Chapter 275

"Susan, calm down and listen to me. It's not our parents' fault. We come from a respectable family. Our parents have a good reputation. You've always been a well-behaved girl since you were young. They were proud of you, but then you got pregnant before marriage. They thought for your own good and wanted you to terminate it, but what did you do? You chose to sever ties with the family just to have the child. You broke our parents' hearts.

"Not only did this scandal become known to our relatives, but also our parents' friends talked about you behind their backs. Dad cares about his reputation, and you made him lose face. After you cut ties with them, Mom spent two whole months in bed."

Susan's nose turned sour as she choked out, "No matter what, I'm still their daughter."

"No, since the moment you left the house, you have had no relation to our family. Dad said it himself, and he won't change his mind."

Susan shook her head desperately. "No, I don't believe it. Call them again."

"It's no use."

"Then I'll make the call." Susan snatched May's phone, but May grabbed it back and quickly stuffed it into her pocket.

"Calm down."

"My son is waiting in the hospital for money to save his life. How can you ask me to be calm?" Susan hysterically exclaimed, attracting the attention of other people.

Susan's face turned red, and she said emotionally, "I don't believe that Mom and Dad would be so heartless. I'm going to beg them..."

"Why do you have to make it so difficult for us?" May shook her head. "It was destined to be this way when you left. Mom and Dad are getting older, and their health is deteriorating. Dad also has severe coronary heart disease. If you go to see them now, what if his anger triggers a heart attack? Have you thought about that?"

"I..." Susan choked.

"Just give up. For the sake of our parents' health. Stop harassing them."

Susan returned to the hospital in a daze.

She still couldn't believe her parents could be so heartless, but she was afraid that, just as May said, she would cause their emotions to become extreme. She didn't dare to approach them.

"So, how did it go?" Victoria came out of the ward and gently closed the door.

Susan shook her red eyes, indicating it didn't go well.

"What are we going to do then? The doctor came again today, urging us to pay as soon as possible so they can find a matching bone marrow. Because every day is delayed, Oliver's life is at risk. Take this card. I've saved all the salary you've given me for these years, and it's a considerable sum."

"I can't take your money." Susan pushed away her hand.

"Hey, I'm just an old lady. I don't have any family. What do I need money for? I've always thought of Oliver as my own grandson. There's nothing more important now than saving him. This money can also be of help."

"I really don't need it. I have a plan."

Susan went to the bathroom, cupped her hands with water, and splashed it heavily on her face.

The cold water stung her skin.

She looked at her own haggard self in the mirror. She felt like a trapped and desperate beast.

'Is there really no other way?' Susan thought to herself in despair.

Trembling, she took out her phone and dialed the number with difficulty.

"What?" came Caleb's cold voice.

"I promise you."

"What are you promising me?" he deliberately asked.

He was truly a cruel man. He was forcing her to insult herself. Susan forced a bitter smile.

"I'll spend one night with you, and you'll give me a hundred thousand dollars. I only want a hundred thousand dollars."

"Susan, what makes you think that you get to decide?"

"Well, then I can only find someone else"

"Are you threatening me?" Caleb's voice instantly turned sullen.

Susan leaned against the washstand, barely supporting herself, and forced a bitter smile. "What right do I have to threaten you? I need the money. For money, I can only do this."

"You're the top designer at the Holland Group, and you're selling yourself for money. What's the difference between you and a prostitute? Truly lamentable.

"Beg me. I'll consider it."

"Please," Susan pleaded without hesitation. Dignity was no longer important compared to her son's life. She had long lost her self-respect. She didn't mind being trampled a few more times.

"Tonight at seven. The Presidential Suite at Wellness Hotel."

The call ended.

Caleb's face turned livid. His mood was extremely agitated.

Even though he was the one buying her, he was having a terrible time when she agreed to sell herself. He couldn't figure out what he really wanted.

But Caleb wouldn't change his decision. His feelings toward her were nothing more than dissatisfaction. Once he slept with her, she would be no different from those other women, and he could forget about her.

But what if he got more deeply involved?

Caleb immediately dismissed that thought. He wasn't that useless.

He pressed the intercom button. "Cancel all tonight's appointments."

In the afternoon, Susan was at the hospital, accompanying Oliver. Around four o'clock, her phone rang.

She stepped out of the ward. "Francis?"

"Guess where I am now?"

"You travel all over the world. I can't guess." Susan wasn't in the mood to guess either. She couldn't help but glance at the bed where Oliver was lying. He should have noticed something, but he didn't ask anything, very considerate.

"You called my assistant?"

"Yeah, she said you were on a business trip."

"I am on a business trip. I'm in Avalenia now. I'm at the airport."

Susan was surprised.

"Come pick me up. I want to see you."

"But I have plans tonight" She had a date with Caleb.

"It's still early. If you don't come, I'll stay at the airport."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, Francis hung up the phone.

Susan had no choice but to drive to the airport. Forty minutes later, she saw Francis in the airport cafe.

"Francis."

"Hey, Susan, long time no see," Francis, who had immigrated abroad at a young age, said. As soon as they saw each other, he gave Susan a warm hug and a peck on both sides of her cheeks.

"Long time no see."

"You look very tired. Have you encountered any troubles?" Francis asked, his concern evident in his eyes.

"I... I'm fine."

"Did you call me for something?"

She had originally wanted to borrow money. Susan thought to herself. But she couldn't get in touch with him.

Now that they were face to face, she didn't know how to bring it up.

Forget it. She hated owing others favors. She couldn't borrow money from someone who had feelings for her. That would be taking advantage.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just suddenly missed you."

"How come you thought about me? You know, you didn't even give me a call during the past six months," Francis joked. He had a local accent that was quite authentic. In addition, his tall and handsome appearance attracted the attention of many women.

"You travel all over the world. How can I contact you?"

"Even if I fly around if you call me, I'll come back immediately," Francis half-jokingly said.

Susan smiled and didn't say anything.

"Alright, don't feel pressured. I already have a girlfriend."