Chapter 530

As Troy hurried away, his thoughts churned in turmoil. He told himself that Ruby was no ordinary woman; she was the representative of Amberpeak Corporation—a business elite, not some streetwalker or barfly.

That image of Ruby, so perfect in every way—her explosive figure, sharp intellect, and prestigious position—was precisely what had captivated him. Sleeping with someone like her made him feel like he was on top of the world, better than even Michael.

Lauren watched Troy retreat and then turned to Andrew, her expression playful yet curious. “Dr. Lloyd, if someone does catch something from sleeping around, what kinds of diseases are we talking about? Are they as terrifying as people say?”

Andrew’s tone turned serious, his face grim. “Terrifying? Absolutely. These diseases can ruin lives. Common ones include gonorrhea, syphilis, and other infections that cause ulcers or discharge.

“But the deadliest, of course, is HIV/AIDS. In its early stages, the symptoms are often subtle; things like premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction are some of the first signs. Unfortunately, many people dismiss these symptoms, thinking they’re insignificant.”

He continued, his tone weighty. “That’s the dangerous misconception. Those early signs are the body’s alarm bells, warning you of something much worse. If left untreated, the consequences are irreversible, and by the time the disease fully manifests, it’s often too late.”

Lauren winced, visibly unsettled. “I’ve seen pictures of those diseases online—syphilis and stuff. Ugh, they’re so gross, like nightmares come to life—but HIV is the scariest. Once you’re infected, there’s no cure, right?

“And I’ve heard the process of dying from it is agonizing—rotting flesh, oozing sores, decaying organs. On top of that, your family shuns you, and society treats you like an outcast. I even read about cases where some patients abroad couldn’t take the suffering anymore and… well, cut off their parts.”

Troy, standing nearby, felt a chill run down his spine. He audibly gasped, his mind racing as he kept denying the possibility of it happening to himself.

However, Andrew’s words struck a nerve. The mention of erectile dysfunction as an early symptom hit too close to home. Recalling his recent “issues,” Troy felt like a fire had ignited inside him—a fire that he could not put out without doing something about it.

Andrew turned his gaze to Troy, his voice calm yet probing. “Mr. MacAfee, you look a little pale. Is something wrong?”

Troy forced a weak smile. “No… No, of course not. Mr. Lloyd, you must be mistaken.”

Trying to brush it off, Troy added, “Well, Ms. Rhodes, Mr. Lloyd, I’ll leave you two to your business. I’ve got something I need to take care of.”

Yet, Andrew was not done. He said in a firm tone, “Mr. MacAfee, one last thing.”

Troy froze mid-step, his breath catching. “What is it?”

Andrew’s expression grew more serious. “As a doctor, I need to give you a warning. Your complexion and energy levels are severely depleted—classic signs of kidney dysfunction. And more concerning, there’s a faint but distinct smell on you, like decaying fish. That smell is a telltale sign of infection.”

Troy’s face went white. “You’re joking, right? Andrew, don’t mess with me like that.”

Andrew patted him sympathetically on the shoulder. “You don’t have to take my word for it. Go to the hospital and get checked out. But I’m telling you, Mr. MacAfee, the odds aren’t in your favor. You’ve likely caught something.”

He added with a sigh, “Sneaking around may feel great in the moment, but the suffering that comes afterward? Believe me, it’ll stay with you longer than the thrill ever will.”

Troy’s face turned a sickly green, his hands trembling. Internally, he screamed, “Suffering, my ass, you bastard!” But his panic was undeniable. Without a word, he bolted, running toward the nearest hospital as fast as his legs could carry him.

Every second felt like a lifetime as his mind spiraled. He did not want to believe Andrew’s words, but he could not ignore them either. Andrew was known for his exceptional medical skills, and if he said something was wrong, there probably was.

The thought of his body rotting, sores spreading, and the humiliation of explaining it all to his wife—Troy felt like his world was crashing down.