Chapter 586 A Dire Prognosis
En route to the hospital, Charles punched in Patricia's number on his phone.
The call echoed unanswered for what seemed like an eternity.
Charles surmised that Mommy was still nursing her wrath, likely assuming he was calling on behalf of Dad, so he abandoned the call and opted to send her a text message instead.
Charles: [Mommy, Dad has collapsed; the situation is grave; please hurry to the hospital.]
He was in the dark about Dad's condition.
His only hope was that the words "very serious" would prompt Mommy to absolve Dad and hasten to the hospital.
Regrettably, Patricia did not respond to the message.
Nonetheless, Charles was certain that once Mommy read the message, she would undoubtedly arrive, so he refrained from reaching out to Patricia again.
As it turned out, his prediction was accurate.
Patricia was indeed seething with anger.
She had no intention of forgiving Martin.
Yet, upon receiving Charles' message, her fury and resentment evaporated, her mind went blank, and she rushed to the hospital without a second thought.
However, she remained out of sight, standing at the corner of the corridor outside the emergency room, peering around the corner to covertly monitor Martin's condition.
Alan and Charles anxiously paced back and forth outside the emergency room.
Charles seized Alan and demanded, "Uncle Alan, what exactly is wrong with my father? He clearly didn't die. Why hasn't he returned? Why did he deceive us?"
Alan cast his gaze downward, discomfort etched on his face, and confessed, "I don't know the specifics either. The boss didn't disclose, and I didn't probe. All I know is that the boss is gravely ill, very grave."
He emphasized "very grave" twice to underscore the severity of Martin's condition.
Taking into account Alan's words and Martin's actions, Charles' anxiety escalated.
A considerable amount of time elapsed before the doors of the emergency room swung open.
Martin remained inside, while the doctor emerged first.
The instant Patricia spotted the doctor, she nearly lost control and dashed over, but she restrained herself, eager to hear the doctor's report.
Alan strode over hastily and queried, "What's the current status of Martin's condition?"
The doctor, his face etched with solemnity, retorted, "What precipitated his condition deteriorating so drastically before he was brought here?"
His words left Charles and Alan breathless.
The doctor continued, "Many of his organs have sustained severe damage from sharp weapons, compounded by his depressed state. His condition is critical now, and I cannot guarantee a full recovery. I can only do my utmost."
Charles inquired nervously, "Do your utmost? What are the odds?"
"I can't provide a definitive answer!"
The doctor sighed heavily, "What are the patient's final wishes? Help him fulfill them promptly so that he won't harbor any regrets later!"
That single utterance felt like a death sentence for Martin.
Fear seized Charles so intensely that his legs buckled, causing him to crumple to the ground.'Dad is gravely ill.
'Is Dad going to die?
'Is Dad truly going to leave me forever?'
A wave of unbounded despair and sorrow overwhelmed him.
Despair was etched across Alan's face, his eyes reddening in an instant.
Patricia was a short distance from the emergency room. Despite straining to hear the doctor's words, the crowd and the noise outside made it impossible for her to catch anything.
Although she couldn't hear, the doctor's expression filled her with dread.
After a while, Martin was wheeled out of the emergency room in a wheelchair by a nurse.
By this time, Martin had woken up.
Although his hair still hung over his forehead, he had removed his face mask.
After several months, she finally saw his face again.
His prolonged suffering had accentuated his facial features. His lips were pale, dry, and peeling, with a particularly deep lip line.
He looked as though all the vitality had been drained from his body.
He used to be so handsome.
And now he looked like this.
Tears welled up in Patricia's eyes, and her heart ached so much that she nearly passed out.
Charles, not wanting his emotions to get the better of him, promptly picked himself up from the ground and approached.
Once Martin emerged from the emergency room, out of habit, he scanned his surroundings for Patricia.
Charles, aware of his Dad's intentions and eager to please him, stepped forward to obstruct his view. "Dad, am I not handsome? Why are you ignoring me and looking elsewhere?"
His jest brought a weak smile to Martin's face.
"Indeed, my Charles is the epitome of handsomeness. Of course, I want to look at you," Martin replied.
Charles responded with a grin, expertly concealing any trace of sadness. He cocked his chin in a show of arrogance, retorting, "Dad, your selfishness knows no bounds. Acknowledging my resemblance to you, are you complimenting me or merely admiring your own reflection?"
Martin was well aware of Charles' playful jab, responding with a fond tousle of his son's hair.
Just then, Alan interjected, "Boss, the doctor strongly recommends hospitalization for your treatment."
"I..." Martin began to protest, but Charles, perceiving his father's reluctance, interjected sternly, "You have no right to refuse. You may disregard your own life, but as your son, I cannot stand idly by and watch you perish."
His authoritative tone was reminiscent of Martin in his prime.
Martin was taken aback by Charles' commanding demeanor, and after a moment of hesitation, he acquiesced.
"Very well, I'll do as you say," he conceded.
He paused before adding, "However, for now, only we should be privy to the fact that I am still alive. Let's keep it under wraps."
Charles was displeased. "Why?"
Martin cast his gaze downward, a melancholic expression on his face. "I don't have much time left, and I don't wish to instill false hope only to shatter it later. I don't want them to endure the agony of losing me once again."
His voice was laced with despair.
It was as if he had accepted his impending demise.
Charles felt a constriction in his chest, a sensation he had never encountered before.
"If you can't even manage this as a Langley, then what right do you have to bear our name? To claim lineage from Martin?" he retorted, his voice seething with anger.
"They deserve to know that you're still among the living! Likewise, if you were to pass away one day, they would certainly find the strength to cope! They are not as frail as you perceive them to be. I am convinced that they would prefer to endure the pain and cherish the remaining time with you. You are not them, so how can you presume to know their thoughts? You have no authority to make decisions on their behalf."
His words rendered Martin speechless.
Alan, eager to prevent further discord, quickly intervened, "Let's return to the ward for now. We can deliberate on these matters later."
Both Martin and Charles fell silent, accepting his suggestion.
Unbeknownst to them, Patricia had been covertly trailing them.
She watched as Alan and Charles escorted Martin back to his room, finding herself unable to tear herself away. Her fingers traced the cool surface of the ward's glass door as she peered inside.
The fury that once consumed her had subsided.
However, she had no intention of allowing Martin to detect her swift forgiveness.
She feared that such knowledge might embolden him to transgress once more.
She intended to impart a lasting lesson.
To ensure he would think twice before acting recklessly again.
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