Chapter 14 A Deal with Consequences

Both shock and fear consumed Maya as she heard Sophia's request. She was shocked that someone as influential as Sophia Voss needed her help, while at the same time, she was afraid of what that help might involve. If it turned out to be anything like the task Reginald had given her, she would be trapped from every direction.

"What kind of help do you need from me, ma'am?" she asked cautiously.

She tried her best to remain composed, but the fear in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Sophia noticed it immediately and quickly took both of Maya's hands into hers.

"Oh, darling, don't be frightened," she said gently. "We only need a little help with our son. I noticed you seem to get along with him better than most people, so we were hoping you could tell us how to make him forgive us"

Her voice became softer, "We've made many mistakes as parents, but we're ready to change. Please... help us"

Maya quietly let out the breath she had been holding.

"I don't really have a close relationship with Mr. Ethan," she replied honestly. "It's strictly an employer-worker relationship. I don't know how to make him forgive you because Mr. Ethan isn't easy to convince"

She paused before continuing, "But I think you should simply start treating him differently. Spend more time with him. Listen whenever he wants to talk. Hug him and call him by affectionate names. Also, tell him you love him always"

"If he sees that your efforts are genuine, I believe he'll eventually forgive you"

Sophia's face brightened, "Wonderful! You're a very smart girl. Now I understand why my son hasn't dismissed you"

She smiled warmly before placing a thick bundle of cash into Maya's hands, "Thank you so much. I truly appreciate your advice"

---

"I can see my mother has recruited you to be her informant. If you still want to keep this job, don't interfere"

Those were the first words Marcus (in Ethan's body) spoke when Maya returned to the villa.

He carefully watched her reaction, but Maya simply smiled faintly and sat comfortably on the couch.

"Okay, sir," she replied politely.

She was emotionally exhausted after everything that had happened with the hospital director, so she had no strength left to argue.

After checking his blood pressure, temperature and the rest of his vital signs, Marcus looked at her, "So... what's your final decision?"

Maya looked up at him, "I've decided to accept your offer. I want you to treat my mother"

She hesitated briefly before asking, "But I still have one question"

"How exactly do you intend to treat her? She's been in a coma ever since the brain surgery failed. What are you planning to do?"

Before reaching her decision, Maya had carefully compared Marcus's proposal with Reginald's. Following Reginald's orders could easily send her to prison. Besides, she no longer trusted him to keep his promise.

Since becoming director, his reputation had only worsened. Poor patients were suffering under his administration. Some had even been moved into storage rooms because their families could no longer afford the inflated hospital bills.

Compared to that, Marcus had offered hope, so she chose to believe him. Still, she had no intention of telling Reginald she had rejected his proposal. As long as her mother remained under his authority, revealing the truth would only put Martha in greater danger.

Marcus smiled, "Excellent decision. I'm glad you finally agreed"

He looked at her carefully, "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?"

As he asked the question, his attention never left her face. He wasn't asking casually, but he was testing her.

For the briefest moment, shock flashed across Maya's face, but she quickly hid it behind a cough.

"Pardon?" she asked. "What else would you expect me to say? I only asked how you're planning to treat my mother"

Although she sounded calm, she quietly rubbed her palms together beneath the table to stop herself from fidgeting.

"I can't tell him about the director's plan," she thought.

"My mother is still in that hospital... and I don't even know whether she'll agree to this alternative treatment if she wakes up"

Marcus decided not to push any further. Instead, he began explaining, "The method I intend to use is called Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)"

"It works alongside conventional medicine by supporting the body, the mind and the spirit. It's not something that happens overnight, it's a gradual process"

"I only hope your mother will be able to endure everything involved"

Maya nodded slowly, "Could you explain it further? I'm still confused"

Marcus smiled faintly, "First...You need to stop calling me 'sir'"

"I understand you're trying to remain professional, but our work will be much easier if we're less formal"

He looked at her outfit, "And you should dress a little better than this. I'll give you money to change your wardrobe"

"As for the treatment, you'll learn everything gradually"

He deliberately withheld the rest. Maya was still a doctor, even if only an intern. If she immediately learned everything about the method, she might unknowingly apply parts of it elsewhere and expose secrets that could never be revealed. Besides, he still didn't trust her completely.

He was almost certain Reginald had already approached her. The fact that she hadn't mentioned it only made him more cautious.

His trust had fallen to zero. Once betrayed, he refused to make the same mistake again.

After a brief silence, Marcus handed her another assignment.

"I need you to find someone trustworthy in the hospital. Someone who can quietly look after Marcus while he's still in a coma"

"I've heard no relatives have visited him. I don't want his condition to deteriorate because nobody is caring for him"

He lowered his eyes briefly, "That young doctor ended up like this because of my recklessness. I should take responsibility"

In reality, he simply wanted someone to care for his real body while his soul remained inside Ethan's. He had no intention of waking up one day only to find his own body neglected beyond recognition.

Maya sighed, "The director has become extremely sensitive whenever Dr. Marcus is mentioned. I heard he's his uncle, but I honestly don't understand why he abandoned him at a time like this"

She shook her head, "I don't know anyone I can trust with something this sensitive. Director Reginald would stop it immediately"

Everyone in the hospital already knew about the director's cruelty toward his own nephew. The way he had stolen Marcus's wife and the way he had refused to defend him during the trial. People whispered about it behind closed doors, but no one dared challenge the director. Their jobs mattered too much.

Marcus studied her for a while, then he said, "What about your friend, Claire?"

Maya looked surprised, "Claire is more of an acquaintance than a close friend. We met in medical school because we shared similar goals"

She frowned, "How do you even know about her?", she asked

"We hardly speak inside the hospital. We usually meet outside work", she thought.

Marcus's expression remained unreadable, "How I know her isn't your concern. Talk to her about becoming Marcus's caregiver, but warn her not to report anything to Director Reginald"

He sighed, "As for her job… Don't worry, I'll ask my father to protect her. So,the director won't be able to touch her"

Maya's heart skipped a beat, "If he knows about Claire, could he already know I visited the director's office?", she wondered.

"Does he know about Reginald's plan? I need to be very careful"

She was still lost in thought when Marcus tossed another document onto the table.

"Take the contract and read it carefully. Sign it and return it tomorrow"

His voice became colder, "And let me warn you again. My parents must never know about this, neither should anyone else"

"I have eyes everywhere. If you betray me..."

"It won't only affect your mother, your friend Claire will suffer as well"

He deliberately sounded harsh. His kindness had been the very thing that allowed his ex-wife and his uncle to betray him. He wouldn't make that mistake again.

Maya looked at him pleadingly, "Could you ask someone else to speak to Claire? I don't want to be connected to Dr. Marcus's situation"

"My mother is still completely at Director Reginald's mercy. Please, don't involve me in this"

She hoped mentioning Martha would make him reconsider, Instead, Marcus just stared blankly at her.

"I need daily reports on Marcus's condition. You'll speak to Claire after work and I'll have my father ensure she cooperates. You do your part, I'll handle the rest"

He stood up, "I expect the signed contract tomorrow. If it isn't signed, our deal ends"

Without waiting for another reply, he turned and walked toward his room.

Maya remained seated where she was, "How does he know exactly when I meet Claire? Has he been watching me?"

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