Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Chapter 77:

“Dr. White, did Eileen just come to pay my medical bills?” Ruby asked as she sat down across from Emilio, her smile both kind and inwardly anxious.

Emilio sighed and said, “Yes, she transferred another four hundred thousand dollars to your hospital account.”

Ruby’s heart fluttered at the mention of the amount. She knew Eileen must have worked tirelessly to gather such a significant sum.

“Dr. White, I’d like to switch back to the medication I was on before. But please don’t tell Eileen. Let her keep the money in my account. It will help her when I’m gone,” Ruby requested.

Emilio sighed again. “I understand your concern, but you’ve been placed on this new experimental treatment. Switching back might not be as effective and could deteriorate your condition.”

Ruby paused, absorbing his words, then asked, “How much longer can I expect to live if I go back to using the previous medication?”

“It depends,” Emilio answered, showing her two fingers. “Likely no more than two years, maybe just one.”

Ruby bit her lip, pondering the reality of having potentially only one year.

Emilio then moved to sit closer to Ruby, speaking with gentle earnestness. “Eileen deeply cares about you. It would cause her sorrow to discover later that you did this without her knowing.”

Ruby smiled. There was a mixture of understanding and resignation crossing her features. “I get it, but I can’t let myself be a burden to her any longer.”

With determination, she inhaled deeply and said, “One year is a lot. I’ve fought this illness on and off for six years. If it’s my time, I won’t resist.”

Fresh updates now on g𝖺ln𝖔𝖵e𝗅s.c𝗈m Emilio watched Ruby, torn. Though it wasn’t illegal to change a patient’s medication at their request, the ethical implications troubled him.

What if Eileen wanted to use more of her resources to extend Ruby’s life?

As Emilio grappled with these thoughts, his phone rang.

He excused himself and left the room to take the call.

Left alone, Ruby’s eyes welled with tears, and her lips quivered faintly, reflecting the weight of her decision.

A few minutes later, Emilio returned to the room, visibly happy. “There’s no need to switch your medication now. I’ve just been informed by the administration that your medication costs have been reverted to the trial period rates.”

“Then, how much will it be?” Ruby inquired, apprehension in her voice.

“It will cost two hundred thousand dollars a month,” Emilio replied.

This amount was still considerably higher than her previous medication, and it was within the trial period’s pricing. Ruby believed there was a possibility the price could go higher again.

Despite this news, Ruby remained resolute. “Dr. White, please proceed with my earlier request. I will sign for the medication expenses myself. Please ensure this remains confidential from my daughter.”

Her tone was firm, signaling her determination and making it clear that she would not be easily dissuaded if Emilio objected.

The morning sun broke across the horizon, casting its rays on Eileen’s face. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing bloodshot eyes from a night devoid of sleep.

She looked exhausted.

Having spent the entire night on the sofa, sleepless, Eileen’s mind was filled with thoughts of her memories with Bryan.

She was certain that when she presented Bryan with the document later today, he would react with anger.

Eileen consoled herself with the reminder that she had secured the necessary funds. Although Bryan didn’t have any feelings for her, there had been a time when he was hers.

Logically, she should have felt some sense of satisfaction, but her emotions remained heavy and somber.

She dressed in a crisp, new business suit and stepped into her high heels, bracing herself to face the challenges ahead with poised determination.

Her fingers, which had turned white from gripping the portfolio so tightly, betrayed the nervousness she felt within.

As she climbed into the car, her phone rang; it was Bryan, asking her to collect a suit from Oak Villas.

With a spare key in hand, she drove directly to Bryan’s house.

The house had been empty for a few days, yet it still carried the distinct scent of Bryan, a reminder of his presence.

The interior was decorated in shades of black and gray, reflecting his stern and distant nature.

She walked up the stairs to the second floor with caution and pushed open the door to Bryan’s bedroom. The bedding had changed since her last visit.

A troubling thought struck her: this might be her last time here.

Once her true identity was exposed, it was possible she would never get the opportunity to speak with Bryan again.

Taking a deep breath as if resolving herself for what was to come, she turned and entered the study next to the bedroom.

She took paper and pen from the computer desk and sat down in the chair he frequently used. Her thoughts flowed quickly as she wrote.

After thirty minutes, she finished the letter and placed it inside a book on the right side, where he would surely notice it.

She then swiftly collected his suit and left for the company.

Before leaving, she left her spare key on the porch.

Back at the company, in Bryan’s top-floor office, Vivian and Kian were seated on the sofa.

Eileen entered without knocking, to which Vivian voiced her displeasure.

“Don’t you usually knock before entering, Eileen?” Vivian asked sharply.

“Mr. and Miss Warren,” Eileen greeted, noting Vivian’s casual attire and assuming she was here for work. “I’m here to bring Mr. Dawson his suit.”

Vivian started to rise from her seat but was stopped by Kian, who gently reminded her, “Vivian, remember why we’re here today. Let’s avoid any unnecessary conflict.” Heeding Kian’s advice, Vivian paused, then returned to her seat, her eyes momentarily resting on Eileen’s flat stomach. She could feel a sense of discomfort settling within her.

“Give me the suit,” Bryan said from the lounge.

Eileen walked slowly into the lounge, placed the suit inside, and then retreated.

