Chapter 5 A Drop In The Bucket

Only a man like Hansel, who had remained a bachelor and had never experienced the company of a woman, could maintain such a pristine and disciplined lifestyle. Once he experienced it, he'd understand the allure and wouldn't be able to return to his ascetic existence. “If you can't control your tongue, then go outside and learn some discipline.” Hansel's voice, icy cold, carried from his position on the second-floor balcony. “I was wrong, I truly was. You can hit me, scold me, anything, just please don't let my old man deal with me.” “You will need to redeem yourself.” Hansel turned around and went back inside. Quickly, the butler emerged and drove Lucas out. The eldest son of the Chancey family commanded respect in the outside world, but within the Fitzgerald household, even a mere butler could treat him with disdain. Lucas didn't dare utter a single word of protest, knowing that even his father held Hansel in the highest regard. With just a single command from Hansel, he could be sent off to endure hardships and trials anywhere in the world at any given time. Privately, Kiera reached out to Lucas, eager to gather more information about Cassandra. Having just suffered a setback, Lucas dared not court disaster again. “Can you tone it down? You nearly got me killed. Starting today, you're forbidden from entering any hospitals under our family's name!” In a fit of frustration, Kiera threw her phone, smashing it into pieces. “That b*tch! What kind of spell did she cast on these men? They're all so protective of her. Is it just because she's attractive? Given her background, she's only fit to be a plaything!” But as Kiera calmed down, she suddenly had the feeling that Cassandra's face seemed familiar to her. She bore a striking resemblance to a lady of a prestigious family. Hansel was engaged in a conversation with Mabel. With kindness in her voice, she asked, “I heard from your assistant that just yesterday, after you took Cassandra to the hospital, someone came looking to cause her trouble?” “Yeah, I've already chased that person away.” “Cassandra sacrificed her own eyesight to save my life. She is such a good girl. You mustn't let anyone take advantage of her.” Hansel's response was a low hum of agreement. At that moment, the nurse hurried over and reported, “Mr. Fitzgerald, Ms. Miller tried to sneak out of the hospital today, but we managed to stop her.” Mabel's heart raced anxiously as she slapped the table. “What did I tell you? That young girl has a kind heart. We're not even related to her, yet she's worried about causing us trouble. You're a grown man without a wife. You should hurry up and marry her.” Hansel frowned. “What did you say?” “There are countless ladies from prestigious families, each with their own cunning schemes, but none of them appeal to me. But I like Cassandra. She's beautiful and empathetic. Didn't you mention her family treats her poorly and even nearly had her marry an old cripple? Perfect, you should marry her. It would be doing her a favor.” Upon hearing about Cassandra's family situation earlier, Mabel was so heartbroken that tears welled up in her eyes. If she were to marry into the Fitzgerald family, it would be a blessing for them. Mabel certainly had a talent for discerning people's character. “If you don't marry her, don't bother seeing me in the future.” Hansel was driven out by Mabel. In the bustling world of the capital, Hansel was a powerful figure whose word was law. However, in front of his grandmother, he was simply a grandson who refused to marry, and therefore, couldn't bring peace to his family. The assistant asked, “Mr. Fitzgerald, are you really going to marry Ms. Miller?” Exhausted, Hansel rubbed his forehead. “Grandma's health isn't good. If getting married could put her at ease, I don't see why not.” Simply getting married didn't mean he truly accepted that young girl as his wife. If she dared to step out of line, he had a hundred ways to ensure she left with nothing but the clothes on her back. Cassandra lay on the hospital bed, listening to the doctor's diagnosis of her condition. “Ms. Miller, your eyesight can be restored through surgery. However, the operation will require the expertise of a senior specialist from overseas, and the cost will be extremely high—at least in the eight-figure range.” After listening to everything, Cassandra felt her heart sink continuously. She mustered a polite smile and said, “Thank you, doctor. I understand.” She wondered how many years it would take for her to earn that much. Even if she were sold, she still couldn't cover the cost. That was why she decided to quietly slip out of the hospital. She didn't want to cause any trouble for the elderly lady. Not long after the doctor left, Hansel came to see her. His voice was cold as he interrogated, “Why did you try to leave the hospital?” Cassandra lowered her head. “I'm sorry, I... I don't want to continue the treatment.” “Why?” “The doctor said the surgery would cost millions. I... I don't have the money.” Hansel said assertively, “Didn't I tell you that I'll take care of all your medical expenses?” An eight-figure sum was nothing more than a drop in the bucket for the Fitzgerald family. Cassandra clutched the blanket anxiously. “But it's such an enormous sum of money... Even if I sold myself, I still wouldn't be able to repay it.”