Chapter 153

Gilmore looked at Elaine, who was wiping away tears, and asked, "How is your father doing?"

"He's still in the hospital, in a coma," Elaine replied. "The hospital said he needs surgery within two hours, or his life will be in danger." Tears welled up in her eyes again. She looked pitiful.

Gilmore asked, "You said the surgery will cost $200,000, right?"

Elaine nodded, sobbing, "$200,000 How will I ever get that much money?" Tears streamed down her face. She was understandably distraught over her father's critical condition.

Gilmore calmly asked, "What's your account number?"

Elaine, perplexed, asked, "What what did you say?"

"Give me your account number. I have a wealthy friend who can lend you $200,000," Gilmore explained.

Elaine stared in disbelief. She thought, Is he really willing to borrow $200,000 for me? It seemed unbelievable, almost insane. But this was a life-or-death situation. Her father, near death, was waiting for her to save him. I'd die for him. I'll borrow $200,000 from a stranger for him, she thought.

Elaine immediately knelt, but Gilmore, seemingly anticipating this, stopped her. "I'm still alive," he said, gazing at her. "No need to prostrate yourself. Or you might forget about the money."

Elaine stood up, thanking him profusely. "You're a kind man. I'll never forget this."

"Whatever," Gilmore replied. "But if you don't give me your account number in the next few minutes, your father will miss his only chance. You won't be able to save him then, even with the money."

Elaine immediately retrieved her phone and gave Gilmore her account number. He entered it into his phone.

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He quickly transferred $200,000 to her account via mobile banking. The sum was insignificant to him.

He wasn't motivated by Elaine's appearance, but by his own past poverty. He understood the pain and despair of misfortune. As the wise old saying goes, "Helping others is a sign of personal growth." After all, $200,000 was nothing to him.

After the transfer, he noticed Elaine staring at his phone. He pocketed it, saying, "My friend has agreed to lend you $200,000. You should receive it in a few minutes."

Just then, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she answered, "Mom, how's Dad?"

A joyful voice responded, "Elaine, I just got a message that $200,000 was transferred to my account! Did you borrow it from that rich classmate?"

Elaine realized the money had been sent to her mother's account—the account she'd given Gilmore.

"Yes, Mom," Elaine replied. "A rich classmate lent us the money. Hurry and get Dad into surgery. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Excellent! Dear, thank your classmate for saving your father's life!" her mother cried.

"I know, Mom," Elaine said. "I will. Go talk to the doctor now."

"Okay, okay," her mother said before hanging up.

Elaine wiped away her tears—this time, tears of joy. They had the money for the surgery. She looked at Gilmore and said, "Thank you so much for lending me the money."

Gilmore corrected, "I didn't lend it. My friend did."

"You don't need to lie," Elaine said, teasingly. "I saw you transfer the money to my mother's account."

Gilmore noticed Elaine's improved mood. She looked charming with her playful smile.

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Gilmore hadn't intended to be known as the donor, but there was no point in hiding it now. "Yes, it's my money," he admitted, "but you don't need to repay it. Consider it a gift."

Surprise flickered across Elaine's face. She'd never encountered such generosity. Is he the richest man in Eldoria? Does he have more money than God? she wondered.

"It's still a lot of money," she said. "How can I not pay you back?"

Gilmore smiled. "Don't worry about it. Consider it a favor from a rich and capricious man."

Elaine was shocked. Though Gilmore insisted, she intended to repay him. The money had saved her father's life.

"You saved me, and then lent me $200,000 to save my father," she said. "But I don't know your name. May I ask, Mr. Hero?" She needed his name to repay him gradually.

"Gilmore," he replied.

"Gilmore," she continued, "what university do you attend, or where do you work?"

Gilmore raised an eyebrow. "Why? Is this an interview?"

Elaine waved her hands. "No, no. You seem nice, and I wondered if we could be friends."

Gilmore eyed her suspiciously. "Elaine, I sense ulterior motives."

Elaine, realizing he'd seen through her, blushed but denied it. "No, I I just want to be friends."

Gilmore nodded. "I see. You have a crush on me, but are too shy to ask me out. Am I right?"

Elaine was speechless. Why is he thinking this? she mused, realizing her hesitation had caused the misunderstanding.

Before she could explain, he sat beside her. "How about we watch the meteor shower tonight as our first date?"

Elaine was speechless. There seemed to be no escape.

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