Chapter 308

chapter308

Just as the tension reached its peak, Mackenzie’s strength finally gave out, and she lost consciousness.

“Mackenzie!”

In the dim light, Emmanuel hadn't realized how pale she had become. He rushed forward, catching her just before she hit the ground. His heart pounded with a level of frantic concern that didn't go unnoticed by Claudette. Standing nearby, she felt a complex wave of emotions as she watched Emmanuel’s desperate efforts to revive her.

“Mackenzie, stay with me!” Emmanuel’s hands trembled slightly as he checked her pulse. He was breathing heavily, his focus entirely consumed by the woman in his arms.

“Emmanuel, try to stay calm. Ms. Quillen has a strong will,” Claudette said, stepping closer to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Despite her own complicated feelings, she couldn't ignore the raw intensity of his devotion.

Emmanuel didn't respond. His medical training had kicked in, and he quickly realized the gravity of the situation. “The blade was poisoned,” he muttered, his voice thick with frustration. He regretted letting the intruder slip away into the night even more now.

Thinking quickly, Emmanuel applied pressure to specific points to slow the spread of the toxins. He knew that in a situation like this, every second counted. The wound on her neck was in a precarious position, and the risk of the poison reaching her vital systems was high.

“Dr. Lowe, how serious is it?” Claudette asked, her own face turning pale as she saw the urgency in his movements.

“I need to neutralize the toxins immediately,” Emmanuel said, his tone blunt and focused.

Recognizing she needed to be useful, Claudette ran toward the nearby river. She quickly found a way to carry water back to him, using a makeshift container to help clean the wound.

“Thank you!” Emmanuel said, briefly acknowledging her help. He realized they needed a more stable environment for first aid, so he carefully lifted Mackenzie and moved her closer to the riverbank.

Drawing on his extensive experience with emergency medicine and wilderness survival from his time in the Northern Region, Emmanuel worked tirelessly to stabilize her. He used the clean water and his knowledge of pressure points to manage the crisis, his movements precise despite his inner turmoil.

Claudette watched him with mixed emotions. She admired the unwavering focus he displayed as a doctor—a demeanor that was both captivating and deeply admirable. Yet, she couldn't help but notice that his anxiety for Mackenzie was far more profound than any concern he had shown for others in the past.

To ensure her breathing remained clear and to better access the area around the wound, Emmanuel had to adjust Mackenzie’s attire, prioritizing her medical needs over all else. Claudette looked on, noting Mackenzie’s quiet strength and elegance even in such a vulnerable state. It was a moment that made Claudette realize the depth of the bond between these two, regardless of the words they spoke in public.

Emmanuel was far too preoccupied to notice Claudette’s gaze. His only focus was the fading strength of Mackenzie’s pulse. “Don't give up on me, Mackenzie!”

As her breathing became shallow, he immediately began performing emergency resuscitation. He was no longer just a doctor following protocol; he was a man desperately fighting to keep his wife from slipping away.

Claudette stood back, feeling a profound sense of isolation as she witnessed the scene. She realized that in this moment of life and death, the connection between Emmanuel and Mackenzie was undeniable—a bond fortified by their shared history and their legal commitment to one another.