Chapter 5: The Golden Ticket
956 Words
As Liam turned to leave, his words hung in the air like a perfect echo of Saint's earlier dismissal. The irony wasn't lost on either of them.
Saint's face contorted with desperation. "Liam, please! I was wrong, terribly wrong. I said things I shouldn't have. Don't hold it against me now. You're the only one who can help!"
He clutched at Liam's arm with one hand while the other gesticulated wildly, his pride crumbling in the face of potential disaster.
Just then, Mary Zhang emerged from the operating room, her voice dripping with disdain. "Oh, for heaven's sake. He's just after money. Why waste time talking?"
She fixed Liam with a withering glare. "Do you have any idea how many renowned physicians would jump at the chance to treat my daughter? You're nothing but an orderly. Have you no shame?"
Liam's eyes turned to ice. "Well then, Madam Zhang, by all means, seek out these illustrious doctors. I'm clearly not qualified to treat your daughter."
He'd always despised those who used their status to belittle others, acting superior even when they needed help. The hypocrisy of it all made his blood boil.
"Mary!" George Fields' voice cracked like a whip. "Are you trying to ensure our daughter's death?"
He knew his wife's penchant for causing scenes, and sure enough, she'd managed to insult their daughter's savior within moments of meeting him. If the legendary Arthur of Rebirth praised this young man's skills, George reasoned, then Liam must be someone of considerable talent and likely noble birth. His wife's attitude was practically a death sentence for their child.
Mary Zhang flinched at her husband's anger. Never in their years of marriage had she seen him so furious. The realization of just how badly she'd erred struck her like a physical blow, and she fell silent.
George approached Liam, his manner suddenly deferential. "Sir, I apologize for my wife's behavior. She lacks the wisdom to recognize true talent. You saved our daughter's life, and yet she treated you with such disrespect. Please, forgive her foolishness."
Liam's voice remained cold. "Your wife made it clear that I'm unworthy of treating your daughter. She even asked Dr. Saint to throw me out. I'm just a lowly orderly who's been dismissed. How could I possibly be qualified to save your daughter's life?"
Mary Zhang, accustomed to getting her way through sheer force of will and money, found herself in unfamiliar territory. For once, her wealth couldn't solve the problem at hand.
Suddenly, a nurse burst out of the operating room, panic etched on her face. "The patient's condition is deteriorating rapidly! She's coughing up blood, and her body won't stop convulsing!"
The color drained from Mary's face as the gravity of the situation finally hit her. If Liam didn't help, her daughter would die. Pride forgotten, she grabbed Liam's hand and fell to her knees.
"Please, sir! I'm sorry, truly sorry. My attitude was inexcusable. I was just so worried about my little girl. I beg you, save her life!"
Liam wasn't heartless. He simply couldn't abide Mary's earlier arrogance. But as he thought of Tina Fields lying helpless in that operating room, he felt his resolve weakening.
As a medical professional, could he really stand by and let a patient die, no matter who they were or how insufferable their family might be? If he didn't act now, the girl would almost certainly perish.
With a heavy sigh, Liam nodded. "Alright. I'll try one more time. But if any of you interfere again, not even the gods themselves could save her."
"Thank you, thank you so much!" Mary's relief was so palpable that tears sprang to her eyes.
Liam returned to the operating room, his skilled hands once again weaving their healing magic through carefully placed needles. Gradually, Tina's condition stabilized.
As they watched their daughter's vitals improve, George and Mary Fields finally allowed themselves to breathe easy.
"Dr. Steele," George said, his voice thick with emotion, "thank you for saving our daughter. Please, accept this as a token of our gratitude." He pulled a check from his pocket, already filled out for an eye-watering sum of ten billion.
Liam had never seen such an astronomical figure. His family had scraped by selling fried dough and porridge, their yearly income never exceeding a hundred million. But despite the life-changing amount, Liam pushed the check back towards George.
"Mr. Fields, that's not necessary. Saving lives is a doctor's duty. I can't accept this."
George considered for a moment. A man of Liam's caliber clearly wasn't motivated by mere money. Offering cash was far too crass. He quickly pocketed the check and instead produced a small golden card.
"Then please, take this instead. It's a VIP card for Swift Corporation. It doesn't hold any monetary value, but it grants you free access to all our services. Much more convenient, I think."
Liam knew that Swift Corporation owned half of Daisy Sun, from entertainment venues to high-end hotels and restaurants. This card would essentially give him the freedom of the city.
In many ways, it was even more valuable than the check, and far less gauche. Liam accepted the card with a nod. "Thank you, Mr. Fields. I appreciate it."
George breathed a sigh of relief. Forming a connection with someone of Liam's medical prowess could prove invaluable. After a few more minutes of small talk, he excused himself to tend to his daughter.
As George left, Dr. Saint sidled up to Liam, a sycophantic smile plastered on his face. "Liam, my boy, I always knew you were special..."
But before he could finish his sentence, Liam brushed past him without a second glance, leaving Saint standing alone, his face burning with shame.
- Writer
