Chapter 126 You Won't Get Any Money
These words rang with conviction, and Percy's eyes reddened as he waved his hand and turned away, choking up. "I know I'm being small-minded, but... Arabella is my only daughter, the only person in this world I can't stop worrying about. Don't blame me for that."
Alexander smiled gently. "Dad, I understand completely."
The Bourbon family wasn't like him with endless wealth. What Percy had saved from a lifetime of work might not even buy Alexander a watch, but it represented half a lifetime for an ordinary person. Percy worried he might take this money and insisted on a promise—Alexander didn't feel insulted by this, but rather happy that someone in this world loved Arabella so selflessly.
Meanwhile, in Percy's old apartment building, Daniel and Marilyn were having a heated argument.
Marilyn pointed at Daniel's head, shouting, "I'm telling you again—you don't need to go! His real daughter is there. What business does a stepson have showing his face? Get to school, you hear me?"
Daniel stood there tall and thin in his school uniform with a backpack, holding a lunch box containing chicken soup he'd been cooking for Percy since getting the news last night.
Facing his mother's anger, he didn't back down, trying to reason with her. "Mom, Uncle Percy has been really good to me. My schooling, my food, drinks, everything I use—where does the money come from? He's having surgery and I want to check on him. What's wrong with that? Are you really trying to turn me into some ungrateful jerk? Not only should I go, but you should be there taking care of him too!"
Marilyn was at her wit's end with this son. She said frantically, "I take care of a paralyzed man, and he pays me—isn't that how it should be? Isn't it his job to support you? Don't be ridiculous! You're about to start college—studying is way more important than some cripple!"
"Arabella says grades aren't everything. If someone doesn't even have basic conscience, good grades are useless. Besides, I haven't been slacking on my studies!" Daniel shot back.
Marilyn angrily smashed her cup. "Arabella? When did you get so close to that little bitch? She's got me tied to this old man, and now she wants to corrupt you too! Stay away from her from now on, you hear me?"
Daniel said nothing, just grabbed a broom and dustpan to sweep up the broken pieces and throw them in the trash.
Only then did he look at Marilyn, speaking word by word. "Mom, you begged to marry Uncle Percy. She has you take care of him and pays you $5,000 a month. How much of that have you spent on yourself? You think she doesn't know? She's just saving face for you. You want the money, she wants you to care for Uncle Percy. If you don't even show up for his surgery today, do you think she'll trust you with his care in the future?"
Seeing Marilyn's stunned expression, Daniel curved his lips sarcastically. His mother only listened when her own interests were at stake.
He looked at Marilyn, speaking deliberately. "Mom, she's not stupid. If you don't go today, she definitely won't let you keep caring for Uncle Percy. Do you have better options then? If you take good care of Uncle Percy, you get paid and everyone's happy. What's wrong with that? If I were you, I wouldn't be cursing Uncle Percy to die, because when he dies, you won't get paid and you'll be kicked out."
Marilyn instinctively replied, "How could they kick me out? Percy and I are legally married—I have a share of his property!"
Daniel laughed at her simple-mindedness. "What kind of relationship do you have that would get you half his property? You can't even be bothered to put on a show of dedication and selfless care. People can write wills, you know. If you want a share of his money, you need to show equal effort. You really think everyone's that stupid that a marriage certificate gives you leverage?"
He didn't want to waste more breath on Marilyn, just saying finally, "Mom, kindness earns kindness. Uncle Percy and Arabella are good people. Treat them well and they won't shortchange you. If you keep this up, hard times are ahead. If Uncle Percy's legs get better, how much longer do you think he'll put up with you?"
After saying this, he turned and left.
This was all he could do. He'd lost his father early, and his mother had this kind of personality. He'd felt long-missed family warmth from Uncle Percy and Arabella, and he didn't want to lose that.
He hoped his mother would listen. If she didn't, maybe after this surgery he really wouldn't have a home anymore.
