Immediately, the woman fell silent. I continued talking to the doctor to get a better understanding of the child’s condition.
Stepping out of the doctor’s office, Sasha’s mother suddenly knelt before me, sobbing while pleading, “Mrs. Featherstone, I beg you. Please help my granddaughter. Now that Sasha has passed away, Renee is our only hope now. She’s only four and has never seen the outside world before. Life has been cruel to her. Since birth, Renne has had no father, and her mother was always busy working. Despite her age, we have not sent her to a kindergarten, because we couldn’t afford it. Why does she have to face such a hardship when she’s still an innocent little girl? Mrs. Featherstone, please have mercy on her. I’m willing to do anything to repay you. Please!”
Her sudden action befuddled me. I reached out to hold her up, but she refused to stand up. The corridor was packed with passers-by. Having no other choice, I squatted on the floor and looked at the woman. “Mrs. Brooks, I truly sympathize with you. I’ll definitely help you if I can. So please, don’t do this.”
The woman’s face was already drenched in tears as she stared at me and said, “Please, Mrs. Featherstone. We don’t have a job. After Sasha’s gone, our financial support was cut off. That’s why we had no choice but to stay put at Featherstone Corporation day in and night out to ask for compensation. We need money to survive.”
I nodded at her. My heart was filled with compassion for the family. Bad luck often haunts the unfortunates. Now that their granddaughter was diagnosed with a critical disease, their lives would only get even harder.
After paying Renee’s operation and medical fees, Anthony called and asked what time I would be home.
After the chaotic day, I was worn out. The only thing I wanted to do was to see him and nestle myself in his warm embrace.
After hanging up, I drove away from the hospital and headed home straight away since Anthony was already home.
Back at the villa.
There was an unobtrusive black Maybach parked in the yard when I arrived home. I pulled over next to it and when I walked into the living room, I saw Anthony reading on the couch.
Hearing the sound of me coming in, he glanced up at me. The corner of his lips quirked up. “You’re home.”
I nodded in response. Sauntering over to the couch, I sat by his side and wrapped my arms around him. “Have you solved the issue in the office? Why aren’t you resting in the bedroom?”
He held me in his arms with a smile on his face. “You’ve helped me settle the issue so well. It’s only fair that I come home and spend some time with you.”
Tilting my body to lean against his shoulder, I sighed lightly. “Anthony, has the police done investigating Sasha’s case?”
He pursed his lips slightly. “What’s wrong?”
I thought about it for a while before I decided to tell him anyway. “Sasha’s daughter has been diagnosed with leukemia today. I know I have to deal with it rationally. After all, no one can escape sickness and death. However, I’ve met them when they’re in need of help. I’ll feel so bad if I choose to turn a blind eye to them.”
“Mmm.” The man gazed at me calmly. “So what are you planning to do?”
I shook my head, feeling lost while staring at him. “I don’t know what to do. That’s why I’m asking for your opinions. What do you think I should do?”
He gave it some thought before replying solemnly, “I think you should help them, but treating leukemia is like throwing money down a bottomless pit. There’s no guarantee that it could be cured.”
I nodded in agreement. I know that money didn’t grow on trees. Moreover, Featherstone Corporation was dealing with a series of scandals, which caused the company to suffer heavy losses. Sasha’s death was a crushing blow to the company, whether it was a suicide or an accident. According to the law, once Featherstone Corporation compensated them, the family would have nothing to do with the company anymore.
Breathing out a sigh, I stood up and looked at him. “Okay, let’s drop the subject. What do you want to eat? I’ll cook you a delicious meal tonight.”
He flashed me a smile. “Anything’s fine!”
He paused for a moment and asked, “Can you come with me to Moranta in mid-October?”
Moranta?
I was puzzled. “Why? Did something happened?”
He nodded. “Yeah. One of my Grandpa’s comrades-in-arms is at death’s door. We have to make a trip there on behalf of my Grandpa.”
“Okay, remind me again before we go.” After a short pause, I glanced at him. “Anthony, can I ask you a question?”
He raised a brow. “What is it?”
“I’ve always thought that you’re angry with your grandpa because he broke you and Rylee up, but I realized that wasn’t true. Can you tell me why you were so mad at your grandpa?” Some incidents of the past were etched in my memory. I remembered he hadn’t shown up during his grandfather’s funeral.
His gaze darkened a little at my question. After staring at me in silence for a while, he said, “It’s been so long. I don’t really remember why I was so mad at that time.”
Baffled by his answer, I was tongue-tied, so I stopped questioning him.
The following day.
Anthony and I went to Featherstone Corporation together. The number of reporters waiting downstairs had reduced significantly. They must have left because of the lack of newsworthy information over the past few days.
Sasha’s parents were not around as well. I reckoned that they were taking care of their granddaughter at the hospital.
The lobby that used to be clamorous was now back to normal.
The moment I stepped through the entrance, Stella skipped to my side and spoke while looking at me. “Mrs. Featherstone, you’re here. Isn’t it great that Sasha’s grandparents stopped coming over? You’re amazing!”
Overcome with excitement and joy, she completely overlooked the man beside me. For a moment, I thought she was about to twirl around me in delight while holding my arm.
After a while, Stella finally spotted Anthony. She hurriedly let go of me and greeted him respectfully, “I’m sorry, Mr. Featherstone. So sorry.”
Glancing at her indifferently, Anthony reached out to hold my hand. Without a word, he brought me into an elevator.
In the elevator, Anthony gave me a sideways glance. “Now I know you have a way with both men and women.”
His comment befuddled me. My cheeks flushed red when I finally wrapped my head around his words. “Cut the nonsense. I worked with her yesterday while dealing with Sasha’s parents. What are you thinking?”
He chuckled and pulled me into a hug. “That my wife is very sociable.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Stop teasing me!”
Later in the evening, I thought of Summer after preparing dinner, so I called Cameron. The phone rang for quite a while before it was picked up. “Hello, this is the Moore Residence.” Zachary’s voice sounded on the other side of the phone.
The landline phone didn’t display the caller ID, so he spoke rather formally. I froze for a second. “Dad, it’s me, Sienna.”
The man remained silent for a short while before asking gently, “Letty, have you eaten? Are you coming home tonight?”
I chuckled. “I’ve just finished cooking. I’m staying at Anthony’s tonight. Have you guys had your dinner? How’s Summer today?”
“Mmm. She’s fine, and her fever’s gone. I guess she’ll recover soon. Your mom and aunt are cooking dinner in the kitchen now. We’re going to eat soon. Is Featherstone Corporation alright?”
I nodded and chatted a little longer with him before ending the call.
Just as I was about to have my dinner, my phone rang with a call from Armond. Picking it up, I greeted him. “Hello, Mr. Murphy.” I habitually addressed him the way I did at work.
I heard a sigh from the other side. “You can call me by my name when we’re not at work. I heard from Nora that you’re in K City. Are you free to have lunch with me tomorrow?”
His words reminded me of the promise I made to him in Epea, which I put off up till now. Without a second thought, I agreed, “Sure. Let me know the time and the venue. I’m free tomorrow.”
He hummed without saying a word.
After hanging up the phone, Anthony’s dark eyes were fixed on me. “Was that Armond?”
I nodded. “When I was in Epea, I promised that I would give him the sandalwood box my grandma gave me once we returned to our country safely. Perhaps he’s interested in that box.”
Anthony’s forehead creased slightly. He kept quiet for a second before asking, “Haven’t you thought about why your grandma has the sandalwood box?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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