Since coming to New York City this time, Catherine hasn't been as unruly as she was last century.
After all, Hawk is in New York City.
During her time in New York City, she's mainly been consolidating the assets she's left across the Federation over the centuries, and after selling quite a few, she's purchased a property near Palm Street.
This way, she'll be closer to Hawk, and if the Ancestral Vampire Klaus comes without warning, she can quickly seek refuge with Hawk.
Catherine really doesn't understand this Blood Red Apocalypse that Hawk mentioned.
But no worries.
Even though she hasn't done much during this time in New York City, she still knows a few Vampire gathering spots.
So if this Blood Red Apocalypse is related to the Vampires in New York City,
Catherine feels she can find out quickly.
And it's an opportunity.
A smart girl knows how to take the initiative.
So...
After speaking, Catherine directly looked at Hawk, "Once I find out, will I notify you immediately?"
Hawk glanced at Gwen, who was still locking eyes with the silent George, and nodded.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Catherine smiled, then glanced at Gwen but chose not to greet her, turning and leaving the ward instead.
After Catherine left the ward, Hawk looked at the somewhat desolate George, coughed lightly to catch Gwen's attention.
"Gwen."
"Hm?"
"Later, we'll go to Howard and Simon's school, arrange their withdrawal, and then have them attend a public school."
"Hm... what?"
Gwen blinked, looking at Hawk who suddenly said this.
George also looked up at Hawk at this moment.
Hawk, hands in pockets, looked at Gwen and continued: "Oh, and that apartment that Helen, Simon, and Howard are currently living in, remember to contact a real estate agent first thing tomorrow, to avoid it being auctioned by the court next year when the property tax can't be paid."
Gwen's expression shifted from puzzled to realization, cooperating with Hawk's act.
"How could the property tax not be paid next year? Dad's salary and the police station's subsidy can easily cover that cost."
"The salary is only as good as you're alive, what if George doesn't want to live anymore?"
"... If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Dad would never not want to live."
Hearing this, Gwen rolled her eyes at Hawk, then couldn't help but speak as she looked at George sitting by the bed, watching Hawk: "Right, dad?"
George remained silent, just looking at Hawk.
"See."
"He's not speaking."
"So, it's better to sell houses that need selling, use the proceeds as retirement money for Helen, and as for Howard and Simon, if it really can't be helped, they can enter the foster care system."
"I won't be taking care of them anyway."
"If you insist on taking care of them, I'd have to seriously reconsider whether we should get married."
"After all..."
"Voldemort is quite terrifying."
"..."
Ignoring George's gaze, Hawk continued speaking to himself, his expression showing genuine fear when mentioning Voldemort.
After all, it's the truth.
As everyone knows.
Voldemort is truly terrifying.
Just then.
George spoke, his voice as deep and serious as always.
"Hawk, you don't need to provoke me with words."
"Provoke?"
Hawk was slightly taken aback, looked at George, and smiled, "I'm not provoking you. If you don't even plan on supporting your own family, why would I rush to take on the responsibilities that rightfully belong to you."
George's face was expressionless: "I won't need you to take them on."
Standing to the side, Gwen nervously watched George.
"Dad..."
"Don't worry."
George regained his composure, smiled at Gwen, and then, under her gaze, removed all the medical equipment attached to him from the bed, hugged Gwen tightly without moving too fast or too hard, his voice gentle.
"How could I ever leave you and mom behind?"
"Dad!"
Gwen hugged George tightly, looking at Hawk with eyes full of gratitude, her emerald green eyes almost speaking words of thanks.
Hawk smiled slightly.
At that moment.
The ward door was pushed open again, and an officer standing by the door came in with his phone, looking at George who had already gotten off the bed and was hugging his daughter: "Chief, someone named Ben Urick is calling for you, says he's a friend of yours."
George raised an eyebrow, attempted to take the phone but suddenly paused.
Seeing this, Hawk took the phone from the officer and gestured at him. After the officer left, he set the phone to speaker mode and placed it in front of George.
George gave a glance at Hawk, who just said he was ready to die a second ago, and the next second, was okay with breaking up with his daughter. Then, after organizing his thoughts, he spoke in a deep voice.
"This is George Stacy."
"Chief Stacy, great, it seems you've recovered."
The voice on the other end of the phone sounded young, but there was an incongruous hint of age, as if an old man was speaking in a young person's voice.
George frowned.
"Who are you, and where's Ben?"
"I am... heh, Chief Stacy, we're the same kind now, don't you know who we are?"
"...Vampire!"
George's voice was low and tinged with anger: "You've turned Ben into a Vampire too?"