Chapter 1999 Reputation
âAll right, letâs take him there now. Nic, settle the hospital discharge for Wilbur.â âGot it,â Nicholas replied before walking toward the hospital reception with Mabel in tow. âNic, if Nicole examines Wilbur, do you think sheâll suspect anything?â
âNot at all!â Hospitals usually had similar medical equipment, so Nicholas was sure there wouldnât be much difference in the test results. Furthermore, Nicole had already checked Wilburâs pulse earlier, yet she found nothing amiss.
âOkay, I hope so too. If Wilbur continues being in this condition, your father wonât be able to hand the company to him. Nic, this is a great opportunity for you! Everything that belongs to the Simpson family will be ours in the future!â Mabel exclaimed, eyes glinting with excitement.
âMom, weâll talk about that another time. Why donât you go with them to Bernian Hospital? Oh, and donât forget to show how much you care for Wilbur.â
âAll right, I know. Join us as soon as youâve completed the discharge procedure.â
âI will.â
Maya, Rodney, and the rest soon arrived at Bernian Hospital with Wilbur. When Nicole saw what had happened to him, a look of utter disbelief crowded into her eyes.
Alas, even after checking his pulse and running a few tests, she still couldnât find anything physically wrong with Wilbur.
âMommy, what exactly is going on? Why did Wilbur become like this all of a sudden?â Maya asked frantically.
Nicole said nothing as she studied Wilbur closely. He had lowered his head and was counting his fingers intently. While his behavior was very child-like, he seemed almost devoid of any intelligence and curiosity that a child would have.
âCalm down, Maya. I may not be able to diagnose Wilbur now, but letâs keep him in the hospital for the time being,â Nicole finally replied. âIâll gather all the local and foreign experts to help examine him. With our combined efforts, Iâm sure weâll be able to find the cause of his condition. Mr. Simpson, what do you think of this arrangement?â
Rodney nodded his approval. âThat sounds like a good plan. Thank you, Mrs. Seet.â
âYouâre welcome.â
Unfortunately, Wilbur started to throw another tantrum when he heard that. âNo, I donât want to stay in the hospital. Iâm not sick! I want to go home to find mommy!â
Seeing how determined Nicole wanted to help Wilbur, Mable couldnât help but worry again. What if one of those doctors that she finds manages to cure Wilbur? Wouldnât all of Nicholasâ efforts be for naught?
âRodney, now that Wilburâs in this condition, heâd only inconvenience Mrs. Seet if he stays here. Weâd be worried too, wouldnât we?â Mabel piped up. âBesides, if the word got out about Wilbur losing his mind, our family reputation would be affected. Why donât we take him home first? Once Mrs. Seet has found the experts, we can have them come to our place to examine and treat him. What do you think?â
Rodney hesitated.
After all, what Mabel had said about their family reputation being affected strongly resonated with him.
Mabelâs right. If other companies learn about this, theyâd think that spells the end of Maya and Wilburâs relationship and that weâd also lose the support of the Seet family. These would be detrimental to our familyâs future!
âMy wife has a point, Mrs. Seet. With Wil behaving like a child, I can only imagine how much trouble heâd bring you. How about we take him home for now? Once youâve gathered the experts, Iâd be more than happy to invite them over to treat Wilbur. Of course, Iâd also reward everyone handsomely.â
âDonât worry about it, Mr. Simpson. There wonât be any trouble,â Maya interrupted. âIâll stay here to look after Wilbur.â
âMaya, I know how you feel toward Wilbur, but you canât possibly tend to him twenty-four seven. You have a life to lead too. Besides, itâd be a lot of work to look after him. Let him come home with me, all right?â
âHome! I want to go home!â Wilbur chimed in as he held onto Rodneyâs arm.
âMaya, I think we should respect Mr. Simpsonâs decision,â Nina advised. âWe can visit the Simpson residence if we want to see Wilbur, canât we?â
Rodney was only too glad to have Maya show up at their house. âOh, yes! Youâre more than welcome to visit! Come anytime you like!â