Dexter thought about it for a moment. He was open to the idea now that he knew it would not kill him. However, he still had some reservations."Why don't you and your wife give your liver to her? Didn't you say that you love her?" he asked."Neither of us is a match. An immediate family member has the highest pairing success rate, so we came to talk to you," Jack said."I'll think about it." Dexter was still a little scared. He was worried that they were lying to him.If he gave Leia his liver and died from it, it would not matter how much money he had.Luke noticed his hesitation and said coldly, "Leia is not doing well. If you need more time to think about it, we might not need you later."Dexter was shocked. Leia's life or death had nothing to do with him.However, if he hesitated and Leia died, he would not get any money.Dexter gritted his teeth, clapped his hands, and said, "Okay. However, I want to sign an agreement with you. If the transplant fails, youโll still pay me.
Jack agreed.No matter how long this adopted daughter had stayed by their side, she would never be a good daughter. As such, he had no problem with Luke wanting to teach Leia a lesson on behalf of Luca.Nevertheless, Queenie was soft-hearted, so he kept this part from her."I trust Luke, but you have to tell him not to be too rough with her. Leia is a girl, after all," Queenie frowned from worry that Luke would be too harsh on Leia."He knows what heโs doing. You don't need to worry. Promise me youโll stay home tomorrow and not go to the hospital," Jack said. He did not want Queenie to be in contact and suffer with hooligans like Dexter."Mm." Queenie nodded, but she was still a little worried."Luke did so much for Bea's sake. He doesn't want to see Bea worry about us, so heโll be mindful," Jack added.Leia would get to stay alive. As long as that was the case, he did not care about the means used to get there.They had done everything for Leia after they adopted her from the
The nerves in Lucaโs head tightened, and her breathing became heavy. Luke moved his hand and placed it on his favorite spot. As he listened to her rapid breathing, he could not help but smile and say, "Time to sleep. I'll stop moving."Luca opened her eyes. The more one could not see anything in the darkness, the more sensitive oneโs sense of touch would be. She could feel the warmth of his palm coming through the fabric. The frenetic cells in her body were trembling uncontrollably.Luke said he would not move his hands anymore, and he really did not move them. Luca felt uneasy because of his gesture. It took her more than ten minutes to calm herself down and close her eyes. Lukeโs hand never moved again. If Luca turned around now, she would be able to see the smile that was overflowing with happiness on his face. The next day.Jason drove to Blue Skies Shelter and picked Dexter up, just like what Luke had instructed him to do.Dexter was stunned when he looked at the lux
โNo, he didnโt. Itโs him. Heโs the one who revealed Leiaโs secrets to the press and ruined her life back then,โ Jason assured him. After all, he was in the know of this matter.Johann shook his head and said, โThey say even tigers would look after their cubs. Leiaโs father is more vicious than a tiger. What a misfortune to have such a father.โ โDr. Park, whatโs wrong with you? Are you starting to feel sorry for Leia?โ Jason asked teasingly. โShe doesnโt deserve my sympathy after everything she has done in the past. But having a father like himโฆโ Johann heaved a sigh. Someone worth oneโs sympathy was also worth oneโs detest. It was probably what it meant.It was a misfortune for Leia to have such a father. However, everything she did and all the pain others had suffered because of her was detestable too.โBut she has a pair of foster parents who were kind to her. To be fair, sheโs much happier than the others,โ said Jason. However, Leia did not know how to appreciate and protect
Johann was able to know people from all walks of life as he was working in the hospital.Many of his patients who had recovered would send their greetings to him every festive season. Some of them would become his friends, and they would hang out and have dinner together. He got to know them through work.However, his encounter with Luke Crawford was slightly different. It all started 11 years ago.Johann was not a doctor yet but a student who was awarded a medical school scholarship. He was the most talented and outstanding medical student acknowledged by every professor. It was nothing at first, but he stole another top studentโs thunder because of his Western facial features when he just entered the school. Hence, the other students had been holding a grudge against him. He was obsessed with learning medical knowledge. He could not be bothered to waste his time dealing with others. All he had in his mind was to finish his studies and learn more medical knowledge.That wa
Although Leia was famous for being a difficult patient in their department, the head nurse felt happy for her to be able to get a liver transplant. "The injections are for your late recovery, and you'll have to get the injections for three days consecutively," the head nurse explained to her as she placed the infusion bottles in front of Leia. Following the code of practice, she needed to ask, "What's your name?"โLeia Norman,โ answered Leia. She looked at Johann warily, who was standing behind faking a smile. She had this feeling that Johann was up to something. The nurse checked Leiaโs patient wristband. The name was correct, so she hung the solution bottle on the IV stand.The bottle was not that huge. The nurse removed the solution bottle there and attached the new infusion bottle. Johann instructed her when he saw that the drip rate was a little slow, โSpeed it up.โโMake it even faster?โ The head nurse turned around and glanced at Johann with a surprised look on her fac
