Chapter 14 A Hint of Curiosity in His Gaze

Marcus listened quietly as Natalie explained the details, but his eyes kept drifting to her hand. "Mr. Holden, do you understand?" Natalie asked, looking up at him. Caught off guard, Marcus quickly pulled his gaze back and nodded. "Yes, I understand. But I still want to ask. If you were in my position, which treatment would you choose for my grandfather?" Natalie raised her eyebrows slightly. This wasn't the first time someone had asked her that question, but she hadn't expected it to come from someone like Marcus. "I'm genuinely asking you this question, Dr. Elim," Marcus said sincerely. His tone was calm, his words heartfelt. "As a family, we value the doctor's opinion. To be honest, my grandfather has been to many hospitals, but no one has dared to operate on him." Natalie nodded. She already knew this much. What she hadn't anticipated was that the Holden family from Dithoria had sought treatment without revealing their identity or names. It hadn't been clear to her that the patient was Charles Holden. If Natalie had known earlier, she could have treated him in Amberton with herbal medicine and acupuncture instead of making the trip to Balford. "My suggestion would be conservative treatment," Natalie said. "I'm confident I can treat Mr. Holden Senior's tumor." Her tone was calm, but as she glanced at Marcus, she noticed something was off. His gaze, though respectful, carried a subtle intensity as if he were studying her. From the moment he walked in, his attention had felt strange. He seemed focused on her words, yet his eyes continuously assessed her in silent scrutiny. Behind her glasses, Natalie's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, her eyebrows knitting together. Marcus broke the silence. "Three months feels like a long time. Wouldn't that delay things?" "Are you worried about the cost, Mr. Holden?" Natalie asked coolly. "No," Marcus replied with a polite smile. Money wasn't an issue for him. His concern lay elsewhere. Marcus had done his research. Dr. Elim's consultations were famously brief, usually no more than a week. Patients were typically evaluated within two days, their treatment plan was set, and the follow-up care was handed over to Quinton Hospital. But this time, Dr. Elim had proposed a three-month treatment plan for Charles. It seemed unusual. As the sole heir to the Dithoria State Holden family, Marcus had to tread carefully. Many were watching, waiting for him to make a mistake. If Charles' condition worsened under his care, those waiting in the shadows would seize the chance to strip him of his position. Dr. Elim's previous reluctance to take on Charles' case only added to his suspicions. Why had she changed her mind? And why the disguise? Was she even the real Dr. Elim? "Mr. Holden," Natalie said suddenly, her tone calm, " if you have doubts, just say it. What exactly are you questioning?" She closed Charles' file and looked directly at Marcus through her glasses. Her gaze, sharp and unwavering, seemed to pierce through him. Marcus hesitated, feeling the weight of her scrutiny. Though her mask and glasses hid her expressions, he could sense her irritation. Finally, he said sincerely, "I'm just concerned. If other patients need treatment during this time, will you leave my grandfather's case unfinished to help them?" "Mr. Holden, you should already know my rules," Natalie said evenly. "I never take a new patient until I've finished treating the current one." Her tone grew colder. "If you've already made your decision, why ask unnecessary questions?" Natalie continued, her calm eyes fixed on him, "Mr. Holden Senior's heart is stable enough to give him another decade. The tumor won't be a problem unless it spreads. But no one can guarantee it won't spread, right?" Marcus knew she was right. Every hospital he consulted gave the same response that no one could guarantee the tumor wouldn't spread, nor were they willing to risk operating on it. The tumor's location posed significant dangers. One moment, Charles could appear perfectly fine; the next, he might collapse and never wake up. After exhausting every other option, Marcus had finally managed to secure a response from Dr. Elim. He couldn't waste this chance. "My grandfather means everything to me," Marcus said earnestly, his tone growing more serious. "Please, Dr. Elim, I trust you. Do whatever it takes to save him." Natalie didn't respond immediately. She simply gestured for Connie to escort him out. "Mr. Holden, this way, please," Connie said, opening the door. "Dr. Elim needs to consult with the director on the surgical plan." The message was clear that he was no longer needed here. Marcus nodded slightly. "Thank you, Dr. Elim. I'll leave it in your hand." Natalie didn't reply, focusing instead on the tumor beneath Charles' heart. Its location was so dangerous that even the smallest mistake could lead to catastrophic bleeding or cardiac arrest. She had to be fully prepared before proceeding. Outside the office, Ethan leaned toward Marcus and spoke in a low voice. "Mr. Holden, I'm sure Ms. Walker was with the woman we just saw." "And?" Marcus asked, his tone indifferent. "Well, it's odd," Ethan said, scratching his head. "I haven't seen Ms. Walker leave the hospital, but I also can't find her anywhere." "Maybe she took my warning seriously and left quietly," Marcus replied dismissively. "Don't mention her to my grandfather." "Yes, Mr. Marcus." … In the office, Natalie finalized the two treatment plans, waiting for Marcus and Charles to decide. Still, Marcus' gaze lingered in her mind. It had been unsettling, almost invasive. If it weren't for Charles' kindness, she might have refused the surgery based on Marcus' behavior alone. "Connie, buy a gift and send it to Mr. Holden Senior," Natalie instructed. "Make sure it's from Natalie Walker." She added, "Ethan saw me earlier." Natalie hadn't had the chance to formally meet Marcus since his abrupt departure. To prevent Charles from misunderstanding her absence, she wanted to ensure he knew she was aware of his hospitalization and looking out for him. She valued kindness. For every bit of goodwill shown to her, she sought to repay it tenfold. Charles had treated her well, and she would never forget it.