QIU FAMILY 2

Alexa Yu detected something else in Shao Xin's tone. If there was a person she needed to be wary of, it was this woman because she was very deceptive. She was like a snake, biting when one wasn't looking.

"Of course, it is a compliment. Come, let's sit down and tell your aunt how you have been these years." Shao Xin urged Alexa to sit down. She was saved from interacting more with Shao Xin because the doctors came out of the OR.

Dr. Wang unhurriedly explained what kind of surgery was performed and the procedure. He used a mixture of medical and lay terms. Then, Dr. Wang informed everyone of the most unpleasant news. Qiu Dongmin fell into a coma because of the traumatic brain injury he sustained when he fell. The news shocked everyone.

Alexa Yu studied and filed each reaction she saw on everyone. She had questions in her head, but she wasn't going to bring it forth in front of them.

"You all go home. I'll stay and watch over the Old Master." Old Madam Tang spoke for the first time. She sounded frail.

Qiu Bing touched his mother's arm. "No. I'll stay vigil tonight." He looked at his wife and said, "Accompany mother home. She needs to rest." Another uncle from a side branch said he too was going to stick around. Then, some insisted they would stay also.

Dr. Wang told them that Qiu Dongmin would be in the ICU, and there were restrictions for visitors. Moreover, there was hospital staff to monitor Qiu Dongmin closely. Dr. Wang knew Qiu Dongmin very well. He was experienced in this kind of thing. While everybody appeared concerned, he knew better. Only a few were really genuinely caring towards Chairman Qiu. The Qiu Family was like any prominent, affluent families. They looked very peaceful on the surface, but beneath, they were stabbing each other's back.

Thus, one by one, people left. Some were antsy to return and make a plan. Nobody noticed that Alexa already slipped off before Dr. Wang spoke. She took the elevator and went to his office, waiting for his return.

.....

Dr. Wang jumped in fright when Alexa spoke in the dark. Light flooded the room when he switched on the light. "Sorry." Alexa Yu apologized. She was sitting on the windowsill.

"Get down from there." Dr. Wang was worried that she made a wrong move and fell to her death. His office was on the 12th floor.

Alexa moved to the sofa. "What's wrong with my grandfather?" Qiu Dongmin had a stroke and fell. That was possible, but Alexa Yu was thinking of something else. Her grandfather had doctors in his payroll who were monitoring him closely. It was impossible that they hadn't detected the blood clots in the upper chamber of his heart. That was the first thing doctors had to check regularly after a patient undergoes coronary artery bypass surgery. Due to these clots, he had a stroke.

"There was a high concentration of an unknown chemical in his system. It counter reacted with the Chairman's medications and caused his stroke. The lab is still running tests on the components of the drug."

"And the TBI?"

Dr. Wang told the family it was caused by his fall, but the truth was, Qiu Dongmin was hit with an object from behind. "It was caused by a sharp blow on his head." Pushing his eyeglasses up, he continued, "Someone is clearly after his life."

"Hardly surprising when he made enemies over the years." Alexa Yu commented.

Dr. Wang took out a thumb drive from his coat and passed it to Alexa Yu. During Qiu Dongmin's surgery, Dr. Wang ordered a nurse to take photos of Chairman Qiu's injury. The nurse didn't only do that; she also recorded the whole operation. "I know you will need this." Alexa Yu did not attempt to get the thumb drive. Dr. Wang placed it on the low table between them.

Alexa Yu was digesting what Dr. Wang revealed to her. Someone attempted to kill her grandfather. As to who, the list was really long. Qiu Dongmin made enemies faster than making friends. This was due to his military way of running the business. Alexa Yu wouldn't even be surprised if someone from the Qiu Clan attempted. If she were to investigate this, she would look closer to home as the family members would benefit more from his death.

"The Chairman needs protection, Alexa." Dr. Wang studied her face. Unlike most people, their emotions could be clearly seen in their eyes. But none in her expression would give away what was on her mind.

"I'll assign security for him." Alexa Yu grasped the drive and walked to the door. She would need it if she were going to figure who caused her grandfather to be in a coma.

"That's not what your grandfather needs. He needs you." Seeing her pause in the middle of the room, Dr. Wang went on, "It is a good thing that he was found before his heart stopped beating. But we don't know if he'll be lucky next time. Maybe…" His voice tapered off as he tried to find the appropriate word.

"Maybe it's time to come home." Why was Dr. Wang telling this to Alexa? Because she was the only person who genuinely cared for the Chairman.

Alexa didn't speak. Dr. Wang watched her leave, shrouded with indifference and coldness.

…..

Pulling a chair, Alexa Yu sat beside the bed. After leaving Dr. Wang's office, she went to the ICU. Studying the monitor attached to her grandfather, Alexa Yu pondered on what Dr. Wang said. Never did she picture her grandfather like this. In memory, her grandfather was a strong man. He led troops in his heyday as a General, ran a multinational corporation, and sat as the head of the Qiu Clan. But looking at him now, with all the lines attached to his body, she felt pity.

"You are supposed to live until 100, but look at you now. Someone wants you dead. None of your so-called family have even honest intention."

Alexa Yu recalled the conversation they had months ago. He tried his best to persuade her to return and take the helms of Qiu Worldwide Group. And as always, she refused, telling him that there were more qualified people in the family or could hire a management specialist. His reply was: "There's no one in the family more qualified to run the company except you."

Alexa Yu didn't take what her grandfather said seriously because she was never interested in joining the fanfare. But now that her grandfather was in a coma, who was going to protect the corporation? "Grandpa, you always said Mother has a horn. But guess what? I also have it. Not only one but two." As the plan solidified in her head, she stated, "I'll return to the Qiu Family as you wanted, but don't blame me in the future."

Outside the room, she made a few calls. She assigned people in her team to guard her grandfather. Whoever planned to kill her grandfather would definitely make a second attempt. "No one is allowed to enter unless cleared by Dr. Wang. Am I clear?" Gone was the laid-back countenance she carried earlier. It was replaced with an indifferent expression making her appear cold and harsh.

A collective response followed. "Yes, Captain!"

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TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury