Chapter 642 I Can Take Action, Give Me Back My Freedom
“Who are you!? Who are you to stop me!?” The woman was currently fueled by her rage, so she didn’t feel scared despite Elise’s imposing attitude.
“I am Alexander’s wife. We came here to solve this problem.” Elise answered confidently. “If you think that your daughter will be fine after hitting him, then let me remind you this—the truth is that you will only disturb the doctor’s concentration during the operation if you continue to make a fuss!”
Even though the woman hated Alexander to the core, there was nothing more important to her than her daughter’s life. She did not wish to harm her daughter because of her actions. Therefore, she hurriedly stopped her verbal abuse and calmed herself down.
The door to the operating room opened shortly afterward, and Thomas walked out of the room.
“Doctor!” The woman immediately rushed forward and asked anxiously, “How is my daughter?”
Thomas furrowed his eyebrows tightly together. He took off his mask and glanced toward Alexander. “I’m sorry. The patient is a stomach cancer patient. Compounded by her suspected poisoning, her stomach is bleeding heavily. The situation is relatively complicated. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to save her with my abilities.”
“Ah! Kiki…” The woman felt her vision going black, and her body slumped to the ground upon hearing those words.
It was fortunate that Alexander reacted quickly and caught her, preventing her head from hitting the ground and causing neurological damage.
“Don’t just leave out the other half of your words.” Alexander’s expression was cold and slightly reproachful.
“How would I know that the family will be so agitated?” Thomas looked innocent and waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it. You know what I mean. You will need to ask Max E. Mumm for help with this.”
It was not as if he could not perform the surgery himself. It was just that the risks were very high. He had already heard about what had happened to Alexander. If something went wrong with the girl while she was in the operating room, That would forever nail Alexander’s name to the pillar of shame, so he could not afford to take this risk.
Besides, he had always suspected that Max E. Mumm was Claude Strike. He also wanted to study under Max E. Mumm but could never find the opportunity. So, this incident would give him the best of both worlds.
“Understood. Buy as much time as you can. I’ll have somebody bring him here.” Elise solemnly issued these instructions. Then, she took her mobile phone and made a call.
After they made arrangements for the woman who had just fainted, Moses brought Claude to the hospital.
Inside the office, Claude and Elise looked at each other. The former was relaxed while the latter looked solemn.
Elise was just about to speak when Claude interrupted. “I’ll do it.”
“Do you know why I came to you?” Elise narrowed her eyes.
“This is a hospital. Not to mention, you brought me here. What else can it be except rescuing a patient?” Claude crossed his leg over his knee. Then, he acted as though he was still at home as he poured himself a glass of water and drank the entire glass. Only then did he slowly say, “I can take action, but give me back my freedom.”
“Your freedom?” She indifferently asked, “Did you think we kept you in order to restrain your freedom? It was safest for you to stay.”
“Safe or not, I know what I’m doing.” His expression darkened, and he stubbornly continued, “I only have this one condition. Whether you agree or not is up to you.”
“I can let you go, but you need to tell me what you plan to do,” she said.
“To learn how to manufacture poison,” he replied without hesitation.
“I recall you saying that you despise people who produce drugs the most. You claimed that manufacturing drugs would only destroy. But, on the other hand, medical skills can cure diseases and save others.” She had a vague but ominous suspicion in her heart. What kind of accomplishments will a genius doctor achieve if he learns how to manufacture drugs? Who will be able to keep him in check when that happens?
“Did I ever say something like that?” He was blatantly being flippant. “Let’s say I did mention that before. So what? A doctor can save others, but can’t I do the same using poison?”
“Of course, you can,” she said. “As long as it doesn’t hurt or victimize anybody, you are always free.”
“You can’t take back what you’ve said.” Claude stood up abruptly, looking extremely eager. It was as though he couldn’t wait to escape from her side.
“It’s a deal.” Elise promised.
Afterward, Claude personally performed emergency surgery on the girl, Keira Collins.
A whole night passed, and Keira’s mother regained consciousness while Claude operated on her daughter. Finally, after a long wait, Claude walked out of the operating room in exhaustion.
“How is it?” Elise walked forward and asked the question that everybody was most concerned about.
He took off his mask and exhaled deeply, then slowly said, “I saved her.”
Everybody immediately breathed a sigh of relief at those words.
She kept her word and immediately released him. “You can leave now.”
He immediately took off his surgical gown and stuffed his clothes into the arms of a nurse when he heard those words. Then, he took his leave without further ado. He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly seemed to recall something. He stopped his tracks, then turned back and shouted, “I nearly forgot to tell you—that person is suffering from an allergic reaction. She was not poisoned. Although her stomach cancer has progressed to the middle and late stages, she can still be treated. Per our promise, you will let me go only after I cure her. But I need to leave right now to do something. I’ll return when it’s time to perform the surgery! Bye!”
Immediately after that, he increased his speed and vanished down the end of the hallway.
Keira’s mother, Mrs. Collins, hurriedly tried to chase after Claude when she heard that he could treat her daughter’s stomach cancer.
“Don’t worry. Claude said he will return, so he will definitely return.” Elise knew that he still upholds The Hippocratic Oath, so he would not abandon a patient.
After hearing what Elise said, Mrs. Collins finally calmed down.
Keira was soon transferred to the general ward. Elise, Alexander, and Mrs. Collins decided to visit her together.
Keira slowly opened her eyes when the anesthetic finally wore off.
“Kiki, I’m so glad you woke up. It’s alright now.” Mrs. Collins held Keira’s hand tightly and began to wipe at her tears again.
“Mom…” Keira was still very weak, so she could not speak comforting words and only called out softly.
Elise had gone through Keira’s medical records before Keira regained consciousness. Keira was highly allergic to yam. Even so, she had ordered a serving of roasted yams at Alexander’s restaurant on the day of the incident. It was evident that she was deliberately trying to blackmail them.
Alexander could use Keira’s medical record and the order slip from that day to prove their innocence. But, unfortunately, things had gotten out of hand. Besides, clarifying the truth was far less effective than the victim giving a statement.
Elise was just about to start the negotiations when somebody rushed into the room and ran over to the bed. That person threw himself forward and hugged Keira tightly. He hugged Keira so tightly and so hard that it was almost as though he couldn’t care less about anybody else.
Mrs. Collins scowled deeply at the sight, and it was clear that she did not welcome this person.
A long while later, Keira patted the person on the back. Only then did the man release her and stood to the side.
“This is my cousin, Raul Mckay.” She took the initiative to introduce that person in a weak voice.
Cousin? The posture and strength in that hug did not make them seem like cousins. Elise and Alexander exchanged glances with each other. They immediately understood each other but did not expose her lies on the spot.
“Miss Collins, the doctor mentioned that you suffered from an allergic reaction. That was why your stomach cancer relapsed. Although Griffith Food Co. holds some responsibility due to our negligence, you should also bear part of the responsibility. We will pay for all of your medical expenses, but at the same time, I hope that you can clarify the truth in front of the media.”
“What is there to clarify!?” Raul countered emotionally. “My cousin recovered from her illness a long time ago! This only happened because you poisoned us at one of your restaurants! Therefore, you have to take responsibility until the end!”
