Chapter 2

The next morning, I was at the company handling work when my father's phone rang urgently.

"Michael! Your dad's collapsed!" came the factory security guard's voice over the phone. "The ambulance's at the factory gate, it's here!"

I dropped everything and drove straight to Dallas Medical Center.

In the emergency room, my father lay on the hospital bed, his face as pale as paper, with alarms from various monitoring devices going off one after another.

"A family member?" The doctor approached, his expression serious. "The patient has suffered an acute myocardial infarction and needs immediate coronary artery bypass surgery."

How much will the surgery cost?

"Eighty thousand dollars, payable within two hours, or you'll miss the best time for treatment."

$80,000.

I looked at my father on the hospital bed; his lips were slightly purple, and he was breathing rapidly.

"Arrange surgery immediately."

The doctor nodded and left, and I held my father's hand.

"Dad, you'll be alright."

The father struggled to open his eyes: "Michael...the factory..."

"The factory issue has been resolved, don't worry."

The father wanted to say something, but his voice was muffled by the oxygen mask.

Jessica arrived late while I was filling out the surgical consent form.

She looked around the ward and frowned. "How is the situation?"

"Heart bypass surgery is needed, costing $80,000."

Jessica took the bill from the doctor, and her expression immediately changed.

"Michael, we don't have that much money."

"I'll figure something out."

"What can we do?" She threw the list on the table. "Your dad's over sixty, is such major surgery worth it?"

I couldn't believe my ears.

"What did you say?"

"I mean, maybe we should consider conservative treatment," Jessica said in a low voice. "Eighty thousand dollars, that's enough to buy so much equipment for my mom's clinic. And your dad's age..."

"Shut up."

"Michael, you need to be rational," she continued. "The old man is getting on in years. Even if this surgery is successful, there will be all sorts of problems later. We can't spend all our money on something like this."

reason?

I looked at my father lying on the hospital bed, and then at my wife standing in front of me.

Is this woman's heart made of stone?

"Jessica, that's my father."

"I know, but we also need to think about our future." She grabbed my arm. "Michael, my mom's beauty clinic is in dire need of money right now, we can't let..."

"Get out."

"What?"

"I said, get out." My voice was calm, but Jessica could clearly feel the chill in it.

She paused for a few seconds, then sneered, "Fine, I'm leaving. But Michael, you'd better think this through. We're husband and wife; we should face difficulties together, not just you acting on impulse."

After saying that, she really left.

I went back to my father's bedside.

The father's eyes were still open; he had clearly heard the conversation. His eyes held guilt, pain, and a deep disappointment.

"Dad, don't listen to her nonsense." I grasped my father's hand. "I'll figure out how to pay for the surgery."

The father wanted to shake his head, but he was too weak.

I know what he's thinking. He's feeling guilty for burdening me, and he's suffering because of Jessica's words.

An elderly man who had worked hard all his life was still worried about causing trouble for his son at the most dangerous moment of his life.

My wife, on the other hand, was calculating how much money she could save from his medical expenses.

I took out my phone and went into the hallway.

"Uncle, it's me."

"Michael, the factory situation has been resolved. Half a million dollars has been injected, which not only settled the debt problem but also expanded the production line."

"Thank you. But now there's a new problem: my father suffered a heart attack and needs $80,000 for surgery."

"Arrange it immediately." Uncle Robert's voice was unwavering. "I'll send the best medical team over."

"No need for that..."

"Michael, you are the heir to the Carson family fortune, and your father is my brother. This isn't trouble; it's responsibility."

After hanging up the phone, I returned to the ward.

An hour later, a team of doctors in white coats walked into the emergency room.

"Excuse me, which of you is Mr. William Carson?" the lead doctor asked.

"I am his son."

"I am Dr. Johnson. Mr. Carson's private medical advisor sent us to take over the treatment."

Private medical consultant?

The nurses got busy as my father was moved to a VIP ward, where all sorts of state-of-the-art equipment were brought in.

"The cost of the surgery..." I asked.

"It's been treated," Dr. Johnson said. "We will use the best techniques to ensure the patient's full recovery."

Half an hour later, Uncle Robert appeared at the door of the ward.

The chairman of Carson Financial Group, dressed in a bespoke suit and followed by several assistants, changed the atmosphere of the entire ward with his arrival.

"Michael." He walked over and patted me on the shoulder.

"uncle."

How is William?

"The doctor said the surgery was successful, and I need to be observed for a few days."

Uncle Robert nodded, then looked at me: "Son, you are the heir to the Carson family; never forget that."

"I see."

"No, you don't fully understand." His voice was serious. "The Carson name represents more than just wealth; it represents responsibility and dignity. Anyone who harms a family member will pay the price."

I understand what he means.

At that moment, Jessica reappeared at the door of the ward.

She was clearly shocked by the scene before her: a VIP ward, a top-notch medical team, and this middle-aged man who looked anything but ordinary.

"Michael, this is..."

"My uncle, Robert Carson."

Jessica's expression changed instantly.

Carson?

She finally realized what was going on.

"Uncle Robert, this is my wife, Jessica."

Uncle Robert glanced at Jessica, nodded, but said nothing.

That look in his eyes was like looking at an insignificant stranger.

Jessica clearly sensed the coldness, and she began to feel nervous.

"Michael, I just..."

"You just said my father isn't worth saving," I interrupted her.

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"So what do you mean?"

Jessica looked at me, then at Uncle Robert, her voice beginning to tremble: "I'm just worried about the cost..."

"The cost?" Uncle Robert finally spoke. "Ms. Jessica, there are no cost issues for the Carson family."

Jessica was completely stunned.

She finally realized that she had not married an ordinary analyst, but the heir to a financial dynasty.

Her words just now have completely exposed her true nature.

"Michael, I..." she tried to explain.

"You're tired, go home and rest." My voice was calm.

Jessica wanted to say something more, but the presence of Uncle Robert made her afraid to speak.

She had no choice but to leave.

After Jessica left, Uncle Robert looked at me and asked, "Is this the wife you chose?"

"I made the wrong choice."

"Then correct this mistake." His voice was cold. "The Carson family doesn't need this kind of person."

I nodded.

Yes, the game really should end.