Moments later, Bryan appeared, his eyes catching the Kraft paper bag Eileen held.

Without hesitation, Eileen handed it to him. Bryan took the bag and walked over to where Vivian and Kian were seated, setting it down on the tea table before them.

“This contains documents about my wife and the divorce agreement. You can have it,” he declared.

Eileen’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes locked on the Kraft paper bag resting on the tea table. Was Bryan really leaving her future to be decided by Vivian and Kian?

Her anxiety was palpable as she bit her lower lip, watching Vivian reach eagerly for the bag.

Vivian started to unfold the documents, but she was holding the bag wrong, revealing only the back of the information and a corner of a photo.

“So ready to see what kind of woman Bryan’s grandmother has chosen for him?” Vivian muttered, her fingers gripping the corner of the photo, ready to pull it out. Her actions were abruptly halted by the office door swinging open, and the butler entered, supporting Stella as she walked in slowly.

With a shudder, Vivian dropped the documents she was holding to the floor. Simultaneously, the photo slipped out, fluttering to land by Eileen’s feet.

Though it landed face down, the sunlight managed to illuminate it. From her angle, Eileen could just make out the faint outline of her face in the photo.

Reacting quickly, she stepped on the photo to conceal it, her attention sharply turning toward the door.

Even though Stella was about to turn seventy, she had entered the room with vibrant energy. Her gray hair was neatly styled into a bun at the back of her head.

A silver chain hung from her gold-rimmed glasses, draping over her shoulder. She was dressed in a purple brocade dress that lent her an air of refined sophistication.

Despite her age, her eyes held a cunning sharpness. She walked up to Bryan and slapped the back of his head.

“You rascal! Your antics forced me to travel abroad!” she said.

The room fell silent. Bryan looked somewhat embarrassed, yet he remained poised. It seemed he had half-expected Stella might hit him, so he had subtly bowed his head to make the move easier for her.

Eileen watched, momentarily stunned. Although she had encountered Stella numerous times, she was always struck by her actions.

Stella had previously traveled extensively to avoid Vivian, but now, she blamed Bryan for her journeys.

Regaining her poise, Vivian quickly stood up and moved towards Stella, gracefully sidestepping the table.

“It’s good to see you, Mrs. Dawson. When I visited two days ago, you weren’t around,” Vivian said.

Vivian’s tone was unusually respectful and cautious.

Eileen had never seen her like this before.

Stella glanced at Vivian, sizing her up. “Vivian? It’s been a few years. You seem different now. What happened to the arrogance you once had?”

Her voice was light and seemingly friendly, yet the sarcasm was palpable.

Seemingly unaffected by the sarcasm or perhaps deliberately ignoring it, Vivian gently took Stella’s arm and guided her toward the sofa. “People do change, Mrs. Dawson, but you seem to have maintained your health and spirit remarkably well.”

“Ah, Mrs. Dawson,” Kian said as he rose from the sofa, greeting Stella with respect.

“Ah, Kian, I’ve watched you grow up, and you’ve always been so charming,” Stella responded with a warm smile, acknowledging him before turning her attention back to Vivian.

“I’m not planning on leaving this world anytime soon. I need to be here to keep Bryan in line; he’s a fool. I genuinely worry that he might return to his old, disreputable behaviors after I’m gone!” Stella said.

Stella’s words struck Vivian deeply, each one seeming to wound her.

Vivian’s smile stiffened as she took a seat next to Stella, glancing towards Kian for some assistance.

But Stella, known for her stubbornness, rarely followed conventional logic.

With Kian in a difficult position, not daring to offend Stella, he subtly gestured to Vivian to bear the situation.

“What’s all this?” Stella inquired, pointing to the documents scattered on the floor.

Bryan didn’t respond, and Vivian and Kian also remained silent.

“Come here, Eileen,” Stella said, motioning with her head as she fixed a sharp gaze on Eileen, who had been quiet during the entire exchange.

Feeling a heavy sense of pressure, Eileen gathered herself and approached. “With due respect, Mrs. Dawson.”

Three years ago, when Eileen had joined Apex Group, she had been apprehensive about being recognized by Stella.

After all, they had encountered each other twice before—once when she and Bryan obtained their marriage certificate and another time during a two-hour chat in a coffee shop.

However, to Eileen’s relief, Stella, like Bryan, had not recognized her at that time.

“What’s this?” Stella inquired, looking at Eileen.

At that moment, several pairs of eyes turned towards Eileen. She held a slightly stooped posture, her eyes briefly darting towards the Kraft paper bag.

After pausing to gather her thoughts, Eileen responded, “This contains detailed information about Mr. Dawson’s wife and a divorce agreement.”

The smile disappeared from Stella’s face as she leaned forward, her gaze intensifying on Bryan. “Kneel!”

Bryan’s posture stiffened, his eyes fixated on the Kraft paper bag, unable to move.

Vivian quickly intervened, saying, “Please, Mrs. Dawson, don’t be harsh. Bryan is an adult, and it wouldn’t be proper for him to…”

She subtly signaled Kian as she spoke.

Kian understood her and quickly said, “Mrs. Dawson, Vivian makes a valid point. Regardless of the circumstances, we should discuss this calmly. It’s inappropriate for someone of Bryan’s standing to kneel when there is an outsider here.”

.

.

.