Following the instructions of the nurse, I was taken to my mother's hospital room. The doctor's instructions were still ringing in my ears, making it impossible for me to concentrate.
"Patient Rowan Ambar has terminal breast cancer. Based on the patient's health condition, perhaps the patient has only a year to live. The patient needs radiation therapy as soon as possible."
I sighed, holding my mother's hand. My mother is in a coma in bed, looking very tired. She looked much older than her actual age, perhaps because she had been miserable all her life.
My mother, whose full name is Rowan Ambar, is an accomplished ballerina. She has been invited to perform at government guest houses and major national ceremonies. People used to call her "White Angel". My mother used to be a beauty icon and a woman loved by everyone, until she fell in love with my father.
She gave up ballet and became an ordinary woman. Her only desire was to become a member of Joan's family, to become my father's wife. Unfortunately, her wish never came true. Mr. Curtis broke up with her even though he knew she was pregnant, he left my mother and me to live in hardship in a slum for the homeless for 10 years.
Later, when my great-grandfather Joan found out that I was Joan's grandchild, he asked my father to provide for me and my daughter. During those hard days, my mother worked hard at all kinds of jobs: milk delivery, service, laundry...
I grew up without seeing my mother's smile. Never, not even once.
"Mom, why do you love someone who treats you so cruelly?"
I lowered my head morosely and leaned on my mother's arm.
...
At the same time, the man, whom I tore up the check and threw in his face, returned home.
"Master, welcome back."
The butler respectfully bowed to the man. He helped the man take his coat and hang it on a hook.
"Call secretary Ethan here, tell him to bring company documents too. I won't come over to the office today." The man rubbed his forehead, his expression seemed tired.
After giving orders to the butler, he leaned back in his chair and half-closed his eyes.
"You seemed pleased with my service last night. But unfortunately, I am not satisfied with you at all."
Naturally, he remembered that girl's voice again. He smiled involuntarily, and raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Esther Joan..."
He mumbled her name, her figure conjuring up in his mind. A breathtakingly beautiful girl. He has met many beautiful women, and has also slept with hot and attractive women. However, Esther Joan brings a completely different experience.
She was so beautiful that even her toes were white and smooth, every strand of her shiny brown hair was captivating, even just hearing her moans was enough to make him excited.
Outstanding appearance, attractive brown hair, blue eyes like the bottomless ocean... all the beauty of a woman seems to be found in Esther Joan. Perhaps, that was the reason he lingered in that room longer.
Usually, after sleeping with a woman, he would leave her with enough money to satisfy her, and then leave. But this morning is different. He got up early but didn't leave immediately, but looked at Esther Joan for a long time. Her sleeping figure was a little lazy, a little innocent, completely different from the boldness and enthusiasm of making love with him. He looked at her for a long time, then even prepared new clothes for her, and finally waited for her for half an hour.
Before, only people had to wait for him, and he had never had to wait for anyone, now perhaps Esther Joan was an exception.
He assumed that when he gave her a blank check, she would appreciate it and ask for his identity, just like other women did. Unexpectedly, she got angry and scolded him, even considering him a bad gigolo.
He should have been mad at her, but he found Esther Joan really interesting, not boring and greedy like the women he knew.
While focusing on reminiscing, there was a knock on the door.
"Sir Dominic Arnold, I have brought the documents you requested."
Dominic opened his eyes, his expression returning to its original cold state. He took the document Ethan had given him and read it slowly.
"Has the distributor of sniper rifle parts responded to us yet?"
"No, sir. I'll go see them in person this afternoon."
"No need, change another partner. People who do not keep their credibility like them do not need to continue to persuade."
"Yes sir."
"..."
Dominic looked up and saw Ethan still standing in the room, with no intention of leaving, so he asked.
"What else?"
"Sir, your father called me. He said he couldn't reach you last night."
"Ah, yesterday I went to see some dealers on C.A. Street. Then I spent the night at their bar."
"Sir, did your father say you have considered the proposal he mentioned the other day?"
"Suggestions?"
Dominic raised his eyebrows slightly, for a moment he couldn't remember what his father had told him.
"Is it an engagement or something?"
"Yes sir."
"There's so much going on in my mind these days, do you remember what my father said?" Dominic put the file down on the table, leaned back in the chair, gently rubbing his temples with his fingers.
"Sir, Mr. Arnold has told us that we will have a meeting with the Joan family tonight to discuss the matter of engagement, and by the way to visit Joan's great-grandfather's funeral.
At the meeting, he and Lady Esther Joan will meet and agree whether to continue the engagement between the two families or not. If..."
"Wait, you just said me and who?" Dominic's temple movement stopped.
"Sir, it's you and Lady Esther Joan."
Dominic suddenly burst out laughing, startling Ethan. Ethan is Dominic's close secretary, and he's almost never seen his boss laugh out loud.
Dominic laughed, then he tapped a finger on the table, his face filled with excitement and anticipation.
"Ethan, do you ever think that you have sex with a stranger and the next morning she turns into your fiancée?"
"Sir, I don't quite understand what you mean?" Ethan replied in confusion. This was the first time he felt that he couldn't understand what his boss was thinking.
"Haha alright, help me investigate Esther Joan. Everything about her… I want to know."