Chapter 25
Getting Chris again...
Joanna stopped getting dressed and let out a bitter laugh. "I already told you last time. Chris isn't gonna help us out anymore."
Henry didn't care about that and questioned her. "If you don't ask Chris, can you come up with the money yourself?"
Of course she couldn't.
But Joanna had calmed down by now.
She had warned these two not to cause her any more trouble.
But Chad wouldn't listen. He had to stir up all this mess and hurt an innocent girl.
She really didn't know when she'd finally be able to shake off the trouble these two brought her.
Joanna glanced at the dark sky outside and said directly, "I have to work. He caused this trouble himself; let him solve it! If you think Chris will help you, then go find him yourself. Anyway, all I'm good for in your eyes is hitting up Chris for cash. Well, this time I'm staying out of it!"
With that, she hung up the phone and turned it off.
When she lay back down to catch up on sleep, Joanna found she couldn't fall asleep anymore.
She was worried about the girl's condition.
Plus, if Chad's situation weren't properly resolved, given the father and son's personalities, they'd likely bring her even bigger trouble.
Joanna had expertise in orthopedics, but wasn't as skilled in obstetrics and gynecology.
After thinking it over, she consulted one of her few friends in Austin City, Fiona.
Back in med school, she and Fiona were both studying clinical medicine, but for residency, she went into orthopedics while Fiona chose ob-gyn.
Because of their different specialties, the two had been in touch less often. The last time was when she was asking about the jobs.
Joanna briefly described the situation, focusing on whether a woman could be in life-threatening danger from an improper abortion procedure.
"I just finished an emergency case. Did someone in your family have an improper abortion?" Fiona's voice sounded exhausted.
"Well... It's the trouble my brother caused. I didn't think he could be such a jerk."
Fiona frowned. "Whether a woman bleeds out depends on her body. I'm betting your brother's girl was probably freaking out, plus she might've had some condition that made things go sideways. As long as she gets help fast and they can stop the bleeding, she'll pull through." After a beat, Fiona muttered, "But what you're describing sounds exactly like the emergency I dealt with tonight. It can't be the same girl, can it?"
Joanna fell silent. She didn't know which hospital Chad had taken the girl to, either.
But learning that Fiona had just finished the emergency procedure and hadn't rested yet, she didn't want to bother her further. After a few brief words, she hung up.
With Fiona's explanation, Joanna felt somewhat relieved. She got up, made herself breakfast, and prepared to leave for work.
What she didn't know was that after Henry struck out getting money from her, he went straight to Chris. "Chris, Chad is like a brother to you. We're all family, you can't just watch him die, right? He didn't mean to hurt that girl. Someone's trying to scam him! Help us out, and I'll make sure Joanna apologizes to you properly."
Chris had been tricked by Henry last time, so how could he believe him now?
He laughed coldly. "You really are committed to being a bloodsucker. A hundred thousand might not be much to me, but wouldn't it be better to spend it on myself? If I lend it to you, what do I get?"
Henry felt embarrassed, then thought about how it was all Joanna's fault that he had to humble himself and beg his son-in-law, which made him feel resentful. "I know Joanna hasn't been obedient lately and has made you angry. Don't worry, as long as you save Chad, I'll make sure you're satisfied."
Chris hadn't planned to agree, but hearing Henry say he'd make him satisfied, he couldn't help but think deeply.
Joanna was being such a pain in the ass now. Maybe if Henry, her old man, had a word with her, it would knock some sense into her, and she'd come crawling back to apologize like a good little girl.
Then he could get Joanna pregnant with his child. Once she had that security, she wouldn't keep demanding a divorce, right?
"Fine. As long as Joanna behaves and stops talking about divorce, you'll get the money immediately." With that, Chris hung up.
Henry knew that his conditions had convinced Chris.
But the prerequisite for getting his help was that Joanna had to behave. He still needed to figure out a way.
In the hospital corridor, many pregnant women came and went to the obstetrics department. As Henry watched, he got an idea.
He tried calling Joanna again, only to find he couldn't get through.
Henry knew Joanna had found a job, but he didn't know which company specifically.
After thinking it over, he went to the hospital where Joanna's mother was staying.
The caregiver was seeing Henry for the first time and was about to be happy for the patient when she was threatened into making a phone call.
When Joanna received the caregiver's call, she thought something had happened to her mother, her voice somewhat urgent. "What's wrong? Is my mother's treatment not going well?"
"Your mother's condition seems to have gotten worse. The doctor suggests you come to the hospital."
Joanna looked at her work schedule and agreed. "Okay, I'll take leave and come over now."
After hanging up, Joanna sheepishly explained the situation to the patient's family she'd been discussing treatment options with, then went to ask Dr. Lawson for time off.
Soon, she took a cab to the hospital where her mother was recuperating.
But the second she walked into the room, she saw Henry fuming mad. "You little brat! How dare you block my calls? Do you have any idea that if your brother can't cough up the cash, those people are gonna lawyer up on us!"
Joanna glanced at her mom lying peacefully in the hospital bed and finally felt some relief, then turned to glare at Henry. "I just bailed his ass out of one mess, and he's already stirring up more crap. You're his dad—if you can't keep him in line, why the hell should I drop everything to clean up after you two?"
Henry's voice suddenly rose. "You're a woman—if you're not taking care of your family, what the hell else are you good for? You think you're some hotshot businesswoman who can land million-dollar deals? Joanna, your number one job is keeping Chris happy, then looking after your brother!"
Joanna looked at Henry with disappointment. "He's your son—if you're too useless to help him, you're gonna rely on me for everything?"
"Who are you calling useless!" Henry's face turned red with rage as he stepped forward and raised his hand, ready to slap her.
And Joanna just looked up at him, staring at him defiantly."Go ahead and hit me! You could beat me to death and I still wouldn't have a penny to give you."