Hadden’s furrowed brows remained unsettled. “Louisa, do you have to force me like this?”
Louisa retorted, “No, you’re the one forcing me.”
Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, the hospital suddenly called Louisa. “Miss Hicks, the hospital has just received a new batch of a special medicine. Would you like to come and take a look?”
Louisa burst into tears of joy. Her father was finally saved. She rushed to the hospital, with Hadden accompanying her.
At the hospital, Harvey’s attending physician said that this was likely the last batch of the special medicine. If Harvey didn’t receive it this time, there would truly be no chance.
Louisa immediately paid for the medicine. She asked, “Doctor, can the surgery be arranged immediately?”
She had encountered such hope many times in the past year, but all of them had ultimately been dashed. She feared that things might change if she delayed.
The doctor said, “Miss Hicks, your father’s surgery is very difficult, especially considering he also suffered a severe stroke. In the entire capital city, only Dr. Cole can perform this type of comprehensive surgery.”
Before Louisa could speak, Hadden said, “Louisa, I’ll perform Dad’s surgery. This time, I definitely won’t let you down.”
Louisa didn’t believe him and was about to refuse when the attending physician added, “Miss Hicks, since Dr. Cole is willing, the chances of success are very high. Otherwise, it would be difficult for anyone else to perform such a complex surgery. Moreover, Dr. Cole performed a similar surgery a year ago. If he can lead the operation, it will be foolproof.”
Louisa knew Hadden’s skills were excellent, but his heart was with Janice. She was afraid.
Hadden hugged Louisa and said earnestly, “Louisa, he’s not only your father and my father-in-law, but also my friend of many years. This time, I will definitely cure him. Trust me.”
Louisa had no choice but to agree to let Hadden perform her father’s surgery. “Hadden, don’t disappoint me this time.”
“Louisa, don’t worry, I won’t let you go without a father.”
Because it was already too late and there were still many pre-operative examinations to be done. Finally, the surgery was scheduled for tomorrow morning.
To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, Louisa asked Hadden to stay at the hospital to rest that night and to have the surgery immediately after the pre-operative examinations the next morning.
Midway through, Hadden went out to answer a phone call, while Louisa went to help her father with the paperwork.
Just as she returned, she saw that Janice had also arrived and Hadden was affectionately wiping away her tears.
Standing beside them were several of Hadden's close friends, who teased him with smiles. “Hadden, Janice couldn’t reach you and cried so hard. Only you could comfort her.”
Janice buried her head in the man’s chest, staring at him with teary eyes. “Hadden, I heard Miss Hicks and you had another fight. Will you get tired of me because of this and stop caring about me?”
Before Hadden could speak, his friends started teasing him. “How could that be? We all call you ‘little sister-in-law’ in private. Everyone knows how much Hadden favors you. Even if he divorces Louisa, he won’t abandon you.”
Janice smiled smugly, then lowered her head shyly, saying, “You all just talk nonsense. Miss Hicks will be unhappy if she hears this.”
The crowd laughed, while Louisa stood not far away, scoffing, “Knowing I’d be unhappy, you still dared to come to the hospital to seduce a married man. Are you shameless?”
Louisa’s sudden appearance startled those who had just talked behind her back. The group froze, quickly offering apologetic smiles. “Sister-in-law, we were just joking, don’t take it to heart.”
Louisa raised her eyes, coldly staring at him. “Tomorrow I’ll introduce your wife to a male model, let her experience the allure of freshness.”
The man's expression hardened, Louisa scoffed, “Why the sudden change of heart? I was just joking too. Is it funny?”
Louisa rarely interfered in their squabbles, but when she did speak up, it made everyone lose face. She walked straight over, grabbing Hadden to leave. “Come with me.”
Tomorrow was her father’s surgery, Hadden had to stay with her. But Janice refused to let go. “Hadden, today is my birthday, you promised me you’d celebrate it with me this year.”
Louisa finally couldn’t hold back and slapped her hard. “Janice, are all the men in the world dead? Why did you have to find a married man to celebrate your birthday with you?”
Janice’s face immediately showed five handprints, her eyes bloodshot. Hadden forcefully shook off Louisa’s hand, staring at Janice with heartache. “Louisa, you’ve gone too far! Apologize!”
