Reunion with her mother

~* At K hospital *~

Peony's heart thumps in anticipation as she stands on the threshold of ICU Room 134, eager to reunite with her mother.

Benedict gestures for Peony to stay composed. As he gently pushes the door open, the hushed tones of medical equipment and subdued murmurs of hospital staff envelop them. They step into the controlled chaos of the ICU ward.

ICU Room 134 is dimly lit, the beeping of machines providing a dissonant melody. Benedict guides Peony to a corner where her mother lies, frail and connected to monitors.

A vigilant nurse attending Mrs. Hart questions, "Who are you? Do you have proper authorization?"

Benedict maintains composure, "I do, miss. She is registered under my name here."

The nurse, adhering to stringent protocols, hesitates, "I need to verify this. Hospital regulations are strict."

Peony looks at Benedict, a mix of anxiety and hope in her eyes, realising that meeting her ailing mother might not be as straightforward as they had hoped. The worst being, "I can't even disclose my identity now. What happened to her? I want to know. Benedict, I truly owe you for this."

The nurse maintains her focus on Peony and directs her words to Benedict, "Is she accompanying the patient? If not, kindly step outside, please!"

Peony, in her fluent accent, confidently declares, breaking her previous disguise, "I'm his partner. I'm Penelope Hart, A-list Actress from Country A."

The nurse, momentarily intimidated, awaits further instructions, her stern demeanour showing signs of wavering.

She is instructed by Dr. Kane, under no circumstances the patient will be allowed to meet anyone.

"Wait, let me contact Dr. Kane," the nurse insists, reaching for her phone.

An officer enters at the same time, "They have the authorization to meet. Why aren't you allowing them? They have the necessary permission."

Intimidated by the authoritative presence of the officer, the nurse concedes, allowing Peony and Benedict to proceed. As the officer ensures their access, he nods at Benedict.

Benedict subtly signals, "Is the K team ready?"

Mr. Smith, disguised as the officer, nods in acknowledgment.

Peony, approaching her mom, remains oblivious to her paralysis and inability to speak. As she sees her mother's frail condition, emotions well up within her, and she breaks down, consumed by the burning question of who could have subjected her mom to such a state.

Benedict gently whispers to Peony as they stand by her mother's bedside. Peony's gaze is fixed on the intricate web of cables and syringes, connected to her fragile mother.

"Don't start crying here," Benedict advises, his voice a comforting undertone. "Remember, you're Miranda Ropan for now."

Peony tries to hold back tears, her eyes reflecting a mix of sorrow and frustration.

Dr. Kane arrives, accompanied by the nurse, their footsteps echoing in the hushed atmosphere of the ICU. Benedict, quick to act, pulls Peony discreetly behind the partition curtain, shielding them from immediate view.

As the doctor and nurse begin their rounds, the disguised officer intercepts their attention. Dr. Kane inquires, "Are they still here?"

The officer nods, "No, they left after the nurse departed."

Dr. Kane accepts the information, unaware that Benedict and Peony are mere inches away, concealed by the protective curtain.

Behind the curtain, Benedict gently places his fingers on Peony's lips, a tender gesture to ensure their silence amidst the subdued chaos of the hospital. Peony's curls cascade around her face.

In the dimly lit space, the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment provides an unconventional soundtrack to their shared moment. Benedict, acutely aware of the weight of Peony's worry, whispers reassurances meant only for her ears.

Dr. Kane, with a measured tone, updates, "Her condition is stable, but we need to run a few more tests to understand the extent of her paralysis. It's a delicate situation, and we're doing our best."

The disguised officer, maintaining his role, inquires, "Any leads on what caused this?"

Dr. Kane responds, "It's not clear yet. We'll need more time and tests for a thorough diagnosis."

Meanwhile, behind the curtain, Benedict whispers to Peony, "Stay strong. We'll find out what happened to your mother."

The disguised officer exits the ICU, leaving behind an unsettling atmosphere.

Dr. Kane, uneasy, instructs the nurse, "Limit access to the ward. Only officers are allowed. If anyone else tries to enter, inform me immediately."

Meanwhile, Dr. Kane, perplexed by the unauthorised intrusion, contacts Mr. Gonzalez for clarification.

Dr. Kane asks, "Mr. Gonzalez, did you send someone into the ICU? We have an unusual situation here."

Mr. Gonzalez, firmly, "No, Doctor. What's happening?"

Dr. Kane, concerned, "My nurse claims someone visited the ward and an officer confirms that. He's given strict instructions about access to the ward. Can you confirm?"

Mr. Gonzalez, alarmed, "Absolutely not. I'll investigate. Keep Mrs. Hart under observation but proceed cautiously."

Dr. Kane, resolute, "Understood."

As Mr. Gonzalez, while ending the call, mutters, "Make sure she can never recover from that."

