Flash Marriage To The Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Hallie thought, 'Maybe Nelson is right. Compared to him holding favors over people, what I did—wanting Berry Bay to keep being the sacrifice—is even more heartless.'
She said, "Anyway, it's a done deal now. There's nothing I can do with the abilities I have now. Maybe this is just how things are meant to be."
Hallie's cool, composed voice was tinged with a subtle sense of loneliness and regret.
Clarissa sighed, "Honestly, drug prices are already barely affordable. If they rise any further, patients who need long-term treatment will only struggle even more."
Clarissa shook her head, and Hallie felt her heart sink a little deeper.
"Dr. Levine?" a voice called from behind, hurried footsteps approaching.
Hallie turned—one of the nurses from the station, her face etched with concern.
Hallie asked, "What happened?"
The nurse replied urgently, "A patient was just admitted to the VIP ward and specifically requested you. Their condition is critical—you need to see them right away."
'Out of all the doctors, why did they specifically ask for me?' thought Hallie.
The VIP ward at their hospital was exclusively reserved for dignitaries and high-profile figures. As far as Hallie could recall, only Nelson had used it recently.
Hallie thought to herself, 'No way... Could it really be him?'
She frowned, concern etched on her face.
When she rushed into the ward, sure enough, Nelson was already there—just as she expected.
But the one in critical condition wasn't him; it was Peterson, lying pale and still on the hospital bed.
Peterson's face was swollen, with red patches around his lips and a rash spreading across his neck.
Fortunately, he remained conscious.
"Hey..." Peterson forced a smile that looked more like a grimace and weakly raised his hand in greeting Hallie.
His voice was muffled and hoarse, every word strained by his swollen throat.
Hallie realized instantly—an allergic reaction.
"What did he eat just now?" Hallie frowned, turning to the stoic Nelson beside her.
Clearly aware of Peterson's allergic reaction, Nelson replied bluntly, "Peanuts. It was accidental."
Thankfully, the symptoms weren't too severe. Hallie prescribed some anti-inflammatory medication and carefully applied calamine lotion to the allergic rash areas on his skin.
"Mr. Reed, if you knew you're allergic to peanuts, why on earth would you touch them? You're a grown man, not some careless child," Hallie couldn't help but reprimand.
Peterson glared resentfully, lips pursed. "It's all our business rivals' doing. Since they can't touch Nelson, they made an example of me—probably just to send him a warning."
After several encounters, Peterson had come to trust Hallie more. So he spoke his mind without hesitation, holding nothing back.
Hallie froze for a moment, suddenly recalling recent news about Blair Group's plans to acquire land in South Callopston—apparently, a foreign company was also competing for it.
Hallie thought to herself, 'Based on what Peterson said, could he have been deliberately set up and poisoned?'
The corporate battlefield was rife with deception and backstabbing, and there was never a shortage of dirty tricks behind the scenes.
When Hallie was learning business management from her grandfather, he shared a similar lesson. "In the corporate world, if someone doesn't aim to completely take down their opponent, it's usually either just a warning or a way to buy time."
Her grandfather had always reminded Hallie, "No matter who it is, never trust anyone completely. Always keep your guard up—just in case."
By specifically requesting Hallie to treat Peterson, Nelson was probably subconsciously guarding against the possibility that the hospital might also have people from their business rivals.
Hallie warned sternly, "You must stay away from allergens at all costs. Today's reaction was relatively mild, but allergic responses can vary each time. If it happens again, you could go into anaphylactic shock—suffocation and even death are very real possibilities."
As Hallie spoke, she quickly packed up the medical instruments, her movements brisk and efficient.
With a minor surgery scheduled soon and a case to review in advance, she couldn't afford to linger here.
Nelson cast a cold glance at Hallie.
Lately, she had been radiating a vibe of resistance and indifference.
He could sense that most of it was directed at him.
Now, that feeling was even more palpable.
Though his last warning had forced her to rein in her displeasure, it was clear she wasn't about to yield so easily.
He had no patience for people who didn't know their place.
After packing up her medical kit, Hallie made a swift exit without so much as a word, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Nelson.
Hallie pulled on her surgical gloves, fully gowned up, and entered the operating room with several other doctors.
About two hours later, the operating room lights went out, signaling that the surgery had gone smoothly.
The family members waiting outside stepped forward to inquire. Hallie explained the situation and important precautions, then went to the changing room to remove her blue scrubs before heading back to her office.
Suddenly, the door to a nearby hospital room swung open, and a short-haired little girl in a hospital gown dashed out, bumping right into Hallie's leg.
Hallie recognized her instantly—it was Lily Myers, the same girl from the photo at today's fundraising meeting.
Tears still streaked the girl's cheeks as she anxiously scanned the busy corridor, calling out, "Daddy."
She looked just like a lost lamb, radiating unease and fear.
Hallie's heart softened. She crouched down, gently stroking Lily's hair, and said in a warm voice, "Lily, I just saw your daddy head off to work overtime.
"I promise, as soon as he finishes tonight, he'll come to the hospital to see you. Why don't you go back to your room for now, okay?"
"R-Really?" Lily looked up at Hallie with big, tear-filled eyes.
Hallie nodded firmly. "Really. I wouldn't lie to you. I'm a doctor."
That promise seemed much more convincing to the little girl than anything Hallie had said before.
Lily thought to herself, 'The doctor is so pretty and kind. She definitely won't lie to me.'
She nodded eagerly. "Okay, I'll go back to my room right now."
Hallie smiled, "Good girl."
Hallie's eyes were bright and clear. When she smiled, her pupils shimmered like sunlight dancing on a lake.
As Hallie watched Lily's tiny figure disappear into the hospital room, the gentle smile faded from her face, and the shadow that had haunted her brow all along quietly returned.
The low, magnetic sound slipped right into Hallie's ears.
She turned sharply to find Nelson standing not far away, watching her with an unreadable expression. She had no idea how long he'd been there, quietly observing the scene.
"Peterson's condition has stabilized, hasn't it? Why are you still here?" she asked.
Hallie thought to herself, 'I really don't want to see Nelson right now. I'm in no mood for confrontations.'
"He's just playing it safe—he won't leave until his symptoms subside," Nelson remarked coolly.
Hallie averted her gaze and walked on.
Nelson's deep, magnetic voice sounded again. "The stupidest thing in this world is grieving over people you can't save when you know you're powerless."
Hallie halted mid-step, whirled around to glare at Nelson. "Mr. Blair," she said icily, "don't wear your heartlessness like a medal. Since you're incapable of compassion, you'd better keep your mouth shut."
"Does sympathy save lives?" Nelson said coldly.
Hallie was about to retort, but suddenly sensed there might be more to Nelson's words than what she heard.