In the room, Marilyn pondered Daniel's words, growing more alarmed the more she thought about it. Yes, when Arabella first divorced, she had no money or connections and couldn't find good care, which is why she'd signed the contract with her. Back then, she'd been ready to divorce Percy herself and only stayed because of the contract.
Technically, she was like a caregiver Arabella had hired. Her most important job was caring for Percy, but these past six months, except when collecting money, she'd barely given them father and daughter a kind look.
If Percy's legs got better this time... no, even if they didn't, if Arabella wanted to replace her, it would be easy. She knew Arabella was making good money now.
Marilyn weighed her options and decided going once would be fine. Not only should she go, but she needed to put on a good show in front of Arabella. After all, $5,000 a month—that kind of money was hard to earn anywhere.
At the hospital, it was surgery time. Percy was wheeled into the operating room while Arabella and Alexander waited anxiously outside. Alexander comforted her, "Don't worry, Dad will definitely get better."
Last night Dr. Kessler had called him repeatedly promising to ensure the surgery's success.
Arabella was surprised how smoothly he called Percy "Dad," but didn't say anything. She just smiled weakly. Logic was one thing, emotions another—he was her only family member, so worry was inevitable.
Just then, Daniel emerged from the elevator with his backpack, striding over.
Arabella was somewhat surprised. "How did you get here? Don't you have classes today?"
Daniel sat in a nearby chair, a flash of discomfort in his eyes as he said fiercely, "What's it to you whether I go to school or not? I just wanted to hang out. There's food, drinks, and AC here—why would I go suffer at school?"
Arabella's lips curved slightly, not calling out his lie. Her father had told her Daniel had been studying very hard lately, often staying up late in his room.
He was clearly worried about her father's surgery and had come specially to keep watch, but had to act all tough about it. This kid was so stubborn.
But well, teenage years—she understood.
Actually, the fact that Daniel had this kind of heart moved her deeply. Three and a half years was enough to see someone clearly. Daniel had never been truly bad—his softness was just wrapped in a devil-may-care shell. It was rather pitiful.
Arabella didn't mention Marilyn, but Daniel seemed nervous. "My mom said she'll come at noon."
After a pause, he handed over the lunch box. "My mom made this."
Arabella was somewhat surprised and asked without hiding it, "Did Marilyn make it or did you?"
Daniel said fiercely and unnaturally, "I said my mom made it, didn't I? Can't you understand? And you're supposed to be a prestigious university graduate—with this level of comprehension, I wouldn't even want to attend your crappy university."
Seeing his reaction, Arabella could guess she'd hit the mark—he was embarrassed and angry at being called out. This chicken soup was definitely Daniel's work.
That made sense. Given Marilyn's temperament, how could she possibly make chicken soup for her father?
Thinking of her earlier decision, Arabella looked at Daniel, wanting to speak but hesitating. Finally she said, "No matter what our relationship becomes in the future, I'll always consider you my little brother."
Daniel's body stiffened. He understood.
What he'd been most afraid of was finally happening.
He kept a straight face and replied ungraciously, "I don't need a sister."
He turned away, but his eyes were somewhat red.
Arabella didn't say anything more. Daniel was a smart kid—she knew he could understand.
The four-hour surgery felt as long as four years. Finally, the operating room doors opened and Dr. Kessler's assistant emerged with a joyful expression. "The surgery was very successful! Dr. Kessler was afraid you'd be anxious waiting, so he specially asked me to come tell you first. There's just a bit of finishing work left—he can be transferred to a room in ten minutes!"
Huge excitement surged in Arabella's heart. Afraid she'd misunderstood, she grabbed the assistant and asked eagerly, "Does that mean my dad's legs are fixed? He'll be able to walk again?"
The assistant smiled and nodded. "Yes, the nerves have been reconnected. We're not sure exactly how much he'll recover—that depends on the healing process—but theoretically, your father now has the ability to walk again."
