Chapter 19 Give It Up

After Marcus issued the order, all traffic routes in Balford were immediately blocked. He followed Peter and Rita to the duplex villa behind the hospital. Tears streamed down Rita's pale face as she tried to explain. "Darling, I saw that old woman enter the neighboring villa. I didn't realize she was the one treating Mr. Holden Senior. "You've always told me not to visit the neighbors, but I was curious! Look at the message I received—it says it's true." Rita quickly pulled out her phone and showed Peter the message. He didn't bother to look. At this point, nothing mattered anymore. "Give it up." After the initial shock, disbelief, and anger, Peter's emotions had calmed. He felt neither sad nor happy, just numb—like a walking corpse. "Mr. Holden, please believe me," Rita said, turning to Marcus. "You've seen the messages and the evidence Ms. Maine provided. Even if Ms. Maine isn't Dr. Elim, she's still excellent, isn't she? Now that Dr. Elim has refused to treat Mr. Holden Senior, why not let Ms. Maine try?" Marcus's eyes shifted to the neighboring villa. Connie stood on the second-floor balcony, holding a cup of coffee and watching them. When Rita's voice reached her, she sneered. She took a sip of her coffee before silently going back inside. A moment later, the doorbell rang, and Marcus's voice came through the intercom. "Ms. Sterling, can we meet? I want to apologize to Dr. Elim. Is that possible?" Marcus continued sincerely, "We don't want the deposit or the cancellation fee back. We just ask for one more chance." "Mr. Holden, since you doubt us and trust Ms. Maine, there's no need to continue this conversation," Connie replied indifferently. "Dr. Elim has already left. She refunded the money and won't treat him again. I suggest you give up." "Ms. Sterling, the person who offended Dr. Elim was me, not my grandfather," Marcus insisted. "I sincerely apologize and want to make amends. I'm willing to do whatever I can to compensate. "All I ask is for Dr. Elim to give me one more chance. I've already thought through the treatment plan Dr. Elim proposed." Connie went downstairs and opened the door to find Marcus standing there. While he had been arrogant and distant before, there was now a hint of humility in him. However, since Dr. Elim had made her decision, there was no room for negotiation. "I'm very sorry," Connie said as she stepped aside to let Marcus into the villa. "Dr. Elim has already left. I can't contact her now." "What's this?" Marcus walked over to the coffee table and noticed a fruit basket with a card inside. The card contained a handwritten note signed by Natalie. Connie stepped forward and moved the basket aside. "It's nothing to do with you, Mr. Holden," she replied coldly. "Do you know Natalie?" Marcus asked with a frown. He suddenly remembered how Natalie had disappeared after Ethan was supposed to bring her to meet him. Natalie was supposed to be a fake Langley, so how could she know someone like Connie? "Yes," Connie replied with a smile. Since Marcus had already seen the card, there was no point in denying it. Connie continued, "Natalie and I are good friends. When she found out I was coming to Balford, she made a special trip to see me. Later, she learned that Mr. Holden Senior was hospitalized here, so she bought the fruit basket to visit him. However, she got an urgent call and had to leave suddenly, so she asked me to visit on her behalf." "Is that so?" Marcus curled his lips into a faint sneer. He suspected Natalie had left after receiving his message and realizing she wasn't welcome. Yet, she still managed to leave a good impression on Charles. To Marcus, she was just another woman scheming to climb the social ladder and win over Charles. "Mr. Holden, it seems you don't think very highly of Natalie," Connie remarked, noticing the brief flicker of disdain in his expression. She didn't like it. Natalie was second to none, and Marcus had no business looking down on her. "Not at all," Marcus replied. He didn't want to waste any more time discussing a woman he considered shallow and manipulative. He quickly redirected, "Ms. Sterling, I beg you to plead with Dr. Elim on my behalf." "I'm sorry, but I can't help you with that," Connie said firmly. "Mr. Holden, instead of wasting time here, you'd be better off finding another doctor for Mr. Holden Senior." "I'm willing to pay more," Marcus said. "Mr. Holden, trust is hard to rebuild once broken. You didn't trust Dr. Elim, and now Dr. Elim won't trust you. Who's to say you won't doubt her again if someone questions her identity? It's better to leave things as they are. Please leave, Mr. Holden," Connie insisted. Marcus looked around the villa before standing up. "I'm sorry. I'll ask Dr. Elim for forgiveness," he said. Connie remained silent. As Marcus was about to leave, Connie couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Holden, are you close with Natalie?" At the question, Marcus paused and slightly turned around. "Not really," he replied. Connie nodded. "I see." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Ms. Sterling, is that question important?" Connie smirked lightly. "Not at all. I was just curious." After a brief silence, Marcus clarified, "I didn't know Natalie before, so there's no real relationship to speak of." "Got it." Connie smiled faintly and let the matter drop. "Ms. Sterling, I'm asking you sincerely—please help me plead my case to Dr. Elim again," Marcus insisted. "Mr. Holden, I'm also advising you sincerely—just give up," Connie replied firmly. "I won't," Marcus said. With that, he gave a slight nod and walked out of the villa. Peter and Rita had finished packing and were about to leave when they noticed Marcus emerging from the neighboring villa. Their expressions turned complicated, but neither said a word. They simply got into their car and drove off. Marcus watched Peter's car disappear into the distance. When he turned back, he noticed Connie stepping out of the villa with a fruit basket in hand, seemingly on her way to visit Charles. "Mr. Holden, I'm going to visit Mr. Holden Senior on behalf of Natalie. Would you like to join me?" Connie called out. After a moment of thought, Marcus nodded in agreement. Connie walked ahead, carrying the fruit basket, while Marcus trailed behind, scrolling through his phone. Updates poured in from his men, but none of the checkpoints had spotted the elderly woman he described. Aside from Peter and Rita, no one had exited the hospital grounds. All cars were thoroughly inspected by his bodyguards to ensure no one was hiding inside before being allowed to pass. Marcus frowned deeply. How could a living person simply vanish into thin air?