Chapter 490 Removing the Needle
"Stop right there!" As James moved toward the operating room, Addison grabbed him forcefully. The medical staff watched the drama unfold but didn't intervene.
"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, blocking his path. "Did you hear she's still alive and want to finish her off? I know Abigail mistreated you years ago, but are you really that petty? Dream on!"
"Addison, are you insane?" James snapped. "I'm a doctor. I want to see if I can save her legs."
If he hadn't promised Mary he'd help, and if Christopher didn't look so broken, James would have already walked away.
"He's right—James is an excellent physician," Charles pulled at his wife's arm. "Let him take a look. He might be able to help."
Christopher struggled to his feet, hope flickering in his eyes. "Mom, please."
"Keep your mouth shut, you worthless fool!" Addison slapped Christopher again. "The surgeon already said her legs can't be saved. What miracle do you expect? She was hit by a car!"
She planted herself firmly in front of the operating room doors. "I don't trust his intentions. I'll call specialists from Stardust City instead."
"Move aside," James's expression darkened, "or I won't be so polite."
"Polite?" Addison lifted her chin defiantly. "Do I need your politeness? Is your face worth more than the Smith Family's? I'm Abigail's mother—I have every right to keep you away. Touch me, and I'll have you arrested."
Her voice carried down the hallway, drawing stares from patients and staff. Several security guards approached.
Charles finally lost his temper. "Will you stop this nonsense? Do you want Abigail to be disabled? Are you prepared to care for her the rest of her life?" He pulled Addison's arm. "Move and let him examine her!"
"No!" Addison shoved James back. "I don't trust him!"
"Mom, please," Christopher begged. "James would never hurt Abigail. He's not that kind of person."
James stared coldly at Addison. "What exactly do you want?"
He wanted to slap her, but he knew better. He wasn't part of the Smith Family anymore—if he laid a hand on her, the situation would spiral out of control.
Addison snorted. "Fine. You can see Abigail, but we need some ground rules first."
"What ground rules?" Christopher asked wearily.
"First, regardless of whether James succeeds or fails, Christopher must divorce my daughter," Addison declared. "Even in a wheelchair, she deserves better than this failure."
Christopher clenched his fists in anger. He knew Addison was heartless, but demanding a divorce at a time like this? Still, he took a deep breath. "If it means letting James in, I'll agree."
"That's more like it." She sneered and then continued, "Second, if you fail, you'll stay away from Mary forever. And third, you'll return the Emerald Country property rights to me."
"You're truly despicable, using your own daughter as a bargaining chip," James laughed bitterly.
He realized Addison wasn't worried about him harming Abigail—she was negotiating. If he succeeded, Christopher would divorce, and she'd get her healthy daughter back. If he failed, she'd separate him from Mary and reclaim property worth billions.
"Do you agree or not?" Addison demanded.
"And if I succeed?" James's voice hardened. "Will you get the hell out of here?"
Addison didn't flinch. "If you succeed, it just means you have some conscience and didn't take the opportunity to hurt Abigail."
"Mom, you have ten seconds to move, or I'll have you removed from the Smith Family."
A cold voice cut through the hallway as Mary appeared with her entourage.
"Mary, you dare speak to me like that?" Addison snapped.
"Five seconds left," Mary coldly replied.
"What's that attitude?" Despite her outrage, Addison stepped aside. She'd grown wary of Mary's power.
James walked past her into the operating room.
"I'll take that as agreement to my terms," Addison called after him. "If you fail, you know what's coming."
James ignored her completely, closing the door behind him.
Addison wanted to say more, but an icy glare from Mary silenced her.
Forty minutes later, James emerged drenched in sweat. The treatment had required every ounce of his skill and energy from Life Gem.
"You failed, didn't you?" Addison grabbed him immediately. "Hand over my Emerald Country property rights!"
"Get lost!" James shoved her away and turned to Mary.
"I've saved Abigail's legs, but the needles can't be removed for at least fifteen minutes," he explained. "Otherwise, there will be permanent damage."
Christopher fell to his knees, clutching James's legs as tears streamed down his face. "Thank you so much. I'll do anything you need, anything at all!"
"That's wonderful news," Charles beamed with relief. "James, I owe you a huge debt."
Mary said nothing, simply offering James a tissue to wipe his sweat.
Addison stood there, her expression dark.
"I need to go home and shower," James wiped his forehead and glanced at Mary. "Let's catch up another time."
Mary took his arm as they walked toward the exit. "I'll see you out."
Christopher suddenly remembered something. "Dad, can you transfer me some money? I need to repay James for the bank card."
Charles nodded. "Of course. Let's go to the bank next door."
As they headed toward the hospital lobby, Addison slipped into the operating room. She looked at Abigail lying there and hesitated briefly.
Finally, she gritted her teeth and removed half the acupuncture needles from Abigail's legs.
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