Chapter 10

Frederick was utterly shocked by the diagnosis. A doctor from the internal medicine department approached him. “Your mother’s cancer is advanced,” the doctor said. “She needs immediate surgery; otherwise, her life is in danger.”

Frederick’s voice trembled. “How… how much does the surgery cost?”

“Three hundred thousand,” the doctor replied. “Additional procedures will be charged separately.” The doctor then left.

As a hospital doctor, Frederick knew the hospital’s policies well. Surgery would only be arranged after payment.

“Emmanuel, what should I do? I don’t have three hundred thousand!” Frederick was at a loss. He had only worked at the hospital for two years, and most of his income had gone toward his younger sister’s college education. He had little savings.

“Don’t worry, we’ll think of something!” Emmanuel comforted him. After a pause, he pressed Alessandra’s bank card into Frederick’s hand. “Take this. There’s sixty thousand.”

“T-This… Isn’t this your mother’s bank card? How can I use this?” Frederick’s body trembled, and tears welled up. It felt wrong to use his best friend’s mother’s hard-earned money.

“Don’t worry about that. Saving your mother is the priority!” Emmanuel insisted.

“But even with this, I still don’t have three hundred thousand! I can only scrape together a hundred thousand by today,” Frederick replied, his voice breaking. “Besides, I really can’t take your mother’s money. I don’t know how I’ll repay it…”

Emmanuel felt helpless at Frederick’s anguish. At that moment, Milani walked by and saw them.

“Ha! Don’t you guys find it embarrassing for two grown men to be crying in a hospital?” Milani, who looked down on Emmanuel and had recently argued with Frederick, seized the opportunity to mock them.

“Milani, shut up!” Emmanuel rebuked her. Seeing Frederick’s devastation, he couldn't let Milani add insult to injury.

Unexpectedly, Frederick addressed Milani. “The beautiful Milani, you must be very rich, judging by your glamorous appearance.”

Startled, Milani stepped back. “W-What do you want?”

“Please lend me two hundred thousand! My mother has cancer and needs immediate surgery. Please, I’m begging you! I’ll repay you!” Frederick pleaded desperately, almost going to his knees. Milani remained unmoved.

Besides lacking the funds, she had no reason to lend him money.

“Hah! You’re out of your mind. I don’t have two hundred thousand to lend you,” she said. “That’s why poor people are so pathetic. You can’t even afford your mother’s surgery. Is it any wonder no woman wants to marry you?” She left, adding insult to injury.

Frederick burned with anger. If Emmanuel hadn’t stopped him, he would have attacked her.

“Frederick, calm down!” Emmanuel held him tightly, comforting him.

Frederick eventually calmed down. Assaulting Milani would only lead to arrest, hindering his mother’s surgery.

Frederick contacted numerous people, including acquaintances, making over ten calls to borrow money. Emmanuel also reached out to his contacts. Despite their efforts, they only borrowed seventy thousand—less than a third of what they needed.

Chapter 10: Emmanuel Has a Wife

“What should we do? My mother might die if the surgery is delayed!” Frederick sobbed.

Emmanuel sighed. “Please don’t cry. Let me try my wife. I’m sure she’ll help.” He wasn’t sure if Mackenzie would agree, but they were out of options. Borrowing three hundred thousand in such a short time was difficult with their social standing.

Chapter 10: Emmanuel Has a Wife

“Your wife?” Frederick’s tears stopped. “Emmanuel, have you gone crazy? Since when did you have a wife?”

Emmanuel smiled helplessly, unable to explain, and called Mackenzie. He’d memorized her number after the previous day’s incident, fearing she’d block him again.

“Hello. What’s up?” Mackenzie answered, her voice calm and steady.

“Ms. Quillen, I need to borrow some money,” Emmanuel said directly.

Frederick was stunned. Ms. Quillen? His wife? Why would he address her that way?

“Borrow money?” Mackenzie froze, then smirked. She’d been wondering if he’d married her for her money. Despite her skepticism, she asked, “How much?”

“One hundred and twenty-eight thousand!” Emmanuel replied. They’d already gathered one hundred and seventy-two thousand.

Mackenzie’s curiosity was piqued. “You rejected a hundred thousand last night. Now you want one hundred and twenty-eight thousand?”

“Yes. Will you lend it to me?” Emmanuel asked casually, avoiding explanations or pleading.

Beep… Beep…

Mackenzie hung up. Emmanuel frowned. A rejection?

Frederick was still processing things, but Emmanuel hadn’t sounded like he was talking to his wife; more like a superior.

“Emmanuel, maybe I should try loan sharks…” Frederick didn’t want to burden his friend. He couldn’t get a loan through proper channels, but loan sharks would lend quickly.

“You can’t!” Emmanuel protested. “You’d be in serious trouble if you couldn’t repay them.”

Ding!

A text appeared: You have received two hundred thousand from Mackenzie.

What the heck?

Frederick was amazed. “Oh my goodness! Is this woman really your wife? She… she’s very rich?” The immediate transfer of almost double the requested amount proved her wealth.

Emmanuel smiled, embarrassed by Frederick’s envious reaction. He knew little about Mackenzie’s wealth beyond her senior executive position.

“Take it. Arrange your mother’s surgery!” Emmanuel transferred the money.

“Thank you! Please thank your wife. I’ll repay her as soon as I can!” Frederick’s tears were now tears of gratitude.

“No rush. Don’t worry about it!” Emmanuel reassured him. He suspected Mackenzie wasn’t short of money, but he still planned to repay her to avoid any misunderstandings.

Milani was paying her bill when Frederick arrived to pay. Seeing him, she was shocked he’d gotten three hundred thousand so quickly. The pauper begging her moments before now had the money.

“Ha! You went to a loan shark, didn’t you? Watch out for the interest!” Milani mocked.

Frederick retorted, “Emmanuel’s wife lent me the money. She transferred two hundred thousand immediately. Thank goodness Emmanuel wasn’t interested in a woman like you. Otherwise, his life would be so sad!”

What? Milani was in disbelief. Emmanuel’s wife? That pauper had a wife?