Last night, George didn't work late, so he got the news at home and then informed his assistant to clear his schedule for the morning.
So, if there are any clues, they should be in George's study.
However...
Hawk still couldn't leave, after all, a son-in-law is half a son.
Things are like that.
Gwen watched Hawk walk over after his call, and she threw herself into his arms, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Hawk, my dad..."
"Don't worry, George will be fine."
Hawk held Gwen, comforting her, and looked down at Gwen, whose eyes were already red, and said softly, "Do you remember the gift I gave George when we came back for Christmas?"
Gwen looked up with tears in her eyes, recalling the gift Hawk gave at the family dinner when they returned from Waterfall Town.
"A feather?"
"That's the Nirvana Phoenix Feather."
Hawk tugged at the corner of his mouth: "That was from my Divine Authority, the Phoenix doesn't die, it only undergoes Nirvana."
Anyone holding the Nirvana Phoenix Feather, as long as they die, can be reborn on the spot.
Because 'Nirvana' is from his Divine Authority.
When the Phoenix Heart initially went all-in on him, 'Immortality' and 'Nirvana' could only be used by himself.
To grant 'Nirvana' to others, according to the rules, he would have to wait until his Phoenix Cosmos materialized completely.
But he cheated.
Even though the Phoenix Cosmos hasn't materialized yet, Hawk used the Reality Gemstone to keep his Phoenix Cosmos in a quantum state between 'Reality' and 'Illusion'.
Because of this, he can barely bless others.
But...
'Nirvana' is from Divine Authority, it's quite formal, and after he got the Reality Gemstone, the Phoenix Cosmos only produced two 'Nirvana' slots.
When Hawk returned from Waterfall Town and heard George's case wasn't finished, he decided to switch the tie he had prepared with the Nirvana Phoenix Feather for George.
George was initially puzzled but eventually accepted it with a smile.
After all, the Phoenix Feather imbued with 'Nirvana' is quite magnificent and beautiful.
So...
George won't die, only undergo Nirvana.
"It's just..."
"What?"
Gwen also remembered Hawk briefly mentioning the effectiveness of the Nirvana Phoenix Feather after they got home, and she had just breathed a sigh of relief, but then saw Hawk hesitating, and her heart skipped a beat again.
"What's wrong?"
"George probably won't need it."
"What?"
Gwen was slightly stunned, and then she seemed to think of something: "That feather was put away by mom, saying it could be a specimen. Is it because he didn't bring it?"
Watching Gwen about to run home to fetch the Nirvana Phoenix Feather, Hawk quickly grabbed her: "What I mean is, for the Nirvana Phoenix Feather to take effect, there's a prerequisite."
Gwen blinked, then seemed to realize something.
"Dad has to... die first?"
"Yes, without death, there's no Nirvana."
Hawk shrugged.
The Phoenix doesn't die, only undergoes Nirvana. It doesn't mean the Phoenix truly doesn't die, but rather that after dying, the Phoenix goes through a Nirvana process and returns.
Just like the last time Hawk faced Dark Elf Malekith at London Stonehenge.
He died.
Mephisto, who was there between life and death offering him a drink, can attest to that.
But he returned through Nirvana.
So—
To undergo Nirvana, one must die first.
But although George's injuries were severe, Hawk didn't feel the Netherworld summoning him, so most likely George wouldn't need Nirvana.
Gwen blinked.
"Netherworld?"
"Yeah."
Hawk looked at Gwen, who seemed a bit puzzled: "You forgot, I took control of the life and death authority of everyone related to me from Mephisto to the Netherworld. George is your dad, also my future father-in-law, so naturally, his soul is under Netherworld's jurisdiction."
Coming to this:
Hawk raised an eyebrow, looking at Gwen: "So, look on the bright side, even if George is in trouble, at least he's going to our Netherworld, not Hell."
Hearing Hawk's comforting words, Gwen opened her mouth, feeling something indescribable.
Hawk shrugged: "Even if George goes back to the Netherworld, it's like returning home. I can't just throw George into the Nether Prison, making him experience what coldness and ruthlessness are with Alexander Pierce in the Frozen Nether Prison."
Listening to Hawk comforting her by joking about sending her dad's soul to the Nether Prison to suffer, Gwen couldn't help but laugh.
"Hawk."
"Yeah."
"If you dare throw dad into the Nether Prison, I'll bite you to death while you sleep."
Gwen broke into a smile through her tears, looked fiercely at Hawk, then took a deep breath, and looked seriously at Hawk: "So, dad will be okay?"
Hawk nodded as he faced Gwen's reddened eyes: "I promise."
