Lily Thompson had seen Leland Burns before. When her mother worked for him, she had caught a glimpse of him from afar.
A man like Leland Burns could stir feelings in any woman, and Lily was no exception. She had even hinted to her mother about her interest, hoping she would play matchmaker.
To her surprise, her mother outright refused without a second thought, urging Lily to know her place and emphasizing that she and Leland Burns were from different worlds.
How could they be from different worlds? They were both born in Peachshire Town. Besides, she wasn’t bad-looking; what if Leland Burns took a liking to her?
Once, she tried to approach Leland Burns, but he noticed her before she could greet him. His face, those eyes, that cold and sharp gaze-she could never forget it.
Just one look made her afraid to get closer. She finally understood why her mother said they were not from the same world.
Though she gave up, she still felt a sense of unwillingness. She even blamed Mrs. Protich, thinking if only her mother had been more competent and born into a wealthy family, she wouldn’t be so far from Leland Burns.
With resentment growing in her heart, she started acting out and got involved with a delinquent boyfriend. Despite Mrs. Protich’s repeated attempts to counsel her, it was in vain.
It was Lily Thompson who leaked the information about Mrs. Protich’s substantial insurance policy. Not only did the Roberts family know about it, but so did her delinquent boyfriend and her friends.
She boasted about it to show the Roberts family what a loss it was for them to favor sons over daughters. Now she had money and enjoyed the envy and flattery of those around her. Her vanity made her hold herself high above others, not caring who was genuine or not.
When Leland Burns glanced at her, Lily Thompson hid behind her boyfriend in fear.
Leland Burns kept his brows furrowed, considering talking to Lily Thompson a waste of breath and ignored her like trash.
Hearing of his visit, the hospital director came personally.
“Mr. Burns, what brings you here suddenly?”
Leland Burns looked at the emergency room. “How is the person inside?”
The accompanying doctor replied, “Still in surgery; the situation is critical.”
“I want you to use every possible means to keep that person alive.”
The doctor looked troubled but spoke up cautiously, “This…”
Leland Burns’ gaze grew colder with a hint of threat. “Is that impossible?”
“We can’t guarantee it completely, but we will do our utmost with the best doctors and equipment,” the doctor replied honestly.
Saving a life isn’t something that can be guaranteed just by saying so; it depends on the situation. The person inside had already received a critical condition notice-it was like fighting death itself.
Leland Burns said no more and sat quietly outside the operating room waiting for results.
Lily Thompson couldn’t stay any longer and wanted to leave with her boyfriend. Just as she was about to go, Leland Burns shot another cold glance at her like a knife piercing through, freezing her steps as if punished like a schoolchild outside the operating room.
The surgery took nearly three hours before the doctor came out calling for family members. Lily Thompson walked over slowly.
The doctor told Lily Thompson to prepare mentally; Mrs. Protich had severe brain damage and might become a vegetative state.
Lily Thompson turned pale with tears welling up in her eyes, unsure what to do.
Her boyfriend comforted her, “I believe your mom will wake up; it’s just a matter of time.”
“I’m afraid I can’t take care of her,” she admitted, knowing how troublesome it is to care for someone in such a state-massaging daily to prevent muscle atrophy and bathing them. She had too much going on during the day to manage all that care.
“When the insurance payout comes through, you’ll have plenty of money. You can hire a good caregiver; you won’t need to do it yourself.”
Thinking about it that way made Lily feel less sad for some reason.
Mrs. Protich was moved to an observation room while the attending doctor gave instructions to Lily Thompson, who seemed too dazed to remember everything clearly.
The doctor tiredly asked a nurse to send written instructions instead.
Leland Burns listened nearby; Mrs. Protich’s life was saved but she became a vegetable.
What could a vegetative person do? What difference was there from being dead?
Her daughter’s indifferent attitude angered him even more.
Looking at Mrs. Protich being wheeled out, Leland Burns noticed how much she’d aged over five years-her hair grayer and face more wrinkled despite receiving decent monthly insurance payments which she saved rather than spent extravagantly on herself.