Chapter 189: Birth and Death

[Chapter 189: Birth and Death]

"Extra! Extra!"

"Major violence and destruction reported at the California Highway 1 construction site."

"The union launched an attack due to dissatisfaction with Mayhill Construction's heavy use of immigrant labor."

"The attack resulted in one hundred thirty-two injuries."

"We must ask, what is the point of unions? Is it to protect workers' rights or to act as a violent organization?"

"Mr. Jude Halley, chairman of Mayhill Construction, stated that he is willing to provide care for all injured employees. The great America has no racial prejudice and no discrimination; we treat everyone equally."

"Ian Carr of Carr Group expressed his sorrow over the incident and pledged a donation of one point five million dollars to aid the injured."

"The damages are significant; Mayhill Construction expects to lose at least fifty million."

"Los Angeles police reported they have arrested the leader of the union, Beckson, along with twelve other associated individuals. They are considering charges of inciting terrorism. Beckson could face ten years in prison!"

...

In his office at Carr Media Group, Ian smirked quietly as he read the newspaper.

Good, those troublesome union leaders have been dealt with.

Mayhill Construction would still have a union, but it would inevitably become a mere figurehead.

Unions weren't easy to handle; they had a substantial organizational structure, but Ian wasn't worried.

If these unions kept coming at him, he wouldn't mind sending them to jail over and over.

Eventually, they'd realize that when it came to Ian Carr, the best choice was to accept reasonable benefits to keep the workers calm.

Unions were smart; they would learn from their losses!

As he continued to read, the phone rang.

It was Gaskill's call.

...

"It's me," Ian answered.

Gaskill was brief and to the point: "Lena is in labor. I think you should be here. St. George Hospital, third floor."

Ian felt a surge of excitement: "That's amazing! I'm on my way!"

He put down the newspaper and strode out the door, calling out, "Tell Brydon to head to St. George Hospital immediately."

---

Twenty minutes later, a Rolls-Royce zoomed into St. George Hospital.

Ian jumped out of the car and sprinted to the third floor.

At the surgery door, he found Gaskill waiting anxiously.

Seeing Ian approach, Gaskill's face broke into a relieved smile: "Hi."

Taking a moment to steady himself, Ian straightened his collar and walked over nonchalantly: "How's everything?"

Gaskill patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be nervous; everything's fine."

Ian wiped his forehead, exhaling deeply.

He seated himself next to Gaskill, exchanging looks until they both burst into laughter.

...

"Ah!!!"

A blood-curdling scream echoed from the operating room, causing Ian and Gaskill to wince in pain.

At least in childbirth, women truly bore a heavy burden!

Ian whispered, "She's working hard. By the way, have you thought of a name?"

"Adam... Adam Bronte! What do you think?"

Ian laughed: "Sounds great!"

I have a son now!

A wave of satisfaction washed over him.

At that moment, all calculations disappeared; there was only joy in the prospect of welcoming a child.

Worrying about Lena, Ian decided to use his x-ray ability, and he could see that Lena was still pushing, with the baby's head gradually making an appearance.

"It's coming out soon," Ian murmured.

Gaskill looked at him in surprise, chuckling, "Oh, I get it."

Ian: "..."

Did Gaskill guess he could see through walls?

Oh, well! We're family; it didn't matter whether he knew or not; it was just a shared understanding between them.

Besides, it could boost his confidence!

He shifted his gaze sideways.

At that moment, his ability still active, he caught a glance, his expression froze.

Ian jumped up suddenly: "Sorry, Gaskill, I need to step out for a moment."

Gaskill was taken aback: "At a time like this? Is it news?"

"Not just news," Ian hurriedly dashed outside. Just then, it struck him; he turned back and said to Gaskill, "Tell Lena I love her, and I'm very sorry that I can't be by her side right now."

Gaskill smiled: "She'll understand; you can count on me."

Ian already grabbed his phone: "Vincent, Brydon, get the camera! I'm coming down!"

...

Brydon and Vincent in the car immediately got the message.

Vincent got out of the car with the camera, and Brydon was right beside him.

Seeing Ian dash out of the hospital, Vincent chipped in with a smile, "What's going on, boss?"

Before Ian could answer, a gunshot rang out.

Near the hospital entrance, a passerby collapsed.

The gunshot created a gaping hole in the passerby's chest, blood sprayed all over, and gasps filled the air.

"Fuck!" Vincent and Brydon cursed in unison, instinctively shrinking back into the car.

"Step out, don't be a coward!" Ian yelled as he dashed outside.

Brydon's face changed: "I'm not a coward!"

Someone who could help bank robbers escape couldn't be a wimp!

His reaction had just been instinctive.

He grabbed Vincent while drawing his gun, chasing after Ian: "Just be careful, boss!"

