Vulgar Taste

A few moments later, the attending physician finally emerged from the emergency room.

Mrs. Sterling hurried forward, putting on a show of concern.

“Doctor, how is my son?”

The physician hesitated before answering.

“The patient has temporarily passed the critical stage, but he still requires close observation. More importantly, the transplant surgery cannot be delayed any longer. Our hospital has already done everything we can.”

“I understand.”

Mrs. Sterling answered reluctantly.

Deep down, she was annoyed.

The doctor made it sound so simple.

Finding a compatible heart wasn't easy.

The surgery itself would cost an enormous amount of money, and even if Zach received a transplant, there was no guarantee he would ever return to a normal life.

Fortunately, once Zach became Rue's responsibility, none of that would concern the Sterling Family anymore.

“I'll find a way to arrange the surgery,” Rue suddenly said. “But the Sterling Family will be responsible for the medical expenses.”

It was as though she could read Mrs. Sterling's thoughts.

Mrs. Sterling immediately exploded.

“You never mentioned that when we signed the agreement! Now you expect us to pay for the surgery too? You know exactly what condition Sterling Group is in right now!”

“So you're saying you don't plan to take responsibility for your own son anymore?”

Rue shrugged and smiled mockingly.

It was honestly difficult to believe Zach was their biological child.

“No money.”

Mrs. Sterling spread her hands defiantly.

This was a society governed by law.

What was Rue going to do—break into their home and steal it?

“No problem.” Rue smiled. “I can always start a livestream fundraiser. I'm sure the public would be very interested in the son of Sterling Group needing surgery. It's only a few million dollars, after all.”

After saying that, she casually sat down in one of the hallway chairs and brushed imaginary dust from her skirt.

The entire Sterling Family immediately changed expressions.

People in their social circle valued reputation above everything.

If Rue exposed Zach's identity publicly through a livestream, wouldn't that be the same as trampling the Sterling Family's dignity into the ground?

Their biological son abandoned by his own family?

How would they ever show their faces again?

“Let's not get ahead of ourselves,” Mrs. Sterling said stiffly. “We'll discuss that after you've actually solved the surgery problem.”

At this point, she was genuinely wary of Rue.

She had never imagined that such a young woman could be so calculating and full of unexpected tricks.

The obedient, compliant daughter she'd once known was gone.

This version of Rue was someone entirely different.

The indicator light above the ICU finally turned green.

Surrounded by doctors and nurses, Zach was wheeled out.

He remained unconscious.

What he needed most now was rest and recovery.

Rue immediately demanded a private VIP room from the Sterling Family.

Since she still hadn't handed over the medicine, Mrs. Sterling had no choice but to comply.

Only after Zach had been settled into his room did Mrs. Sterling and Ariana completely lose their patience.

“Well?” Mrs. Sterling extended her hand again. “You've seen that Zach is still alive. It's time for you to honor your side of the agreement.”

Ariana added sarcastically, “Unless Rue Blackwood never had any Vital Essence Pills in the first place and only fooled us with fake medicine before.”

“I don't have that much free time.” Rue casually pulled a medicine bottle from her bag and tossed it over.

Mrs. Sterling nearly lunged to catch it.

Clutching the bottle to her chest like a priceless treasure, she handled it with extreme care.

When she unscrewed the cap, she found the bottle completely full of pills.

A strange light appeared in Ariana's eyes.

If every pill in that bottle was genuine...

The Sterling Family was about to become rich.

At that very moment, Ariana's phone began vibrating nonstop.

She glanced down.

The Vanderbilt family's people had arrived.

Immediately brightening, she exchanged a meaningful look with her mother.

“Mom, I'll go have these tested first. I'll be right back.”

With the bottle in hand, she hurried away.

After Ariana left, Mrs. Sterling quickly found an excuse to leave as well. She hated the smell of hospital disinfectant. Years of dealing with Zach's illness had left her utterly sick of it.

Even the room he occupied in the Sterling villa had eventually come to resemble a hospital ward.

The moment she stepped outside, she called a household servant.

“Hurry up and clear out all that short-lived brat's belongings. Throw everything away. Renovate his room as soon as possible. Having a sickly burden like him in the house has always been bad luck.”

Mrs. Sterling gritted her teeth.

Over the years, Sterling Group had missed countless opportunities to go public.

Now the company was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

A fortune teller had once told her that both Rue and Zach were disasters for the family. Once those two jinxes were gone, the Sterling Family's good fortune would finally begin.

Down in the hospital parking lot—

Ariana walked briskly toward a Rolls-Royce.

The tinted window slowly lowered.

A handsome face came into view.

Because of his health, Julian Vanderbilt's complexion was pale and bloodless.

Even so, it couldn't diminish his extraordinary presence.

His deep, cold eyes settled on her.

The moment Ariana met his gaze, her heart skipped a beat.

She was only delivering medicine.

Why had Julian Vanderbilt come personally?

He was the heir of heaven itself—the man who controlled Vanderbilt Group.

Because of his poor health, he rarely appeared in public.

Damn it.

Had she known he would come in person, she would have spent hours preparing and changed into something better.

Ariana flashed a shy smile and stepped forward.

“Mr. Vanderbilt, I'm truly sorry about the misunderstanding last time.”

“The medicine?” Julian asked casually.

His gaze swept over her.

The woman before him was draped in luxury brands from head to toe. Designer logos practically screamed from every inch of her clothing.

Her taste was vulgar.

Even her manner of speaking felt affected and artificial.

Nothing about her resembled the woman he'd met before.

Not even remotely.

The overpowering perfume she wore assaulted his senses.

A person skilled in medicine would never wear such a strong fragrance. It would interfere with the ability to distinguish medicinal scents during the refining process.

“It's right here.”

Ariana had prepared for this.

Instead of bringing the entire bottle, she carefully removed a single pill and handed it over.

Then she added, “Vital Essence Pills are extremely difficult to make, so they can't be mass-produced.”

Julian narrowed his eyes. A dangerous glint flashed within them.

“You made this?”

Ariana froze for a moment, suspicion flashing across her face.

Had Julian Vanderbilt noticed something?

That shouldn't be possible.

After all, he'd never met Rue Blackwood before...

Impossible.

Gathering her courage, Ariana answered confidently.

“Yes, I made it. The reason I didn't tell you the truth before, Mr. Vanderbilt, was because we didn't know each other well.”

Kieran accepted the Vital Essence Pill and immediately strode toward a nearby car.

Inside sat five of the world's leading medical experts.

Whether it was truly a Vital Essence Pill or not, they would know after examining it.

The experts carefully scraped off a small amount of powder and began a thorough analysis.

At that very moment—

Julian, seated in the back of the Rolls-Royce, suddenly felt his chest tighten violently.

A fit of uncontrollable coughing overtook him.

“Kieran...”

His voice was hoarse.

Realizing something was wrong, Kieran rushed over immediately.

Lately, Vanderbilt Group's affairs had become increasingly demanding.

Many matters required Julian's direct involvement.

Given his already fragile health, the strain had clearly taken a serious toll.

“Get the doctors ready,” Kieran ordered calmly. “We need to get Mr. Vanderbilt upstairs for treatment immediately.”