Chapter 2 Act Like A Snob

How much?

One million?

Alex Cohen's eyeballs almost rolled out. He clicked on his account balance and confirmed that he had heard correctly. The first thing that came to mind was that his father was saved. The gloom on his face and the complicated emotions he felt were instantly swept away. He jumped over and tugged on Wayne Larson's arm excitedly.

"From now on, you’re my father!"

"Silly boy, I’ve always been your father."

Wayne Larson was not angry and clutched Alex's hand tightly. He said, "I'm sorry for making you live a miserable life for more than 20 years. From now on, you can live differently! I'll give you the money. Just spend it generously and I'll transfer more to you when you’ve used it up!"

"Why, are you rich? Can you give me a hint?"

"Let's put it this way...If I made all my assets public, all those people on the city's rich list would have to step aside! Son, let's stop here for now. I can't stay here any longer or I might get you in trouble. Don't forget to send me your bank account number and let’s keep in touch!"

Wayne patted Alex's arm, hurried across the road, and drove away.

Alex saw that Wayne was driving a Rolls-Royce Ghost with a market price of at least 4 million, which basically confirmed that Wayne indeed was a recluse tycoon. In the wake of his curiosity, he took out his phone to search the city's rich list and found that the first place's net worth exceeded 50 billion.

This also meant that Wayne Larson's net worth also exceeded 50 billion.

Alex himself, in the blink of an eye, had become the city's wealthiest rich second-gen!

This came as a surprise and was more than he could ever imagine.

Alex was restless as he thought of a better future. Then, a phone call brought him back to reality.

The phone call was from Isla, who said in her usual indifferent tone, "Alex Cohen, where the hell have you been? My parents are coming over tonight. Why don't you come back and clean up the house? Hurry up! After you’re done cleaning, you have to come out with me again…”

"Clean up your *ss!"

Alex was no longer short of money, so he could finally have a backbone. He no longer wanted to attend to her needs.

He said into the phone, "I'm busy! I’m going to the hospital. Don't bother me!"

It was said that alcohol could strengthen one's courage. In fact, money could strengthen one's courage better than alcohol.

Alex retorted against Isla and felt refreshed. He had never felt so carefree in his entire life. He did not give a chance for Isla to reply and hung up the phone. He then sent Wayne his bank account details and hailed a cab to go to Trinity Hospital, where his dad was being treated.

On the way there, Wayne called Alex.

“Son, I forgot to mention just now. I’ve already met your adoptive father before I went to see you. I think I’ve angered him. To show my sincere apologies, I’ve already talked to the Deputy Director of Trinity Hospital, Miles Zimmerman. If you guys faced any problems at the hospital, you can give him a call. I’ll send you his number now...”

“Okay.”

Alex Cohen saved Miles Zimmerman's phone number and rushed to Trinity Hospital to pay the remaining medical fees. He then ran over to his father's single room, but only found an unfamiliar face lying on the hospital bed. The attending doctor, Ian Roche, came into the room at that time. Alex immediately jumped over and asked, "Where's my dad?"

Ian Roche glanced at Alex and impatiently responded, "He's been transferred to the general ward."

"Why?"

"You know how it is. They paid 300,000 and your dad only has 30 left on his account! You're from a poor village, right? How could you think of staying in a private room when you have no money? Hospitals aren't charities. If you don't have money, you shouldn't be here at all! By the way, I want to inform you that your dad's surgery has been canceled."

"What? That's a life-saving surgery and it's not even the deadline to pay yet! Why would you cancel it so soon?"

"Not convinced, are you? In your father's case, the surgery is expected to cost 400,000. Can you afford it? Eventually, it's going to be canceled anyway, so what difference does it make if it's canceled now or later? Okay, I don't have time for your bullsh*t. Get out of my way now and don't get in the way of my work…”

"It's just money, who doesn't have it? You’re just acting like a snob. Look carefully with your snobbish eyes! I just paid half a million in advance!"

Alex's anger spiked. He threw his hand and slapped the payment receipt on Ian's face.

Ian's cheeks trembled with anger. His left hand covered his cheek and his right hand pointed at Alex's nose. He shouted at Alex viciously.

"How dare you do this? This is medical assault, isn't it? There's nothing left to say. Take your father and get out of here! This hospital will never treat him. I'll also give notice to other hospitals, so no one will dare to admit your father. Just go home and wait for death!"

Alex realized that Ian had lost his mind and did not want to fight with a mad dog, so he stepped aside and gave a call to Miles Zimmerman.

Miles Zimmerman hurried over to understand the situation and his face was extremely glum.

"How could this happen? There are really all kinds of people in this world!"

Ian Roche did not know that Miles was called over by Alex and proudly agreed.

"I also didn't think while he looked human, he behaved like a mad dog and even assaulted a doctor. He's probably so poor that he went crazy! Deputy Director Zimmerman, you're just in time, you have to stand up for me!"

