004 - A Gentleman's Assistance

Izabella was unconscious for three days and three nights.

When she finally opened her eyes, Dr. Smith rushed into her ward as soon as possible.

After conducting a preliminary examination, he began to brief Izabella on her physical condition.

"The accident resulted in a stab wound to your abdomen when a portion of the vehicle's door penetrated your body. Fortunately, your vital organs were spared. 

While you have numerous scrapes and lacerations across your body, the most significant injury is the fracture to your right leg. With a month of rest and proper care, I can confidently predict a full recovery."

He expected Izabella to have some questions about her leg, but Izabella's first question was unexpectedly, "What accident?"

The nurse and doctor both gaped at her.

Instead of answering, the doctor activated his small flashlight and directed the beam toward Izabella's eyes. "Let me examine your pupils. Do you recall anything at all?"

"I…"

Izabella's mouth fell open, her face twisting in confusion.

"What about your name?"

"..."

Izabella's lips began to tremble.

The nurse pulled a grimace.

Oh, no.

The girl was pulled out of a burning car. She had nothing on her to confirm her identity.

There was also no point questioning Izabella further, because it would only add to her distress.

In the end, Dr. Smith regretfully had to inform his superior about Izabella's condition.

"Amnesia?"

The hospital director looked up from the stack of documents, her gaze fixed on her subordinate. "I fear that's the diagnosis," the doctor stated gravely. 

"Unfortunately, determining the duration of this amnesia is impossible at this time. For specialized care and therapy, I believe a transfer to a more advanced medical facility is necessary."

"Certainly. And who is going to pay for the treatment?"

Dr. Smith was stunned to silence.

"That…"

"We are not running a business here, Dr. Smith, but nothing is free here. Even a strip of bandage costs money. You understand that, don't you?"

"Yes, but…"

Dr. Smith's Adam's apple bobbed anxiously in his throat.

Just what was the hospital director insinuating? Were they going to throw the poor, amnesic girl onto the street?

The hospital director sighed.

"There is no need to be so dramatic. I won't kick her out of the hospital just yet. Unfortunately, as soon as she recovers, she has to leave."

"But she doesn't remember anything, Director. Isn't it too heartless?" Dr. Smith argued.

The hospital director shot him an indifferent stare before she redirected her focus back to her work.

"I happen to have an acquaintance at a nearby women's shelter. I will contact her and see what we can do."

Dr. Smith sighed inwardly.

"Yes, Ma'am."

When Dr. Smith left the hospital director's office, one of the floor nurses rushed toward him.

"Dr. Smith, the police officers are here," she said. "They want to talk to the amnesic patient from Room 2045."

Dr. Smith pursed his lips in displeasure.

"Ah… why are they in such a hurry? That patient lost her memory. She is not ready for any kind of interrogation."

"I already told them that, but they are very persistent. Doctor, can you please talk to them?"

Dr. Smith sighed.

"Fine," he said. "I am going to talk to them."

The police officers who arrived to question the amnesic girl were not part of the original investigative team. 

They were formally attired in full uniform, their badges gleaming in pride. Judging by the rank insignia on his shoulder, the leader must be a high-ranking officer within the department.

The middle-aged man greeted Dr. Smith with a firm handshake and a gruff, serious voice.

"Good morning, Dr. Smith. I am Deputy Chief Henderson from Hillsbrook City Police Department."

Alone the introduction left Dr. Smith slack-jawed.

Hillsbrook City Police Department?

Why would someone from the headquarters come all the way out here to deal with a simple street accident?

"We would like to ask the victim several questions. I heard that the girl had already regained consciousness."

Dr. Smith pulled a grimace.

"Deputy Chief Henderson, she is in an amnesic state. She doesn't remember anything."

"We are sure that we can help trigger her memory with select questions," Deputy Chief Henderson refused to yield.

"That is not the right approach, Sir. Please let the girl calm down first. We shall contact you as soon as possible."

"Doctor, you don't understand."

Deputy Chief Henderson stepped closer to Dr. Smith.

"We have received a special request from the Prescott family to conduct a thorough investigation regarding this matter. 

Please do not make it difficult for us."

The Prescott family, eh?

No wonder the Deputy Chief himself bothered to make an appearance at their humble hospital.

Still, it was not a good enough excuse to make Dr. Smith sympathize with Deputy Chief Henderson's plight.

"I am sorry," he said, "like every other hospital, this hospital has rules to adhere to. My decision is final. Please come back another time."

Deputy Chief Henderson glared at Dr. Smith, his face contorted in fury. Just as his subordinates braced themselves for a sharp rebuke from their superior, a hush fell over the entire floor.

The arrival of a strikingly handsome young man commanded attention, his every move exuding an undeniable charisma.

Daniel Prescott stopped in front of Dr. Smith and Deputy Chief Henderson. After beaming at the two, he turned to Dr. Smith and asked, "Excuse me, Dr. Smith. Is the patient ready to receive visitors?"

