Displaying her phone with "911" keyed in, Claudia replied, “I can easily call the authorities if I have to."

“People with bad intentions won't give you the chance to dial," Xavier retorted, grinning slightly.

“That's why I was initially hesitant to help you,“ Claudia said, sounding a bit miffed.

She would've dialed the police in a heartbeat if not for his visible suffering.

This man really had some nerve. How ungrateful!

“I didn't mean to patronize you," Xavier clarified. "I was just surprised you'd assist us despite everything."

Although irritated at first, Claudia felt a twinge of embarrassment when Xavier backed down.

“It's not a big deal. It was a short drive, and other cars were on the road."

She reasoned that if they were truly bad characters, she'd Likely be fine.

“Excuse me, could you--" Before Xavier could complete his sentence, Gustavo arrived, panting heavily.

Claudia handed the ID back to Gustavo. "Mr. Green, get your friend to the ER, please.”

“Thank you, miss!" Gustavo nodded, offering a salute before assisting Xavier out of the car.

Claudia let out a sigh of relief as the two of them made their way into the hospital. She quickly drove off.

She had arranged to have a voice call with Bennett at ten o'clock, and time was running out.

She felt a sense of urgency as she glanced at the clock. There was no more time to delay!

With Xavier's arm across Gustavo's shoulders to keep himself from falling over, they barged into the hospital. A nurse immediately brought a wheelchair to them as soon as she saw them.

After Xavier was wheeled into the emergency room, Gustavo went through the patient registration process.

When he returned to Xavier's side, the latter asked, "What's the name of the woman who drove me here?"

Gustavo shot him a disbelieving look.

“You're already lying on a hospital bed, and yet you're still thinking about hitting on a woman?"

Xavier rolled his eyes and said, "That's not it. I just think that we should thank her properly for helping us out.”

Upon hearing his response, Gustavo went silent. After a while, he sighed. "I was so worried about you. I brought you inside as soon as we arrived, and I forgot to ask what her name was."

Xavier did not say anything more. He just closed his eyes and lay still on the bed.

His stomach hurt so badly that he could barely stand up straight. The anguish had caused him to be unable to think clearly, but it had not rendered him entirely incoherent.