Chapter 227

Damien's phone buzzed the moment he and Chloe stepped into the mansion.

He answered immediately.

After a brief conversation, he slipped his coat back on. "Grandmother Helena had a fall," he told Chloe, who was heading upstairs. "She's at Westbridge Hospital. I'm going now. You should rest."

Chloe's face paled. "I want to come too—"

"School tomorrow," Damien cut in gently. "Visit after class."

Chloe nodded reluctantly.

As Damien turned to leave, Chloe's phone pinged. Her heart leaped as she checked it.

Just another spam message. She sighed.

Earlier, she'd tried calling Camille about that mysterious woman at the mall. No answer.

For a split second, she'd hoped this message was from Camille. No such luck.

Still... if Camille had time for Christmas shopping, she would've invited Chloe along.

Must've been mistaken.

An hour later at Westbridge Orthopedic, Damien reviewed the scans with the doctors.

Helena had fractured her femur. Surgery was necessary, but not immediately.

They needed to stabilize her first.

Most Harringtons were traveling. Only Marcus Maddox, Helena's caretaker Marianne, and Damien were present.

Marcus had already notified the family.

When Damien entered the room, Helena turned her face away.

He pulled up a chair. "Still angry?"

This stemmed from his recent business decisions favoring the Ashcroft over the Lancasters. Helena hadn't taken his calls since.

Silence.

"What do you want me to do?" Damien finally asked.

Helena opened her eyes. "You know."

He did. "Consider it handled tomorrow." Meaning cutting ties with the Lancasters and reclaiming their projects.

"And?"

Damien's jaw tightened. "Grandmother—"

Helena closed her eyes again.

He didn't press further.

"Go," Helena murmured later.

Instead of leaving, Damien adjusted her blankets.

When the doctor returned, he confirmed surgery could proceed in two days. Low-risk procedure. With rehab, Helena should walk with assistance within a month.

In the hallway, Marcus glanced back at Helena. "She wants to see Mrs. Harrington but won't let me call her."

Helena felt too guilty to ask Camille to visit after everything.

Damien nodded. "Understood."

Marcus returned to the room without another word.