorway, she looked at the dorm matron and asked quietly, "Ma’am, who is it? A man or a woman?"

"A man. He’s wearing a military uniform and is quite handsome," the dorm matron replied with a smile. "He’s just downstairs. Says he’s a friend of yours and has something urgent to discuss." She then turned and headed back downstairs.

Grace considered this for a moment. ’Handsome and in a military uniform?’

’Archer Rhys?’

Her heart, which had been in her throat, settled back into place. She followed the dorm matron downstairs.

Sure enough, when she reached the entrance, she saw Archer Rhys standing under a streetlight.

The lamplight stretched his shadow long across the ground, its orange glow falling on his dark green uniform.

Grace walked over and called out softly, "Archer, you were looking for me?"

Archer turned and looked her up and down before speaking. "You’ve learned your lesson this time. No more running around."

Grace flushed slightly. "The incident with the human traffickers was a wake-up call. They might not know I was the one who reported them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If I’m not careful, I could even put my family in danger. Staying on campus is the safest, most secure option."

"Why the sudden visit?"

"I’ve taken over the case. Sean York and Joanne Chase went out today, and there was an incident," Archer said, his expression turning serious.

Grace’s heart leaped into her throat. "An incident? What kind of incident? Is Joy hurt? Where is she now?"

In her panic, Grace grabbed Archer’s hand without a second thought.

Archer glanced down at her small hand gripping his, and his heart skipped a beat. His tone, however, remained calm. "Don’t worry, she’s fine. Sean York took the knife for her, so she’s just shaken up. She’s at the hospital with him now."

"What about Sean York? Is he okay? Is it serious?" Grace’s heart, which had just settled, leaped up again.

"Not good. The injury is very serious—his kidney was punctured. He was also brought in late, which caused him to go into hypovolemic shock. He hasn’t regained consciousness. The doctor said if he doesn’t wake up within forty-eight hours, his life could be in danger." Archer shook his head, his expression growing more grave.

"Was it those people? Why? We haven’t done anything. Won’t they just leave us alone?" Grace’s expression was grim, her voice laced with anger. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"These people are professional artifact smugglers, career criminals. The shipment this time is massive, and for insurance, they can’t afford any mistakes. They’d rather kill an innocent person than let a potential witness go. However, this attack gave us a breakthrough. We caught the assailant, and after questioning, we learned he’s a hired killer for the owner of the Gilded Pavilion, specializing in tying up loose ends."

"As long as you don’t leave campus for the time being, you’ll be safe. They wouldn’t dare try to kill someone on Crestwood University grounds."

Seeing Grace’s anger, Archer offered a few words of reassurance.

"These people are so brazen! When are you going to arrest them? Do you think there’s someone else behind them?" Grace seethed, gritting her teeth.

’I wish I could be a cop and go round them all up myself.’

Seeing her like this, the corners of Archer’s mouth turned up slightly. "The investigation is ongoing. We’re planning to catch them all in one fell swoop during their next transaction. However, now that one of their men has been caught, they’ll likely be on high alert and might not go through with it. We’ll have to wait and see."

"Damn it, those people are despicable!" Grace cursed under her breath.

After her outburst, she started worrying about Joanne again. "Is Joy really okay? When is she coming back to campus? What if she’s in danger at the hospital?"

"She won’t be. I’ve posted men at the hospital to protect her. As long as she doesn’t wander off, she won’t be in any danger," Archer said, shaking his head.

"That’s not good enough. Sean York was hurt protecting her; she must be consumed with guilt. Sean’s parents will probably be at the hospital, and who knows if they’ll give her a hard time. Please, take me to the hospital. I want to bring her back. I can’t let her stay there and be mistreated." Grace clutched Archer’s hand, her eyes pleading.

Archer considered it for a moment, then agreed.

"But you could be in danger if you go out. To be on the safe side, you should wear a disguise."

Grace shook her head. "No need. Maybe I can even lure an assassin out for you and help you catch another one. I’ve been working out lately. I’m not the same person I used to be."

Archer didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Assassins aren’t just small-time thugs. They’re highly skilled. Don’t be overconfident."

"Are you looking down on me?" Grace’s eyes widened.

As Archer watched her, his heart began to pound, and his breathing quickened.

Grace sensed the shift in the air and instinctively tried to step back, but he pulled her close. "Grace, I’m afraid I’m losing control. I like you more and more. Tell me, what am I supposed to do with you?"

"Just because Caleb Forrest hurt you, are you going to shut everyone out?"

His voice was tinged with helplessness, and he let out a soft sigh. "I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve always been waiting for you."

Grace’s breathing hitched. She pushed against Archer’s chest, but he didn’t budge. "Someone will see. I’m still a student. I’m not supposed to be dating on campus."

"Then what about after graduation?" Archer asked.

Grace fell silent. "Let’s talk about what happens after graduation... after I graduate. What if you meet someone you like in the next few years and get married?"

"Archer, no one can guarantee the future. I can’t make you any promises. But... if you’re still waiting for me after I graduate, I think... I think I could give you a chance."

Hearing this, Archer let out a long, slow breath. "Okay. Then I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait for the day you’re ready to open your heart to me."