Chapter 4 A Hospital Room
Seeing that Frederic Howard was displeased, the hospital president and his team couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. They quickly explained, "It's not that we don't want to, but this kind of poison can't be removed all at once. She has been taking it for at least five or six years, and only recently stopped. We need to gradually eliminate it, and she mustn't overexert herself, or it will only exacerbate the toxin."
Facing a big shot in Y City's business world, someone who could make the entire city tremble with just a frown, it was understandable that even the hospital president, let alone the mayor, would be intimidated by such a tone.
Hearing the president's response, Frederic Howard frowned even deeper and looked at Evan Hicks: "Contact Professor in America and ask him to come here."
"Yes, sir," Evan Hicks replied, afraid of being caught in Frederic Howard's anger, and hurriedly left.
Frederic Howard waved his hand, and his cold voice sounded again, "You may leave now!"
The group of doctors scurried out like they were fleeing for their lives, closing the door behind them.
A few minutes later, Evan Hicks returned: "Sir, Professor said he is in the neighboring city and will come right away. Do you want to go back first? You are still injured, and all this might cause your wounds to reopen."
"No need. Have her moved to my ward; I'll stay here for treatment as well."
The First Hospital was owned by Frederic Howard's good friend, Edwiin Brewster, who was rumored to be Frederic Howard's boyfriend. This was because they never brought female companions to social events and were often seen together, leading to speculation that Frederic Howard preferred men. Here, Frederic Howard had a private ward.
"Yes, sir."
Frederic Howard stayed by Melissa Ernest's bedside. When he saw her furrow her brows and slowly open her eyes, he disregarded his own injuries and quickly stood up, "You're awake. Are you feeling any discomfort?"
Before she could respond, he immediately instructed Evan Hicks, "Go and call the doctor."
"Yes."
As Evan Hicks left, Melissa Ernest asked in a hoarse voice, "Where am I? Who are you?"
"This is the First Hospital. You fainted, and there is a chronic poison in your body. Because you've been taking it for so long, your body is very weak."
A deep, magnetic voice echoed in her ears. Melissa Ernest raised her head to look at Frederic Howard, rubbing her head, which felt uncomfortable, and asked, "Do we know each other?"
"Have you forgotten?" Frederic Howard looked at her with an unreadable expression.
She thought for a moment, going through the faces of people she knew, but still couldn't place him. Raising her beautiful eyes, she stared at him, full of confusion.
Seeing her bewildered look, he added, "You forgot about what happened a few days ago?"
With Frederic Howard's reminder, Melissa Ernest finally remembered the man she had saved by accident, who exuded a regal aura even while lying on a hospital bed.
"Oh, I remember now. How are you? Are your injuries better?" She pointed at him, her clear eyes scanning him up and down, and then said, "The difference is too great; I didn't recognize you at first."
It was no wonder she didn't recognize him. On the day she saved him, he was covered in injuries, and his clothes were torn. Later, she was preoccupied with worries about her family and hadn't paid much attention to Frederic Howard. Today, he was dressed in a custom-made suit, something she had no memory of.
Seeing that Melissa Ernest had recognized him, Frederic Howard's furrowed brows relaxed a bit, "I'm much better. By the way, do you know who poisoned you, and for such a long time—five or six years?"
Melissa Ernest looked at him in surprise, "No, I don't."
After a moment, her eyes filled with despair, and she tried to get out of bed.
Frederic Howard quickly went over and gently pushed her back down, "Don't move. Wait for the doctor to check on you first."
The door opened, and a man with glasses walked in, followed by the hospital president and his team. Frederic Howard stood up and shook hands with him, "Professor, thank you for coming."
The middle-aged man, known as Professor, smiled and shook his head, clearly an old acquaintance of Frederic Howard, "Mr. Howard, no need to be formal. Luckily, I was in the neighboring city, so it wasn't far. Let me take a look first."