Chapter 6 Emily's Plan

Joseph looked at Megan, his pale face devoid of any emotion. "Megan, I will help you find a bone marrow match for your grandmother and contact top doctors and professors from around the world to treat her. You don't need to use marriage as a transaction." Megan poured the vegetable porridge into a bowl, handing it to Joseph. "I am the top expert you are looking for. As for bone marrow transplantation, it cannot save her eventually. My grandmother's health is deteriorating, and I need the antidote for a permanent solution." "If you don't want to get married, give me the antidote, otherwise you won't get your ring back." Feeling the warmth in his palm and smelling the fragrant vegetable porridge, Joseph's anger from being threatened gradually subsided. "Megan, if you marry me, you will encounter dangers at any time, and your grandmother, whom you care about, will also be involved." Megan calmly looked at him,"I believe you have the ability to protect us." - Although she didn't like the struggles of the wealthy, it didn't mean she was afraid of trouble. From the information, Megan was a suitable candidate as a wife. - But she and James had a good relationship. He and James were competitors. Megan got close to him could be for the antidote, or she might have other motives. "Megan, we don't have to get married. Our family is more dangerous than you can imagine." Regardless of her other intentions, she had saved him twice. He didn't want to involve her into danger. Megan was getting impatiently, "If I can't get the antidote, you won't get your ring back." With that, she paused and looked at his leg in a cast. "It's almost impossible for your legs to fully recover. but with my help, the recovery time can be halved and there won't be any sequelae." "So, it's a fair trade." Joseph's gaze fell on his own leg, and the words of the attending doctor echoed in his mind. "Your leg bone is fractured and the nerves are severely damaged. It might not be favorable for walking in the future." He looked at Megan, "Megan, you saved me, and I don't want to harm you. The Martinez family is a dangerous place, there will be a great cost to obtain the antidote." Megan knew this, but she didn't have a choice. "No matter how great the cost, it is not as great as losing my grandmother." Facing Megan's determined gaze, Joseph made a decision. "Since you have made up your mind, I can marry you. However, I will give you the antidote after I become the head of the Martinez family, at a suitable time." Dragon Seal held great significance to him and couldn't be restored once it was opened. He would only retrieve the antidote from inside when he no longer needed the ring. But there was another purpose behind his agreement to marriage. His grandpa Liam always wanted him to marry the person he had chosen, and had schemed multiple times for it. If he got married, this trouble would cease to exist. Megan knew that Joseph had his own plans, but she also had countermeasures. "Okay, I'll keep the ring and make a counterfeit one for you." - "Agreed. We engage in a contractual marriage, independent of each other post-nuptials. I will draft a premarital agreement for your perusal shortly." "Good. Once you are discharged from the ICU, I will tend to your injury." Joseph nodded. "The counterfeit ring, can you make it within three days?" "Yes. Eat your porridge. Since I bring meals to grandma everyday, I'll bring for you too from now on." Megan returned to Hannah's ward. Hannah inquired, "How is your friend doing? Why is he hospitalized? Did he enjoy the porridge?" "Grandma, so many questions at once." "Just answer me." Megan did not wish to reveal to Hannah that in order to finance her treatment, she would marry Joseph. She gazed out the window at the brilliant sunshine. "Lovely weather we're having. I'll take you out for a bit." No sooner had the two reached downstairs when they encountered Emily and Sophie. Emily was dressed in an elegant, fashion-forward ensemble—a white cashmere sweater paired with wide-legged wool trousers of the same hue, topped with a camel coat. Sophie was clad in a red turtleneck sweater, a beige pleated skirt, and a beret, exuding whimsy and charm. Sophie presented the freshly-purchased desserts to Hannah. "Grandma, I bought these especially for you. Please have a taste." Emily added, "It took Sophie an entire hour in line." Hannah knew they were acting again. Despite their deceptive ways, Sophie donated bone marrow for her, so Hannah did not scoff. Accepting with a faint smile, Hannah said, "Sophie, thank you." "Grandma, that's all I'm supposed to do. I am your real granddaughter." Megan knew the remark was intended for her ears. She smiled, "Right. You should accompany your real grandmother in the hospital more often." Sophie, with her head hung low, feigned remorse. "I would like to, but my body becomes exceedingly frail post bone marrow extraction. I need rest, or I might not endure the next session and save grandma." Emily glared coldly at Megan, "Come here, we need to talk!" After speaking, she turned and walked towards the small garden outside the inpatient department. Knowing what Emily intended to discuss, Megan was about to follow when Hannah took her by the arm. "Megan, I'm feeling unwell. Please take me back to my ward." It was clear that her daughter-in-law would not offer any pleasantries, she could not bear her dear granddaughter being mistreated. Sophie subtly freed Hannah's hand, saying with a smile, "Grandma, I will escort you back." After she wheeled the wheelchair away, Megan, to alleviate Hannah's concern, called after them, "Grandma, I'll be back shortly." She then followed Emily to the garden. The garden was exceptionally cool and desolate. Emily, pulling her coat tighter, seated herself on a bench. She got straight to the point, "Meet with Myles tonight." Megan frowned, "Isn't Myles's birthday banquet next week?" Before obtaining the antidote, she could not afford to alienate the Johnson. "He wants to inspect you first." Emily arranged for a dinner to please Myles. As soon as he sees Megan, he would be eager to give them money to assist the Johnson through their predicament. Megan was all too aware of Emily's plan. She promised briskly, "Fine. Send me the location." If the Johnson was counting on her help, then she would thwart their expectations resoundingly!