Chapter 11

The hospital director, Dr. Gray, ordered his staff to transfer Mr. Johnson to the private ward.

David scratched his head as he watched Eric and his family leave the ward. "What the hell is going on? Is he even eligible for transfer to the private ward?"

Apart from the limited availability of rooms, the private wards were exclusively reserved for the big shots in Salt City. Thus, it made no sense that the Johnsons were able to secure a private ward.

"What's so great about the private ward?" said Jasmine. "That's not going to stop you from getting revenge on Eric."

"You understand sh*t!" David glared at Jasmine. "The private wards are only reserved for the city's big shots. I'm nothing but an ant before them! I just can't understand how that punk managed to access the private wards!" David felt frightened the more he thought about it.

He knew Eric pretty well after so many years. Based on Eric's character, he would never retaliate unless someone with a powerful background supported him.

"He's nothing but a loser," said Jasmine. "I've spent nearly a decade with him. His parents are from the countryside, and his mother is sick. His mother's medication expenses cost around $450 a month. He would have cured his mother by now if he had the financial capability to do so. His mother wouldn't have knelt at you and Dr. Anderson if he was that capable!"

"That makes sense…" David nodded in agreement.

He knew comeback stories only existed in novels. Furthermore, anyone could make a comeback, but not Eric. After the incident, David was extra cautious and stopped harassing Eric. He wanted to understand Eric's situation.

Eric was shocked at how extravagant the private ward was. The difference was like day and night. Apart from a sick bed, the private ward was fully equipped with furnishings and amenities.

Naturally, Mrs. Johnson felt uneasy seeing how extravagant the private ward was.

"Eric, this ward costs a fortune, right?" Mrs. Johnson did not even dare sit, afraid she might dirty the expensive sofa set.

Eric hesitated upon hearing his mother's words. He did not know exactly how much the private ward cost. Needless to say, it would be expensive.

Dr. Gray smiled and said, "Madam, don't worry about it. You can stay here until Mr. Johnson has fully recovered and is discharged. Money is not an issue!"

Based on the Johnsons' reaction, Dr. Gray realized they were fully unaware of the arrangements the Williams had made. He couldn't care less about the reason behind this secrecy—as the hospital director, it was his priority to take good care of the Johnsons.

At the same time, Eric received a message from Andy. He had managed to sneak into David's office and had taken a picture of the erotic messages between David and Jasmine while David was away.

David had kept the chat records on his computer because of his perverted hobby. He was hooked on the thrill of messing with his employee's girlfriend.

Eric clenched his fists tightly. If what the man with the slick hair, Brook, had said was true, the chat record would be David's downfall. However, Eric had no idea if David's wife could handle him. Despite this, with the chat record in his hands, he had the confidence to retaliate against David if he ever showed up again.

Eric was lost in his thoughts when his phone rang. "Elly?"

"Eric, where are you and our parents? Why is the ward empty?" Elly was worried.

Eric quickly explained their situation and disclosed their new whereabouts.

"Why are we transferred there!?" Elly was shocked.

It would be impossible for them to afford such an extravagant ward when they could barely come up with $15,000.

Eric smiled wryly and said, "Elly, I'll try to find out what's going on when I return to the house in the evening."

He had told Elly everything about how he had come up with the $15,000 and his fake marriage with Sylvia.

"Eric, I think there's something fishy with your wife." Elly's sixth sense was triggered even though she had not met Sylvia.

Eric scratched his head and said, "It seems like she's earning above average working in the middle management team under Williams Corp."

Eric speculated whether Sylvia might be a distant relative of the Williams family in Salt City, considering their shared family name.

Elly nodded, feeling relieved. Even though her sister-in-law never showed up, she was contributing to the family in her own way. On the other hand, Elly's husband, Craig Huntsman, had not shown up after their father was hospitalized. Not only that, but he also hadn't returned home the previous night and was unreachable. He had only sent her a message at midnight, explaining that he needed to stay back in the office to pull an all-nighter.

Elly approached Mrs. Johnson and said, "Mom, Craig has been busy for the last two days. I'll call him to pay you and Dad a visit when he's done with work."

Despite knowing Craig looked down on her parents, Elly still made great efforts to maintain his image.

"Work is more important. It's not easy for him to be the only breadwinner in the house. Elly, you should be considerate of his situation," said Mrs. Johnson.

"I will, Mom," Elly said with a slightly bitter expression, adding, "Mom, get some rest. Eric and I will look after Dad. You haven't had a proper rest for the past two days."

Mrs. Johnson did not decline her children's help. She had been on the edge since Mr. Johnson got into an accident. She could finally get some rest after Mr. Johnson was transferred to the private ward. Mrs. Johnson fell asleep shortly after she got into bed.

Elly approached Eric and said in a low voice, "Eric, since you've broken up with Jasmine and even got married, you should treat your wife well. Love and relationships can be cultivated over time, after all."

Eric wore a bitter expression upon hearing Elly's words.

Sylvia was from a different league—the only thing they shared in common was the fact that they were former classmates during high school. Apart from that, they had no common interests, so how were they supposed to form a relationship?

Sylvia had always been cold and aloof, so it was already difficult for him to get acquainted with her, let alone cultivate a relationship.

Mrs. Johnson was full of spirit after a much-needed rest. Elly had to pick the children up in the afternoon, so Mrs. Johnson told her to return home and rest. She could take care of Mr. Johnson on her own. At the same time, she reminded Eric to work hard and repay the debts as quickly as possible.

Eric felt the need to return home after his father's situation was fully resolved. He couldn't help but speculate that Sylvia must have made arrangements with the hospital to transfer his father to the private ward.

After getting some daily necessities and cooking ingredients, Eric returned to the house in the Rosewood Estate. Sylvia was on the sofa, reading a book. When he entered the house, she glanced at Eric but did not speak to him.

Eric expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for the hospital arrangement."

He would have been at his wits end dealing with David and Dr. Anderson alone if Sylvia had not intervened. Eric did not know how to return the favor after Sylvia had saved him twice.

"I'll whip up some dishes in the kitchen now," Eric said, seeing Sylvia not responding to him.

After Eric disappeared into the kitchen, Sylvia grabbed her phone and sent a message to him.

Sylvia: [You don't have to cook for me.]