Chapter 234: Elena Ward Froze in the Doorway

Elena Ward froze in the doorway, stunned by the scene before her.

The room was eerily silent. General Kingsley lay motionless on the hospital bed, his chest barely rising with each shallow breath.

"Uncle, is Grandpa...?" Her voice dropped to a whisper as her fingers twisted the hem of her blouse.

Principal Kingsley's expression was grave but controlled. "Dr. Ward said he needs rest. He probably won't wake until morning."

Gregory Kingsley held his father's hand, thumb tracing the deep wrinkles. "As long as Dad wakes up. We'll take turns watching over him."

"Agreed," Principal Kingsley glanced around. "Dr. Ward suggested we discuss arrangements for Father's care after this. Since Mother passed, him living alone here isn't..."

Before he could finish, his wife Fang dollars gently interrupted, "Let's talk outside. We shouldn't disturb him." She gave her husband a meaningful look.

Gregory Kingsley nodded. "Shaoling will stay with Grandfather. Everyone else, come to the study."

Within moments, only Colin Kingsley remained in the room. Watching his grandfather's peaceful face and listening to the soft snoring, some tension finally left his shoulders.

Returning to the guest room, Elena gaped at the luxurious setup—private bathroom, 24-hour hot water—unheard of extravagance in 1985. As warm water washed away her fatigue, she mentally noted tomorrow's shopping trip to Wangfujing for those trendy bell-bottoms her sister wanted.

Dawn had barely broken when urgent knocking startled her awake.

The hospital room buzzed with tension. Specialists clustered around the bed, baffled. The monitors showed normal readings, yet the old general refused to wake.

"Dr. Ward!" Colin Kingsley rushed forward, all former arrogance gone. "Should we try acupuncture again?"

Elena checked the pulse—then suddenly laughed. "General, pretending to sleep isn't funny. If you don't wake up soon, Colonel Kingsley might actually cry."

The "patient's" eyes flew open, sharp and alert. "How'd you see through it, girl?"

Gasps filled the room.

Shaoling stomped his foot. "Grandfather! Do you know how worried we were?"

"Serves you right!" The old man grinned like a mischievous boy. "None of you visit me normally!"

Elena took a subtle step back. This wasn't the stern military leader—this was a full-blown trickster.

"Girl, come here!" The general beckoned suddenly. "You saved this old man's life."

Under the room's intense scrutiny, Elena's ears burned. She approached cautiously—only for the general to seize her wrist.

"Sir, I only—"

"None of that!" His glare could've felled trees. "You dragged me back from Death's door. The Kingsley family won't forget this debt."

Elena's breath caught. The weight behind those words rang crystal clear.