Chapter 733
Chapter 733:
“Shut up!” Bain exploded, causing Esther to flinch and withdraw to her mother’s side. “Do you even know who that masked woman is? She’s the esteemed surgeon, MO! Mateo invested heavily to bring her here for Orson’s surgery. You claim she’s arrogant and disrespectful? Well, she has the credentials to justify her attitude! If you were a celebrated surgeon, perhaps you could afford to be arrogant and disrespectful too.”
Esther was struck dumb by the reprimand, though her bitterness only deepened. She was adamant that MO would face consequences for the indignity suffered by Conley today, regardless of her status as a distinguished surgeon. No slight against her family would go unpunished.
“Dear, I believe Conley realizes his error. We should let the matter rest,” Conley’s mother chimed in. “The incident has already occurred. Our priority should be on rectifying the fallout. Further scolding will only strain your health and increase his agony.”
“Indeed.” Bain sighed deeply, the worry clear on his face. “I suppose a personal visit to the Payne family is necessary tomorrow to offer our apologies.”
“Dad, what is there to apologize for? Neither my brother nor I have done anything to justify that,” Esther said. “Moreover, Minnie and I are best friends. She won’t do anything to harm our family.”
Bain gave her a sharp look. “Remember, you brought Minnie to White Goose Mountain, where she got hurt. Plus, your brother indirectly caused this incident. While Minnie might overlook these issues due to your friendship, her family might not be so forgiving. If we don’t demonstrate genuine contrition now, I fear they might sever all ties with us.”
Conley faltered heavily to his room, his body beaten from the punishment.
“Let me assist with your wounds, Conley,” Esther said, approaching him with a medical kit in hand.
Reluctant at first, Conley ultimately accepted Esther’s help. The number of blows he had endured left his back throbbing painfully. He doubted he could even sleep tonight without some medicinal aid.
𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕖 → gⱯ․𝗅․𝗇𝗈․ν𝖊𝗅𝘀․ⅽ․𝗈𝗆
Conley sat down, removed his shirt, and exposed his back to Esther. Despite the scars marring it, his well-defined muscles were unmistakable—a sight that momentarily captivated Esther. However, the severe lacerations crisscrossing his back soon drew her focused concern.
“Conley, does this hurt much?” As Esther carefully applied the medicine, she frowned. “Dad was really hard on you this time. But it wasn’t even your fault. Those brats must have cheated to make you lose the race. They won’t get away with this.”
“Don’t talk like that, Esther,” Conley cautioned, casting a weary glance her way. “It’s my lack of skill that caused my defeat.”
Esther responded sharply, “That’s not true! In my eyes, you’re always the champion, Conley. There’s no way you could lose fairly. They must have cheated.”
Conley sighed and offered a bitter smile, knowing all too well Esther’s unwavering idolization of him since childhood. To her, he was always the victor, the unbeatable hero. Yet, her blind adoration obscured the harsh truths of reality, making her believe that foul play was the only possible explanation for his loss.
“Let’s not dwell on it any longer, Esther,” Conley murmured, his voice weary. “We need to come to terms with the bet’s results. At least MO didn’t reduce me to her slave, which is a small mercy.”
“What is it about MO that impresses you so much?” Esther asked, her tone dismissive. “She’s just a well-known doctor. Does she truly hold a candle to the Mendoza family?”
Conley’s concern grew at Esther’s naive remarks. MO might have been just a surgeon, but her stature had grown through solid connections with the powerful elite. Such influential figures valued her advice. Should they face health crises, it was MO’s expertise in the operating room they would seek.
.
.
.