Justin frowned. “Some time ago, Ryan suddenly passed out during a conference. It turns out that he’s suffering from heart disease, and he has to undergo heart bypass surgery. Now, he’s still in the hospital.”
All of them were dumbfounded. Jolly was stunned as well, for she wasn’t aware that Ryan had heart disease.
They then headed to Cardinal Hospital, which had the best privacy protection for patients among all the private hospitals in Riverdale. Like the best general hospitals in the city, it was just as difficult to get a place here. In fact, their patients were all important politicians and the wealthiest people.
The hospital was located in West Magnolia, which was about six miles away from the place where Rachel’s car was previously blocked. It took them twenty minutes to drive to the hospital.
While Jolly brought Samuel into the hospital, the others waited in the car park outside the building. Rachel was spacing out in the car when she heard someone knocking on her car window. She turned her head and saw Gloria, who was wearing a fluffy pink beanie. Presently, Gloria was beckoning to her like a Lucky Cat.
Rachel rolled down the car window and asked, “What’s wrong?”
‘It’s sultry inside the car. Come out and get some fresh air, Rachel.”
Rachel turned to look at her daughter. “Do you want to get out of the car, Charlotte?”
After a yawn, Charlotte rested her chin on the window frame and looked in the direction Samuel had stepped into the hospital. She said longingly, “When is Samuel coming back? I feel bored.”
A helpless Rachel glanced at Gloria, who then said, “Charlotte, there’s an ice cream shop nearby. Do you want Victor to bring you there?”
Charlotte hesitated for a moment as though she was struggling internally. Eventually, she made a concession and replied, “Fine, I’ll buy one for Samuel.”
Gloria and Rachel exchanged smiles. Victor brought Charlotte to the ice cream shop once she got out of the car, leaving only Gloria, Rachel, and Justin inside the vehicle. As they leaned against the doors, they looked at the entrance of the inpatient department.
“Ryan going through a heart operation is a major incident. Why didn’t we get wind of it?” Gloria was puzzled. “He’s the president of Sutton Corporation, after all.”
Rachel said, ‘It’s exactly because he’s the president of Sutton Corporation that we didn’t get wind of it. That’s the reason he’s been admitted to Cardinal Hospital.”
After she finished her words, she took a glance at Justin to seek his acknowledgment.
Justin nodded. “She has a point. If too many people know that he’s undergoing an operation, his company will descend into chaos. It’s best to keep it a secret.”
It was then Gloria understood the reason behind it as she fell into her thoughts for a moment. “When will the operation be carried out? What’s the success rate?”
“I have no idea, but I suppose the success rate is high. We do have some cutting-edge technology when it comes to heart surgery. Am I right, Rachel?”
Rachel dipped her head. “Yes, but that depends on the patient’s condition. Some people can recover pretty well, and they can live like everyone else after the heart bypass surgery. However, some people aren’t able to do that. I suppose that’s why Old Madam Sutton insisted. on bringing Samuel away.”
Gloria’s eyes brightened as she finally heard something she was interested in. “Now I know the reason behind it! I’ve always been curious about this, and I thought that Ryan was suffering from some kind of reproductive disorder. It’s no wonder that he doesn’t have more kids.”
Rachel was speechless as she pursed her lips. Gloria went on to say, “In that case, the old bat will definitely not let Samuel go. He’s so unlucky to have come across someone like her.”
“We won’t give Samuel to her.”
They could tell what Ryan’s mother was like after seeing his temperament. He had a terrible childhood, which was why he grew up to be an unfeeling and greedy man. He would do whatever it took to achieve his goals.
If they passed Samuel to the old woman, he would be molded into the next Ryan. Rachel asked, “Ryan’s heart disease is congenital, but when did it become so serious? He was still fine some time ago.”
Justin replied, “Apparently, his condition was exacerbated six years ago.”
He happened to be present during the public charity conference, so he tagged along when Ryan was sent to the hospital. It was then he heard the doctor mention Ryan’s medical history.
In fact, Ryan didn’t have a long history of heart disease. Although he discovered that he was suffering from heart disease a while back, it wasn’t until six years ago that he was struck by it for the first time.
“Six years ago?’ Rachel made some calculations and frowned. “That was before Samuel was born.”
At that time, Ryan married Jolly’s best friend, Estelle. On the other hand, Jolly left Riverdale alone while she was pregnant as she headed to a foreign country to give birth to her child.
Gloria realized that something was off. “What? Ryan was struck by heart disease six years ago. After that, he called off the wedding with Jolly and married another woman. Why does it sound like…”
It sounded like a story one would see in a typical melodrama, “Could it be true?’ Gloria gazed at the two of them. “Is it just like what I think it is?”
Rachel shook her head. “I have no idea. We’ll find out when Jolly comes out of the hospital.” For some reason, her eyelid suddenly twitched as she had a feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
Meanwhile, Jolly led Samuel into a VIP ward at the inpatient department.
Natural sunlight was completely blocked out by the curtains as the only light source came from the table lamp. Presently, Ryan was leaning. against the bedframe and reading a book. His beige, silk pajamas made him look rather sickly.
The sound of the door opening shocked him as he looked up and saw Jolly with the young boy beside her. He was startled for a moment before asking, “Why are you here?”
Jolly stared at him with a frown. ‘I’m here to find out why you’re still alive.”
After coming to his senses, Ryan put on a bitter smile. ‘Don’t you have some good wishes for me?”
He then flashed a smile at Samuel and patted the spot beside him. “Come over here, Samuel.”
Samuel wasn’t fond of him, but he reckoned that he still had to be polite to a patient. Hence, despite his unwillingness, he still walked over. However, he stood beside the bed instead of taking a seat as he was told.
When he saw that Ryan was on an intravenous infusion, he batted his eyes. “Are you dying?”
The way he spoke was the same as his mother. The corners of Ryan’s mouth twitched for at moment before he replied, “Not so soon.”
After hearing that, Samuel let out a sigh of relief. “Alright.”
He then took a glance at Jolly. “Can I leave now, Godmother?”
“Alright, but don’t go anywhere else. Look for your mommy in the car park, got it?”
After getting her permission, Samuel seemed to be relieved as he carried his game console and dashed out of the ward. It was apparent that Ryan wasn’t willing to see the young kid leave so soon.
When Jolly turned her head and saw him with that expression, she explained, “I didn’t make him leave. He’s not fond of you, so he can’t stay here even for a minute. There’s nothing I can do. In fact, I already did the best I could by bringing him here to see you.”
A helpless Ryan pleaded, “Can’t you say something nice to me since I’m ill?”
“Aren’t I being nice enough already? I’ve been holding all the mean words in. If not for you looking half-dead-”
“How did I offend you this time?”
Jolly furrowed her brows. “Don’t you even know how you offended me? While you were lying here, the old bat from your family did not give us a break. Why do you think I’m furious?”
