Chapter 471 Closing the Net Early
The phone rang nonstop, echoing in Margaret's ears.
Margaret clutched her phone tightly, her heart feeling like a heavy stone was pressing down on it, making it hard to breathe.
The call connected, ringing for one second, two seconds, three seconds...
No answer. What was Raymond doing?
These days, people always had their phones with them. It was hard for her to believe he hadn't seen it.
Margaret kept trying to reassure herself, 'Don't panic, Margaret. Maybe he's busy, maybe his phone is on silent, maybe he's in the shower and his phone is charging in the bedroom...'
But she deliberately avoided the harshest truth. Raymond saw it and just didn't want to answer.
At that moment, Raymond was sitting on the couch, smoking a cigarette, his phone in his hand.
Margaret's name flashed on the screen.
She was calling him.
He wanted to answer, to hear her voice, to explain everything to her.
His fingers, defined and strong, were about to swipe to answer.
But if he answered, what could he say? How could he explain?
If Margaret asked him to bring her back, could he do it?
Sarah and Hubert were scheming together, lurking around him. If Margaret came back, they would undoubtedly target her.
He didn't have enough evidence yet to put them behind bars.
After weighing the pros and cons, Raymond put his phone on silent and placed it on the coffee table.
The call was disconnected.
Just then, a message from Rufus came in, mentioning he was at a nearby hospital and Raymond should come quickly.
Raymond replied with an "Okay," then got up, went to the closet, and chose a black coat, a white shirt, and black trousers.
He went downstairs, got in his car, and drove to the hospital where Rufus was.
The phone on the dashboard rang again.
He glanced at it; it was another call from Margaret.
Raymond gripped the steering wheel with one hand and hung up the call with the other. To prevent himself from giving in, he switched his phone to airplane mode.
His cold, weary eyes focused on the road ahead.
Fog had set in, reducing visibility.
Snowflakes danced wildly in the cold wind, scattering everywhere.
The female meteorologist's voice on the radio was detached as she reported.
"This year, a snowstorm has hit the country, killing many crops and causing avalanches in some areas, resulting in several deaths. According to the meteorological bureau, this unprecedented snowstorm is nearing its end. Let's prepare to fight this natural disaster and wait for the flowers to bloom."
At the hospital.
Raymond underwent a series of tests, and Rufus expedited the results. A thin report was held in Rufus's hand for a long time.
The atmosphere in the office was oppressively low.
Raymond tugged at his tie, sensing from Rufus's reaction that his condition wasn't good.
Rufus put down the report, looking at him with a complex expression, about to speak when Raymond interrupted, "Without treatment, how long do I have?"
"Two months. These two months are the final window for a bone marrow match. After that, even if we find a match, it will be too late for surgery," Rufus sighed.
Raymond touched his nose, "I understand."
Two months. If all went well, the villains would be dealt with by then.
He had been grooming Margaret to take over his position. If he was gone, she could rely on The Hughes Group and live safely.
So time was of the essence.
Not a second could be wasted.
"Mr. Howard, what I mentioned is the ideal timeframe. If you don't get treatment and let the disease progress... You're still young. The final days of late-stage leukemia are extremely painful, both physically and mentally. For the sake of your family, the people you care about, you should put down your work and get treatment," Rufus advised earnestly.
Raymond pressed his lips together. He wanted to get treatment too.
But right now, he had no choice.
If Sarah and Hubert found out about his illness, he would die even faster.
Raymond looked at him, "My condition must remain confidential. No one can know."
"Rest assured. I will respect patient privacy."
"In a couple of days, I'll be admitted for treatment."
"Really? Mr. Howard, you've finally come around?" Rufus was shocked, but pleased.
Raymond smiled, "I have someone I love. I want to grow old with her."
Rufus prescribed medication to control his condition. Raymond tore off the labels and put them in his pocket without expression.
Leaving the hospital, Raymond got into his car and lit a cigarette.
He wanted to call Alvin to inform him that the operation would be moved up. But seeing that it was already 3 AM, he decided against it.
At this hour, Alvin was probably asleep with his wife.
Raymond put down his phone and drove home.
He felt different. The old Raymond would have his subordinates keep their phones on all day, ready for orders.
Even pregnant female employees had to complete their work, with performance metrics being the strictest standard.
Many employees couldn't handle the high-pressure environment and chose to leave. He often heard them talking behind his back, calling him a heartless capitalist who would get his comeuppance.
Back then, he only wanted to make money, to immerse himself in work, believing in the law of the jungle.
So while his career flourished, his family fell apart, and his health deteriorated.
Everyone had their own way of living.
He wanted to be a workaholic but couldn't force others to become emotionless machines like him.
The next day, the snow fell even harder.
Alvin drove to pick up Raymond from his apartment, then took him to the clinic to bring Sarah home. On the way, Raymond lit a cigarette, "We'll wrap things up at Silverwood the day after tomorrow."
"Mrs. Howard won't be at Silverwood?" Alvin gripped the steering wheel.
Raymond replied in a low voice, "I don't want to scare her. It's better to be farther away."
It was clear who "her" referred to.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the apartment building with Sarah.
On the way, Raymond, usually cold, asked her with concern what had happened. Sarah had already decided that the person who attacked her was sent by Hubert.
Not daring to implicate him, she lied, "I got into a car accident on my way to find you. I collided with another car."
"I'll get to the bottom of this and give you an explanation," Raymond said, holding a cigarette, offering empty words.
Sarah, like a frightened bird, quickly said, "No need, Raymond. The driver has a tough life too. It wasn't intentional. I don't want to pursue it."
"You're so kind," Raymond looked at her.
She forced a smile, "I've always been kind."
The car came to a steady stop in front of the apartment building.
Raymond got out, opened the door, and, suppressing his disgust, personally carried Sarah out of the car.
"Mr. Howard." Alvin whispered in his ear.
Following Alvin's gaze, Raymond saw Margaret standing across the street, wearing a red coat. She was holding a thermos, and Raymond could guess it was filled with something nourishing for him.
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