Chapter 143: Chapter 130: Fragrance

The injured police officer was, indeed, Morgan Hayes.

He was stabbed by Black Rat while protecting a new officer from the Brieridge Police Station during the fugitive’s arrest. He had already been sent to the county hospital.

Annabelle Leighton stared at the pool of blood on the ground, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.

“Wyatt! Wyatt!”

Wyatt Ford heard Annabelle Leighton’s call and rushed over. “Annie, what’s wrong?”

“Quick! Take me to the county hospital!”

“Okay.”

Wyatt Ford pulled the car around. Annabelle Leighton got in, and the two of them rushed toward the county hospital.

Morgan Hayes had been stabbed in the abdomen. The original plan was to take him to the city hospital, but the journey was long, and they feared a delay on the road could be dangerous. The county authorities called in Brieridge’s top surgeon to operate at the county hospital instead.

When Annabelle Leighton and Wyatt Ford arrived, Morgan Hayes was still in surgery.

Levi Quinn and several officers from Brieridge were pacing anxiously in the hallway outside the operating room.

“Officer Quinn, how is Morgan Hayes?” Annabelle Leighton asked anxiously.

“They’re still operating.”

Annabelle Leighton stared at the glowing red “IN SURGERY” sign, her heart twisting into a tight knot.

Just then, a young man squatting in the corner glanced at Annabelle Leighton, then suddenly stood and walked over to her, apologizing through his tears. “Mrs. Hayes, I’m sorry. It was all my fault Officer Hayes got hurt. I’m so sorry… It was all because of me.”

The young man’s name was Finn Jennings, a new officer at the Brieridge Police Station. Yesterday had been his first day on duty, and today was his first time responding to a call. He’d never imagined his first assignment would be something as intense as apprehending a murderer.

During the struggle with Black Rat just moments before, he had nearly been stabbed with a fruit knife Black Rat had concealed. Morgan Hayes had taken the blade for him. If it weren’t for Morgan Hayes, he would be the one in the operating room right now.

Annabelle Leighton was already beside herself with worry. Being so unexpectedly addressed as “Mrs. Hayes” made her face flush.

“Oh, um, I…”

Before she could explain, the operating room doors opened.

Everyone’s attention immediately turned to the doctor.

“Doctor, how is Officer Hayes?”

“The wound didn’t hit any vital organs, and we’ve stopped the bleeding. He’s not in any immediate danger, so you can all rest easy.”

The doctor’s words were a massive relief, and everyone let out a collective sigh.

Morgan Hayes was transferred to a regular ward for observation.

Annabelle Leighton went along with them.

It was the first time she had ever seen Morgan Hayes look so weak and helpless. Lying in the hospital bed, his face was as pale as a sheet of paper.

“Annie.” Wyatt Ford tugged on Annabelle Leighton’s jacket and whispered, “What’s the deal between you and Officer Hayes?”

“Friends,” Annabelle Leighton said.

“So, should we stay?”

“You head back to Meritopia first, and pick up the car on the way. I’m staying here.”

“Okay.”

Wyatt Ford returned to Meritopia, and the Brieridge officers also went back to the station to handle the follow-up work. Annabelle Leighton and Levi Quinn remained at the hospital.

With Morgan Hayes and Levi Quinn’s cross-country manhunt ending like this, the leadership from both Meritopia and Brieridge were paying close attention. Levi Quinn’s phone was ringing nonstop with calls inquiring about Morgan Hayes’s condition.

When Morgan Hayes woke up, Levi Quinn was in the hallway on the phone. Annabelle Leighton was the only one in the hospital room.

Seeing him open his eyes, Annabelle Leighton immediately leaned over. “You’re awake!”

Her sweet fragrance reached him before her words did, overpowering the sterile scent of disinfectant.

Morgan Hayes thought he was dreaming, until her cool hand rested on his forehead. “Are you okay? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

He shook his head.

“I’ll get the doctor.” Annabelle Leighton pressed the call button by the bed.

The doctor came quickly. Levi Quinn finished his call and came in with the doctor.

Morgan Hayes saw Levi Quinn and asked in a hoarse voice, “Did you catch him?”

“We got him. Don’t worry.”

Morgan Hayes nodded.

’Good. This trip wasn’t a waste, then.’

The doctor examined Morgan Hayes, went over some post-op instructions, and left the room.

Levi Quinn stepped out to take two more calls. When he returned, he turned to Annabelle Leighton and said, “Miss Leighton, the Brieridge Police Station just called. They need me to come in to follow up on the two suspects. Would you mind watching Miles for a little while? The orderly is already on the way.”

“Okay.”

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