Chapter 1329 My Fault
Six hours later, Arielle finally completed the surgery on Vinson. She had single-handedly performed the
operation.
Her eyes welled with tears as she pleaded, âYou have to wake up, Vinson.â
She dared not let down her guard or surrender to her emotions during the six-hour-long surgery. Now
that the nerve-wracking operation was over, the tears she had been suppressing streamed
uncontrollably down her face.
After the surgery, Vinson was moved from the surgical theater to an intensive care unit. Arielle changed
into her clothes after leaving the surgical theater. When she checked her phone, she saw a bunch of
missed calls.
She decided to call Susanne first.
Once the line connected, Susanne asked worriedly, âSannie! Are you and Vinson all right? I saw the
trending news on the web. I was so worried.â
A fresh wave of tears assailed Arielle as she thought of Vinson lying in the intensive care unit. She
pursed her lips, unsure of how to assuage Susanneâs concerns. If I didnât come to Lightspring, Vinson
wouldnât be in this state right now. Itâs all my fault.
Her prolonged silence merely fueled Susanneâs concern, and the older lady urged, âWhy arenât you
saying anything, Sannie?â
âMom, Iâm fine. I didnât answer my phone earlier because it ran out of battery.â Arielle settled for a white
lie to prevent Susanne from wringing her hands over Vinsonâs condition.
Susanne was relieved after Arielleâs assurances. She said, âDo you have any idea how many articles
on the web mentioned you getting caught in a gun battle? I was scared to death.â
âIâm really sorry, Mom. I didnât mean to worry you,â Arielle apologized.
Her apology brought a smile to Susanne, who reassured her, âDonât be sorry. Iâm happy as long as the
two of you are safe. Well, now that thatâs over, Iâve got to attend to other things now. So Iâll hang up
first.â
âAll right.â
After ending her call with Susanne, Arielle hurriedly dialed Liza Sleightâs number. She asked Liza to
release an official statement on her behalf explaining that she was safe.
Liza carried out her orders immediately after their call.
Arielleâs phone began ringing with another call after her conversation with Liza ended. She immediately
answered it when she saw her adoptive motherâs caller ID.
âHello!â
A manâs menacing voice drifted through the receiver. âTimeâs almost up, Ms. Moore. Do you not wish to
see your parents again?â
Arielle froze in shock. She suddenly remembered that there was not much time left to her meeting with
the kidnappers. Her gaze darted to the unconscious Vinson in the intensive care unit, and she realized
she could not meet the kidnappers at the agreed-upon time.
âIâm in a tight situation right now. Could I go there later?â Arielle put on false airs of calmness and
negotiated with the kidnappers. She wished to wait until Vinson was awake before leaving to meet
them.
The kidnapper threatened, âTime waits for no one, Ms. Moore. If you refuse to come here now, donât
blame me for what happens next.â
Frightened that the kidnapper would make good on his threat and harm the Wilhelms, Arielle cried, âIâll
come! Iâll come over now! Donât hurt them!â
âGood girl! Iâm waiting for you. Donât forget to come alone.â
Arielleâs fingers turned white from how fiercely she clenched her hand around her phone.
D*mn it! Once I find out whoâs behind the Wilhelmsâ kidnapping, theyâre dead meat!
Just as Arielle stewed in distress and indecision, the little boy Vinson had saved earlier appeared. He
asked, âMiss, heâll be okay, right?â
Arielle stared at the boy, her face a mask of conflicting emotions.
Vinson wouldnât be injured if he didnât try to save this boy. Still, I canât blame the little boy; it was entirely
Vinsonâs choice. In any case, Iâm the only one to blame here. I shouldâve rejected Vinsonâs offer to
accompany me. In fact, I shouldnât have tried to go on some impromptu sightseeing excursion to
Lightspring. All of this is my fault.