Chapter 730: Chapter 730: Desperate Measures
The more Cyrus Hawthorne thought about it, the tighter his brows knit, remaining silent for a long time.
Julian Ford carefully pondered Susie Sommers’ words earlier and suspiciously asked, "Bro, she just said you accompanied a woman to the hospital for a prenatal checkup... Wouldn’t she be referring to that time you took Vera White to the hospital?"
But someone idle had taken a picture of Cyrus Hawthorne standing with Bella Hawthorne and posted it in their friend circle mockingly, insinuating that Ann Vaughn had fallen out of favor and would soon be kicked to the curb.
Because Bella Hawthorne was dressed inconspicuously at the time, the photo only captured a vague silhouette, so despite the widespread circulation, no one recognized her true identity.
Even Ann Vaughn hadn’t noticed that the person in the photo was Bella Hawthorne.
"Let’s forget about this matter, but claiming you opened a hotel room with another woman is just too absurd." Julian Ford said, utterly perplexed.
Isn’t it clear that besides Ann Vaughn, his brother never paid special attention to other women?
Cyrus Hawthorne’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, and after a long pause, he answered softly, "When the Oakes couple came to the country."
This couple consists of internationally renowned psychologists. Concerned about Cyrus Hawthorne’s prolonged absence from visiting them abroad for treatment and his mental health issues, they specially came to S Country.
However, the day they arrived at the hotel, Mr. Oakes was exhausted and fell asleep in the room, and later, Mrs. Oakes conducted the psychological therapy for Cyrus Hawthorne.
Suddenly, Julian Ford had an epiphany, "Bro, could this be the reason your wife insisted on divorcing you?"
As soon as he spoke, the temperature in the car dropped continuously until even the heater couldn’t counteract the chill.
Julian Ford quietly lay over the steering wheel, deciding to play dead and marvel at his own beauty.
The issue Julian Ford contemplated, Cyrus Hawthorne had already considered.
He just didn’t believe Ann Vaughn would be influenced by such trivial rumors, going so far as to insist on divorcing him.
"By the way," Julian Ford shivered, finally remembering something important, "Bro, your wife asked me to pass a message to you before she left last night: return Kenny’s phone to him."
The moment these words were spoken, the backseat fell into silence without any response.
...
In the bedroom.
Ann Vaughn awoke with a splitting headache, sitting blankly on the bed for a long time before regaining any semblance of clarity in her mind.
"Susie." Just as she spoke, she realized how hoarse her voice was; to avoid straining her throat, she refrained from speaking further and headed to the bathroom to wash up.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, Ann Vaughn heard Susie Sommers’ hearty voice, "Darling, it’s windy outside. I was afraid the wind would blow me away, so I didn’t buy breakfast."
"Luckily, we can rely on takeout; otherwise, with no food in the fridge, we’d be living on air today."
Speaking, Susie Sommers placed the takeaway items on the table one by one.
Ann Vaughn was amused, taking the chopsticks handed to her and sitting down, "I saw the weather forecast didn’t mention wind today; you’re just being lazy, aren’t you?"
"Am I the lazy type?" Susie Sommers pushed iced pear with rock sugar toward Ann Vaughn, "You howled all night and lost your voice—drink some of this."
"Ah, thinking about my gentle, considerate Susie, I wonder which lucky person will win her over in the future. It worries me." Ann Vaughn’s eyes curved as she teased.
Seeing she had seemingly recovered entirely from last night’s disappointment, Susie Sommers breathed a sigh of relief, hesitating whether to share the recent events with her.
Noticing Susie Sommers staring persistently, Ann Vaughn touched the corner of her mouth, "What’s up? Is there something on my face?"
"Seeing a fairy for the first time, I can’t help but take a few more glances."
"Pfft—"
After breakfast, Ann Vaughn charged her phone and dialed Kenny’s number.
As expected, it was still off.
Whether Julian Ford had forgotten to pass the message to Cyrus Hawthorne or Kenny wasn’t well enough to use electronic devices yet was unknown.
Ann Vaughn took a deep breath, suppressing the anxiety building in her heart, while reassuring herself that perhaps, in due time, Kenny would call.
But surprisingly, the first person to call was neither Kenny nor Cyrus Hawthorne, but Julian Ford.
...
At First Hospital.
Old Master Ford had a sudden heart disease attack last night, collapsing on the ground, and wasn’t noticed by the servants until an hour later to be sent to the hospital.
Although he was resuscitated, he contracted a cold, worsening his condition, and woke only to find himself in a daze.
It’s said sickness hits like an avalanche; no one in The Ford Family expected that Old Master Ford, who was spry enough to beat Julian Ford with a crutch the day before yesterday, would fall ill today.
Old Master Ford had been taking nitroglycerin and other medications for the past few years, but prolonged use leads to antibody formation, reducing absorption effectiveness...
In his anxiety, Julian Ford thought about Ann Vaughn.
Despite The Ford Family’s displeasure at his ’desperate measures,’ Julian Ford had long developed into a formidable figure, leaving no one but Old Master Ford to control him.
Upon arrival, Ann Vaughn ignored the questioning gazes from The Ford Family members and accompanied Julian Ford into the ward.
Swiftly reaching the bedside, she took Old Master Ford’s pulse, attentively observing his complexion.
"Your grandfather’s complexion is sallow, tongue pale red with a yellow coat, and his pulse is taut, indicating qi deficiency, blood stasis, and cold invasion." Ann Vaughn retraced her hand and opened the medicine box on the table.
Julian Ford was taken aback—that the doctors, with their precise instruments, could obtain results she discerned at a glance!?
After the shock, Julian Ford hastily asked, "Sister-in-law, how confident are you in treating my grandfather’s illness?"
"Initially, it wasn’t difficult." Ann Vaughn furrowed her brows, "But now, with the cold infection, it is somewhat tricky."
After contemplating for a moment, Ann Vaughn quickly wrote a prescription on paper and handed it to Julian Ford, "I’ll administer some acupuncture treatment first; send someone to Vaughn Clinic to get the prescribed medicine. Also, ensure no one approaches the ward during my acupuncture session."
Julian Ford’s expression turned serious, "Understood. Thank you, sister-in-law."
Once Julian Ford left the ward, Ann Vaughn took a golden needle from her needle pouch, disinfected it, and began treating Old Master Ford.
Old Master Ford was conscious but not better off than when unconscious, his eyes clouded as if shrouded in a gray mist, immobile.
The stabbing pain radiating from his heart towards his back seemed intent on tormenting this proud elder, unable to sleep, enduring every moment awake as agonizing, without reprieve.
Until closing his eyes for the final time, Old Master Ford contemplated, if he survives this ordeal, surely he’d treat Julian Ford better...