Chapter 5 Chapter 5

She forced a smile.

“No, Sarinha. It wasn't him.”

Caroline's forehead furrowed. Nothing made sense. Edward would never do that. Not after what happened. And certainly not her father—that room cost more than the house they grew up in.

So... who had done it?

Who was behind this sudden generosity?

She was still trying to figure it out when she heard a soft knock on the door.

Knock. Knock.

Caroline got up and walked to the entrance. When she opened the door, she was greeted by a smiling young nurse.

“Mrs. Ford, good afternoon,” the girl said in a gentle tone. “Our president would like to speak with you about your sister's condition. Would you please come with me?”

Caroline blinked in surprise.

“The president...?”

“Yes.” The nurse smiled, tilting her head. “He is waiting for you in his office.”

Caroline hesitated for a moment, her heart beating faster without knowing why. The “president” of a hospital of that size rarely received patients' families in person.

She took a deep breath, glanced one last time at her sleeping sister, and followed the nurse down the quiet hallway.

President's office.

The petite nurse walked ahead, her light footsteps echoing through the quiet hallway. When she stopped in front of the dark mahogany door, she knocked softly.

“Sir, Mrs. Ford is here.”

From inside, a young voice replied, calm and friendly:

“Come in.”

Caroline paused for a moment. The voice was younger than she had expected.

Hesitantly, she pushed open the door.

The office was spacious, modern, and elegant. The soft evening light filtered through the curtains, illuminating the man sitting behind the desk.

He looked to be in his early twenties. Refined features, perfectly combed hair, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses resting on his nose. His posture was serene, and his slight smile gave him an aura of kindness.

Caroline blinked in surprise.

Is this the president?

She had expected an older man with gray hair and a stern expression. But before her stood a young man who exuded calm and intelligence—and a certain ill-concealed curiosity.

“Ms. Ford, hello.” He stood up politely, indicating the armchair in front of him. “Please, have a seat.”

Caroline nodded, a little awkwardly, and approached.

As she settled in, the man's gaze lingered on her for a few seconds. The girl before him was even more beautiful than Luan White had imagined. Even without makeup, with her pale face and slightly swollen eyes, there was a natural, almost fragile delicacy about her that contrasted with the strength evident in her posture.

So this is the woman who got under Nicholas Wolf's skin... Luan thought, intrigued.

Smiling, he leaned forward. “No need to be tense, Ms. Ford,” he said in a friendly tone. “We're practically the same generation. You can treat me like a friend, if you like.”

The softness of his voice made Caroline relax a little.

She took a deep breath, tucked her hair behind her ear, and replied with a slight, polite smile.

“Okay... thank you, sir.” She paused before asking cautiously, “The nurse told me you wanted to talk about my sister's health. Has something happened?”

Luan White picked up the coffee cup on the table, stirred it slowly with a spoon, and took a sip before answering.

“Her situation has changed a little.”

Caroline immediately tensed up. Her hands clenched on her lap.

“Changed... how?”

Luan put down his cup and folded his hands on the table, his expression now more serious.

“Your sister needs surgery as soon as possible. In fact...” He paused briefly. “She has already missed the best time for the procedure.”

Caroline's face paled.

“Missed...?” Her voice trembled. “You mean... she can't have the surgery anymore?”

The silence that followed hung heavy in the air like a sentence.

Luan didn't answer right away. He watched Caroline's distressed expression—her teary eyes, trembling lips, desperation trying to remain contained.

Finally, he sighed.

“It's not impossible. But the risk has increased considerably. And the surgery... is extremely expensive.”

His words seemed increasingly distant, muffled.

Caroline could barely hear him. Her mind was spinning, her chest tight, panic returning with full force.

Extremely expensive...

She thought of everything she had lost: her engagement, stability, her family's respect, financial security. And now... even her sister's life depended on money.

Her throat burned, and her eyes filled with tears.

But she took a deep breath, lifting her face with effort.

“Doctor... or rather, President... please tell me the amount. I... I'll find a way.”

Luan watched her silently for a moment, surprised by the firmness in her voice, before a slight smile—almost knowing—appeared on his lips.

“It's not impossible,” said Luan White, crossing his arms, his tone more serious now. “But the results of the surgery would not be as good. Mrs. Ford, your sister's operation cannot be delayed any longer.”

Caroline felt her heart tighten.

“I know...” she murmured, clenching her fists. “I'll find a way to get her operated on as soon as possible. But... you just said that if she had the operation now, the results wouldn't be good.”

Luan stirred his spoon in his cup thoughtfully before replying in an almost casual tone, as if thinking aloud:

“It depends on who's operating.”

Caroline looked up, confused.

“What do you mean?”

He watched her for a moment, as if gauging her reactions, and then said:

“I know someone... someone who is very good at this type of surgery. If he agreed to perform the surgery, your sister's recovery rate could reach 90%.”

Caroline leaned forward, her heart racing.

“Ninety percent?” Her eyes sparkled with hope. “Then... what's wrong?” she asked urgently. “Is this person a doctor at this hospital?”

Luan shook his head with an enigmatic smile.

“No. He hasn't worked in the medical field for many years. He's a businessman now.”

The brief ray of hope that lit up Caroline's face suddenly faded.