Johann was fooling Leia just now. The injection was given to her to prepare for the surgery.However, it was not like what he had told her. Johann knew Leia refused to take Dexterโs liver. That was why he used such a way to bluff her. After all, for her, staying alive was much more important than being stubborn.Still, Johann was not afraid that Leia would look into this. His tutor who was in New York told him that they were currently studying similar drugs to activate the cell activities in the human body, but there were also some similar side effects.They were doing the research to see if they could remove the side effects so that the patient would have more choices. Johann came to the nursesโ station and reminded the head nurse, โLeiaโs reluctant to undergo the surgery. Please keep an eye on the solution bottles that sheโll be taking these three days. Itโll be best if you can handle it yourself. Donโt answer her no matter what she asks.โ โNo problem. But why is she rejecti
โSure.โ Leia and Mandy finally reached an agreement. โThen Iโm going back now. Wait for my good news. As your friend, Iโll help you to get the highest price. After all, life has been hard for you too.โ Mandy pretended to have sympathy for Leia, but honestly, did she have anything to do with Leiaโs life or death?If it were not for the money, Mandy would not have come here again and again.After Mandy left, Leia shot a glance at the drip solution. It was almost done. Then, she pressed the patient call bell.The head nurse pushed the door open, came in, and asked, โWhatโs the matter?โโThe solution has finished.โ Leia had already calmed herself down.โOkay. Wait a minute.โ The head nurse turned around and left. After a while, she came back and removed the needle from Leiaโs arm. Then, she injected some saline solution into the vein catheter and sealed it. โEverything that Johann told meโฆ Is it true?โ Leia looked at the head nurse and asked.After the nurse disinfected the vei
โAs long as he stays out of your sight, I wonโt make a move,โ said Ray.If Gordan were not one of Lukeโs pals, he would have been long gone.Anyone who dared to mess with someone Ray cherished would not be let off easily. The only reason Gordan was still breathing was thanks to Luke.โAlright, Ray. Just let it go. Iโve moved on and started a new life. Plus, Iโm studying at Capital University. We have mutual friends, so running into him is inevitable. If that happens, weโll just be strangers. Thereโs no need to step in for me or act impulsively.โ Just as Vivian finished speaking, the doorbell rang.โIs it the clothes delivery?โ asked Ray.โNo, while you were talking with Mr. Crawford, I asked someone to buy some medicinal cream. The ones here work better than the ones in Russia. A little massage with it should help you heal faster,โ Vivian said, grabbing a mask and hat before heading to the door.โMiss, is the boss alright?โ asked one of Rayโs subordinates.โHeโs fine. Did you ge
When Ray heard that there was a 90% chance of success, he could not help but ask, โCan you walk me through your plan?โโThe prison where Kassy is being held actually has an underground passage. Iโve already spoken with the prison officials, and we can use that passage to transport her out. It connects to the sewage system, which leads directly to another detention facility. "The only catch is that this facilityโs underground pipes donโt connect to the outside world, so the remaining 10% risk lies in moving Kassy onto the main road and securing her at the new location.โThis whole operation can be done without anyone noticing, which is why Iโm confident itโll work.โ As Luke explained, he pulled out a detailed map of the sewer system. โHereโs the layout I had someone retrieve. This is the starting point, and this is the destination. If we take this route, we can move Kassy without alerting Abelโs people.โAbelโs men were keeping a constant watch outside the prison now. That was prec
Luke had no idea what kind of mindset the person who poisoned Vivian had. However, he found Gordanโs current behavior quite intriguing.โLuke, whatโs with that look?โ Gordan felt uneasy under his gaze.โYou seem pretty concerned about Vivian,โ Luke leaned back on the couch and said thoughtfully.Gordan froze for a moment before laughing it off. โWhat? No way! Why would I care about her? Come on, Luke, donโt say stuff like that. If she hears it, she might start getting ideas.โLuke could not be bothered to expose his act and got straight to the point. โWhy are you here?โโSpeaking of that, I almost got sidetracked by that woman.โ Gordan quickly pulled out his phone, grimacing. โMan, Ray really didnโt hold back. I need to get some treatment for these bruises later.โLuke took the phone and tried to unlock it. It needed a passcode. He handed it back. โUnlock it.โโAll set, boss.โ Gordan unlocked the phone and went back to pressing an ice pack against his face.Luke scanned the scr