"..."

Dr. Smith wanted to say no, but for some inexplicable reason, he ended up nodding his head in compliance.

With a triumphant smile on his lips, Deputy Chief Henderson followed Daniel into Izabella's ward, only to be turned away a short while later.

"So sorry, Deputy Chief," Daniel said with a sweet smile lacing his lips, "Dr. Smith was right. You should not be questioning the patient when she is not ready. Not to mention that she was in the backseat when the accident happened."

Deputy Chief Henderson cleared his throat awkwardly.

"But Mr. Prescott Jr., we already questioned the truck driver. He had nothing significant to share. And the car driver, he… he unfortunately passed away a few hours ago."

"Ah, I see."

Daniel shook his head full of regret when he heard of Whittaker's tragic passing.

"Precisely why we should refrain from putting any sort of pressure on her. Even without any memory loss, she probably wasn't aware of any abnormalities before the accident took place."

Daniel's resolute answer made Deputy Chief Henderson hang his shoulders in dejection.

Still, it was not too late for him to try to make an impression before the young heir.

"Of course, Mr. Prescott Jr., in that case, we shall take our leave now. I shall continue providing you updates regarding this case."

In retaliation, Daniel flashed the Deputy Chief a sweet and succinct smile.

"Do that."

The door closed with a gentle thud, and Daniel entered the ward. Izabella, sitting upright on the bed, watched him intently, her greenish-blue eyes wide with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

Daniel curved his lips into a smile and waved at her like they were yearlong friends.

"Hi, my name is Daniel Prescott. We met several days ago, but you probably don't remember me."

Izabella tugged her blanket closer to her chest and frowned at him. Suspicion was written all over her face.

"Where and when exactly did we meet?"

"I carried you out of your car during the accident," Daniel explained.

"..."

Izabella lowered her gaze and stared at the white blanket covering her lower half instead.

Dr. Smith also spoke about the accident just now, but she strangely had no recollection of the event.

To put it more bluntly, her mind was as blank as a white, untouched canvas. She remembered nothing and no one.

"You don't have to push it," Daniel said as he drew a chair and sat next to the bed. "Take your time to remember. Everything is going to be just fine."

"I am not pushing it," Izabella slowly said. "I don't even know what to remember, so how can I push it?"

"Good, good. So, uh…"

Daniel scratched at his head.

"I didn't bring you anything today. One of my men is going to drop some flowers and fruit baskets later. Get well soon."

Daniel rose to his feet to leave, but Izabella unexpectedly reached out for him.

"Wait."

"Yes?"

Izabella swallowed hard.

"Thank you," she said, "for saving my life. I am forever grateful for your assistance."

Daniel chuckled.

"You are welcome, Bella."

Izabella's mouth fell open when she heard the name.

"Bella…?"

"I asked for your name before you passed out on me," Daniel explained. "You told me that your name was Bella."

"Oh."

Bella.

It was her name, but it failed to trigger any emotion within her. Izabella didn't know what to say or think.

All she could say was another "thank you".

Eyes narrowed slightly, Daniel observed Izabella's meek demeanor from the window.

When her car collided with his company's truck, he initially suspected a deliberate act, fearing it might lead to an undisclosed scandal. However, his fears proved unfounded.

The truck driver was granted a period of leave to recover from the traumatizing experience, the car driver unfortunately passed away, and the girl who rode in the car suffered from amnesia.

"Young Master Daniel."

Daniel tore his gaze away from Izabella and saw Mr. Bennett walking towards him.

"Deputy Chief Henderson finished the inspection of the car remains, and found that it was previously tampered with. The brake was broken, and the fuel tank was compromised."

Daniel nodded. He guessed as much.

"Any information about the identity of the two people riding in the car?"

"None."

"What about missing person notices?"

It had been more than three days. Surely the late car driver and the missing girl had family members who were deeply worried about their disappearance.

"There is none," Mr. Bennett confirmed.

"No one named 'Bella'?"

"There are, but the missing notices dated from months or years ago. Neither age nor appearance matches this girl."

Mr. Bennett nodded toward Izabella, who was still staring off into the distance while lying on the bed.

Daniel turned to look at Izabella and sighed.

"What is going to happen to her from now on?"

"I talked to the hospital director. She plans to send her to a women's shelter after her leg recovers."

"Women's shelter? Why? She is an amnesic patient."

"She is, but the hospital does not have the financial means to either keep her here for a prolonged time or send her to another hospital for an advanced treatment."

"No. If the press finds out, it will cast a poor light on our Prescott family and the corporation. Make plans to move her to the ranch as soon as she is ready to be discharged."

Mr. Bennett widened his eyes in surprise.

"But Young Master Daniel…"

"We have enough to feed one more mouth in the ranch," Daniel pointed out. "When she regains her memories, maybe she can tell us a little more about the nature of the accident."

"Yes, Sir," Mr. Bennett said in compliance.