The Viral Savior

Under Julian’s cold, demanding gaze, Lucian swallowed hard. He dared not waste another second and quickly knelt down to examine Sylvie’s condition.

Sylvie was catching her breath, the initial wave of shock slowly subsiding. "I felt a sharp pain in my chest when I first landed," she whispered, her voice weak and strained. "But now I just feel numb all over. I can't move my arm at all. Other than that, I think I am fine."

Lucian frowned, his hands moving professionally to check her vitals. "Nonsense. You jumped from a height of six meters. You are lucky to be alive right now."

Sylvie offered a weak, awkward smile. "When I saw Hayes falling... I panicked. I didn't think about the height. I just couldn't let anything happen to him."

At that moment, she had ignored her own safety. Her only instinct was to shield Hayes. It was the raw drive of a mother protecting her child.

Looking at her pale, battered face, Lucian felt a sudden, profound respect for this woman.

Julian stood over them, his dark eyes fixed on Sylvie. His expression was unreadable, filled with a complex, swirling depth that he had never shown to anyone before.

After a brief examination, Lucian let out a breath of relief. "Fortunately, the bouncy castle broke your fall. No internal bleeding. However, your left arm is fractured. We need to get you to the hospital to set the bone."

Hearing this, the tight knot in Julian’s brow finally eased. He stood up straight, his rigid posture relaxing just a fraction.

Just then, the mall manager stepped forward. He was pale and sweating, his hands shaking as he bowed repeatedly. "Mr. Sterling, I am deeply sorry! This was a terrible accident. Our mall takes full responsibility. We will cover all medical expenses for the lady and the young master. We will also shut down the play area to reinforce all safety barriers."

The man's apology was desperate and sincere.

Yet, Julian's handsome face remained expressionless. He didn't even look at the manager. His thin lips parted, releasing a voice as cold as ice. "No need. There is no need for this mall to open ever again. Also, tell the woman who pushed my son to turn herself in to the police before the sun sets."

Without waiting for a response, Julian scooped Hayes up into his arms and walked away. His tall, commanding figure projected an overwhelming aura of authority.

The remaining crowd watched him go, shuddering under the weight of his words. The sheer power of this man was terrifying. With a single sentence, he had destroyed a multi-million dollar business.

Within half an hour, the shocking incident at Zenith Galleria exploded across the internet, claiming the top spots on every social media platform.

Someone in the crowd had recognized Julian and 'Giselle,' and the news quickly transformed into a national sensation.

The trending hashtags dominated the feeds:

#Giselle saves her son#

#Sterling heir survives fall#

High-definition videos of the terrifying leap circulated rapidly, showing Sylvie diving off the balcony to shield the boy in mid-air.

Netizens flooded the comments with praise.

"Oh my god, that was close! My heart stopped!"

"Giselle is incredible! She didn't hesitate."

"This proves how much she loves her family. She is a true hero!"

"She is the perfect match for Mr. Sterling!"

At the Sterling Manor in Ashbourne, the elder Sterling couple watched the news in shock.

"How dangerous! It was so close!" Julian’s mother gasped.

Julian's father stared at the screen, impressed. "Giselle always seemed so cold and detached toward Hayes. She was always focused on her work and barely spent time with him. But to think she would risk her own life for the boy at such a critical moment... Excellent. This is a true mother."

His wife nodded in firm agreement. "Yes. I will definitely acknowledge her as our daughter-in-law now."

At that very moment, in a dark, desolate room on the other side of the city, the real Giselle was enduring a living nightmare.

She had been locked away for two grueling days. Her wrists and ankles were bound tightly with thick hemp rope, and a heavy layer of gauze was stuffed deep into her mouth, silencing her cries. Clive Garrick had injected her with drugs that drained every ounce of strength from her muscles, leaving her helpless against his brutal abuse. She was in a state of constant agony.

Suddenly, the sound of a television broadcast from the outer room filtered through the heavy wooden door.

"An update on the shocking accident at Zenith Galleria. Julian Sterling’s wife disregarded her own safety, jumping from the second floor to save their young son from a fatal fall..."

Julian? Her son?

Giselle’s eyes went wide. Summoning every bit of energy left in her drugged body, she dragged herself across the cold, dirty floor. She crawled toward the door, pressing her face against the narrow crack at the bottom to catch a glimpse of the screen outside.

When she saw the news footage, a wave of pure emotional collapse washed over her.

That wasn't her! That was Sylvie!

That wretched girl had promised she would never show up in front of Julian again. Yet, there she was, shopping with Julian and playing the heroic mother to Hayes. Sylvie was stealing her life, her husband, and her future!

A wild, murderous rage consumed Giselle. She thrashed against the ropes, her body shaking as she tried to break free. Muffled, furious screams tore from her throat. "Mmph! Mmmph!" She wanted to claw Sylvie’s eyes out. She wanted to kill her.

Hearing the sudden commotion, the door swung open.

Clive Garrick stepped into the room, looking down at her writhing, desperate form with a cruel, mocking sneer. "It seems as though you still have some strength left."

Giselle could only stare up at him, her eyes wide with helpless despair, letting out muffled protests as he stepped closer.