Anshika's Pov:

As the adrenaline began to fade, I sat the old man upright and quickly assessed the situation. His breathing was shallow, and the blood pooling beneath him was a stark reminder of how dire this moment was. "We need to get him to a hospital," I said, urgency lacing my voice.

I turned to my driver, who had remained silent through the chaos. "Drive! We need to get to the nearest hospital, now!"

He didn't hesitate, slamming the accelerator as the SUV lurched forward, the tires screeching against the asphalt. I held the old man steady, glancing at his pale face, recognizing the desperation in his eyes. Who was this man? Why was he targeted? Questions buzzed in my mind like angry bees, but there was no time for answers.

"Stay with me," I urged, trying to keep him conscious. "Help is on the way." His eyes flickered open, and he looked at me with a mixture of gratitude and fear.

"Why...?" he gasped, his voice barely audible.

"Just hold on," I insisted, trying to remain calm even as the panic clawed at my insides. The city flashed by in a blur, my heart racing in sync with the rhythm of the sirens that wailed in the distance.

I could feel the weight of my own injuries, a sharp pain in my shoulder reminding me of the bullet that had grazed me. But I pushed it aside; I couldn't afford to falter now. My focus was solely on the old man. He was a stranger to me, yet at this moment, his life was intertwined with mine in the most profound way.

"Please... help me..." he murmured, his strength waning.

"I'm right here," I reassured him, squeezing his hand gently. "We're almost there. Just keep breathing."

As we approached the hospital, the driver navigated the chaotic streets, weaving through traffic like a seasoned pro. The panic and confusion of the earlier scene faded into the background, replaced by the stark reality of the situation at hand.

Finally, we arrived. The driver pulled up to the entrance, and before the SUV had even fully stopped, I was out of my seat, rushing to the rear door to pull the old man out. "Get a stretcher!" I shouted to the nearby staff who were quickly responding to the commotion.

With a team of medical professionals rushing to our side, they swiftly took over. I stepped back, breathless, watching as they assessed the old man's condition. "He needs immediate care!" I urged, but deep down, I felt a shiver of uncertainty. What would happen to him? Would he survive?

"Ma'am, you need to step aside," one of the nurses insisted gently but firmly. I nodded, stepping back into the background, my heart racing as I watched the scene unfold.

With every second, my mind raced through possibilities. I knew nothing about him, yet I had risked everything to save a man I didn't know. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

As the medical team wheeled him away, I leaned against the wall, my mind swirling. The pain in my shoulder flared, but I ignored it. I had questions. I needed to know who this man was and why he had been targeted.

"Who was he?" I whispered to myself, frustration bubbling within me.

As the medical team wheeled the old man into the emergency room, my mind was racing. I had completely forgotten about the important meeting I was supposed to attend today. How could I let this happen?

I paced outside the ER, anxiety gnawing at my insides. I needed to get my laptop and get back to work, but first, I had to ensure my own injuries were treated. The pain in my shoulder was a constant reminder of the earlier chaos, but I refused to let it slow me down.

"Excuse me!" I called a nurse passing by. "Can you point me to the nearest waiting area? I need to grab my laptop."

She nodded, her expression understanding. "It's just down the hall. But please, make sure you get that shoulder looked at too."

"I will, I promise!" I replied, waving her off as I hurried in the direction she indicated.

As I reached the waiting area, I quickly spotted my laptop bag tucked away on a bench, looking so out of place in the sterile environment of the hospital. I snatched it up and turned to head back, but I hesitated for a moment. I could feel the throbbing pain in my shoulder increasing, but I had no time to dwell on it. I needed to focus on the meeting.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way back towards the emergency room. I knew that if I didn't get myself treated soon, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything else.

Once inside, I approached the receptionist at the desk. "Excuse me, I need to see a doctor as soon as possible. I've sustained an injury."

She looked up from her computer, her eyes widening slightly as she took in my dishevelled appearance and the blood seeping through my blouse. "Oh my, yes, let me get someone for you right away."

Within moments, a doctor rushed over, concern etched on his face. "What happened? Let's take a look at that shoulder."

I quickly explained the situation, my voice steady despite the urgency of my surroundings. He examined my shoulder, and I winced as he pressed on the wound.

"It looks like you've been shot," he stated, his voice matter-of-fact but laced with concern. "We need to get you stabilised before we can treat the old man further."

"Please, I can't—" I began, but he interrupted me.

"Your health comes first. We'll make this as quick as we can."

