The Unknown Billionaire

Chapter 62

After several hours of flying, Vere woke to the soft, professional voice of a flight attendant announcing their arrival at the California airport. He opened the window shade and gazed at the bright Californian sky, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief. “Finally,” he whispered to himself, “I’m here, Olivia.” A small smile crossed his lips, knowing that soon he would see her again. He could already imagine her surprise and the happiness his presence would bring. With renewed determination, he gathered his belongings and disembarked the plane, his heart racing with anticipation.

Outside the terminal, Vere hailed an Uber and instructed the driver to take him to Olivia’s address. The drive took around thirty minutes, but to Vere, it felt like an eternity. To distract himself, he pulled his phone from his pocket and noticed several missed calls from an unknown number. He frowned. “Who could this be?” he wondered aloud. But he quickly dismissed the thought. “The only call I care about is from Olivia.”

As the car pulled up to Olivia’s mansion, Vere’s excitement turned into confusion. He stepped out of the car and saw a large sign posted outside the gates. The bold text read, “This property is permanently closed. If you are looking for Olivia, please contact her personal assistant at the number below.” Vere’s chest tightened as he carefully read the notice again. This was Olivia’s home, her sanctuary, and now it was empty. The unease in his heart grew stronger.

Pulling his phone from his pocket, Vere quickly saved the number listed on the sign. As he typed it into his contacts, something caught his attention. The number looked familiar. Realization dawned on him—this was the same number that had been calling him during his flight. “Oh my God,” he murmured. “It was her personal assistant trying to reach me.” Without hesitation, he dialed the number.

The phone rang, each second stretching like an eternity. No one answered. Frustrated but determined, Vere tried again, whispering a silent prayer. “Please, God, let her pick up.” This time, the call connected.

“Hello? Good morning. May I know who’s calling?” came a polite yet slightly hurried voice on the other end.

“Hi, this is Wayne… Olivia’s friend,” Vere responded quickly.

“Mr. Wayne, I’m Odette, Olivia’s personal assistant,” the woman said, relief evident in her tone. “I’ve been trying to reach you. Ms. Olivia specifically requested that I call you and arrange your flight to California.”

Vere’s heart sank. “Why did she want me to come?” he asked, though he feared the answer.

Odette’s voice softened. “Ms. Olivia has been admitted to the hospital. Her condition… it has worsened. She wanted you to know.”

Vere’s chest tightened further. “Which hospital? Where is she?”

Odette gave him the name of the hospital. The moment he heard it, he ended the call without another word and instructed the Uber driver to head there immediately. “Merchant Hospital,” he said, his voice firm but strained.

The 20-minute drive felt unbearable. His mind raced with worry. He clutched his phone tightly, staring blankly out the window, barely registering the passing scenery. When the car finally pulled up to the hospital’s grand entrance, Vere wasted no time. He grabbed his suitcase and rushed through the revolving doors into the sleek, modern lobby.

At the information desk, a woman greeted him. “Good morning, sir. How can I help you?”

“I need to know Olivia’s room number,” Vere said, his voice laced with urgency.

Before the receptionist could respond, a familiar voice called out from behind him. “Mr. Wayne?”

He turned to see a woman approaching. She was dressed professionally and carried an air of calm authority. “Yes, that’s me,” he replied, unsure who she was.

“I’m Odette,” she said, extending a hand. “Olivia’s personal assistant. I saw you arrive, and I already spoke with the receptionist. Let me take you to her.”

Relieved to finally have someone guiding him, Vere followed Odette to the elevators. They rode in silence to the 13th floor. As the elevator doors opened, Vere’s heart pounded in his chest. He was so close to seeing Olivia, yet he couldn’t shake the dread that had been building since he’d read the sign at her mansion.

When they reached Olivia’s room, they were met with a troubling sight. Two doctors and several nurses were inside, their movements hurried and precise. The air was thick with tension.

“I need to see her,” Vere said, his voice trembling as he addressed a nurse standing near the door.

“I’m sorry, sir. You can’t go in right now,” the nurse replied firmly.

“Please, ma’am,” Odette added, her voice pleading. “He came all this way. He’s very close to her.”

But the nurse shook her head. “It’s restricted. The doctors are still attending to her.”

Defeated, Vere stepped back, his hands balling into fists at his sides. He felt helpless, stranded just a few feet from the woman he cared for most. Minutes felt like hours as they waited outside the room. Finally, one of the doctors emerged, her expression weary but composed.

“Are you Mr. Wayne?” she asked, looking directly at Vere.

“Yes,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “How is she? Can I see her?”

The doctor hesitated, glancing at her clipboard before meeting his gaze. “Ms. Olivia is stable for now, but she’s very weak. She’s been asking for you. You can go in, but please keep it brief. She needs rest.”

Vere nodded, barely able to speak. His emotions threatened to overwhelm him as the doctor stepped aside, allowing him into the room. As he entered, he saw Olivia lying on the bed, her face pale but peaceful. The machines around her beeped softly, a reminder of her fragile state.

“Olivia,” Vere whispered, his voice breaking. He approached her bedside and gently took her hand. Her eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile graced her lips.

“You came,” she said weakly.

“Of course, I did,” Vere replied, tears streaming down his face. “I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.”