He walked out, so engrossed in thought that he nearly bumped into the door. His ridiculous behavior was too much for even Shawn to resist mocking him."Can you have a little dignity?"Joe did not bother replying. "Considering your wife just gave me some invaluable advice, I'll let it slide.""Hmph."Joe took a step back, reopened the door, and chuckled. He was amused at his own behavior."A man in love would act the same, huh..." Gale watched Joe's departing figure, unable to help but comment, "But why didn't I ever see this side of you when we were together?"Shawn had always been mature and composed."What side? The side where I walk into a door like an idiot?" he asked.Gale laughed. "Something like that. It just shows how Joe is so serious about planning his future with Summer that he doesn't see the door. Anyway, he didn't really bump into it; he stopped just in time."Shawn asked again, "Do you think his behavior is normal?""It's not normal, but it's very endearing." S
"Hmm... cough, cough."Shawn suddenly started coughing again.Gale looked up at him. "Why hasn't your cough gotten any better?""The weather's dry, and my throat is acting up.""I remember my dad has a remedy that can soothe the lungs and throat. I'll go ask him," Gale said."It's nothing, just a minor cough.""You call it a minor, but I see you coughing every few days."Shawn ruffled her hair affectionately. "Having my wife care for me makes it feel better instantly."Even though his throat still itched, he held back and only coughed lightly. He did not want Galey to worry."I have a meeting later. Do you want to stay in the office and wait for me, or go back to the jewelry department?" Shawn said."Of course, I'll go back to work. Do you really think I'll just act like a boss's wife and do nothing?"He laughed. "To see a boss's wife with a billion-dollar fortune still working is truly commendable.""Exactly. Mr. Wood, work hard. If you don't perform well, I'll deduct your
Shawn pressed his lips together. "Then I'll come over first thing tomorrow.""Understood, Mr. Wood. We'll make an appointment for you."He hung up the phone, bracing his hands on the desk. Shawn's hands were trembling slightly. He had been too happy lately, experiencing a level of joy and stability he had never known before. The happier he felt, the more uneasy he became, always fearing that heaven would take away his happiness.At first, he did not take the coughing seriously. With his good health, a severe cold usually passed within a few days. He had been a long-time fitness enthusiast, and his physical condition was excellent. However, once he started coughing up blood, his unease grew into fear. He desperately hoped that the test results from abroad would show everything was fine.Shawn sank into his chair. He had instructed Joe to be loyal to Gale and transferred all his shares to her because he feared he might have a terminal illness and wanted to ensure the most important m
The detective answered, "Mr. Lefting, I was planning to report to you tomorrow. I only got the information at around eleven tonight and didn't want to disturb your sleep. I didn't expect you to stay up tonight!""Tell me now!""Mr. Wood has a minor health issue. His pharyngitis, combined with years of smoking, has caused some minor lung problems. He's been coughing a lot recently. He went to the hospital, got medication, and underwent many tests," the detective said."Pharyngitis?""Yes." The detective nodded. "I also found out that Mr. Wood seems to be very concerned about his health. He sent all the tests abroad for a more advanced and professional diagnosis."Aurum's fingers drummed lightly on the table, a smile spreading across his face. "So, has the result from abroad come out yet?""Very soon, either tonight or early tomorrow morning."Aurum asked, "What about the results from abroad? Did they also diagnose pharyngitis?"The detective replied, "That, I'm not sure. The for
He arrived at the doctor's office. Before pushing the door open, Shawn's hand hesitated mid-air for a long while before finally resting on the doorknob. "Mr. Wood, you're here early and right on time," the doctor greeted with a bright smile as soon as he saw him.Shawn's expression was indifferent. "The test results?"That was his main concern. He had spent a sleepless night tossing and turning. There were deep eye bags under his eyes. The doctor took out a file folder and slid it toward him. "The results from abroad were sent electronically. I've printed them all out and put them in here."Shawn just stared at the folder, not touching it. "Tell me directly, what did the tests show?" he asked. He could not bear to look, fearing that his worst fears might be confirmed.The doctor's expression shifted several times. Shawn's anxiety grew with each change. When you're sick, the last thing you want to see is your doctor looking like that. "Speak plainly. Whether it's good or ba
If he was unlucky, no treatment would be able to stop the spread of the cancer cells, and his death would come quickly. Shawn looked down, staring at the document folder.After a long pause, he slowly opened it, pulling out a thick stack of test results. There were too many words. Lacking the patience to read through it all, Shawn flipped straight to the last page to see the diagnosis. He double-checked it over and over, clinging to a faint glimmer of hope deep inside. However, reality delivered a harsh blow. After staring at the results for a couple of seconds, Shawn suddenly tore the diagnosis sheet."Mr. Wood..." The doctor watched him.Shawn kept folding and tearing the paper into tiny pieces stoically before throwing them heavily into the trash can.Then he stood up, uttering only two words, "Keep quiet.""To everyone?""Yes. If this gets out..." Shawn's eyes were filled with menace.He was crucial to the entire Wood Group, and if news of him having lung cancer got out, it
Why? If he were like any other rich man, Mr. Wood would personally fly abroad to undergo examinations and treatment, seek out specialists to devise the best treatment plan for him, prolong his life, and fight the disease. If, at that time, Mr. Wood discovered that he did not actually have lung cancer…The doctor was pondering this when the man in sunglasses spoke up, "Even if Shawn realizes something's wrong and comes after you, just blame it on the foreign doctors. Say they made a mistake, and it has nothing to do with you. You were just the messenger.""Either way, you're not at the losing end. You get to keep your life and make money."The man in sunglasses chuckled, swaggering out of the doctor's office. At the hospital entrance, Shawn reached for the car door, but it would not open. What's going on? Is the car broken? He tried several more times, pressing the key to unlock it, but the door remained firmly shut. Just then, the window rolled down, revealing the terrified face o
"That depends on what Shawn decides to do.""You're absolutely sure that Mr. Wood won't come back to the hospital? What if he actively seeks treatment?"Aurum countered, "Did you see him throw something away just now?""Yes.""Do you know what that was?""Medicine? It looked like a pill bottle," the detective replied.Aurum smiled triumphantly. "Do you think someone willing to actively treat and fight cancer would throw away their medicine?"Knowing your enemy guaranteed victory in every battle. Aurum knew Shawn too well. With Shawn's personality, upon learning he had cancer, his instinct would be to keep it a secret, pretending nothing was wrong. First, to prevent chaos within the Wood Group; second, to avoid causing Gale heartbreak; and third, because there were also the two children. Aurum had spent a lot of time and effort scheming to drive a wedge between Shawn and Gale, but all had failed. Their trust was solid. If outsiders could not separate them, Aurum would have to c