Reluctantly, I nodded, realising the truth in his words. If I didn't take care of myself, I wouldn't be able to help anyone else, including the old man.

"Can we speed this up? I have a meeting I need to get to," I insisted, trying to keep my tone respectful but firm.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my urgency, but he merely smiled. "I'll do my best. Let's get you in for some quick treatment."

He led me to an examination room, where I was swiftly assessed and prepped for a local anaesthetic. As I sat there, the reality of the day began to weigh heavily on me. I couldn't shake the image of the old man from my mind.

"Do you know who he is?" I asked the doctor as he prepared the necessary equipment.

"No, I'm afraid I don't," he replied, his brow furrowed in concentration. "But once he's stable, I'm sure he'll be able to share that information."

I nodded, but my thoughts were elsewhere. I wanted answers, and I wanted them now. But first, I had to get through this treatment.

As the doctor worked, I focused on my breathing, counting the seconds until I could finally return to my team and handle the business waiting for me. I needed to be strong, not just for myself but for everyone depending on me.

Once the procedure was complete, I felt a wave of relief wash over me, mingled with the lingering pain in my shoulder. I stood up, thanking the doctor for his assistance, and headed towards the exit of the ER.

My laptop felt heavy on my shoulder as I made my way back into the waiting area, but it was nothing compared to the weight in my heart. The old man was in there, fighting for his life, and I couldn't just leave him behind. I paused, biting my lip as I glanced toward the emergency room door.

"Go back to the mansion," I told my driver, my voice firmer than I felt. "And don't say anything. Just... go."

He nodded, clearly surprised, but he didn't press me for details. I watched as he walked to the car, the driver's door creaking open before he slid in. My heart raced; I couldn't shake the feeling that I was making a mistake, but I needed to stay here, at least for a little while longer.

Once I was sure he had left the vicinity, I turned back toward the emergency room and found a waiting chair just outside the door. I could hear the beeping of machines and the murmurs of medical staff inside. It was a sterile environment that felt both familiar and foreign, each sound echoing with urgency.

Taking a deep breath, I settled into the chair and pulled my laptop from the bag. The cold metal felt reassuring against my fingertips. I opened it and quickly navigated to my messaging app, mentally bracing myself for what lay ahead. I needed to notify my board members that I could only join the meeting online.

Just as I began typing, my mind racing with thoughts of the meeting's agenda, I glanced back toward the ER door. What if something happened to him? What if he didn't make it? The idea twisted my stomach into knots. I needed to know he was alright.

With determination, I sent a quick message to my board:

"I'm unable to attend the meeting in person but will join online shortly. Please proceed without me."

After hitting send, I closed the laptop and placed it on my lap, my fingers tapping nervously against the keyboard. Time dragged on, each second stretching into eternity. I felt the weight of my decision bearing down on me, and I hated myself for feeling so helpless.

I leaned back in the chair, closing my eyes for a moment to gather my thoughts. I couldn't let fear consume me; I had to be strong. Suddenly, a commotion from inside the ER drew my attention.

The door swung open, and a nurse emerged, her scrubs splattered with a mix of blood and antiseptic. I felt my heart leap into my throat.

"Is he alright?" I asked, urgency lacing my voice.

The nurse nodded, her expression serious yet kind. "He's stable for now. We managed to stop the bleeding. But he needs to be monitored closely."

Relief washed over me, but it was accompanied by an overwhelming sense of responsibility. "Can I see him?"

The nurse hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Just for a minute. He's awake but still in recovery."

I stood up, adrenaline rushing through my veins. I followed her into the room, where the old man lay on the hospital bed, his face pale but his eyes flickering open.

"Who...?" he murmured, struggling to focus on me.

"It's Anshika," I said softly, stepping closer. "You're going to be alright. You're in the hospital, and they're taking care of you."

He blinked slowly, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. "The girl... the shooting..."

"Shh, don't try to talk too much," I urged, glancing at the nurse, who was checking his vitals. "You need to rest."

His gaze drifted past me, and I followed it to the window. "I was supposed to... meet someone," he mumbled, confusion clouding his expression.

I leaned in, hoping to bring him back to the present. "You're safe now. Focus on getting better."

As I looked into his eyes, I felt a strange connection to this man I barely knew. He was a victim of circumstances beyond our control, just like me, and somehow, I had become entwined in his fate.

The nurse nodded to me, indicating it was time to let him rest. Reluctantly, I stepped back. "I'll be right outside. You're not alone, okay?"

He offered a faint smile, and I couldn't help but return it before leaving the room. Once outside, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the next steps.