“Alright,” Andrea replied.
While the Scott family had access to private doctors, hospital equipment was still needed for such tests. Andrea underwent X-rays and additional tests before meeting with the doctor.
In the consultation room, the doctor hesitated, a conflicted expression on his face.
Andrea’s heart sank, an ominous feeling washing over her. “Doctor, what’s wrong with me? Is it something serious?”
The doctor didn’t sugarcoat his words. “Since you’re Olivia’s mother-in-law, I’ll be straightforward. We suspect b****t cancer but don’t panic. A biopsy can confirm the diagnosis. B****t cancer has a relatively high cure rate in the country, especially if caught early. The key is maintaining a positive mindset and avoiding stress, as this greatly aids recovery.”
Andrea nearly collapsed, her legs weakening under her.
Olivia caught her and began to cry, “Mom, you have to stay strong! Let’s follow the doctor’s advice and cooperate with the treatment. Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of you!”
Clutching her chest, Andrea wept bitterly.
The diagnosis was a devastating blow. Several of her friends had battled b****t cancer—some had passed away, others had undergone mastectomies and now lived cautiously. Marriages often suffered in these cases; many men, unwilling to deal with their wives’ conditions, sought companionship elsewhere, creating a vicious cycle of misery.
She never thought she’d face the same fate.
Even without an illness, Richard treated her poorly. With cancer, would he abandon her completely?
Her chest tightened further, making it difficult to breathe.
—
Henry quickly learned of the situation and drove home in a hurry.
“Mom, is it true? What Olivia said—is it really cancer?”
Andrea sighed deeply, her tears flowing freely.
“I’m sick because of your father! Look at him—he didn’t even answer my calls, and he hasn’t come home to see me. That shameless woman has completely captured his heart!”
Henry called Richard, who finally picked up after seeing his son’s number. Hearing the news, Richard was taken aback and immediately got dressed to head home.
The young woman beside him, Emily, gently asked, “Ricard, where are you going?”
Emily called Richard “Richard” in a sweet, soft voice, treating him with reverence. Her gentle demeanor, coupled with her ability to cater to his every need, pleased him greatly.
“Andrea was diagnosed with b****t cancer. I need to go back and check on her,” he said.
“B****t cancer? That’s such a serious illness! You should comfort her and try to maintain peace. Don’t let things escalate into arguments,” Emily advised gently.
“Ah, Emily, if only she were half as considerate as you, my life would be so much easier.”
With that, he left, leaving Emily smiling knowingly in the background.
**Emily smiled softly, snuggling against Richard before he left. Pleased by her affectionate gesture, Richard handed her 20,000 dollars before heading out.**
After he left, Emily picked up the money from the table, a sly smirk curling her lips.
“Andrea has b****t cancer? Heaven is really on my side!” Her grin deepened.
—
When Richard returned home, the household was already in chaos.
The moment Andrea saw him, she burst into tears.
“I’m diagnosed with such a serious illness, and you don’t even come home to check on me? Are you even human, Richard ?”
Richard frowned. “How am I not human? I came back to see you, didn’t I?”
“See me? Where were you? Off with that little tramp again? What kind of spell has she cast on you to make you so loyal to her?”
Richard ’s frown deepened. “What little tramp? Men having a woman outside is normal. Didn’t you tell Sophia the same thing before?”
Andrea froze. “What did you say?”
Richard sneered. “You’re the one who said it. And now you’re sick because of your bad temper. Even with this illness, you haven’t changed one bit! Honestly, you deserve it!”
Andrea was so furious that she nearly blacked out.
—
Upstairs, the old lady overheard the commotion and turned to the family patriarch.
“With Andrea’s illness, who knows how much more trouble the eldest branch will cause?”
The old patriarch sighed deeply. “The eldest is stubborn and won’t listen to reason. Andrea, for all her fierceness, lacks strategy and composure. Henry is undisciplined and lacks self-control. Even if they inherit a large portion of the family assets, they’ll squander it all sooner or later.”
The old lady sighed. Living a lifetime, one first becomes disappointed in outsiders, and then gradually, even one’s children become a source of disappointment. She recalled how, as a child, Richard had once pushed his younger brother into a ditch over a toy, nearly drowning him. While it had been a childish act, it revealed hints of his nature, and now, as an adult, he proved to be an ongoing disappointment.
“And Andrea,” the patriarch continued, “she may put on the airs of a fierce wife, but she’s all bark and no bite. She can’t even keep Richard in line. Her future doesn’t look promising either.”
The old lady’s expression turned somber.
The patriarch snorted. “Cheer up, old woman. At least we still have the fourth. He’s a shrewd one. I’m confident leaving the Scott family in his hands.”
“But about the fourth… he still hasn’t brought home a woman. Do you think—”
“He knows what he’s doing. I trust that whoever he chooses will be exceptional. But I will make it clear in my will that he must produce an heir to inherit.”
