The Billionaire's Regret: His Secret Wife Turned Medical Genius novel Chapter 98

"The bank's been blowing up our phones. They said if we don't pay off all our loans immediately, they'll file to seize the company tomorrow!"

The words hit Maurice like a hammer.

It was Gabriel. He had taken action.

Maurice's vision went black. The room spun, and the phone slipped from his hand as his body collapsed backward.

Soon, he hit the floor with a heavy thud.

Cole, who had been grinning at the bank card in his hand, jumped at the noise.

He turned and saw Maurice sprawled on the ground, motionless. Instantly, panic shot through him. "Dad? Dad!" He rushed over and checked on Maurice's breath.

Luckily, he was still alive.

Fumbling, Cole yanked out his phone and dialed 911.

...

Outside the emergency room at the municipal hospital, Cole anxiously paced until a doctor finally walked out and pulled down his mask.

"The patient suffered a sudden stroke. Luckily, you got him here in time, so his life isn't in danger. But the stroke left him partially paralyzed, and he'll have difficulty speaking from now on."

Cole's knees buckled.

Paralyzed?

Quickly, Cole came back to his senses and asked, "H-How much is this going to cost?"

The doctor replied, "You'll need to make an initial deposit of half a million dollars for the surgery and rehabilitation…"

"Half a million!" Cole muttered under his breath.

Instinctively, he touched the bank card in his pocket—the one Maurice had given him. It held exactly that amount.

His expression flickered. If he paid this now, how was he supposed to win it back?

He walked up to the hospital bed and stared at Maurice, who had just regained consciousness. His mouth and eyes were twisted, and tubes were running from his body.

"Dad, hang in there." Cole's gaze skittered away, avoiding Maurice's. "The doctor says we need money, but I don't have that kind of cash right now. My luck's been good lately. I'll hit the tables, score big, and come right back with the money!"

At that, he bolted out like the devil himself was chasing him.

On the bed, Maurice's eyes nearly bulged out from rage.

However, all that came from his throat were broken, wheezing sounds. He could only watch as the son he had sacrificed everything for ran out without so much as a backward glance at him.

A single, murky tear slid from the corner of Maurice's eye.

He finally knew Cole's true nature.

He had driven Emily away—all for Cole. And now, he was drowning in regret.

...

Roman frowned, stepping back to avoid his filthy hands.

Cole failed to grab onto Roman, but he nevertheless forced a sycophantic smile. "Mr. Drayton, my sister is Mr. Holton's wife! We're family, aren't we?

"My dad just had a stroke, and he needs money. Lend me a million dollars, and once I win big, I'll pay you back double!"

He thought dragging Emily's name into it would earn him some leeway. But Roman's eyes were cold as ice. "Mr. Sterling, Mr. Holton asked me to deliver a message."

Cole froze. "What message?"

Roman didn't answer. He simply gestured with his hand, and two men in black stepped out of the shadows.

Before Cole could even react, they had him pinned to the ground.

Panic surged within him as he wildly thrashed. "What are you doing! I'm warning you—Emily's my sister! If you touch me, Mr. Holton won't let you off!"

Suddenly, the sound of bone breaking rang out sharply in the still alley. Then, a bloodcurdling scream tore from Cole's throat.

His right leg was twisted at a grotesque angle, and the pain of it nearly drove him unconscious.

Roman crouched down, his face expressionless as he looked Cole in the eye. "Mr. Holton says… stay away from Dr. Sterling. Or next time, it won't just be your leg."

Tears and snot streamed down Cole's face as terror finally crushed the last of his arrogance.

This was all Gabriel's doing, and now, Cole was terrified.

"I won't! I swear I won't! Please let me go!"