Chapter 182: Shattered Pride
Owen furrowed his brow and walked toward Yunice with a look of benevolent concern, hoping she would finally understand that hurting others often meant hurting yourself even more. He didn’t want to keep fighting her, but if she pushed him any further, he really might…
“Owen, are you seriously about to lay a hand on her?” A figure darted between them—Paul stepped in and stood protectively in front of Yunice.
Owen’s scheme was cut short; he shoved Paul impatiently. “Get out of the way.”
But Paul didn’t budge. He glared at him. “Owen!”
Owen hissed through his teeth, finally snapping, “Whose side are you on? Can’t you tell I was just trying to scare her? If she won’t give in, what happens to Elsie?”
Paul hesitated, then said, “Even if other hospitals turned her away, doesn’t the Saunders family own one? Wouldn’t getting Elsie treated be better than wasting time arguing with Yunice?”
At that, Owen’s face twisted further. He had thought of using their own hospital, but, “Elsie’s hand needs a top-tier specialist, or she’ll have lasting damage. Our hospital… just isn’t up to it right now.”
That was the polite version. Yunice had seen the current staff list at Saunders Hospital. Over the years, Owen had pulled strings for Elsie, which had stirred trouble for many of the attending doctors. They never said it out loud, but as the hospital’s reputation and performance slipped, the more capable, well-known doctors had all jumped ship. What was left were physicians with unremarkable backgrounds and no drive. Owen knew that all too well—he’d never risk Elsie’s future on them.
Still, he wanted Yunice to help. But Paul blocked him and turned to Yunice. “You should go.”
Yunice studied the situation, then left the Saunders family estate without hesitation. Owen tried to stop her, but Paul held him back until Yunice disappeared completely.
Watching Elsie’s last hope walk away, Owen exploded. “Who do you think you are, playing the hero? First you feed her when she’s just a kid, and now you’re chasing after her like a lovesick puppy right before her wedding?”
Paul’s face turned cold. “We don’t need her to save Elsie’s hand.” He continued, “If Silverburgh’s experts won’t help, we’ll find someone from out of town. I’ll get a helicopter—send her there.”
Owen scowled. “You’re not going with her?”
A helicopter landed directly in the Saunders family courtyard. Owen and Lily hurried to help Elsie board.
After Yunice left, Paul didn’t see any sign of her. He figured she’d gone back to the banquet hall and, pretending nothing had happened, drove over to the hotel. But the moment he arrived, a bald man pinned him down!
The ribbon-cutting ceremony had ended, and inside the banquet hall, Jensen was effortlessly working the room, clinking glasses with top execs. Just one wall away, Paul was being forced to half-beg for mercy at Wyatt’s feet. Paul had never bowed his head to anyone. Now, struggling under the bald man’s grip, his face turned red with rage.
Wyatt glanced down at him. “Where’s Yunice?”
“How the heck should I know!” Paul shot back. But even as he said it, he realized—had Yunice not come back to the banquet hall? People inside were already glancing toward the terrace. Panicking that someone might see him like this, Paul caved. “I took her to the Saunders house, okay? But she left a while ago.” Then he added, snidely, “I figured she’d come crawling back to you. But looks like she couldn’t care less. Ha!”
He’d barely finished before the bald man grabbed him by the collar and smacked his waist with full force. “Out you go!” The guy was strong—Paul stumbled, lost his footing, and went tumbling out the terrace door! He tripped on his own pants and hit the ground hard—right in front of a gawking crowd.
“Who’s that?” “Hahaha, pants half-down—dude must’ve gotten drunk and couldn’t find the bathroom!” “That’s gotta be the most embarrassing thing I’ve seen all year. Anyone know him?”
Paul stayed face-down, too mortified to lift his head as the crowd burst into laughter. In a flash, he yanked his jacket up to cover his face, scrambled to his feet, and ran off—almost tripping again on his damn pants. He fled in humiliation. From the banquet hall, Jensen caught sight of him. No one else might recognize that back, but Jensen knew it was his son. His expression darkened with fury; he slammed his wine glass down hard.
On the fourth day, she arrived at Virtue Hall. She pulled out her key, unlocked the rolling shutter, and shoved it up with force. The clinic hadn’t opened once while she’d been gone.