"It's pretty good." Charles Shaw said softly, "It seems there has been a change in the board over the past few days. The downsizing the director mentioned earlier has been canceled. Yesterday, NQ also made a sponsorship, which secured our jobs. The TV station should be able to continue operating."
"The night shift for the anchor is exhausting too, make sure to take care of yourself."
"Don't worry, Mom."
"And don't let it interfere with your own matters, okay?" Amelia Linney sighed, "Mom doesn't want her illness to interfere with you and your sister's affairs. Both of you should also think more about yourselves."
"I understand."
Florence Fuller listened for a while, then headed to Director Lane's office.
After reviewing Amelia Linney's recent health check reports, Director Lane mentioned everything is quite stable for now, which put her mind at ease.
"Rest assured, if there is any issue with Ms. Linney's health, I will inform you. She's doing very well, surprisingly." Director Lane said as he walked her to the door. Florence nodded, and her expression froze when the door opened.
Charles Shaw and Evelyn Shaw were also stunned.
Director Lane was surprised, as the three of them suddenly bumped into each other — was this door closed or open?
Florence Fuller snapped back to reality, glanced at Director Lane, and said, "There's no need to see me off; I'll be going now."
She did not glance at Charles or Evelyn Shaw, walked right past them, and left briskly.
"Director Lane..." Charles Shaw turned his head to look at Florence Fuller's back, "Why is she here?"
"You don't know why she's here?" Evelyn Shaw glanced at her brother, then at Director Lane, and turned around to follow her.
"Charles." Director Lane smiled at him helplessly, "You know this is a high-end private hospital; I cannot disclose any information besides your family's medical condition."
Charles Shaw chuckled, "Of course I know; I'm here to collect my mom's medical examination report."
"Please, come in."
With slightly urgent steps, Florence Fuller secretly clutched her bag tightly. There was a sound of rapid footsteps behind her, accompanied by a sudden shout.
"Florence!"
During the night in the hospital lobby, with few people around, the sudden shout made Florence Fuller's heart race.
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"Why are you here?" Evelyn Shaw caught up and stood behind her.
"Can't one visit a hospital?" Florence Fuller turned around, looking at her coldly.
"Of course you can come." Evelyn Shaw looked at her, at this now completely unfamiliar sister.
Florence gave her a glance and then turned to leave.
"I know you've come many times." Evelyn Shaw's voice sounded from behind, "Every time you stand outside the door, never going in."
Florence Fuller pressed her lips together.
"You came when Mom went into the surgery room, right?" Evelyn Shaw slowly approached her, "It's because of you that we can get into this hospital, access its advanced medical technology. You made it happen, right?"
Florence remained silent for a moment. She turned to look at Evelyn Shaw; the sister in her impression was an enthusiastic and often smiling young woman.
But now, from age fifteen to twenty-four, a full nine years. Now she can only see Evelyn's exhaustion and fatigue.
"Take good care of Mom."
After saying this, Florence Fuller walked away briskly.
Charles Shaw watched her walk away without turning back, with tears sliding down from his eyes.
Back then, it was hard for them even to see a specialist in the hospital, cramped in large rooms taking care of their frail mother.
Amelia Linney wanted to give up treatment. Her illness had dragged down a once prosperous family; she wanted to seek death, but Charles and Evelyn could not bear it.
They first lost a sister and then their father.
They couldn't lose their mother too.
In the moment of desperation, a new hope appeared.
Someone from a charitable foundation showed up claiming to have accidentally learned about their situation and started to provide philanthropic help.
They came to SJ City, to this upscale private hospital, unlike their previous overcrowded and chaotic hospital. Meeting a doctor required a lot of effort. Their mother, undergoing chemotherapy, could have a private VIP ward.
Both of them, Charles and Evelyn, were puzzled: could there really be such a good thing?
Often hearing whispers from the nurses here: a VIP ward costs nearly twenty thousand dollars a month. Even Director Lane, such a competent doctor, came back from abroad to serve as Chief Physician...
And they, brothers and sisters, couldn't even wear a brand-name clothing, yet could come to such a hospital.
Suspicion... doubt... mistrust...
Charles and Evelyn had seen it all.
But Amelia Linney's illness indeed received significant treatment and stabilization.
They slowly began to compromise.
Then, Charles discovered Florence secretly visiting.
At first, she didn't believe it until she discovered it herself.
Seeing Director Lane seeing her off, or seeing her get off the luxury car coming to the hospital, and then secretly watching. She stood outside their mother's ward, discreetly watching.
Often slightly reddened eyes, an expression of worry...
"Where is she?" Charles chased over, leaving Evelyn alone.
"She's already gone." Evelyn looked at the empty entrance ahead.
"Did you... talk about anything?"
"Didn't talk about much." Evelyn wiped a tear, "But she did say to take good care of Mom."
"Florence has always been quietly supporting us." Charles said hoarsely, "But our Shaw family has let her down."
Evelyn sobbed, then crouched down and started crying.
Charles patted his sister's head, looked at the inspection report in his hand: "But we must say thank you."
Leaving the hospital, Florence Fuller took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, blinking. Her phone rang from inside her bag.
Chloe Quinn.
"Hey~ girl." Her voice lifted, "After staying home for a few days, it's time to go out."
Florence smiled, "Want to grab a meal together?"
"Sure, I won't head home first then, where to?"
Florence Fuller opened the car door, thought for a moment, "Let's go to your place."
Chloe Quinn: "That works, I'll bring some food back, our usual spicy seafood?"
"Alright, see you in a bit."
Florence Fuller and Chloe Quinn lived in the same place, upstairs and downstairs neighbors. She grabbed a bottle of fruit wine before heading up; Chloe was just opening the door.
As she pushed open the door, Chloe glanced at her outfit, "You've stepped out?"
"Went to the hospital." Florence closed the door.
Chloe Quinn thought for a moment, "How is Aunt Linney's health?"
"Pretty good, her mental state is quite nice."
Florence put the food onto plates, and Chloe poured the wine, smelling the light fruit fragrance, couldn't resist and took a sip, the subtle fruit sweetness smiled at the person opposite, "It's quite good indeed, worthy of being a connoisseur."
Florence was indeed a bit hungry and started filling her stomach; the two casually chatted. Florence suddenly remembered something, "Did you sponsor DN Dawn?"
Chloe Quinn nodded and paused, "Will there be any effect? I sponsored it privately."
Florence smiled sincerely, raised her glass, "Thank you."