Mrs. No More, CEO at Last

"I'm sorry, but the number you have dialed is currently unavailable."

Listening to the robotic voice, Elaine Brown bit her lip as her heart sank further.

A few strands of hair fell loosely around her face as she frowned, her eyes filled with undisguised worry.

Her daughter, Vera Smith, had been vomiting continuously. They'd already ruled out food poisoning, and despite trying every medication, nothing worked. Now she'd suddenly lost consciousness.

This was the fourth time Elaine had called Arthur Smith.

Each time, he had hung up immediately.

Vera suddenly coughed twice from the bed.

Elaine immediately dropped her phone and rushed over. "Vera," she called out anxiously.

Vera's face was pale as she slowly opened her eyes and spoke with difficulty, "I want to find Emily. She's having a celebration party today for winning her design award—I want to go see her."

A flash of realization passed through Elaine's eyes.

Suddenly, she understood why Arthur wasn't answering his phone—today was Emily Jones's celebration party.

No wonder he hadn't come home, even though she had texted him about Vera's constant vomiting.

A bitter taste spread through her mouth.

After all, Emily had always been his crush.

Years ago, Emily's parents died while saving Arthur, and the Smith family took in 16-year-old Emily.

If Elaine hadn't married Arthur, Emily would likely be Mrs. Smith today.

Just then, Julius Smith burst in, clinging to Elaine's leg and whining.

"Mom, I want to go to Emily's party too! When are you taking us?"

Elaine looked down at Julius and said gently, "Mommy needs to take Vera to the hospital now. Stay home with the nanny and don't run off anywhere."

Vera's condition couldn't wait any longer.

With Arthur unavailable, she had to take Vera to the hospital herself.

Elaine grabbed a jacket from the closet, wrapped Vera tightly, and quickly carried her downstairs.

She reminded the nanny, "Julius is mischievous—don't let him out of your sight."

The nanny nodded at once. "Yes, Mrs. Smith."

Behind them, an unhappy Julius ran after them, shouting, "I don't want to stay home! I want to find Emily!"

"Be good, Mommy doesn't have time for this right now!"

Without looking back, Elaine hurried to hail a taxi to the hospital.

The trip from her house to the hospital usually took only half an hour, but today the traffic was exceptionally heavy.

Seeing Vera passed out again in her arms, Elaine's anxiety soared.

She had received medical training.

She knew that severe vomiting could cause irreversible damage.

After a bumpy, traffic-filled journey, Elaine finally reached the hospital with her child, only for her heart to sink at the sight of the crowded lobby.

Everywhere she looked, people were vomiting or running fevers—children and adults alike. Some leaned weakly against each other, coughing from time to time.

The medical staff were overwhelmed, forced to shout at the crowds to clear a path.

A dreadful suspicion formed in Elaine's mind—this wasn't ordinary vomiting but a viral outbreak.

Judging by how many people were affected, this virus was highly contagious and spread rapidly.

She quickly adjusted Vera's mask, pulling it tighter over her face.

The more crowded the place, the higher the risk of transmission.

Arthur probably still didn't know this was a viral outbreak!

Realizing this, Elaine held Vera with one arm while using her free hand to text Arthur, warning him about the virus and urging him to take precautions.

The message went unanswered, like a stone sinking into the sea.

By now, the number of patients seeking treatment had far exceeded the hospital's capacity, and many were growing agitated.

"Where are all the doctors? Come out and treat us! My wife has been vomiting for two days—she's on the verge of collapse!"

"Isn't anyone in charge here?"

"Help! My daughter just collapsed!"

A shout from within the crowd made the situation even more chaotic.

Elaine quickly retreated to a corner with Vera, trying to avoid the pressing crowd.

She looked around and saw that, in just these few minutes, several people had collapsed. With her heart pounding, she tried to comfort Vera.

"Vera, hang in there—the doctor will be here soon!"

Vera's eyes remained closed, and she gave no response.

"Vera, can you hear Mommy? Vera!"

Elaine's pupils constricted in fear as she spoke urgently. With trembling hands, she checked Vera's breathing.

She was still alive, but her breathing was extremely faint—if they delayed any longer...

Elaine couldn't bring herself to finish the thought.

The hospital was overflowing with people, with no beds available. A virus this severe required immediate treatment.

The only person who could reach a private doctor was Arthur.

Gritting her teeth, Elaine dialed his number again.

Around her, patients shouted while doctors tried to calm them. In her arms lay her daughter, nearly lifeless, and Elaine felt as though her heart were being seared on a hot iron plate.

When the call finally connected, Elaine spoke urgently, "Honey, where are you?"

To Elaine's surprise, the voice that answered wasn't Arthur's cold one but Emily's.

"Elaine, it's me."

Emily's voice sounded calm and unhurried.

"Arthur isn't available right now—you can tell me what you need."

Desperate, Elaine replied, "Please put Arthur on the phone. I need him to contact his private doctor. Vera has caught a virus and won't stop vomiting—she needs immediate treatment."

"What did you just say?"

Finally, Arthur came on the line, his voice laced with worry.

"How did Vera suddenly catch a virus?"

With no time to explain, Elaine urged, "Vera and I are at the hospital now. Have your private doctor go straight to our house. Her condition is serious—if she keeps vomiting, her life could be at risk."

Arthur responded immediately, "Alright, I'll send my assistant over at once."

Elaine gripped the phone tightly, disbelief flashing across her eyes.

"What about you?"

Vera was in critical condition.

Was he planning to stay at Emily's celebration party?

"I don't have time right now. If you need anything, contact my assistant directly."

Arthur's cold tone felt like a bucket of ice water poured over her.

She suddenly recalled how Emily had gone abroad to study, only to return when Elaine became pregnant.

Throughout their four-year marriage, rumors about the two of them had never ceased.

For the sake of their children and his grandmother, she had always endured in silence. Arthur had explained that those rumors were merely media fabrications for publicity.

She had believed him.

He had also said that their children were his highest priority.

But now the harsh truth lay before her.

Was Vera's life worth less than an ordinary celebration party?

How ridiculous and ironic it was.

Elaine didn't notice when the call disconnected, but the nanny's call came through immediately afterward.

"Mrs. Smith, there's an emergency—Julius is missing too!"