Chapter 89: The Medical Fees Were Half of the Wood’s Assets
The woman who descended from the stairs was undeniably alluring. In her early thirties, her age should have signaled youth, but she carried herself like a seasoned seductress. Her long, dark hair was twisted into a tightly wound ballet bun, and her fingers glittered with more rings than anyone could count. Her attire was sharp, calculated, and dripping with wealth. Yet, it was her makeup that drew attention—her eyes were smudged with a thick layer of shadow, her nails painted a deep, bleeding crimson. Every detail screamed that she was a woman of intent, carefully sculpted to fit a role.
Linda Jones, Alton Wood's second wife, surveyed the room with an air of superiority. Emily, her stepdaughter, felt the stirrings of disdain bubble within her. It wasn't just the woman's appearance; it was her presence that felt like an invasive force, filling the space with a cold, suffocating tension.
Her words, as sharp as the stiletto heels she wore, cut through the silence. "Your father is on the brink of death," Linda said, her voice casual, almost indifferent. "If we get scammed, it's no big loss. We'll simply refuse to pay."
Emily's stomach churned. The cruelty in Linda's voice was evident, but it didn't surprise her. Their relationship had never been a kind one, and with every word, Linda's true nature peeled away, revealing the hunger for control beneath the polished surface.
Linda turned to John, the man standing with a quiet confidence in the center of the room. "I'll let you treat him, but let's make one thing clear. If you fail, there's no money for you."
John met her gaze without flinching, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Oh? So you want me to treat your husband? Why should I do that for free?"
The air seemed to thicken at his challenge. Linda's eyes flashed with contempt. "You think you can make demands?" she sneered. "You're nothing but a child playing doctor. If I wanted a child's treatment, I'd go elsewhere."
John's smirk widened, his tone dropping to one laced with amusement. "I can help him. But if I succeed, my fee will be half of the Wood family's assets."
The room fell into stunned silence. The audacity of such a demand hung in the air, thick and heavy. Linda, Noah, and Emily were all taken aback.