Chapter 3

In front of Amy and Stephen, Crystal made the call to withdraw the case. Stephen was about to lower Marlene as promised, but Amy accidentally bumped the controls. Marlene spun in the air like a kite. Screaming the whole time, she fell from the crane and hit the ground hard. She was rushed to the hospital, and a doctor came out of the operating room to update them. "The patient has multiple fractures and contusions from the fall. She's in critical condition, but we'll do our best to save her." The news nearly made Crystal collapse on the spot. She swayed, on the verge of falling. Suddenly, a strong hand wrapped around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. The person said softly, "Crystal, hurting Mrs. Hoffman was never my intention. Don't worry about the medical bills. I'll cover everything. I'll make sure the doctors do all they can to save her. "It's just… I know your temper. You hold grudges. What happened to Mrs. Hoffman was an accident. Amy's my friend. Please, for my sake, don't go after her or her parents anymore. I swear, after we're married, I'll be good to you." A faint scent of pine mixed with cheap perfume wafted into Crystal's nose. She smirked bitterly. Of course. Stephen wasn't comforting her—he was pleading on behalf of his so-called "friend", the one he could kiss and cuddle with as he pleased. Crystal shoved Stephen away and slapped him across the face. "As if! Stephen, you disgust me! Don't worry. I'll be sure to get my revenge. Also, you and I are done!" Stephen covered his face as he gritted out, "Ugh… Crystal! Do you have to humiliate me like this? Aren't you afraid you'll regret it?" It was only then that Crystal realized Amy wasn't the only one behind Stephen. A few of his buddies were there too, and he was angry because she'd embarrassed him in front of everyone. To him, his pride mattered more than Marlene's life—and more than their future together. "Yes! I will never regret it!" "So you'll never regret it, huh? Fine! You've got some nerve, Crystal! I'll be waiting for the day you're down on your knees begging me." Just as Stephen left, a nurse wheeled Marlene out of her ward, apologetically saying, "Ms. Hoffman, we're very sorry. Mr. Rimmer has requested that we stop your mother's treatment. Please arrange a transfer as soon as possible." Crystal dug her nails into her palms. This hospital's largest shareholder was Rimmer Group. Stephen was trying to force her to give in. She had no choice but to rush her mother from hospital to hospital across the city. But after a day of searching, just mentioning her name made every hospital refuse to admit Marlene. Watching Marlene moan in pain on the bed, Crystal felt crushed. "I'm sorry, Mom… It's my fault for making you suffer." She searched until late at night before finally finding a small private clinic in the suburbs that didn't immediately turn her away. However, when the doctor saw Marlene's condition, he shook his head and refused to take her, afraid she wouldn't survive. Crystal's eyes were red. It wasn't that she didn't want to admit Marlene to a proper hospital—she couldn't. She had already tried every hospital in the city. If even this clinic refused, Marlene might not make it through the night. Crystal begged on her knees, pleading with the doctor. Finally, with a sigh, he relented. But because of her circumstances and Marlene's critical condition, the clinic quoted an astronomical bill. Nevertheless, nothing mattered more than Marlene's life to her. Crystal rushed to the payment counter, swiping card after card, only to hear that each one was frozen. She called colleagues and friends, hoping to borrow money, but not a single one picked up. "Ms. Hoffman, if you cannot settle the bill within three days, we'll have no choice but to discharge the patient," the staff said gently, trying to be sympathetic.