Chapter 564

Josiah was completely docile in the face of his granddaughter. Hearing her words, he nodded without hesitation.

“I know you’re right, but I know my body the best. I’m fine, really.” The elderly man didn’t see the need to worry or trouble anyone by making a trip to the hospital since he was in good health.

However, Sophie insisted on getting him a medical checkup. “We’ll let the doctor decide if you’re fine or not. What you say doesn’t count!” Do people fear going to the doctor’s more as they get older? Geez!

“Gosh, you’re all so busy. There’s no need for you to accompany me there. I know where the hospital is.”

“I’m not that busy,” said Sophie nonchalantly. “I have time to spend with you, so don’t worry about a thing and go for the checkup.”

Exasperation inundated Josiah.

There was nothing he could do but obey his granddaughter and do as she instructed—get the checkup done.

“Thank goodness you’re here, Ms. Sophie. Old Mr. Tanner only listens to you now.”

At this point, the patriarch of the Tanner family wouldn’t listen to anyone but Sophie, so the rest of the family couldn’t persuade him at all.

“Give me a call if anything happens to Grandpa. It doesn’t matter how serious it is.” To Sophie, her grandfather was her foremost priority, so no matter how busy she was, she’d make sure to take time to attend to him.

Having served Josiah for many years, Morgan knew the latter’s temperament like the back of his hand.

“Okay. Don’t worry, Ms. Sophie. I’ll take good care of Old Mr. Tanner,” he reassured.

Arius accompanied Josiah to the checkup.

A frustrated expression hung on the former’s countenance when the checkup was done.

“Old Mr. Tanner, didn’t I tell you to come to me if you were feeling unwell? Why didn’t you heed my words? I know you’re afraid that Sophie might be worried, but you could always come to visit me in private,” he chastised. Sophie cares about her grandpa a lot. If she finds out about his condition, she’ll be plagued by worry.

“Arius, you’re Sophie’s best friend. I know you care about her, so please don’t tell her about my condition. I’m fine.”

Arius cast a disapproving look at the old man. Those who knew Sophie also knew how much she cared for her grandfather.

“But if something happens to you, she’ll be very upset.”

“I think there’s nothing wrong with my body. My organs are failing, but isn’t that normal for someone my age? What can we do about it?”

No one could change the course of nature.

Since his fate was sealed, Josiah would gladly accept what was to come.

As a doctor, Arius knew that the old man was right. Some things could be resolved using medicine, but aging was a natural process that no one could stop.

As a doctor, Arius knew that the old man was right. Some things could be resolved using medicine, but aging was a natural process that no one could stop.

One could only accept it.

“Regardless of everything, I’m right here. If you’re feeling unwell in the future and don’t want Sophie to know, you can let me know, all right?”

“Okay. Remember, tell Sophie I’m fine,” reminded Josiah once more.

In doing so, he was hoping his granddaughter wouldn’t be worried about him.

“Sure. I’ll send your medicine to the Tanner residence later. You have to take them on time.”

There were some things that humans couldn’t alter, but at the very least, they could slow the process down.

“All right, I got it. You have to remember not to tell Sophie about this.”

“Rest assured, Old Mr. Tanner.”

Arius then sent Josiah out. Just as expected, Sophie had been waiting all the while. She came running over the moment she saw them.

“How was it?” She cut straight to the chase.

Sophie wasn’t officially a doctor yet, so she couldn’t perform a medical checkup on her grandfather.

Nevertheless, she could tell that something was wrong with him.

“It’s nothing big. It’s normal for elderly people to have some health issues here and there.”

Geriatric diseases were common in the elderly population. However, Sophie was well-versed in medicine, so she didn’t believe what Arius was telling her.

For the time being, however, she didn’t expose the ruse. “Okay. I’ll take him home and give you a call later.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

Due to an upcoming surgery that he was scheduled for, Arius didn’t walk them out.

A joyful grin hung on the old man’s lips as the grandfather-granddaughter duo made their way back home.

“Didn’t I tell you? I’m completely fine! Why won’t you believe me?”

“I didn’t not believe you.”

I’m just worried.

Josiah was the person Sophie cared for the most. Of course, she’d be worried about every little thing that concerned him.

“Oh, Soph! Listen to me. Dying is part of the circle of life. When that day comes, I hope you won’t be too upset.” There was nothing much one could do to tackle the natural progression of life. Death was inevitable.

“I don’t like hearing you say that, Grandpa.”

It was one thing for her to be aware of her grandfather’s mortality and another to accept it.

Josiah sighed in resignation.

Seeing this, Sophie could only give in.

“All right, I understand. But before that day comes, you have to listen to the doctors and do as they say, okay?”

The elderly man nodded in response.

“I know, I know. I’ll obey the doctor’s instructions.”

Josiah didn’t want to die either, as there was one thing he still wished to do—give his granddaughter away to Tristan. At the very least, he had to hold out until that moment, and he was determined to do just that.

After sending her grandfather home, Sophie was about to make a trip to the hospital when she bumped into Willow on her way out.

It had been some time since the two women last saw each other.

Her older sister had been on her best behavior, so much so that Sophie almost forgot about her.

Willow’s face was devoid of expression when she saw her younger sister. She wasn’t a match for Sophie, and gradually, she had come to accept that fact.

Despite that, she didn’t want to admit defeat just yet.

She continued to work hard in hopes that, one day, she could crush her sister under her feet.

Seeing that Willow wasn’t stirring up any trouble, Sophie merely ignored her and called for the driver.

She then asked the driver to take her to the hospital.

Willow turned over her shoulder and spared her sister a look.

She’s still as arrogant as she was in the past. I’ve hated this side of her ever since she was young! I hate it when she acts all high and mighty, as if she’s better than everyone else.

Jealousy was an awful feeling, but Willow was helpless. The only thing she could do was to wait and strike when the time was right.

Meanwhile, Sophie arrived at the hospital as Arius was in the middle of a surgery.

She was about to wait for him in his office when she bumped into the hospitalized Jennifer.

The woman had sustained some injuries to her face, and at that moment, her entire face was wrapped in bandages, making her look utterly comical.

Jennifer always paid attention to her image, yet she bumped into her love rival while she was in such an awful state. Naturally, she wasn’t thrilled about the encounter.

Sophie knew about Jennifer’s accident, but she couldn’t recognize the latter at first glance and continued moving forward.

In response to Sophie ignoring her, Jennifer confronted the woman. “Was this your doing, Sophie?”

Sophie halted in her tracks. It wasn’t until she heard the voice that she recognized who the bandaged woman was.