Chapter 96: Under Fire

[Chapter 96: Under Fire]

Considering the risks involved in shorting the lira, Ian immediately called Gaskill after leaving the fire scene. Gaskill informed him that he would be home in two hours and asked him to wait there.

So, Ian went straight to Gaskill's house, where Lena happened to be home.

Upon seeing him, she eagerly ran towards him. She wore a sexy dress, revealing a lot of beautiful skin, and acted like a devoted partner, pouring out her enthusiasm. "I saw the news! You saved an innocent little girl again, you're amazing!"

Ian playfully supported Lena's curvy hips and carried her to the bed. "I just saw the news, too," he replied.

Lena hugged Ian's neck tightly, giving him the most passionate kiss. "I kept up with everything you do. I watch WND every day, and I just saw the news."

...

Although the report of rescuing the little girl from the flames wasn't particularly valuable, especially given Katherine's poor filming technique, what really mattered was Ian's reputation.

As the most renowned Pulitzer Prize-contender journalist in America, saving a girl from a fire could definitely draw attention. The significance of news often lies not just in the events themselves, but in the people involved!

This was the essence of celebrity influence. Although it didn't bring in great financial benefits, Ian's reputation improved considerably from it.

Once, Ian's image had been tainted due to his cold-blooded reporting on burning-torch-man and the shooting-dead-robbers incident, creating mixed feelings about him. However, the cases of saving an innocent girl in the Blazer case and the suicide boy case, coupled with the recent rescue, helped redeem him somewhat.

Ian became a figure of controversy across the country. On one hand, he was seen as a ruthless journalist, willing to continue interviews in the face of tragedy; on the other, he was portrayed as a journalist with a strong sense of justice who was actively saving the innocent. This led to polarized public opinions on him.

Ian welcomed the debate: "Celebrities should be controversial; that's how they maximize their influence!"

Controversy is what creates headlines. Now, the news that might have been disregarded as rubbish due to the fire was buzzing, simply because it was Ian Carr behind it.

...

Ian smiled and said, "That's the big advantage of news websites; all news can be released immediately. In comparison, television and newspapers can't do that. Newspapers need a day, even though they have morning, afternoon, and evening editions, they still take at least six hours. Television is similar. The internet, however, provides instantaneous updates -- if it's fast enough, the news could be up within an hour of the event happening."

Lena playfully bit him and pushed him onto the bed. "Don't talk to me about your news; I'm not interested in your operations. It's you! This reckless fool, putting yourself in danger time after time!"

Looking at Lena who was frantically trying to tear his clothes off, Ian felt a mixture of amusement and confusion. Didn't she just call him a hero? She was happy that he was a hero, but now she was worried about him?

Well, that was just typical.

While Lena complained, she swiftly removed Ian's clothes, attacking him with the utmost fervor. Feeling her passion, Ian thought to himself, even if the old man had no problems, I don't think he can handle you at full throttle!

Lost in that warmth, Ian felt a fire igniting within him.

Their connection deepened into a delightful union, and they rolled together, freely soaking in sweat, exchanging heat and passion until, after a long while, it calmed down. Lena was left breathless on the bed, her hair disheveled but her eyes filled with affection and satisfaction.

...

Lena softly said, "You've become even better than before."

"I've been hitting the gym recently," Ian replied.

Lena lay in Ian's arms, teasing him with her softness and fullness. "I can't wait for the next round."

Ian shook his head with a smile. "That might not be possible, Gaskill is coming back."

"I can make him stay out longer," Lena laughed playfully.

Ian: "..."

Lena really picked up the phone and called him.

...

When it connected, Lena said, "Honey, are you on your way back?"

Gaskill chuckled, "I'm at the tavern on the corner having a drink. You coming?"

Lena replied, "Alright, Ian and I will be right there."

She hung up, wrapped her arms around Ian, kissed him, and said somewhat reluctantly, "I guess he came by earlier but didn't want to disturb us."

Ian smiled, "Then let's go for a walk together."

They got dressed, walked out of the house, and headed down the street.

...

Soon, they reached the tavern at the corner, where Gaskill was indeed sitting alone. He waved at them with a smile as they approached.

Just as Lena was about to run over, a black sedan suddenly sped toward them.

Ian grabbed Lena, and in an instant, several guns emerged from the car, raining bullets toward the tavern.

"Ah!" Lena screamed in fright.

In the chaos of gunfire, glass from the tavern shattered, and patrons who were drinking collapsed.

The car sped away through the night.

...

Ian stared at the vehicle in shock, thinking, if they fire at me, I could be dead too!

At that moment, Lena cried out, "Gaskill!"

She dashed forward and saw Gaskill lying in a pool of blood.

Ian's heart dropped. He rushed over to hold Gaskill, noticing a bullet wound on his forehead, blood gushing out.

"No!" Lena covered her mouth, screaming.

In that instant, both Ian and Lena felt that Gaskill was dead.

But just then, Gaskill's eyelids fluttered slightly.

Ian felt a surge of hope and shouted, "He's not dead yet! Call an ambulance!"

In the midst of the chaos, even without his instruction, someone was already dialing for help.

Ian held Gaskill tightly, exclaiming, "Hang in there, Gaskill! You're my good friend and mentor; you've taught me so much and helped me immensely... I won't let you die! You've got to live, no matter what. At sixty, you still have at least thirty more years to go!"

He called out with urgency, and it seemed Gaskill heard him; his fingers twitched slightly.

Ian was thrilled. The sound of approaching ambulances echoed from a distance, and he dashed with Gaskill toward them.

...

Two paramedics helped Gaskill onto a stretcher while Ian and Lena stood by.

Lena cried like a baby, curling up in Ian's arms.

The paramedic next to them placed an oxygen mask on Gaskill and tried to stop the bleeding.

After inspecting Gaskill's wound, the paramedic shouted, "The bullet didn't exit; it's lodged in his skull, and he'll probably need surgery!"

Lena gasped, "He's already sixty, he can't handle this!"

The paramedic shook his head repeatedly. "This is the only option. By the way, what's your relation to him?"

Lena responded, "I'm his wife."

The paramedic glanced at Ian with an odd expression and said, "Well, he's lucky then. Once he's in the hospital, they'll have you sign a waiver! Otherwise, they can't operate without you being on-site, or they'll miss the window of time."

Ian felt a stirring in his heart.

He asked, "If the bullet stays in, could he survive without surgery?"

The paramedic replied, "Usually, it results in immediate death. Since he's still alive, it means it hasn't hit a fatal area. That's a small blessing in all this. But if the bullet isn't removed, it could move around in his head, leading to eventual death! So, the chance of dying without surgery is 99%. If they operate, it depends on its exact location. I'm not an expert in this field, so I can't give you a definitive answer."

Ian narrowed his eyes, activating his perspective. He could clearly see the bullet lodged in Gaskill's head, and he...

He held Gaskill's head firmly, ripped off the bandage, and a nurse shouted, "Don't touch him!"

In the next moment, Ian raised his hand. "Maybe we don't need to operate."

He had the bullet in his hand.

*****

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