Arabella was so happy she didn't know what to do, just kept thanking him. "Thank you, thank you..."
She was truly overjoyed—this was the best news she'd heard in her entire life!
Arabella was so excited she wanted to cry. Alexander patted her shoulder, also happily saying, "Finally we can relax."
Arabella thought, yes, finally they could relax. Her father could stand up again. These three years had been like a nightmare for her—how much more so for her father?
Just then, an excited voice came from behind, getting closer. "This is wonderful! Thank heavens, Percy can finally walk again. Our lives are just going to get better and better!"
Arabella looked up to see Marilyn hurrying over with two large food containers. Meeting Arabella's gaze, she quickly said, "I'm not late, am I? After getting your call last night, I went out to buy nutritional supplements, but it was too late and the supermarkets were closed. I could only go early this morning. That's why I'm just getting here now."
Arabella looked at her with some surprise. Marilyn was being this thoughtful?
After three years together, she didn't claim to fully understand Marilyn, but she at least knew what kind of person she was—someone who wouldn't lift a finger without benefit, who sucked up to those above and looked down on those below.
Could she really be this considerate?
Regardless, Marilyn's behavior was at least good on the surface. Arabella didn't say much more—maybe she could observe a bit longer. As long as Marilyn was good to her father, even if it was just surface-level, she wouldn't make things difficult for her.
Behind her, Daniel saw Marilyn and some happiness flashed in his eyes, though it quickly turned to anxiety. His mother had come too late—he didn't know if it would be enough to change Arabella's mind.
Percy was soon wheeled out. The anesthesia hadn't worn off yet, so he lay on the hospital bed with his eyes closed. Marilyn sat beside him wiping away tears. "Percy has suffered so much."
She looked very concerned about Percy, alternately lifting the blanket to check the bandaged area on his leg, then tucking him back in.
She sat down and turned to look at Arabella, sighing with red eyes. "Arabella, don't look at me like that. I've been with your dad for over three years now. I plan to spend my whole life with him. I admit my personality isn't great, but I don't have any bad intentions toward your dad. I want him to get better too."
Arabella just made a sound of acknowledgment without speaking.
She didn't believe a single word Marilyn said. If Marilyn had even half a sincere feeling for her father, she never would have reached the point of having to replace her.
Maybe seeing that her father's legs were better, she was afraid he'd abandon her?
She didn't easily trust Marilyn's words. This was a good opportunity to make Marilyn understand who really held power in this family.
If she wanted to earn this money, she needed to have the awareness that came with earning it.
Marilyn couldn't read her expression and felt secretly anxious. It seemed she still needed to perform well.
She turned to look at Daniel and put on a stern face again. "Percy's surgery is done. Go back to school now. Staying here is just wasting time. The SATs are coming up—you need to focus, understand?"
Daniel said nothing, just shouldered his backpack and walked out.
Marilyn was furious. "That kid is getting more and more disobedient."
After half an hour, Percy slowly woke up. Marilyn attentively stayed by his side. "Percy, how do you feel? Does the wound hurt? You haven't eaten or drunk anything since last night—are you hungry? I bought you some nutritional supplements. Do you want some?"
Percy instinctively frowned. What was wrong with Marilyn?
Arabella stepped forward, overjoyed. "Dad, the surgery was very successful. Dr. Kessler said you now have the ability to stand up. Once the wound heals in a while, you can try walking exercises."
Hearing this, Percy was also extremely excited, saying to Arabella, "This is all Alex's doing. You must thank him properly!"
Alexander spoke up at the right moment. "Dad, we're family. This is what I should do."
Percy insisted, "A great favor is a great favor. It can't be erased just because you're my son-in-law."
Arabella also said, "Alex, thank you so much this time. My dad's surgery being so successful is all thanks to you. I owe you one."
Hearing her last sentence, Alexander swallowed back the denial he'd been about to voice.
She owed him one? That sounded pretty good.
He wondered if he could use it later to offset his deception.