Chapter 454
Chapter 454
No wonder Kitty looked so haggard. Given the condition of the patient she was caring for, it was a miracle she hadn’t collapsed herself.
They weren’t short on funds, but money couldn’t solve everything.
Kitty listened to the doctor’s diagnosis with a solemn expression. There was no visible sorrow in her eyes; she’d probably received too many serious medical bulletins to feel much of anything anymore.
I was at a loss for how to comfort her. All I could do was stand by quietly and watch.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the hospital room door. I turned to see who it was and was surprised to see Neil.
What was he doing here?
Upon seeing Neil, a glimmer of surprise flashed across Kitty’s weary face. I wasn’t sure if her surprise was due to Neil’s unexpected arrival or the hope that he might be able to help her father.
“Neil, you really came,” Kitty said, her voice quivering with visible emotion at seeing the man she once loved.
“How’s your dad?” Neil asked, his voice devoid of emotion. He glanced at Daniel in the hospital bed, his tone serious.
“He’s not doing well. If we don’t find a cure soon, he might…” Kitty trailed off, giving a bitter laugh. “Right now, it’s just me taking him around to different hospitals. His lovely wife is nowhere to be found.”
It was a harsh reality that kindness wasn’t always reciprocated. Thankfully, Daniel had treated Kitty well in the past, so at least he understood he owed Kitty something. That probably was why Kitty was willing to take care of him now.
Daniel tried to say something to Neil, but he was too weak to speak. He simply nodded at Neil, an act that took considerable effort.
Kitty took a deep breath, then turned to Neil. “Neil, could you do me a favor? Could you ask Dr. Karina to take a look at my dad? I’ve heard she’s an expert in holistic medicine. Maybe she could help.”
Neil frowned but didn’t respond immediately. Still, I could tell he was reluctant to help.
Kitty could sense it, too, but she wasn’t willing to give up. She just stared at Neil, waiting for a definitive response.
“I’m sorry, I can’t help,” Neil finally said. There was a hint of regret in his voice, but his refusal was firm.
I couldn’t understand why he was so adamant. Surely, he wouldn’t be so cold-hearted towards Kitty.
Kitty looked crestfallen. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Daniel watched the exchange from his hospital bed, his eyes filled with despair.
“So, could I approach Dr. Karina directly?” Kitty asked after a moment.
“You can, as long as you can convince her,” Neil replied nonchalantly. He didn’t seem to mind if Karina tried to help Daniel. He just didn’t want to be the one to ask her.
This was strange. If Neil had asked Karina, it would have been simpler. Given Karina’s feelings for Neil, she wouldn’t have refused.
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Kitty seemed to be at a loss. She glanced at me, as if hoping I could explain what was going on.
But how could I? I didn’t understand the dynamics between Neil and Karina. They seemed to have feelings for each other, but their relationship appeared strained.
“I’ll go find Dr. Karina. She’s in this hospital, right?” Kitty said, turning back to Neil when I didn’t respond.
“Yes, she works in the maternity ward. You can try there,” Neil replied. His voice was flat, and he didn’t try to dissuade her.
Without any hesitation, Kitty left the room. I knew she was going to find Karina, but I could guess that Karina wouldn’t agree to help. Otherwise, she would have already done so and Kitty wouldn’t have had to ask.
Only Daniel, Neil, and I remained in the room. The atmosphere was heavy, and after a while, I decided to leave as well. I sat down in the hallway outside the room, waiting for Kitty to return. Although I already knew what the outcome would likely be, I wanted to be there to try to console her.
While I sat in silence, Neil came out and sat down next to me. The hallway was quiet; this was a private hospital ward, after all.
“Why wouldn’t you help Kitty? She was once very fond of you, and you guys are friends, aren’t you?” | couldn’t help but ask. I didn’t understand his reluctance, and after seeing Daniel’s condition, I felt compelled to intervene.
Neil let out a cold laugh. “Why, do you want me to help her?”
I didn’t answer directly. Instead, I said, “I just feel bad for her. She’s alone, and her last hope seems to be with Karina. It just seems a bit cruel.”
“So, you refuse my help, but you want me to help another woman?” Neil retorted.
I was speechless. My thoughts drifted back to the photography studio and Louis. I was distracted for a moment.
“Neil, is Louis still working at Whitmore Co.?” I asked, changing the subject.
“No, he resigned six months ago,” Neil replied, his eyes darkening. He looked at me with a meaningful gaze. “Why do you ask about him all of a sudden?”
I pondered whether or not I should tell him about Louis being the major shareholder of the photography studio named “As Promised.” Louis had taken over about six months ago, the same time he had left Whitmore Co.
But these two facts didn’t necessarily mean anything. It was perfectly normal for someone to leave a job and start something new, wasn’t it?
“Why did he quit?” I asked.
“He was caught selling company project data to a competitor,” Neil said.
I was so shocked by his response.
Was Louis really that audacious? He hadn’t been at Whitmore Co. for very long, yet he was bold enough to sell project data?
As I sat there, stunned, Neil leaned back in his chair. His long legs, clad in black trousers, stretched out in front of him in a relaxed manner.
“You once warned me about something similar, so when I noticed something was off, I paid closer
attention and discovered what he was doing. Irene, it seems like you’ve been unknowingly helping me quite a lot.”
Neil spoke nonchalantly, even managing to sound somewhat amused.
Was that so? I never realized I’d done such a big favor for Neil. If I hadn’t, things could have turned out- much worse.
I always had an odd feeling about Louis, especially after he returned from abroad. The fact that he met with people from Whitmore Co.’s rival company… there’s definitely something fishy about that.
Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. “Since I’ve helped you, can you return the favor?”
“How so?” Neil turned to look at me, his eyelashes striking from this angle. “You’re not thinking of asking me to help Kitty, are you?”
I was taken aback and shook my head. “No, I just want to ask you something, and I need you to tell me the truth.”