"I'm talking about you, Ian Roche! They say a doctor should be kind. Where's your kindness? Was it eaten by dogs or did you lose it in a pool of money?"

"Huh? Deputy Director Zimmerman, did you misunderstand…"

"Shut up! Ian Roche, given that you’ve trampled on medical ethics and have given this hospital a bad impression, you should pack up immediately and get out! This hospital will never hire you. I will also give my regards to other hospitals, so no one will dare to hire you. Change your profession or go home and retire!"

Ian almost cried in frustration because he felt wronged yet did not dare to refute Miles.

Alex laughed and said casually, "Ian Roche, I suggest that you go to a foreign hospital so that your name won’t be that damaged. What do you think...Ian Roche?"

"You...don't get cocky! Just you wait!"

Ian said harshly and angrily left the scene.

Alex shrugged his shoulders and turned to Miles Zimmerman.

"Sorry for troubling you, Deputy Director Zimmerman."

Miles waved his hand and humbly responded, "You're welcome. It's my honor to serve you. Little brother, don't worry. I will personally monitor the progress of your dad’s treatment to ensure that nothing like this will happen again. Well...if there's a chance, please put in a few good words for me in front of your father."

"Sure...sure."

Alex was somewhat confused.

After he heard Miles’ words, it seemed like Miles was asking for his father's help. He did not know the situation and was too embarrassed to ask.

Without going into detail, Miles immediately took action and transferred Francis Cohen to the VIP ward. He also assigned someone to take care of him and ordered the best nephrologist in the hospital to arrange a kidney transplant for Francis as soon as possible. In addition to that, except for the expenses of seeking the donor’s kidney, all other expenses were waived.

Alex secretly made a mental note of this favor that was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. After all the arrangements were made with Miles' prompt assistance, Alex returned to the ward and was finally able to talk to his father.

When he pulled up a chair and sat beside the hospital bed, he did not know where to begin.

After a moment of silence, it was Francis Cohen who spoke first.

"Did you meet your father?"

Alex nodded, then shook his head, "I just met him once."

"I'm sorry, Alex. I was too selfish. I hid it from you all these years. I..."

Francis sighed.

"Dad, I don't blame you for anything. Whether he shows up or not, you'll always be my dad!"

"Okay, okay! Alex, these words are enough for me."

Francis Cohen’s eyes watered as he held back his tears. He quickly changed the subject.

"Thanks to your father and Deputy Director Zimmerman, I'm able to enjoy such good treatment. Thank them properly for me."

"No problem!"

Alex immediately texted Wayne Larson to convey his gratitude. At the end of the day, he invited Miles Zimmerman to dinner.

During the dinner, Isla called Alex several times but he ignored all of them.

After he ate and bought some food back for Francis, he headed home and it was already dark outside.

Isla's face was even darker. She stared at Alex with her two big eyes and sternly yelled, "Son of a b*tch! You actually dared to repeatedly refuse my calls? Do you have a bone to pick? Alex Cohen, I'm warning you. You better know your place and don't make me angry again. Otherwise, I'll make sure you won't even have a chance to regret it!"

Alex sat down on the original imported Swiss leather sofa, crossed his legs, and casually responded, "Isla, don’t tell me you want to kill me?"

"Cut the crap! Where's the certificate? Bring it to me!"

"What certificate?"

"Didn't you go to the hospital to get a fake certificate for a health problem?"

"Who told you I was going to get the certificate? I only went to the hospital to see my dad!"

“What? You…”

At noon, Isla did not get angry after Alex’s rude comeback over the phone because she thought he was going to the hospital to get a fake certificate. It turned out not as she imagined and she instantly went crazy. She was like a hungry tiger pouncing on her prey. She swung her right arm to slap Alex's face.

Alex side-stepped and dodged, and with a fierce blow, he pinned down Isla, who had fallen on the sofa. He said with a dark expression, "Isla, I advise you to know your place. We use each other to get what we need. We belong in a partnership, so our status is equal. I don't owe you anything. Anyone can have a temper too, so you better not go too far!"

"How dare you threaten me? Don't forget, we signed an agreement!"

"It's clearly stated in the agreement that as long as I don't let your parents see that we're in a fake marriage within 3 years, it's not a breach of contract. If something goes wrong on your part, I'm likewise not responsible. As for the rest, I have no obligation to help you and it all depends on my mood whether I want to help or not."

Isla could not figure out why Alex was suddenly like a changed person and had so much rage in him.

However, her mother had just called to say that she was already on her way here, and getting past her parents was the priority. This also needed Alex's cooperation. Helplessly, she could only forcefully suppress her anger and said, "Then this time, treat it as I’m asking you for a favor. I'll give you 100,000 when it's over and you don’t need to pay me back!"

"You’re only willing to pay now? Unfortunately, you’re too late!"

“You don't want money? Then what do you want?"

Alex sized up Isla's graceful figure and said with a smirk, "I want you!"