Dr. Kane, a hint of reluctance in his voice, agrees, "Don't worry, Mr. Gonzalez. I will make sure of that."

Behind the curtain, Peony, seething with frustration, almost utters, "How dare..." Benedict swiftly covers her mouth, ensuring their secrecy.

Dr. Kane, curious, probes behind the curtain, asking, "Who is there?"

"..."

A stifled silence follows. The doctor walks behind to look.

"Come out!"

Peony holds her breath as the doctor approaches, her heart racing in the tense silence.

The doctor glances around the room, suspicion lingering in the air. As he finds no one behind the curtain, he dismisses it with a casual remark, "Must be my imagination."

Peony, concealed behind the stretcher table, exchanges a glance with Benedict, both sharing a sigh of relief.

Dr. Kane returns to Mrs. Hart's bedside, his expression focused. "Prepare the IO-7 injection," he instructs the nurse.

"But, Doctor, it's a forbidden drug," the nurse hesitates, concern etched on her face.

"Keep quiet. I know what to do," Dr. Kane asserts, dismissing her objections.

As Dr. Kane is on the verge of administering the injection, Peony, fueled by desperation, rushes forward. With a forceful grip on his arm, she intervenes, eyes ablaze with rage. "No, you won't," she declares vehemently, determined to save her mother.

The room becomes a battleground of conflicting emotions, as the fate of Mrs. Hart hangs in the balance.

"W-who let you in?" Dr. Kane demands , trying to free his arm from Peony, alarmed. "Security! Where are you?"

With an unexpected burst of strength, he throws Peony to the cold hospital floor, the force causing her to crash against the unforgiving surface. Igniting the dormant fury, she pushes herself back up, fueled by an unyielding resolve. She runs and covers her mom from the doctor's sight.

The nurse, stunned by the sudden turn of events, stammers in response, "I-I d-don't k-know, s-she w-was h-here b-before b-but..."

Benedict, witnessing this act of aggression, tightens his grip on the concealed communication device, he signals his team, "Now!"

The lights in the ICU start to flicker, a subtle but unsettling sign that something beyond the ordinary is unfolding. In the orchestrated chaos, Mr. Smith, a maestro of disguise, effortlessly assimilates his team into the hospital staff, diverting attention away from the covert operation.

Meanwhile, Shadow Masks K2 and K4, the tech-savvy operatives, strategically position themselves. With nimble fingers dancing across keyboards, they initiate the digital ballet, manipulating security protocols and hacking into the surveillance system.

Benedict seizes Dr. Kane from behind, a steely grip conveys an unspoken threat, "If you want to keep this hospital intact, you better cooperate."

Benedict's stern warning sends a shiver down Dr. Kane's spine. Despite his attempts to appear composed, an undercurrent of fear ripples through him. Determined, he discreetly manoeuvres the syringe, aiming to inject the forbidden drug into his system.

Benedict, tightening his grip on Dr. Kane, leans in with a menacing whisper, "If you even think about injecting that drug, your life is over."

As the lights flicker, the disguised nurses move with swift precision, securing the area, and diverting any attention from their true mission.

Amidst the chaos, the nurse, torn between her professional duties and the unfolding drama, contemplates her next move, her gaze shifting nervously between them.

Peony, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and uncertainty, looks at Benedict for reassurance. Benedict, his gaze unwavering, points towards the group of disguised nurses led by Dr. Nia.

"Trust them," he utters with conviction, a subtle nod emphasising the significance of his words.

Peony takes a deep breath, placing her trust in Benedict's calculated decisions.

The strategic prowess of Shadow Masks K7, K8, K9, and K10, guided by the expertise of Dr. Nia, seamlessly detaches Mrs. Hart from the hospital's monitoring systems.

Dr. Nia, a technological virtuoso, orchestrates the intricate dance of data transfer, skillfully diverting the medical records and vital signs of Mrs. Hart into the secure servers of her medical team.

Meanwhile, outside the confines of the room, the hospital systems hum with their usual rhythm, oblivious to the covert operations transpiring within Room 134.

After the transfer is over Dr. Nia and Shadow Mask team collaboratively transfers her to the stretcher and brings her out of the hospital

Dr. Kane struggles under the weight of Benedict's grip. "Let go of me!" he demands, but Benedict's hold remains unyielding.

Peony, guided by the disguised nurses, observes the unfolding scene with a mix of anticipation and concern. The stretcher carrying her paralyzed mother moves quietly through the hospital corridors, avoiding prying eyes.

As they approach the hospital exit, the challenge intensifies. The disguised nurses strategically navigate through the hospital's security measures.

The disguised nurses execute their plan with precision, creating a seamless path to the awaiting vehicle.

Benedict maintains his grip on Dr. Kane, he says, "Now you will do what I will say."