Chapter 326: Chapter 326: Electrolyte Powder

Hence, when he met Pearl, he had fallen not just in love... he had fallen into the possibility of having a family, a future, a home.

Pearl, despite the slight age gap of almost seven to eight years between them, felt drawn to Keith as well, attracted by his sincerity and the security he provided.

Pearl’s parents had objected vigorously. They accused him of grooming because of the age difference, protested loudly, and refused to bless their marriage.

But over time, when they saw how devoted Keith was... how he never once crossed a line, how he respected Pearl more than anything, they slowly let go of their prejudice.

And gradually, Keith built beautiful memories with Pearl. She became his refuge, his dream, the blood relative he never had, the wife he wished to cherish for the rest of his life.

Before Pearl, Keith had never touched any woman.

Not even when fame had brought countless temptations.

He had grown up watching his father worship his mother with unwavering devotion, a love so pure that Keith had wished for the same kind.

He wanted a wife he could adore sincerely, someone who would remain by his side through every storm.

That was why today’s fear broke him so deeply.

If Pearl died, Keith knew he would die with her.

But now... now he had a sliver of hope. Ember’s words ignited a flicker of life inside him once more, and he clung to it desperately.

Ten minutes passed.

And just when Keith feared Kael might not return, Kael rushed in through the doorway, breathless, but with a woman beside him. A woman with flowing pink hair and an aura so calm it felt unreal.

However, Keith barely spared her a glance. His eyes, wide with desperation, locked onto the saline bottle in Kael’s hand as if it were a bar of solid gold, a treasure more valuable than life itself.

Kael bypassed Keith without any delay and handed the saline directly to Dr. Hale.

"Administer this to Pearl," he instructed firmly.

Dr. Hale nodded immediately. She didn’t ask about the source of the saline, nor did she question the sudden appearance of an extra bottle.

Ivy was, after all, the representative of the base... having access to reserve supplies was expected.

Without hesitation, Dr. Hale prepared the IV and inserted the needle into Pearl’s arm with practiced efficiency.

As the saline began to drip, Keith finally breathed.

Hope, warm, overwhelming, and blinding, flooded his eyes.

Pearl might live.

Just as Keith thought things were finally stabilizing, Dr. Hale checked Pearl’s condition again, and her expression darkened.

She said in a grave voice, "She needs an energy drink or electrolyte immediately. If not, she may slip into a coma soon."

Hearing those words, Keith’s face drained of all color.

His knees nearly buckled as he turned frantically toward Kael and Ember, eyes pleading for a miracle, for anything at all that could save Pearl.

Ember’s worry spiked instantly as she looked at Ivy, silently asking if there was something they could do.

Ivy didn’t hesitate for even a second. She stepped forward and said, "I have electrolyte powder. I’ll get it for her."

The relief that washed through Keith’s eyes was painful to witness.

But Ember... Ember felt her chest tighten with shame.

’I’m the older sister... I should be protecting her, yet Ivy is the one protecting everyone around me.’

Unable to stop herself, Ember lowered her head and murmured, "I’m sorry."

Ivy blinked, surprised for a moment before letting out a soft breath, shaking her head gently.

"Why are you apologizing to your own sister?" Ivy said, her tone calm and steady. "We’re family. Sisters don’t need to say sorry to each other."

Ember looked at Ivy, her eyes softening as something warm spread through her chest. A small smile tugged at her lips, the guilt easing just a little.

Meanwhile, Ivy’s mind drifted back to her previous life, specifically to a moment engraved deeply within her heart. She had once encountered one of her closest friends who was starving to the point of collapse.

Ivy had been terrified and desperate, ready to beg Ember for food. But even before Ivy could utter a plea, Ember had silently placed her own meal into Ivy’s hands.

Back then, food was a scarce treasure. They barely had enough to keep themselves alive.

Yet Ember had trusted Ivy’s judgment so much that she allowed Ivy to hand their only nourishment to a complete stranger, all because Ivy had asked.

’Ember has always been like this... willing to sacrifice for others, yet feeling guilty when she shouldn’t.’

Shaking away the painful memory, Ivy lifted her hand and, with a gentle wave, dozens of electrolyte powder packets materialized in her palm.

Gasps echoed faintly around them from those who noticed, but Ivy ignored them.

She immediately handed the packets to Dr. Hale, who, without asking any questions, quickly prepared a solution and carefully fed it to Pearl.

Once Ivy saw Pearl swallowing the drink, she turned to Dr. Hale and instructed,

"Inform the person in charge that electrolyte powder has arrived. They need to send a truck to transport it to the hospital immediately."

Dr. Hale nodded, her usual stern expression easing ever so slightly. "Understood. I’ll inform them right away."

But before either of them could take another breath...

A blur rushed from the crowd.

Someone sprinted directly toward Ivy, fury burning in his eyes, his posture screaming violence. He lunged with both hands outstretched as if intending to shove or attack her.

However, before he could even reach within a meter of Ivy, Ember moved.

She didn’t hesitate. She curled her body like a human ball and launched a powerful kick straight into the man’s abdomen.

The impact echoed through the hospital space.

The man tumbled backward and hit the floor with a scream, curling up in pain.

In an instant, the chaotic hospital atmosphere fell completely silent.

Every eye snapped to Ember, Ivy, and the fallen man. Shock painted the faces of those who had witnessed the sudden confrontation.

"What’s going on?"

"Did he attack her?"

"Why... why would someone charge at the representative?"

The murmurs grew louder as people tried to understand what they had just seen.