House of Alister: The Hidden Heir

Chapter 8

Sophie’s voice cracked as she whispered, “That much, Doctor?”

Trevor dragged a hand through his hair, pacing again. “It's bad. It’s really bad.”

Daniel observed their reaction. He knew the Carringtons had the money—enough to save Margret if they wanted to. He also knew the price of that decision. A hundred million wasn’t a number they could casually toss out. It would strip their business to its bones, turn them from powerhouses into beggars overnight. For a family like theirs, reputation could be deadlier than bankruptcy.

Sophie shook her head slowly as tears welled in her eyes. “A hundred million? How… how are we supposed to get that kind of money?”

Her breaths came out shaky and desperate, almost painful, as if saying the amount alone stole air from her lungs.

Trevor’s voice broke. “If we send it, do you assure us that you can give our mother the best treatment? That she… that she’ll survive this?”

His voice wasn’t angry. It was pleading—almost childlike. For a moment, Daniel saw not an heir of a corporate dynasty, nor the wicked bully Trevor who is fond of bullying him, but a son terrified of losing his own mother.

Daniel inhaled deeply before answering.

“No doctor can guarantee life, Trevor,” he said quietly, choosing his words. “But I can guarantee this—without the treatment, she won’t make it through the next month.”

Sophie pressed a trembling hand over her mouth and began to wail in sorrow. Trevor moved closer to her to support her. For once, he didn’t bark orders, didn’t posture like the future head of the family. He held his sister like a scared boy clinging to the last familiar piece of his world.

Daniel looked away, giving them a moment, though the sound of Sophie’s sobs hurt him greatly. He wasn’t close to Margret, yet he felt so much pity for her. No one deserved a fate like that, absolutely no one, he thought to himself.

Trevor was shivering, his voice came out hoarse. “Where do we… make the payment?” he asked, tears running down his face.

The doctor cleared his throat softly and gestured toward the reception. “The finance office will handle the deposit. Once processed, we’ll begin immediate surgery.”

Trevor nodded stiffly. He gently handed Sophie over to a nurse who had stepped forward, then wiped his eyes roughly with the back of his hand, pretending he wasn’t falling apart, before walking out of the room.

Daniel followed him out of the room, his steps uneasy. He wasn’t sure if he should speak; Trevor hated him on a normal day. Offering comfort now felt like inviting another attack, but he couldn’t just walk away.

“Trevor…” Daniel murmured softly, “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t easy,” he said, trying to console him.

Trevor looked around sharply; his eyes landed on Daniel and he felt a surge of anger flow through him. “Don’t you dare pity me, you useless person. I definitely don't need the sympathy of a broke person like you.”

“That’s not what I—”

“Save it,” Trevor snapped. “Just do your job and stay out of our business. I don’t need your sympathy.”

Daniel lowered his gaze and swallowed his irritation. The situation wasn’t about him. He forced his voice steadier. “I didn’t mean anything disrespectful. I just—”

Trevor cut him off again as he walked toward the finance counter. “Just shut up.”

As soon as he got to the finance counter, he pulled out his platinum card ready to swipe away the future of his family. But before he could, a hand pressed on him, stopping him.

He looked down to see Daniel’s hand.

Trevor froze and glared at Daniel, the nerve of Daniel to think he could lay his filthy hand on him. “What are you doing?! Get your filthy hand off—”

But he was barely able to articulate those words when Daniel interrupted, “Don't worry! I will pay!!”

Trevor looked at him in disbelief. What the hell was he saying?