Chapter 240

The room was filled with a heavy silence, tension palpable in the air. Finally, Dorian broke the stillness, his voice deep and resonant with authority. "Who is making it difficult for you? And why are we even debating this? What is more important, a life or personal obligations?"

Yolanda bowed her head, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. Caden's face remained impassive. "No one will make my life impossible," he stated, "but my presence isn't the cure Yolanda needs. Once I've seen Grandma safely home, I must return to my duties. Mr. and Mrs. Moss, I thank you for your efforts."

Regina nodded gently. "Go ahead, Caden. Your work can't wait."

Yolanda's hands clenched in silent desperation. As Caden turned to leave, he faked a cough, biting his lip until the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. Alarmed, Dorian immediately called for a doctor. Caden stood aside, his expression unreadable, watching her struggle.

Pale and tearful, Yolanda looked at him, her voice hoarse. "You should go," she whispered. "Don't let me hold you back."

Caden pressed his lips into a thin line. "Conserve your energy, Yolanda. It's better if you don't talk," he advised quietly. He knew her condition was worsening from overexertion, fueled largely by her emotions for him. The thought of leaving her in such a fragile state gnawed at him, making it difficult to leave.

When Yolanda realized he hadn't gone, her lips curved into a slight smile of relief. After the doctor's examination, Caden reviewed Yolanda's medical history, his sharp eyes examining the details thoughtfully. He began considering finding a specialist to improve her treatment.

With trembling fingers, Yolanda reached for the hem of her jacket. Her voice, fragile and uncertain, broke the silence. "Caden, staying would upset her."

Caden's expression hardened slightly. "Who do you mean?" he asked.

Yolanda bit her lip nervously, avoiding his gaze. "Miss Bennett," she whispered.

Caden's eyes narrowed. "It's none of your business. Don't worry about it," he replied, his tone polite, yet underlying coldness evident.

Yolanda lay back on the pillow, her eyes fixed on his face. The affection and longing in her eyes were unmistakable.

Unable to bear the tension any longer, Ciara interjected, "I know an excellent doctor specializing in traditional medicine. I'll ask him to prescribe something for Yolanda."

Dorian accepted graciously. "Thank you, Mrs. Ward. That would be a great help."

Ciara nodded and left the room, Jasmine following closely. Once they were some distance away, Jasmine remarked, "Mr. Ward seems deeply entangled in social obligations."

"He won't be for long," Ciara replied confidently. "He values returning favors, but despises unnecessary complications. Once he's settled his debt to Yolanda, he'll leave without hesitation."

Bewildered by Ciara's dismissive tone, Jasmine asked, "If you don't care about Yolanda, why did you offer to find her a doctor?"

Ciara sighed wearily. "What doctor? I have no intention of wasting my time on that," she said bluntly. "Instead, go downstairs, buy some coffee, and bring it to her."

"Coffee? But why?" Jasmine asked, confused.

Ciara snorted. "I can't stand fakers. I'm already being more generous than usual."

Jasmine was surprised. "Who would have thought Ciara could be so funny sometimes?"

Meanwhile, Caden made a phone call, arranging for advanced medical equipment to be sent from another city to assist in Yolanda's treatment. His efforts silenced any further complaints.

Back in the room, the warmth in Yolanda's eyes faded. Turning to Dorian, she said, "When I finish this IV, I'm leaving. I have to get back to work."

Dorian was about to lose his temper, but Regina gently restrained him. She approached Yolanda's bed, her voice soothing despite her doubts. "Yolanda, you don't see what Caden feels."

Yolanda responded resolutely, "Of course I do. But that doesn't stop me from loving him." With determination, she pulled out the IV needle, pushed back the blanket, and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

"Are you really willing to risk your life just to chase him?" Regina asked, concern etched on her face.

"You think I want to do this?" Yolanda replied impatiently. "If I were healthy, Caden would be mine long ago."

Regina's expression shifted slightly, though she maintained her composure. Her upbringing had instilled in her a sense of calm, even in moments of frustration. "Yolanda, you're an adult now. If this is what you truly want, do it. But as your mother, I must advise you to reconsider. If you continue to act so recklessly, you could end up with nothing."

Yolanda had pushed herself to the brink of illness in her desperate attempt to win Caden's sympathy. He had already coughed up blood twice. It was working. What was she thinking? She felt so stupid.

Her voice turned cold. "If I don't take responsibility for myself, what am I supposed to do? Depend on you? Instead of lecturing me, why don't you help make life easier?"

Ignoring Dorian's attempts to intervene, she abruptly left the room. Dorian sighed, feeling trapped between Regina and Yolanda. "Regina, why do you keep arguing with her? She's still so immature."

Regina rubbed her temples in frustration. "Leave her alone."

Dorian's expression darkened. "Caden isn't that ruthless. You heard him: he spent hundreds of millions on medical equipment for her treatment. He's trying to make her life a little better."

Regina gave him a sharp look. "He did it because he wants to distance himself from us. You don't realize..."

Dorian remained silent, unable to refute her statement. For Caden, Yolanda's situation was trivial; he gave it no further thought. He sat on the edge of the bed, checking his phone. His inbox was full of unread messages, but none were from Alicia. It was unusual. The gallery had expanded rapidly recently, and Alicia always kept him updated and sought his opinion. It seemed strange he hadn't heard from her this morning.

Caden frowned in thought. Just then, his phone buzzed. It was Gerry.

Gerry's excited voice filled the line. "I just bought a new sports car! It's amazing. I'll pick you up this afternoon, okay? Let's go to the celebration party together."

"Celebration party?" Caden repeated, his tone flat.

Gerry sounded surprised. "Yes, Alicia's party. You didn't know?"