Chapter 192 - Visiting Victims

Adrian and Katherine reached the hospital in twenty minutes as it was nearest to the company. 

Before getting down from the car, Adrian said, " Better you stay in the car. I know how the situation is inside" with a worried expression.

" Whatever the situation is, I will be with you " She replied and got down the car and said, ' let's go inside'

He sighed and said, " Okay. But if I sense any problem to you. I will send you out of the hospital immediately"

She nodded her head and walked towards him. They both walked inside the hospital.

When they stepped inside the lobby, they heard the mourning of the victim's family members. Slowly they took steps towards the direction and noticed the burning of the victims and heard the painful cries of the victims. As soon as the family members of the victims came to know about their identity, they lashed out at them.

One of the victim's mothers came up towards them and said, " I can't believe that you had the nerve to come here. Have you no shame at all to show your faces to us? You capitalists only care about fattening your pockets. You never care about the safety of the employees. Look at my son, how he is suffering because of your greed and your carelessness in safety measures! If anything happens to him then I don't leave you" she berated while showing her finger towards Adrian's nose.

Adrian endured her words and bowed his head in guilt. He doesn't understand what to say after witnessing his employee's condition.

" We are sorry about what happened. We will assure you to take the remaining responsibilities. We are here because we still care for our employees. Whatever happened it was an accident but still, we are trying to investigate what is the reason for the fire accident even though we are always given priority for the safety measures of the employee " Katherine informed them.

" Who are you? " one of the men in the group asked.

" I am Mrs Katherine Wilson," she replied.

Then she continued, " We will take responsibility for the medical expenses of all the victims and also the family's basic needs until they recover completely. We know it's difficult to see our beloved ones in pain" 

She too lowered her head to show their remorse and said, " Aunt, we are sorry for what happened to your son. Please give us a chance " 

Then Adrian stepped out forward and said, " We will take the blame for the incident as it happened in our company. But please, believe me, I am not one of those capitalists who think of profit, indeed I think of the welfare of my employees. As my wife assured you all, we will take the responsibilities…" in a sad voice.

People gathered around them suddenly, one of the men pointed at Katherine and said, " She looks familiar. I am sure that I saw her somewhere…"

" Oh...I remember. Is she one whom Mr Wilson married after breaking the engagement with Miss. Green. Isn't it? It was in the news a few days back" one person doubted.

" Yeah...she is the one, " another person answered.

" I too heard that she is the wife of Mr Wilson as he gave an interview to the media in one of the events recently. " another person confirmed.

" How could she break his engagement and marry him! Is it because she is a greedy woman! " another person commented.

Soon, the room filled with murmurs of the group of people. As the sick room was not so big, Adrian and Katherine would hear them. Katherine felt bad to feel humiliated by the people around her but remained calm as it was the situation to prove her fidelity.

" We are here to take responsibility for the incident but not to hear your stupid gossips about our relationship. It was her suggestion to visit the hospital and stand with all in a difficult time. You have no right to judge her. It's better if you all hold your tongue " Adrian said in a serious 

tone.

By holding her hand, he said in a stern voice, " Insulting my wife is insulting me"

Katherine pressed her hand to control his anger and signalled with her eyes to stay calm.

Meanwhile, one of the people lying on the bed walked towards with a bandaged hand and said, " Boss... My name is Mr Lewis Ornald, technical head." He introduced himself.

" All employees of the company knew about your gratitude for us. Please ignore the comments of our families. Our employees know very well about the changes you made recently about the welfare of the employee by surveying the manufacturing plant. We felt glad about your thoughts on that day " Lewis stated.

Adrian was happy and also confused about the survey he mentioned. Just in time, Katherine scratched his palm with her finger secretly and blinked her eyes.

" Okay. We will leave…" Adrian informed them and both turned away to leave the sickroom.

" Ad...Do you think about the two men who died due to the fire accident! " Katherine whispered so that no one could hear their conversation.

….

After walking far away from the ward, Adrian sat on the wooden bench in the corridor holding his head with both hands. He looked so upset with the incident. He had no idea how to solve the problem. And most importantly, he doesn't know how to face the family of the two-person weaselled.

" Ad...everything will be alright " she tried to support him.

" How Kathie!! How can I show my face to them! " He asked in a low voice.

" I can understand your situation but we need to face it. I am there with you. Let's go…" she said, holding his arm.

…..

They thought the victim's family would be weeping at the place. But to the contrary of their thoughts, they were shocked to see the scene before their eyes. They noticed a young woman who was sitting in a wooden chair as if her body had become lifeless. A little distance away from the young woman, they saw an old woman who was crying silently. The scene in front of their eyes broke both of their hearts into pieces. 

Unsteadily Katherine approached the young woman and placed her hand on the young woman's shoulder. That woman raised her head and looked at Katherine then asked, " Who are you! " 

" I am Mrs Wilson. We are sorry for your loss. We are here to console you and…" the young woman cut off Katherine's words in the middle.

" Sorry…"

" This five-letter word cannot bring his life back " the young woman yelled angrily at Katherine.

Katherine saw anger in her eyes and remained quiet as her anger on them was justified. She bowed her head.

" Tell me...How will you console me! Do you know what I am going through in my heart! Can your words or money bring my love back? Do you know how much it pains to see the beloved ones dead? " she shouted at her.

" We planned to get married next week. All my happiness broke off in one day. All my future dreams with him shattered because of your negligence " she spotted out.

" I can understand your pain. Please try to understand that we are also in shock about this incident. We care for our employees that's why we are here, " Adrian explained.

" Understand my pain!! Huh! " she said sarcastically.

" You can only understand my pain when you lose your beloved one," she said to Adrian.

Adrian's expression changed all of a sudden by her words. The thought of losing his loved ones made his mind numb. He stood before her speechless.

" I don't want anything from you. Get lost from this place. I am feeling disgusted to see the face of a criminal like you " she cried.

" Can't you hear what is telling! " the old woman who was crying silently came towards them and said in a serious tone.

" You are a criminal. You killed my son and made me homeless at this age. Not only that you killed her fiance and made her life colourless. Two people died because of you. God will surely punish you for your sins " she cursed Adrian.

" Auntie...please believe us. We are not the kind of people who keep others' lives at risk" Adrian tried to explain.

" Just leave from this place " the young woman gripped Adrian's suit and pushed him angrily.

" Ad... let's go from here…" Katherine held his hands and dragged him out of the hospital.

….

They walked out in silence. They noticed the media people, cameras and lighting focusing on them. They tried to block their way and surround them to know the details of the incident. Just in time, Duke and the managerial staff stopped them and escorted both to the car.

" Ad...I will drive the car for today " Katherine said and took the keys from him as she knew how upset he was.

He sat quietly in the passenger seat then Katherine ignited the engine.. She drove the car while glancing at Adrian in the middle whereas he was lost in his thoughts.