Though paralyzed, still radiantly charming!

Chapter 301: Mia, you…

Ryan first glanced over at the hospital’s main entrance to check if the police were still there, then looked curiously at the staff elevator.

Doctors and nurses in white coats occasionally stepped out of the elevator, and it seemed like the police hadn’t searched this area yet. There was definitely a chance they could get upstairs from here.

The problem, though, was that the security guards nearby didn’t look like they were just for show. The odds of sneaking past them weren’t great.

If they could get their hands on an employee ID or a uniform, maybe they could blend in.

But since Mia had already said she had a plan, Ryan figured she must have her own way of handling things.

This wasn’t the first time he’d been in a situation like this with her. He was used to letting Mia take the lead, and honestly, he wasn’t in the mood to try and play hero. If there was an easier way, why not take it?

“Mia, if I’m not mistaken, they’re not just going to let us waltz in, right?”

“Of course not. But come on, who do you think I am? Just watch.”

Mia flashed Ryan a confident grin and made a little gesture before pulling out her pink iPhone 16. If Ryan remembered correctly, that model wasn’t even supposed to be released until later this year.

She didn’t seem to care that Ryan was watching her. She casually dialed a number right in front of him.

“Hello? Dr. Lee?”

“Yeah, it’s me, Mia. I need a favor.”

“Uh-huh, those meds worked great, but I’m out now. That’s why I’m here to see you.”

Ryan had spent enough time with Mia to know she was a social genius, but hearing her sweet, almost childlike voice still sent a shiver down his spine.

She was a master at this, no doubt about it. She didn’t need to prove it anymore.

Still, as Ryan eavesdropped on the conversation, he couldn’t help but feel confused. Did Mia just mention something about being sick? And medication?

“Yeah, I’m at the back entrance of the hospital. Just send someone to get me.”

“The main entrance is locked down by the cops. They’re such a pain, seriously.”

Mia glanced down at her freshly done nails, looking a bit dissatisfied. She turned and leaned against Ryan, rubbing her shoulder against him as the call ended.

So this was Mia’s plan. Ryan had expected something more… mob-like. Maybe blackmailing a hospital exec or something to get them inside.

But this? This was surprisingly ordinary. He hadn’t expected they’d just walk in as patients.

Not that it mattered how they got in. Ryan’s attention had been on Mia ever since that phone call. He couldn’t shake what she’d said.

Mia was sick? What kind of illness? Was it serious?

Mia noticed Ryan’s gaze and tilted her head slightly, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. But her eyes… there was something off about them, something sad.

Their main goal today was to find that girl with leukemia. They needed to gather information to prepare for what was coming next.

At the same time, Ryan couldn’t stop worrying about Alice and Bella being alone together. He needed to wrap this up quickly and get back to them.

There was already so much weighing on his shoulders. If he had any sense left, he’d focus on the most urgent matters and deal with them first.

The situation outside the hospital had made it clear that things were serious. The crowd really saw him as a monster. They’d probably jump at the chance to turn him in.

Logically, he shouldn’t be getting involved in anything else right now.

But after hearing Mia’s conversation, those words kept echoing in his mind, like seeds of doubt taking root. Dark thoughts started bubbling up.

“Mia, you…”

Ryan hesitated, but he had to ask. He was just now realizing how little he actually knew about Mia.

Sure, they were familiar with each other, but unlike with Alice, he couldn’t say he knew much about Mia beyond her name and what she looked like.

No one had ever really paid attention to Mia, which was probably why she’d been so bold when they first met.

If Mia was hiding something, even Alice might not know about it.

What if she really was sick? What if it was something serious?

“The person coming to get us is here, Ryan. Let’s go.”

Mia acted like she hadn’t heard Ryan’s half-asked question. Her big eyes were focused on the staff elevator. She waved at a familiar-looking nurse and then turned to Ryan.

“Don’t take your mask off when we go in. Everyone in the hospital is wearing one, so no one will notice you.”

“The person you’re looking for is in room 1602 on the 16th floor. I’ve got something to take care of first, but I’ll meet you in about ten minutes.”

“Something to take care of?”

Ryan looked into Mia’s eyes. He had a pretty good idea of what she was going to do, but he didn’t have the guts to call her out on it.

Mia’s expression was firm. She wasn’t giving him a chance to ask any more questions. She nodded her cute little chin and pulled Ryan toward the staff elevator.

The nurse who had come to meet them immediately walked over when she saw Mia. Ryan noticed Mia make a small gesture with her fingers, and whatever the nurse had been about to say, she swallowed it.

From the way the nurse looked at Mia, Ryan could tell something was off. It was the look doctors give their patients—full of pity and sympathy…

The elevator ascended slowly, and when it reached the 16th floor, it let Ryan off. Mia waved energetically as the elevator continued upward. Ryan smiled and waved back, but as soon as the doors closed, his expression turned serious.

The ride had been quiet. Aside from Ryan and Mia, there was only the nurse. Ryan had several chances to ask her about it.

Mia was sick. Ryan was almost certain of it now. But despite that, he hadn’t found the courage to ask her directly before the elevator doors closed.

He knew all too well what asking would mean. It would mean getting involved. It would mean that whatever happened next would be tied to him. He wouldn’t be a bystander anymore. When the time came, he’d have to make a choice.

And right now, Ryan wasn’t ready for that.

Mia’s illness could be something minor. Ryan didn’t want to jump to conclusions based on a few vague hints. But he couldn’t shake the image of the floor numbers on the elevator panel.

Above the 16th floor, the only departments left were Radiology and Oncology.

Which one was Mia headed to?

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