Brusquely, Brian asked, "How irritating is the medicine?" He would have to get used to Brian's deep
and low voice that added charm to his strongly defined features. The man, Elias thought, was both
attractive and dangerous.
The question, asked so abruptly, caught Elias unaware and the doctor had to compose himself before
replying. "The degree of irritation has been lowered to only 10 percent."
When it came to his work and knowledge, Elias became arrogant and confident. Fortunately, Brian
respected the change in the doctor's attitude believing that only incapable men would remain humble
and modest.
"I hate people who brag," Brian said, looking Elias in the eye. The doctor's demeanor softened a little.
"I am not bragging, but I have faith in my work. The test results back up what I said," he explained
eagerly.
"All right," Brian acknowledged. Satisfied with Elias' answer, Brian's eagle eyes somehow softened and
put on his usual aloof expression. There was a hint of a smile as he anticipated hearing Molly's voice.
But Elias couldn't shake off his fear of Brian. He knew his life would be dreadful if he ever lied to his
boss. Composing himself, Elias now wondered about the patient. After all, Emperor made it a point to
pick the doctor up in person, which only proved how important the mystery patient was to him.
Meanwhile, at the restaurant of the Dragon Empire Group's private hospital…
The medical facility in A City was unique, unlike the one in T City, which was not open to outsiders.
Not only was it accessible to people from Dragon Island and employees of the Dragon Empire Group,
but was also patronized by known politicians and wealthy businessmen. It was lunchtime, so the
restaurant was naturally crowded.
Unlike most cafeterias in public hospitals, the restaurant in A City was classic and fancy, with Michelin-
star chefs. The food and ambiance often made patients forget they were in a hospital.
Ordinarily, Eric wouldn't be eating lunch there, but he reserved a table by the window for his lunch date
with Molly now.
The woman's eyes roamed curiously around the place, which she thought was too fancy to be in a
hospital.
"It was Shirley's idea," Eric said while studying the menu as he sensed Molly's curiosity. "She said it
was horrible enough to be sick and it would make the situation worse if the food served was bad. So,
my father renovated the restaurants of private hospitals under the Dragon Empire Group," he explained
as Molly listened with interest.
Her eyes brightened at the mention of Shirley. An image of the woman who went to the concert of
Molly's idol with her, and courageously fought off men who attacked them came to mind. It had been
two weeks since she last saw Shirley although it felt like a year for Molly.
She became lost in thought and didn't notice when Eric's eyes darkened and his tone became
sarcastic. He suddenly felt bitter, and it was not clear if this was because of Frank's devotion to Shirley,
or if he was only feeling sympathetic toward Smart.
He was browsing the menu with balled fists. Eric ordered a light set menu and tried to mask his
feelings. Smiling wickedly at Molly, he asked, "Brian left to pick up Elias. Are you excited?"
She nodded, with a twinkle in her eye. Spotting a notebook for patients to leave messages, Molly got it
and wrote down, "I feel so nervous!" Pausing, she gathered her thoughts then continued to write, "I was
already feeling desperate. But when I was told he had some magical medicine, it gave me hope. If this
one lets me down, too, I will truly agonize!"
Peeking at her writing, Eric grinned as he noted her penmanship was not beautiful although it was at
least neat. His grin faded as he glanced at Molly, who still did not look well even if the swelling in her
cheeks was subsiding. It touched him that Molly would be so open to him about everything. "I know
how bad it feels to be disappointed again," he assured. "But are you scared?"
Shaking her head, Molly smiled and wrote, "Aunt Shirley told me that I have to move on, no matter
what is out there waiting for me. She said I might be surprised."
He read her words and his heart went out for the strong but poor girl. Little Molly kept saying this after
she met Shirley. Eric stared at her bright smile which, for a moment, he thought was as contagious as
Shirley's and Wing's.
"Little Molly, Brian will definitely cure you!" It made his heart ache to witness Molly's never-give-up
attitude. Eric had an entirely different motive when he first decided to establish a relationship with Molly.
But now realizing her struggles, his heart went out to the woman. Eric made a silent vow to treat her
better in the future if she was cured, even if it meant doing what his father also did. Lost in deep
thought, he suddenly frowned.
'No! I won't!
I will not follow what my father did and let my cousin have everything!'
He shut his eyes to deny the idea immediately.
When Brian reached the ward, there was no one there. He looked around the room then called Eric.
"Where are you?" he asked.
"It's lunchtime, where would I be?" Eric retorted testily.
Holding on to his temper, Brian gripped the phone tighter. "I am having lunch with Little Molly," Eric
said. "You can have Becky as your company, Little Molly is mine."
The needling infuriated Brian. His face hardened as he clicked the phone off. "Tony, take Elias to
prepare the medicine," he ordered, then walked out of the ward.
Elias was unaware of what went on and turned to Tony with questions in his eyes.
While he guessed what happened, Tony didn't give Elias any explanation. "You're going to be very busy
in the following days. I don't think it's a good idea for you to meddle in something that is not your
business. Plus, it's best for you to stay away from things related to the Emperor," Tony advised.
Something stirred inside Elias. Tony was as dull as Brian, he concluded. But he didn't have the nerve to
voice his thoughts.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda