Chapter 4

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a burst of even more arrogant laughter.

"If you knew this would happen, why resist in the first place?"

I cut Joseph off. "But I have one condition. I want this consultation live-streamed across the entire internet."

The laughter on the other end ceased abruptly.

"Live stream?" His voice turned cold.

"Harper, you're being trashed online right now. Are you live-streaming because you haven't been insulted enough?"

I looked out the window, a slow smile forming on my lips.

"A live stream. In front of millions of people, I'll humbly treat your family member. Isn't that what you want?"

"I can use this opportunity to publicly admit my mistakes and find a way out for myself."

Joseph was silent. After a few seconds, he let out a highly amused hum.

"Harper, you really know how to play the game."

"Fine, since you want to publicly embarrass yourself, I'll allow it."

"However," I shifted my tone,

"we must keep the live stream a secret from Grace. She's a patient; knowing so many people are watching might make her emotional."

"If anything happens to her because of that, I won't be responsible."

Joseph didn't think much of it and readily agreed.

The next morning, I arrived at the consultation location Joseph had set: the VIP ward floor on the top of City Central Hospital.

Two familiar faces stood at the door. A man and a woman, both in their fifties.

The man was tall, wearing a dark gray cashmere coat.

The woman wore an elegant navy trench coat, exuding grace.

"You're Dr. Harper?" Eleanor, Joseph's mother, asked in a gentle voice.

I nodded. "That's me."

She looked me up and down, then nodded slightly.

"I'm Grace's mother. I've heard about you."

"Dr. Harper, Grace is a child we raised since she was small. We are sincere in inviting you here today."

She took a business card from her bag and offered it to me.

I didn't take it, and she didn't seem bothered.

"Cure Grace, and fame and fortune are no issue."

"I'll take care of you being fired from City Central Hospital."

"And I can guarantee that the Sterling Group's resources within the national healthcare system will be at your disposal."

"This is the Sterling family's sincerity."

I glanced at her. Unfortunately, I lacked none of what she offered.

"Mrs. Sterling, I'm here to treat a patient today. We can discuss other matters after the consultation."

Eleanor's eyes flickered but quickly returned to composure.

Richard, Joseph's father, cleared his throat when he heard me say that. His gaze wasn't as gentle as Eleanor's.

"Harper, what my wife said is her intention."

"My intention is, if you can cure Grace's illness, our family will not treat you unfairly."

He paused.

"Your reputation is already in tatters. This live stream today, which you requested, is your last chance."

"If you can't cure her, there will be no place for you in the entire medical industry."

I just stood there, meeting his gaze for three seconds.

"Mr. Sterling, whether I can cure her or not, we'll only know after the examination."

With that, I walked past him and pushed open the door to the ward.

He frowned slightly, as if pondering something.

Then he and Eleanor followed me in.

Once inside, they didn't say another word, but sat quietly to the side.

Joseph was sitting on the sofa, peeling an apple.

He glanced at me, then his eyes flickered towards the air conditioning vent, and then at the decorative ornament on the bedside table.

He must have hidden the camera there.