Rona Langdon, who had never given Zachary Preston’s collapse a second thought, felt a sense of urgency for the first time.

Rona Langdon’s first reaction was, ’If Zachary Preston dies, who will support me? Who will give me money to spend?’

The thought made her nervous. She didn’t want to get a job; she just wanted someone to cook for her every day and to have an endless supply of money.

Although she had some complaints about Zachary Preston, he had handed over his entire salary to her all these years, making her life incredibly comfortable. If something really happened to him, she would suffer the consequences as well.

So she said hurriedly, "Let’s go. We’re going to the hospital to see your dad!"

Crestfall only had a handful of hospitals. Given the circumstances, Zachary Preston must have been taken to the closest one, the First People’s Hospital.

Although Cara Preston didn’t really want to go, she was afraid of the gossip that would spread around the residential compound and figured she should still go see Zachary Preston.

However, their luck wasn’t good; they couldn’t find Zachary Preston when they arrived.

Meanwhile, Vera Xavier was waiting anxiously outside the operating room. Zachary Preston had been diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage; if he had arrived just ten minutes later, his life couldn’t have been saved.

When he was first brought in, the doctor had even scolded Vera, "The patient has been symptomatic for at least half an hour. Why are you only bringing him in now?"

Vera clenched her fists when she heard that. ’Just how vicious must Rona Langdon and Cara Preston be to ignore Zachary Preston’s condition so completely?’

She also hated herself for not finishing her exam sooner. If she had just been a little earlier, Zachary Preston’s chances of being saved would have been higher.

As soon as they got to the hospital, Nathaniel Nathan had mobilized his connections and found the best neurosurgeon in Crestfall to operate on Zachary Preston. As luck would have it for Zachary, the top neurosurgeon from Veridia happened to be in Crestfall for an academic conference. He rushed over immediately after receiving Nathaniel’s call.

Even so, Vera was still on edge. She paced back and forth outside the operating room. Zachary Preston had been in surgery for two hours now and still hadn’t come out.

Although Zachary Preston wasn’t her biological father, he had shown her the deepest care in both her past life and her current one. From him, she had come to understand what it meant for a father’s love to be as solid as a mountain.

All she could do now was pray that Zachary Preston would make it through this ordeal safely.

Nathaniel Nathan took her hand and said, "Don’t be afraid. Preston will be fine."

Vera looked up at him. His gaze was steady and resolute, and the sight of him calmed her considerably.

She said softly, "After I returned to the Preston Family, Dad was the only one who was genuinely good to me. He would always protect me, no matter what."

"I know." Nathaniel had always been a cold person and was truly terrible at comforting others. All he could do right now was stay by Vera’s side.

Vera added, "He’s the best father in the world, the most honorable man in the world, and the man I admire most."

"And what about me?" Nathaniel asked.

Vera looked at him, exasperated. "At a time like this, are you seriously getting jealous of my dad?"

Nathaniel said slowly, "To be honest, I’ve always been jealous of him. He gets to live under the same roof as you and see you whenever he wants. You care about him deeply, and you treat him better than you treat me."

Vera was stunned for a moment. Nathaniel continued, "But I know this, Vera Xavier: the man by your side in the future will only be me. No matter what happens, I will be your rock, your staunchest supporter. I’ll walk with you through all of life’s storms."

PS: *Sniffle*... We didn’t pass the PK round, so I have to wait until Friday to see if we can get revived. I need some comfort! My dears, please, please remember to save your votes for me these next few days. Please remember to give a five-star rating, and please remember to come read every day. Whether this story can continue is all up to you! Mwah!