"No worries, he won't get a second shot!" Ian shouted.

"How do you know?" Brydon asked in shock.

Ian had circled around the adjacent building and arrived at an alley.

He pulled out his handgun, aiming ahead.

From behind a metal frame, a Black man with a backpack was making his way down.

Ian took a shot at the man, the bullet struck the frame beside him, and he recoiled in surprise.

"You missed!" Vincent darted outside half-inclined, filming ahead bravely.

Ian smirked: "I did that on purpose. What good is a news story without a shootout? Brydon, just keep Vincent safe; no killing!"

Brydon nodded: "Got it!"

He simultaneously yanked Vincent back, there was no need to be that reckless!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Gunfire erupted everywhere.

The Black man over here began shooting back at Ian, wielding an Uzi, bullets ricocheted off the wall in front of Vincent, sending shards flying everywhere.

Vincent yelled in excitement, "Boss, did you see that? I have courage!"

Ian nodded repeatedly: "I admit I had my doubts about you before; I always thought you were smart but timid -- turns out I was wrong."

Vincent laughed gleefully.

Meanwhile, as the Black man emptied his magazine, he bolted away.

Vincent pointed the camera outside again: "Aren't you going to chase him, boss?"

"No, a good story needs a twist, and some buildup first," Ian smiled, "That way..."

Suddenly Ian fell silent, staring at another building with his expression changing: "Fuck!"

He raced out, firing into the opposite building's window crazily.

On that building, there was another Black man, aiming a sniper rifle at the hospital.

...

Inside the hospital, a nurse pushed a cart out: "Bronte family, the baby is born, both mother and child are fine."

Bang!

The nurse's head exploded!

Blood and brain matter splattered all over Lena and Gaskill.

In that moment, everyone was horrified.

"Ah!" newly delivered Lena shrieked in terror as Gaskill lunged, shoving the cart away from the window.

Gunfire erupted outside, causing everyone to cower.

Gaskill bravely peeked out the window, only to see a Black man fall from the window, shot in the chest.

He hurried over and saw Ian and Brydon shooting furiously at the dead gunman below.

Ian was shouting something, though Gaskill couldn't hear him.

At that moment, Gaskill released a long breath, slumping against the wall, utterly drained.

---

Five minutes later, Ian returned.

The hospital was chaotic; they couldn't discern what had just happened. Thankfully, Ian shouted, "The shooter is dead, I took him down!"

"Mr. Carr! It's Mr. Carr!"

Upon seeing Ian Carr, the people regained their courage, rushing toward him.

Ian pushed through the crowd and strode to the hospital room.

...

Inside, Gaskill was cleaning Lena's face, wiping away the blood, and the baby was missing.

Seeing Ian, Lena exclaimed: "Ian! Someone shot during the delivery; a nurse is dead!"

Ian nodded, moving quickly to her side, gripping Lena's hand: "I'm just glad you're both okay. What about the baby?"

Gaskill responded: "He hasn't come out yet, there are no windows in there."

Hearing the baby was safe, Ian sighed in relief.

"What on earth happened?" Lena looked at him in horror.

Ian sat beside her, gently stroking her pale face: "It's the Washington shooting duo; I didn't expect them to come to Los Angeles to kill.

They were shooting randomly; the son was targeting pedestrians, and the father focused on the hospital.

I killed the father, but the son got away."

The Washington shooting incident had been a significant event in the U.S. in 2002, lasting from February to October, resulting in twenty-seven deaths.

But Ian didn't remember the specifics of those involved, so he wasn't interested in pursuing the matter, never expecting... they had come here.

The twists of history!

"A father and son?" Lena asked, surprised. "Did you find out their identities so quickly?"

Gaskill nodded: "I thought they were targeting you."

Ian gently shook his head: "No, it wasn't aimed at me, just coincidence... a real coincidence!"

Gaskill shrugged: "That's quite rare."

So far, Gaskill had encountered four shooting incidentsincluding this with Ian. From this perspective, Ian indeed had a 'troublemaker aura'; even if he didn't plot it, violence seemed to follow him.

Just then, a reporter rushed in, pointing a camera at Lena and the others: "Excuse me, sir, ma'am, after a shooting during the delivery, what are your thoughts?"

Ian turned angrily: "Get out! You damned paparazzi!"

The reporter was surprised to see Ian Carr. "Ian Carr? Okay, okay, it's your exclusive news; you're always the first!"

Ian kicked the reporter out, shutting the door.

Fuming, he declared: "These damned reporters don't even knock before entering; they love to dig into wounds."

Lena smiled at Ian: "Are you talking about yourself?"

Ian raised an eyebrow: "If you didn't remind me, I'd almost forgotten I'm a damned reporter too."

They exchanged glances, both sharing smiles filled with warmth.

*****

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