Two

Hearing what the nurse said, Travis sighed and nodded. "We'll pay up today."

After saying this, he took a glance at his unconscious daughter. Her face was pale as a ghost and she looked so weak. He was desperate for anything that's gonna make her get better.

The nurse chuckled as she looked at Travis disdainfully. "Then be quick. If we don't get the money before the day end, her medication will be taken off." She threatened and walked away.

Ashley scoffed. "So rude. Like she owns the hospital."

Madame Alice raised her voice as she reprimanded, "How can you be so…so useless! The promise you just made is impossible, Travis! Where are we gonna get five hundred thousand dollars?! Does it fall from the sky?! Do you want my daughter to go around and beg for money?! Is that how shameless you are?! Unbelievable!"

Ashley chuckled and said, "Don't worry, mom. I've been planning on bringing Malcolm Baker and Joanna together so I gave him a call to come here. I'm sure he could be of help. He's rich enough to help."

Joanna frowned at Ashley. She didn't like Malcolm a bit. He isn't that handsome, he's just average with a proud personality. Having worked under him, she knew how conceited and arrogant he is. He's the kind of person she wants to run as far away as possible from.

But as she was about to lecture Ashley for her immaturity, they heard footsteps coming.

The man that arrived was Malcolm Baker. Around thirty years of age and the way he was dressed, you could tell he was successful. He was the director of Davenport Electronic's sales department, and also Joanna's supervisor.

The same company Travis works for. But as a bodyguard in the front of the enterprise, unlike Malcolm who was one of the higher-ups.

Travis frowned at his sight. He was threatened by Malcolm.

Malcolm ignored him and acknowledged Madame Alice and Ashley's presence. Then his gaze turned gentle as he looked at Joanna. "So I heard from Ashley that you've been going through a lot. Your daughter is terribly sick. Such a sweet girl. You could have told me and I would have helped. Why?"

Joanna blinked and lowered her gaze. "No reason, sir. Just didn't see any reason to involve you with my matters."

Malcolm shook his head. "No. Don't be like that. You're my best subordinate and frankly, I think you're the most suitable person to befriend personally. Your problems are mine as well." He lectured, then he continued, "I also heard from Ashley that you need to pay for her medical fees how much is it?"

"Five hundred thousand dollars!" Ashley butted in.

Malcolm delightfully smile and said to her. "Let me help you with it, Joanna. Just take it as if I lent you the money. It's no big deal anyway."

Then he gave Travis a side eye that was filled with hostility and disdain.

To him, Travis was just an ordinary guard who doesn't deserve such a beautiful woman. What can a man like him do when he decides to take his wife away?

He can only whimper like a frightened dog and scurry away.

And yes, he was interested in Joanna. She was too beautiful to look away. She was too beautiful not to have.

And of course Joanna knew what his intention is.

She really wanted to reject him but seeing her daughter, she didn't have to courage to do so. Her daughter comes first.

Travis saw the heated gaze Malcolm had on Joanna. His fist tightened and he answered him with gritted teeth. "We do not need any money from you…sir. I'll come up with it myself." His words were counted and acid.

Joanna hit his shoulder since she was enraged by his answer. Her eyes were bloodshot as she yelled at him, "This is our daughter's life, Travis! Don't you care about that?! You think your pride is needed right now?! We don't have any money left anymore! Now that Director Baker had decided to assist, why should we refuse his help?! Tell me why?"

"Because he has other intentions, Joanna. I will get the money." Travis stood his ground with a serious gaze and with a low, yet strong voice. "I'm the man here. I should be able to find the money for my daughter."

Joanna's gaze softened since she knew he was already angry. It takes time for Travis to snap so if he's this angry, then he's had it with Malcolm.

Malcolm looked at the both of them with a mocking gaze. A thought came to mind, so he said, "Well, since you guys don't need my help then I'll be leaving."

"Director Baker…" Joanna called softly but Malcolm confidently left with a malevolent grin. One could tell he had a trick up his sleeve.

He knew the banished family couldn't possibly afford five hundred thousand dollars, especially that bodyguard, Danforth, so he still won cause in the end, he's just one call away.

He grinned wickedly when he found the nurse responsible for Maya's daily IV drips. The nurse smiled at him and walked up to him.

"Anything else you want, sir?" She asked.

Malcolm smirked and gave her a thousand-dollar note before saying, "You know what you should do. Urge them further to settle the bills. Make them have no choice but to find ways in paying up today. Do you understand?"

The nurse delightfully nodded after taking the money. "No problem, sir."