Chapter 4

In the car, Lucas never felt a thing, but his bodyguards felt a chill down their spine.

One of them said, "Sir, I don't think Ted York is as simple as he looks. You have to be careful."

Lucas simply laughed coolly. "So what if he isn't? What can he do to me?

"Hell, there are many people in Melville who hate me. But I'm alive and kicking, aren't I? And what could that prick do to me, when he doesn't know anything aside from medicine?"

Neither bodyguard dared to say a word, seeing how conceited Lucas was.

However, they felt the creeps even as they remembered the sensation, as if a viper was leering at them, and even now, they hoped that they had merely imagined it.

Lucas, who was completely oblivious, remained gleeful.

"Hah! And the old man and the White family put it as if Ted York is beyond reach or something, but I got him good, didn't I? The way I see it, those geezers are just being too nice—he's a complete pushover, and handling him couldn't be easier.

"It's Melville, so his wife's company has to respect my family. Even if he doesn't care about that or money, doesn't he want to stay alive? Hah! Just a couple of threats, and he caved. Talk about a nothingburger."

As he finished, he glanced at a magazine nearby, with Luna's charming appearance on the cover.

He had certainly heard about the beautiful girlboss long ago.

"So, don't you guys think Luna will have to obey me if I tell her I'm interested? Haha! Ted York is such a lucky dog, getting such a beautiful, successful wife. I honestly envy him—hell, if I didn't have a use for him, I'd be onto her right now!"

The two bodyguards were long since accustomed to his behavior, as the Grahams were virtually the top dogs of Melville, and it made sense that Lucas grew to become so unruly.

They were still on the way back, and he already could not wait to call his father ahead to deliver the good news.

While his father John was still racking his brains on how to ask for Ted's help, he had quietly gotten it done.

How great a shock would it be!

-

Meanwhile, John Graham was in his own villa.

Despite being a man who could quake Melville with a stamp of his feet, he was sitting quietly by his wife's bed, holding her hand while his heart ached.

The room was filled with the scent of medicine, while Trisha was virtually just skin and bones—a horrible sight.

John was no better, as his heart bled with Trisha's declining health and need for painkillers every day.

Despite his fame and ruthlessness, he loved his wife to the bone.

Freddy, his butler, entered the room just then. "Sir? Master Lucas just called, saying that he has a surprise for you and your wife."

Freddy had served John for years, earning him a high position in the family, and his loyalty was above question.

Still, John frowned and rasped, "Surprise, you say? What's he up to this time? What can that fool do other than cause trouble?"

Freddy sighed and said softly, "He's being serious, judging from his tone… and it might really be a good one this time."

John did not bother to argue, however, since he never had hope for that brat. "For me, just being able to ask for Mr. York's help would be enough. Anything else wouldn't matter.

"So, Freddy, have you prepared what I asked for? We have to take this visit very seriously—he stays anonymous because he doesn't want to be bothered, and we've been incredibly lucky that we were tipped off by the White family about him. Now, the question is whether we'd get him to come."

Freddy nodded and said quietly, "Yes, sir—everything's ready. We've even made contact with Lunacorp… but is Ted York really as amazing as they say?"

Freddy was not being skeptical—he was merely telling John not to hold out too much hope, as John had already consulted plenty of famous doctors with his wealth and influence. However, none of that worked out.

As such, even this so-called miracle healer might not really help the missus.

It really hurt the most when one was filled with hope and found only disappointment.

John understood Freddy's gesture too and stood up as he said, "I'm sure you have heard about Adam White's condition before? It was a mysterious illness too, but once Ted York helped, he quickly recovered.

"Miracle healers really exist, Freddy—they just don't like to brag about it. And since there's hope, we naturally have to give it our best shot. It's still better than doing nothing, right? Now go and start preparing. I'll personally visit Mr. York and ask him to save my wife."

As he finished, tears welled out of his eyes and down his cheeks. "I-If the worst happens to her, I don't know if I could live on…"

Freddy sighed softly in turn.

He had seen how John and Trisha's love began, and it was a love that was few and far between these days.

Still, just as John was about to leave, Lucas returned.

"Where are you going, Dad?" Lucas asked. "I have a surprise for you."

John frowned. "That can wait until I'm back. I don't have time for that nonsense right now."

Nonsense?!

Lucas was at once dissatisfied.

Such was his position in the family—he had not even said a word about what his surprise was, and suddenly, it was nonsense.

No! This time, he would show John!

Ignoring his father, Lucas said, "Actually, I've invited a doctor over to check on Mom… Oh, and by the way, it's that Mr. York you were talking about."

John froze at the doorway at those words and turned blankly toward Lucas. "W-What did you say? Mr. York? How did you know about him?"

Seeing that reaction left Lucas endlessly thrilled, and he quickly said, "I overheard your phone call, so I decided on my own that I could invite him myself. Are you happy now, Dad? I told you it's a surprise—he's not that hard to convince too! Once I show up, it's as good as done!"

John was certainly delighted for a moment, only to soon feel dizzy, like the world was spinning around him when he remembered what his son was like.

He snapped, "You'd better tell me right now: how exactly did you invite him? Tell me every detail."

Then, turning toward the two bodyguards, he promptly added, "You two! Hide anything from me, and you'll get it from me!"

Lucas was left stunned even as he stared at his father's vicious face.

While he told his father the gist of it, the two bodyguards were really afraid to hide anything at all, including how Lucas had threatened Ted.

John almost had a stroke as he listened, and he slapped Lucas across the face right then, his glare murderous. "Argh… You wretch! Are you trying to kill me?!"

As Lucas clutched his burning cheek, he was absolutely seething. "Why did you slap me, Dad?! I invited Mr. York over, didn't I?! I mean yes, I did threaten him, but he's a coward—he never dared to argue against me at all! You're all just being too nice to him!"

Smack!

John slapped Lucas violently across the face again, shaking his rage even as he bellowed, "Freddy, get the car, and tie up this wretch to throw him in the car right now! We're going to beg Mr. York for forgiveness—move!"

Even though John looked like he could collapse at any moment, his eyes flared with murder and panic.

He really hated himself for not strangling Lucas in his crib!