---
**"Where are Danish and Steve...?"**
Before Adrian could answer—
**BOOM!**
Another deafening clap of thunder echoed across the sky.
---
## Swan City Hospital
Several doctors hurried through the corridors, pushing Ivan's stretcher toward the emergency ward.
An oxygen mask covered his face, while fresh blood continued to stain the white sheets beneath him.
Following closely behind were Lewis, Steve, and Adrian.
Every one of them wore a different expression.
But they all shared the same fear.
Within moments, Ivan was rushed into the emergency room.
The doors immediately slammed shut, separating him from everyone outside.
Steve, Lewis, and Adrian stood silently in the hallway.
No one spoke.
Steve's crimson eyes remained fixed on the glowing red emergency light above the operating room.
The corridor was so quiet that even the ticking of the wall clock sounded painfully loud.
Every passing second felt like an eternity.
His fists slowly clenched.
"...It's all my fault."
He lowered his head as those words escaped his trembling lips.
"If I hadn't agreed to that race..."
"If I hadn't taken them with me..."
"If I had just followed the family's rule..."
"...none of this would've happened."
His jaw tightened.
The guilt was slowly consuming him.
Suddenly—
A hand rested gently on his shoulder.
Steve looked up.
Lewis was standing beside him.
"He'll be alright," Lewis said calmly, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat.
"Uncle..." Steve's voice cracked.
"If I hadn't taken them outside..."
"If I had obeyed the family rule..."
"...Ivan and Danish wouldn't be like this."
He could barely finish his sentence.
The thought alone was unbearable.
Lewis looked at him with calm, unreadable eyes.
"What was destined to happen... couldn't have been avoided."
"For now, you should go home and get some rest."
"Your condition isn't good either."
Steve immediately shook his head.
"No."
"I'm not leaving."
"Not until I see Ivan open his eyes."
"I can't leave my brother like this."
Lewis stared at him for a few silent seconds.
Then...
He simply nodded.
"...Very well."
Just then—
The emergency room doors burst open.
A doctor hurried outside, his face filled with panic.
"The patient has lost too much blood!"
"We need a blood transfusion immediately!"
"But unfortunately..."
"Our blood bank doesn't currently have his blood type."
Before anyone could respond—
Footsteps echoed through the hallway.
A young man wearing a spotless white doctor's coat hurried toward them.
The moment Adrian saw him, he quickly walked over.
"Brother!"
The young doctor immediately examined Adrian from head to toe.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"But Ivan isn't."
"Please... can you check on him first?"
The doctor gave a slight nod before turning toward the emergency physician.
"What happened, Doctor?"
The physician respectfully lowered his head and quickly explained Ivan's condition while handing over the medical reports.
The young doctor quietly listened from beginning to end.
Then...
His gaze shifted toward Lewis and Steve.
"Does either of you share Ivan's blood type?"
"I do!"
Steve answered without hesitation.
"We have the same blood group."
The doctor looked at him for a brief moment before nodding.
"Good."
"Doctor, prepare him for the blood donation."
"I'll take over from here."
Without wasting another second, he entered the emergency room.
Steve immediately followed the nurse.
"Uncle..."
"I'm going to donate blood."
Lewis silently nodded.
"Go."
The emergency room doors closed once again.
---
## Blackwood Mansion
"The news about Rafson Club has already been suppressed."
"No one present there will speak about tonight's incident."
"I hope you'll do the same, Young Master."
David spoke sternly while looking at Wilson.
Deep down...
He actually felt a little sorry for him.
After all...
The young master had barely escaped death.
Meanwhile...
Wilson was sitting on his bed, completely wrapped in a blanket from head to toe.
His body still trembled uncontrollably.
"D-David..."
"Is Brother... going to kill me?"
"I ignored everything he told me..."
"P-Please..."
"Somebody save me..."
He looked at David with pitiful eyes, as though he were his last hope.
David let out a helpless sigh.
"Young Master..."
"Sir is currently busy with something important."
"So, for now..."
"You're safe."
"But once he returns..."
"I'm afraid I can't help you."
"You should get some rest."
Wilson suddenly threw off the blanket and rushed toward David.
The next second—
He grabbed David's leg.
"Please save me!"
"I'll even call you Dad!"
David's eyes widened.
"H-Hey! What are you doing?"
"I'd rather keep my own life than fight that devil."
"And no..."
"Calling me Dad isn't going to change my mind."
He desperately tried to pull his leg free.
"Let go."
"No!"
"Save me first!"
"No."
"Please, Brother David..."
"I don't want to die..."
Wilson looked at him with watery puppy eyes.
David sighed in defeat.
"Fine."
"I can only tell you one thing."
"Sir is still very busy."
"So... until he comes back..."
"You should be safe."
The moment Wilson heard that—
He instantly released David's leg.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Wilson's face immediately brightened.
"Then I'm going out to party!"
David's expression froze.
"...No."
"Do you seriously think you're safe?"
"Have you forgotten?"
"You're still the target of the Alastor Spirit Pearls."
Wilson stopped in front of the door.
Slowly...
He turned around.
"...They weren't destroyed?"
David folded his arms across his chest and answered with a completely serious expression.
"Unfortunately..."
"No."
The moment those words reached Wilson's ears—
He silently walked back to his bed...
Pulled the blanket over his entire body...
And curled up into a tiny ball.
"Oh God..."
"Please save me..."
Watching this scene...
David could only shake his head helplessly.
Sometimes...
He genuinely wondered whether this boy was truly a member of the Blackwood Family...
...or if someone had simply picked him up from a garbage dump.
---