Callie stood stunned for a moment, then hurriedly took out her phone to explain the situation and ask for help from various family and friends groups.
Unfortunately, Callie's family consisted of poor relatives living in a small town, with limited resources.
As for her old classmates back home, Callie was the only one who had made it to a prestigious university abroad. The others had average grades and few had gotten into top schools.
Relying on her domestic classmates' connections to get into top-tier hospitals in major cities like the capital or Silk City was nearly impossible.
Her classmates abroad were mostly working overseas, with very few returning home after graduation, so they couldn't offer much help either.
Seeing Callie as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof, Berloff Reed cleared his throat and was about to speak.
Just this morning, the system had rewarded Berloff with a significant share in the Royal Hospital in Silk City.
As a new major shareholder, arranging for Teacher Tariq to be admitted for treatment was a piece of cake.What seemed like an insurmountable problem to Callie was merely a phone call away for Berloff.
Bang!
At that moment, the hospital room door was flung open, and a flamboyantly dressed middle-aged woman walked in, accompanied by a young man in a suit.
"Auntie!"
Seeing the middle-aged woman, Callie's eyes welled up with tears, and she rushed over, sobbing.
"There, there, Caitlin, don't cry!"
Aunt Elspeth patted Callie on the shoulder,trying to comfort her. "Look, I've brought Mr. Tyler. With him here, he can definitely help your father."
After speaking, Elspeth gave Tyler a meaningful glance.
Tyler was the only son of Elspeth's wealthy boss, a local billionaire playboy.
Six months ago, Tyler had a chance encounter with Callie and was instantly smitten, pursuing her relentlessly.
Aunt Elspeth, eager to please her boss's son, had been tirelessly trying to matchmake the two, hoping her niece would marry Tyler.Unfortunately, Callie, a highly educated woman who had studied abroad, looked down on such idle playboys.
Tyler hadn't even finished high school and spent his days indulging in food, drink, and entertainment, speaking in a crude and shallow manner. She couldn't stand him.
Tyler, with a smug look, puffed out his chest and said, "That's right, Callie. Don't worry, I'll cover all of your dad's medical expenses. I'll make sure he gets into the best hospital in the capital."
Callie's eyes lit up, and she asked urgently, "Really? Tyler, my dad's medical bills could be hundreds of thousands. Are you really willing to pay that much?"
Tyler chuckled, "That kind of money is nothing to me."
"As long as you're willing to be with me, we'll be family, and it's my duty to help."
Callie's heart sank. "What... what do you mean by that?"
"Haha!" Tyler smirked, looking lecherously at Callie. "Sweetheart, isn't it obvious?"
"As long as you agree to marry me, I'll take care of your future father-in-law's medical bills."
"I've put in a lot of effort; you can't expect me to do it for nothing, right?"Swish!
Callie's face turned deathly pale in an instant. "No!"
"I can't agree to this!"
She looked pitifully at Tyler. "Tyler, if you help my dad get into the big hospital in the capital and cover the medical expenses, I promise I'll work hard to repay you."
"I... I'll pay you back a million dollars in installments over the next ten years. How about that?"
Tyler crossed his arms and let out a few cold laughs. "Do you think I need that little bit of money?""Callie, understand this: I'm the only one who can help you right now."
"If you don't appreciate this opportunity, your dad's life will be on your hands."
Callie's face flushed with anger as she glared at Tyler. "You... you're taking advantage of me! You're despicable!"
Her aunt, Elspeth, stepped in to mediate. "Oh, Caitlin, Mr. Tyler is just trying to help. How can you say such things about him?"
"Besides, Mr. Tyler's family is worth billions, with countless properties and luxury cars. Marrying him would make you a wealthy lady, living a life of comfort and prestige."Callie's eyes widened as she looked at her aunt, feeling a deep sense of betrayal.
"Auntie, how can you say that?"
Elspeth raised an eyebrow and spoke in a sweet voice, "What, did I say something wrong?"
"Caitlin, let me tell you, the most important thing for a woman in this life is to marry the right man."
"It's not easy to get into a prestigious university abroad. Marrying Mr. Tyler is the best choice for you," Elspeth said.
"This way, someone will take care of your dad's illness, and you can live the rest of your life as a wealthy lady. It's a win-win. Don't be foolish."
"Or do you want to watch your dad lie in this small-town hospital waiting to die?"
Callie looked at her unconscious father, pale and lifeless on the hospital bed, and shivered in fear.
Seeing Callie's struggle, Tyler's face broke into a smug smile. Heh heh heh...
So what if you're a top student from Cambridge?
You're still going to marry me, a middle school dropout!
These days, money talks!
Clap, clap, clap...
Just as Tyler was basking in his triumph, a crisp applause echoed from the side.
"Tsk tsk! Forcing someone into a corner, making them sell themselves. Truly eye-opening!" Berloff Reed, who had been silent until now, stared mockingly at Tyler and Elspeth, clapping his hands.
"Who are you?" Tyler's face darkened, glaring menacingly at Berloff. "Say one more word, and I'll kill you."
Elspeth frowned, displeased. "Callie, who is this guy? Don't tell me you went behind my back and Mr. Tyler's to find yourself a pretty boy?"Callie's cheeks turned a light shade of red as she explained, "Auntie, don't say such things!"
"He's a former student of my dad's from elementary school, three grades below me."
"He helped carry my dad to the ambulance back at the family housing."
"Oh, by the way, what's your name? I need to properly thank you later."
Berloff Reed smiled slightly, "My name is Berloff Reed. Helping Mr. Tariq was the right thing to do. No need to thank me, Callie."Tyler snorted coldly, "So you're just a nobody. Why don't you get lost? What are you doing here, causing trouble?"
"Here, take this money and get out of here!"
With that, Tyler impatiently pulled out his wallet, took out a thick stack of bills, and threw it in front of Berloff.
Berloff, with his hands behind his back, let out a derisive laugh, "Sorry, I don't take money from animals. It might dirty my hands!"
Tyler's face turned red with anger, "You scoundrel! Who are you calling an animal?""Heh!" Berloff blinked, looking at Tyler and Elspeth with a half-smile.
"Of course, I'm talking about those who take advantage of others in their time of need and coerce the patient's family."
Elspeth trembled with rage, "You little punk, stop talking in riddles!"
"Do you believe I'll tear that mouth of yours apart?"
Tyler, furious but laughing, said, "Kid, you have guts to mouth off in front of me. Let's see how far that gets you!"
"Do you believe I can make one call and have someone take you out?"