It was the sound of a body slamming onto the ground.Gordanโs furious curses rang out. โDamn it! You're really going all out, huh? Do you think I'm scared of you?โAnother loud thud followed.Vivian frowned. What the hell were they doing? Were they really going to fight until one of them won?Both of them were skilled fighters. If they kept this up, neither would walk away unscathed.โEnough!โ shouted Vivian.The two men locked in the fight froze for a moment.โVivian, stay out of this. Iโm beating him to a pulp today,โ growled Ray, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He was not in great shape, but neither was Gordan.โRay, I donโt want to see him,โ said Vivian. She did not want Ray fighting him. It was not to protect Gordan but because she did not want Ray getting hurt.Also, she definitely did not want Gordan to see her like this. She could already picture his smug face, his sarcastic remarks and his gloating.โFine. If you donโt want to see him, Iโll just beat
After returning to the hotel from the hospital, Vivian felt much better.To her, the fact that Ray had taken her to the hospital meant there was hope for the future, which lifted her spirits. She picked up an apple from the fruit platter the hotel had provided and took a bite.โRay, this apple is really good. Want to try one?โ asked Vivian.Ray shook his head. โYou go ahead. By the way, can I take a look at the luggage you brought from Russia?โVivian nodded. โI only hung up my clothes. Everything else is still in the suitcase. You can just take the things out.โRay walked into the bedroom, pulled out her suitcase, and opened it. Inside were just books and a few other small items, nothing unusual.โYou didn't bring any food with you?โ asked Ray.โI havenโt really been in the mood, but the food here is way better than Russian food, so I didn't feel the need to bring anything.โ Vivianโs tone was lighthearted now that she was in a better mood.โThat's true.โ Ray agreed, then asked
Ray's tone turned serious. โAlright, I'll make the arrangements immediately. Dr. Craw, once the toxicology report is out, weโll still need your help.โโFor toxicology cases like this, I recommend combining both modern medicine and traditional herbal medicine. Donโt worry, if I can help, I definitely will,โ Luca assured him.โAlright, thank you.โ Ray expressed his gratitude and ended the call before updating Luke on the situation.Luke reassured him, saying, โIf Vivian was really poisoned, donโt worry. Previously, Luca discovered that her biological mother had been poisoned with a slow-acting toxin. She prescribed herbal medicine and used purely traditional herbal medicine to detoxify her. It didnโt take long for all the toxins to be expelled, and her health fully recovered. So, rest assured. If itโs something she can fix, sheโll do everything she can.โBesides, once we identify the exact problem, the doctors will be able to step in and help, right?โโYes. Thank you both in advance
Gerald walked over. โMs. Sanchez, what's wrong?โHe was eager to get back upstairs and stash his cigarettes before someone noticed and took them.Hera yanked open his bag, glanced at the cigarette brand, and scoffed. โI thought it was some expensive brand. But it's just this? And youโre acting all deferential to her over this?โGerald was rendered speechless. โI knew Ms. Craw was going out, so I asked her to bring these back for me. This is the brand Iโm used to. Maybe itโs not expensive to you, but for me, itโs what I can afford.โRealizing she had misspoken, Hera felt a bit awkward. She quickly changed the topic. โStill, is a pack of cigarettes really worth you being so grateful to Luca? How much could it have cost?โโItโs not about the money,โ replied Gerald. โIt's just a nice surprise. I never expected to get anything out of helping Ms. Craw, and this kind of unexpected gift has nothing to do with the price. Besides, I'm not being overly grateful. I'm just happy.โHe was ba
Lucaโs lips were already swollen and flushed from Luke's kisses.That deep shade of red, reflected in Lukeโs eyes, was utterly captivating. It tugged at his nerves, stirring an uncontrollable desire within him.At that moment, he had only one thought, and it was to completely lose himself in her.โฆThe two of them stepped out of the bedroom.Vivian quickly turned her back and greeted Luke when he saw him coming out, โHello, Mr. Crawford.โโVivian, donโt worry. Everything will get better,โ replied Luke.Vivian simply hummed in response.Ray gave them a grateful nod as Luke took Lucaโs hand and led her away.It was only after hearing the door close that Vivian finally turned back around.Ray glanced at her and said, โVivian, theyโre your friends. You donโt have to act this way around them. They wonโt judge you.โโI know they wonโtโฆโ Vivian let out a soft sigh. โI just feel like I look terrifying right now. I didnโt want to scare them, so I avoided facing them directly. But itโ
โI once treated someone who had been slowly poisoned over a long period of time. Their pulse was similar to Vivianโs. Given that your family has good genetics, yet Vivian is different from the rest of you, and her skin improved after leaving her original environment, all of this confirms my suspicion.โCould it be that someone in your family has been poisoning Vivian? That would explain why her skin ended up like this.โโIf she really has been poisoned, then would staying away from that environment or identifying the person responsible help her get better?โ asked Ray.Luca shook her head.โThe poison Iโve encountered before was a slow-acting toxin that kept the victimโs skin dark. I donโt know exactly what it was, but long-term exposure to any poison has an effect on the body. It's just a suspicion now. I need to consult someone I know. And honestly, I canโt be sure whatโs really causing Vivianโs condition.โIs her skin deteriorating so quickly because she was poisoned once more a