Chapter Two

Cassie stared at her grandfather, stunned. He intended to take advantage of the terrible position and marry her to some wealthy man. She didn't care if the so-called Mason Stitch was wealthy or owned a multibillion-dollar corporation. Her husband was everything to her. She loved him dearly.

Mason, who was nearby, gave a wry smile. He had always wanted to marry Cassie. She was stunning, and the perfect trophy wife look. She’d also look great by his side at high-profile events. She was an eye-catching candy. Aside from her attractiveness, he had another reason for wanting to marry her, but that was a story for another day.

With all these reasons combined, he'd tried tirelessly to win her over with his money even after she'd married, but she refused.

If there was one thing he couldn't fathom, it was her attachment to a man who couldn't provide her anything. What, after all, did she see in the heinous being? He wasn't that attractive, so what was his allure?

What did Ethan possess that Mason lacked?

Cassie lifted her head, meeting her grandfather's piercing gaze. "I am not going to divorce my husband, Grandpa Rogers. I adore him and will never abandon him for Mason Stitch or whoever he may be." She stated emphatically.

Ronan Rogers's pupils constricted. Another rush of rage and displeasure at his granddaughter's reckless decision washed over him, and the first sign was his furrowed brows and quivering lips.

He delivered his judgment with a sneer. “Okay then. There you have it. Your lousy husband should kiss the money goodbye because you opted to waste your time on him and reject my proposition."

Ethan was sick of being humiliated and instantly accepted his fate as he heard the older man’s decision. He regretted asking for the money because it had resulted in a barrage of insults with no positive results.

With a resolved sigh, he said to his wife. "I'm going to see my mother. I've squandered enough time here for nothing."

"I'll come with you." Cassie replied with unshed tears in her eyes. "She needs all the help she can get. You need it, too.”

Ethan declined with a shake of his head. "No, you should stay with your family here. I'll be fine."

That said, he kissed her on the chin, and with one last glance at the Rogers clan, Ethan turned and strode away.

…….

Ethan hurriedly entered the hospital. As he ran towards his mother's ward, his heart was pounding. He didn't even pause to ask anyone a single question.

When he arrived at the ward, he realized it was vacant and that his mother was no longer there. Had she been relocated? But to where?

His heart rate accelerated, and different questions circulated in his head. Had something happened to her? He battled to repress the fear that she wasn’t alive. No, she wasn't dead. He was aware of it and could feel it. That was the reason he needed to see her. To ensure she was still alive and well.

He ran back into reception, directly to the nurse's desk, without another pause. He was still trying to recover his breath, but it didn't stop him from asking questions. "My name is Ethan White. I'm here on behalf of my mother. Where is she?”

"Who? Erm, what’s your mother’s name?” The nurse inquired.

"Her name is Mrs. Lola. I got a phone call informing me that she’d been brought to this hospital.”

"Oh. Do you happen to be Mrs. Lola's next of kin?" Someone said from behind, and when Ethan turned, a smiling doctor appeared in front of him. "You must be Mr Ethan.”

"Yes. I am, indeed." He responded.

"Your mother is currently undergoing surgery. We're doing all in our power to preserve her life."

Ethan blinked quickly. "Surgery? How? I mean..." He stuttered. “I haven't made any payments yet."

"Well, someone did." The doctor responded. "We received a deposit of seventy thousand dollars from a man to commence the surgery.”

Ethan was stunned, and he did not attempt to hide it. "What are you talking about?"

"You heard me correctly, Mr. White. Please pardon me as I need to return to the operating room."

"Wait!" Before the doctor went away, Ethan called out. “Where has this man gone? Did he go to the hospital or not?"

"Yes. I'm guessing he's waiting for you in the lobby." The doctor indicated, pointing at a man sitting leisurely in the foyer.

Thanking the doctor, Ethan went to the stranger who had just saved his mother's life.

He greeted. “Hello there.”

The stranger's eyes glowed. "Hello. Oh, how lovely! Mr. Ethan, you've arrived." Ethan cautiously pushed his hand into the man's extended one for a handshake.

He sensed something familiar about this stranger when their hands met, but his mind couldn't place it. No matter how hard he thought.

“The doctor said you paid part of my mother's medical bills." Ethan began, getting right to the point. "I must express my gratitude. Thank you, a lot."

The stranger politely chuckled. "No. Please do not thank me. I work following orders."

"Whose orders?" Ethan inquired, his brow furrowed slightly. Who sent the stranger to do this?

Ethan pinched himself for a single second, wondering if what he was seeing and hearing was genuine. It was.

Still staring at the stranger, Ethan waited for a response, but he only got a smile. Then, the man reached into his pocket and brought out a black card with a golden pattern embroidered on it. Did it appear to be a business card or bank card? Ethan had no idea.

"I have been directed to give you this." As he extended his hand to offer Ethan the card, the man remarked. "It is linked to an account in your name, fully funded with 10 billion dollars."

"Wha…what?" Ethan faltered, the words rushing from his lips. He kept his poise, fighting the urge to stagger back.

"I don't understand." He mumbled, but the man said nothing, only offering the card, and something clicked. Ethan's eyes were drawn to the words etched in gold embroidery on the card, and a memory flooded his head. He raised his sight to meet the stranger's.

At that moment, Ethan remembered everything, and he gasped. A sense of recognition washed all over him. He knew this man before him.