Chapter 481 Ineligible For Donation
Charles paused for a moment, taken aback.
"Found a compatible donor?" he asked, surprised.
Fiona nodded with a smile.
She had no plans to let Charles know about the rest.
"I will arrange the surgery as soon as possible."
"Got it!"
After spending some time with Charles at home, Fiona received a call from the hospital.
"I have to head out," she said to Darwin. "Take care of the kids for me."
"Sure." Darwin nodded, then in front of Charles and Chicago, he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her in for a brief hug. "Call me if anything comes up."
"Will do."
Fiona coughed lightly and pushed Darwin away.
She turned to see Chicago giggling into her brother's shoulder, looking at her.
Fiona was speechless.
"Listen to your dad and no ice cream," she cautioned and then shot a warning glance at Darwin. "And don't give her any cold food!"
"Okay." Darwin nodded.
Fiona then left the house.
As soon as Fiona was gone, Chicago quickly sat up straight and asked with sparkling eyes, "Did you make it? Are you guys back together?"
"We've made a little progress, I guess," Darwin said, his smile tinged with pride.
"That's great!" Chicago was overjoyed.
"You really want us to get back together?" Darwin leaned forward, his hands on his knees.
Chicago nodded cutely.
"Once you make up, you should have a baby quickly. I want to be a big sister," she said.
Darwin was caught off guard.
"Chicago." Darwin took her plump little hand gently. "You know, the kids of your godfather and godmother are also going to call you their big sister."
Chicago's mind lingered on Thalassa and Kenny after that encounter, unbeknownst to Darwin. Being the youngest in the family, he could only speculate on the strength of Chicago's desire to become a big sister.
Meanwhile, in the VIP wing of the Rhoads Family Hospital, Steven lay on the bed with no strength at all.
Medical staff were checking him over thoroughly in silence.
A deep fear nearly engulfed him.
After the checkup, the staff left without a word.
Soon after, the sound of high heels approached, and the door opened.
A woman walked in.
"You..." Steven fixed his gaze on her, recalling the words Calvin said as he left.
Steven had thought that Darwin and Fiona would have to turn to him when they unable to find a new bone marrow donor to save Charles.
He was intent on blowing the cash Calvin had given him on some wild revelry when a black van suddenly blocked his path, and moments later, he was dragged inside and knocked unconscious.
When he came around, he found himself here.
"Mr. Steven, there's no need to be afraid," Fiona said coolly, looking down at him. "I just want to save my Charles as fast as possible. The reward I promised you will be paid in full once this is over."
Steven felt a mix of anger and fear.
If he made it out alive, he vowed to expose the vile couple.
However, it was as if the woman could read his mind.
"Of course, I'd also advise you to not make a scene. After all, no one's going to believe that nonsense about you and my husband being brothers," she cautioned.
He stared at the beautiful woman before him and suddenly understood what the term 'femme fatale' truly meant.
After Fiona finished speaking with Steven, there was a knock on the hospital room door. She walked out without further acknowledging Steven, who lay impotently fuming on the hospital bed.
"Ms. Fiona, I'm afraid the bone marrow transplant can't proceed," the attending physician announced gravely.
Fiona frowned. "Why not? Wasn't the match successful?"
The physician handed Fiona two reports. When she saw the word toxicology on them, her mind went blank with a loud buzz.
"We found needle marks on his arm that suggest long-term injections of certain substances," the physician explained with a concerned frown. "Therefore, he doesn't meet the donation criteria."
Calvin had followed Fiona there, and upon hearing the doctor's words, his face turned as white as a sheet.
"How is that possible? We found no records of him being involved in drugs."
"Perhaps he was never caught, but the lab results don't lie," the doctor said with regret. "Maybe you could look into whether this gentleman has any family? Siblings, children—anything would do."
"His siblings are no good," Calvin said in panic.
"What about children? A man his age might have been married and had kids, right?" Fiona inquired immediately.
Calvin shook his head mournfully with a pale face.
"His wife gave birth to three daughters, all of whom died young," he murmured, looking down.
What Calvin meant by died young was something he uncovered in the course of his investigation — according to the townsfolk, Steven had starved his three daughters to death.
Fiona felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.
"Ms. Fiona," Calvin said, quickly reaching out to steady her.
Fiona composed herself, then turned and pushed open the door to the hospital room.
"Get him awake, now," she ordered.
Shortly after, Steven was still weak in his limbs but at least he could speak.
As Fiona entered the room, he could feel her daunting presence.
"Ms. Fiona, I've made up my mind, fifty million it is. I'm willing to cooperate with you," Steven spoke in a grave tone. "When do you plan on having the surgery?"
Fiona crossed her arms and paced in front of him.
"What act are you still putting on?" Her voice was icy. "Is your bone marrow usable? You seem so eager for the surgery."
Steven was taken aback, though a sudden realization hit him.
He avoided Fiona's gaze. "Isn't the matching successful? Why wouldn't it be usable…"
"Don't play dumb!" Calvin erupted. "You're actually a drug addict, why didn't you say something before!"
"It's nothing serious, I just had a bit last night… just a little," Steven quickly explained. "The internet says it doesn't affect it, I'll drink more water, and it will flush out."
"You big idiot!" Calvin lashed out with a kick.
"Enough," Fiona interjected impatiently, then glared at Steven. "Do you still want this money or not?"
Steven nodded. "You all are capable people, there must be a way to solve this issue. Just tell me, and I'll cooperate."
"Do you have any living relatives from your biological mother's side?"
"That family lacked virtue; they've been long gone." As Steven spoke, a thought seemed to strike him. "Does having a blood relation increase the success rate of the match?"
"It's related to your mother! Your so-called brothers and sisters are useless!" Calvin snapped back irritably.
Yet Steven smiled. "I know, but I'm not talking about my brothers and sisters."
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