Chapter5
1266 Words
Members of the school orchestra participating in the performance are walking towards us.
The speaker is the girl walking at the forefront ， who happens to be Maximilian's sister, Emily Ryder.
Both Isabella and Emily are students in the string department, specializing in the violin.
When Isabella was still around, Emily always held the second violin position. Now that Isabella is going abroad for studies, Emily finally has the chance to become the first violinist in the school orchestra.
Emily pulling off the lead melody for the first time, looks pleased.
Ignoring Emily, Isabella descends the stairs to go to the hospital to visit her father.
"Hold on!"
Emily reaches out to stop her.
"Isabella, let me tell you, if you have any self-respect, you should leave my brother alone and stop bothering him."
Is she bothering Maximilian?
Isabella, furious, smirks. "Sure, then go back and tell your brother to stay away from me in the future."
"What's with the high and mighty act, Miss Hartwell?"
Emily coldly snorts.
"My brother didn't divorce you because he's too kind-hearted and soft. Don't lack self-awareness."
Maximilian is "too kind-hearted and soft"?
Isabella sneers.
Causing harm to the Hartwell family and still wanting to control her, he is indeed too soft-hearted.
On the steps, Maximilian, who came to support his sister, had just stepped down from the car. Seeing the situation, he hurries up the stairs.
"Emily, don't do that."
"Max!" Maximilian looks unimpressed. "I didn't say anything wrong. Where does she deserve you now?"
"Right, your way out of my league." Isabella raises her voice.
"Since you're here, let me make it clear, Maximilian, we're ending our marriage."
She had wanted an opportunity to divorce, and now it's perfect. Many students and parents have gathered around.
"What's going on?"
"Who is she?"
"Isabella Hartwell from the string department. Haven't you seen the news? The Hartwell family is completely done this time."
"Down and out, so she's divorcing. The Ryder family really has influential connections!"
What nonsense are you all talking about!" Emily raises her voice.
"Listen carefully, it's Isabella who wants to divorce our Ryder family, not the other way around."
"Shut up!" Maximilian sternly stops his sister, grabs Isabella's arm, looking deeply concerned.
"Isabella, I truly love you. Regardless of the Hartwell family's situation, my feelings for you have never changed. I will help you get through this difficult time!"
Many influential figures from Harmony Heaven have attended the music festival. Isabella, publicly divorcing in front of such people, will not only embarrass Maximilian but also bring shame to the Ryder family. Moreover, with the uncertain situation of the Unity Holdings Group, he must stabilize Isabella.
"Wow, so devoted!"
"Yeah, it's hard to find such a good man nowadays."
Act!
Continue acting! Isabella squints at the man's face, unable to understand. How can he lie so calmly and confidently?
Those vows of eternal love he once uttered, how did she not see through his hypocrisy?
"Love me?" Isabella clenches her fists, lifts her face. "Then let's go get married now. Are you up for it?"
Getting married means sharing the Hartwell family's debts with him. Of course, that's not what Maximilian truly wants.
"Isabella, I..."
Maximilian lowered his eyelashes, quickly thinking of a countermeasure.
"What, can't continue the act?" Isabella shakes off his arm. "Then don't pretend to be deeply in love and a good person in front of me. From now on, I have no connection with you, and your Ryder family."
"Isabella!" The eyes behind the glasses of the man turned cold. "You'll regret treating me like this."
Finally, he tears off his hypocritical mask.
"Regret?" Isabella pulls out the engagement ring from her bag, forcefully throws it at Maximilian's face. "The thing I regret the most is being blind back then, being with a scumbag like you."
She turns around, strides down the steps.
Her nose feels sour.
Her eyes are hot and painful.
Her throat is so blocked she can hardly breathe. Clenching her fists, raising her head, she proudly straightens her back. She won't let anyone, especially Maximilian, see any bit of her misery. Maximilian looks disdainfully at Isabella's figure, purses his lips.
"Max, why bother with her? Isn't it more suitable for her to divorce?"
"You don't understand."
Maximilian impatiently shakes off his sister's arm. Now he is the largest shareholder in Unity Holdings. However, without getting the shares from Isabella, Maximilian is still a bit uneasy. What if she sells the shares to someone else? There might be uncertainties.
In Unity Holdings Group, he has worked hard, climbing from an intern to his current position. Finally kicking the Hartwell family father and son out, Maximilian certainly won't allow any more mistakes.
The assistant picks up the fallen diamond ring and presents it to Maximilian. Holding the ring, Maximilian watches Isabella's retreating figure, slowly tightening his fingers.
Isabella.
I'll wait for you to come back crying and beg me!
...
...
First Hospital.
When Isabella arrives at the ICU door, Chief Doctor John happens to be checking other beds and comes over. Isabella walks over quickly, "Doctor John, how's my dad?"
Chief Doctor John takes off his mask, "Come on, let's talk in the office." The two go to the office, and Chief Doctor John politely asks her to sit, handing her a bottle of mineral water.
"Mr. Hartwell's condition is still unstable. However, I have good news for you." Chief Doctor John smiles reassuringly, "I've sent your father's case to Professor Hans, my mentor from school, who is an expert in neurology. If you're interested, you can ask him for a consultation and surgery for your father."
"That's great." Isabella is grateful, "Doctor John, thank you."
"However..." Chief Doctor John pauses, "You know Mr. Hartwell's current situation. It's impossible for him to be transferred to another hospital. You can only invite the doctor for consultation and surgery here. The surgery fees are quite expensive, including hotel, airfare... You'll have to bear all these costs, and also..." Chief Doctor John looks at Isabella across the table, a bit reluctant, "As you know, there are risks in the surgery, and no one can guarantee the result."
"As long as there's a 1% chance, I won't give up." Isabella stands up, earnestly bows to Chief Doctor John. "I'll figure out the money, and I'll leave the contact with the doctor to you."
Her mother passed away early, and her father raised her and her brother. As long as her father is alive, she won't give up treatment. Otherwise, she won't be able to forgive herself.
Chief Doctor John helps her up, "You can rest assured, we'll do our best."
"Can I see my dad now?"
"Of course."
Chief Doctor John takes her out of the office, instructs a nurse to help her put on sterile clothing. After the nurse disinfects Isabella, she leads her into the ICU ward.
On the bed, Richard Hartwell's face is as pale as paper, and his breathing is almost inaudible. Only the jumping numbers on the monitor prove that he's still alive.
Isabella reaches out, gently holds the old man's large and thick hand, presses it against her face. Isabella fights back tears.
"Dad, rest assured, both my brother and I are fine. I'll help you keep Unity Holdings. Promise me, don't give up. Hold on... Get better quickly... When my brother comes back, you can come to my concert with him. Promised me, alright?"
On the hospital bed, Richard Hartwell remains silent. The only response is the humming sound from the heart monitor.
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
...
- Writer