If it were anyone else lying in there, Gwen would have relaxed after hearing his explanation once.
But it was George lying in there; it was her dad.
So...
Anxiety clouds judgment.
So it's natural for Gwen to want to hear his assurance multiple times.
In the middle of speaking.
Click!
Helen watched as the operating room light suddenly went out and instinctively shouted, "Gwen!"
Gwen turned her head to look, also seeing the operating room lights had gone out. She glanced back at Hawk, then the two of them walked over to Helen's side.
After a while.
The door to the operating room opened, and the lead surgeon took off his mask.
Helen, Gwen, and Detective Hale quickly moved forward.
The doctor appeared relaxed, without any pretense of suspense or a stern face.
After all, that was for ordinary patients.
For police department members, if he dared to keep a stern face and stir up suspense, who knows if some hot-tempered officer might directly pull out a gun and shoot him.
So…
"The surgery was very successful."
"However, the patient lost a lot of blood and still needs observation, but if there are no issues after twenty-four hours, there should be no problems at all."
"Oh, God!"
"George!"
"Dad!"
As soon as the lead surgeon spoke, Hale exclaimed "God," while Helen and Gwen exchanged a glance and hugged each other.
Whether it was Helen or Gwen, the tension and worry on their faces almost visibly disappeared.
Soon.
George, still lying on the hospital bed with a breathing tube, remained unconscious as he was pushed out of the operating room and taken to the VIP room of the New York Police Department's partner hospital.
After all, George was the captain of the Twenty-First District. Although he didn't earn much annually, he still held some authority in New York City.
To put it this way.
Underneath the surface, George had a decent standing in New York City.
The VIP room was fully equipped with various instruments.
George lay quietly on the bed, still in a coma.
Helen sat beside him, holding George's left hand with both hands, staring intently at him on the bed.
Hale had just left.
She went to support Detective Mahoney, and after communication between the deputy captain of the Twenty-First District and the Twelfth District, Detective Kate Beckett from the crime scene of the Twelfth District and Detective Mahoney formed a joint investigation.
Detective Beckett from the Twelfth District was responsible for the on-site clues.
Detective Mahoney was gathering manpower, planning to start with the surveillance to see if there might be any clues about the gunman.
Hawk and Gwen walked in from outside, carrying the lunch they had just bought.
Gwen walked to Helen's side.
"Mom, have something to eat. Dad will be fine; the doctor said the surgery went well."
"Yes, I know."
Helen had gradually reacted from her initial panic, looked at the still unconscious George, forced a small smile, nodded, and then looked at Hawk standing beside her: "Hawk, thank you."
Hawk smiled and said, "Mom, it's what I should do."
Upon hearing this, Helen glanced at Hawk: "Didn't you say you wouldn't dare say that in front of George?"
Hawk shrugged: "If George can hear it and then wake up, that would be even better."
Upon hearing this, Helen pressed her lips and said nothing more, but looked at Hawk and slightly nodded.
Hawk smiled slightly, said nothing more either, and turned his gaze to George on the bed, still unconscious but breathing evenly.
With his Sixth Sense enveloping him, he could clearly feel that George's body functions, though slow, were recovering in an orderly manner. At this rate, after a night's rest, George might be able to open his eyes and return to the world.
Yes.
Just like what the lead surgeon had just said.
On that side, with Gwen's support, Helen sat on the nearby dining chair, opened the packed meal handed over by Gwen, then suddenly paused and looked at Gwen.
"Oh right, Gwen, Howard and Simon."
"Don't worry, Mom."
Gwen smiled slightly, opening the packed soup container while speaking: "Hawk already thought of that, and a delivery rider is already bringing them food to the restaurant."
Upon hearing this, Helen breathed a sigh of relief and shook her head: "Those two still need someone to watch over them. If you and Hawk are free this afternoon, go help me take care of Howard and Simon."
Gwen exchanged a glance with Hawk standing by the bedside.
Hawk nodded and said: "No problem."
Gwen also looked at Helen: "Then we'll come to replace you in the evening, Mom."
Helen shook her head.
"No need, I'll just stay here with George."
"But…"
"It's fine."
Gwen was just about to say something when Hawk had already walked behind Gwen, taking over the conversation: "Then we'll cook dinner at home and pack a portion to bring you."
Helen looked at Hawk, smiled, then turned to Gwen: "See, Hawk understands me."
With a smile on his face, Hawk knew: "Understand what?"
Of course, it's that parents are true love, children are just accidents!
In one sentence.
If Helen and George weren't true love, Helen wouldn't have chosen to have Howard and Simon for George eight years after having Gwen.
So—
Helen and George are true love!
...