Chapter 8: Thomas' Influence

Words : 1971 Updated : Feb 26th, 2025

"Today's meal is ruined. Everyone should go home, " Raymond said, looking at the mess in the room. After speaking, he pulled Dante, Karina, and Grace toward the door. The others also hurriedly said their goodbyes and left in a rush. Only Simone's family remained, crying amid the chaos. On the way home, Karina glared at Dante. "Do you even know who those people were? How dare you hit them like that?" "Dante was protecting me." Raymond coughed twice to mediate. "Drake was so scared he wet his pants, yet Dante jumped out to show off. Grace works at the hospital, and offending those gangsters could make her a target." The more Karina spoke, the angrier she became. Now that the rush of the moment had passed, fear crept in, and she blamed Dante for being reckless. Dante remained calm. He declared, "They wouldn't dare do anything. Grace is my wife, and I will protect her." Karina angrily slapped the back of the seat, "You've recovered, but instead of learning anything useful, you've only learned to boast!" "Alright, enough!" Raymond smoothed things over. "Ask your cousin at the police station to step in and help mediate with Mr. Hauk." Karina's face turned green with anger. "That's easier said than done! That man is a greedy wolf—asking him to mediate will cost a fortune." "It's all your fault! Grace is so outstanding. She could've married anyone, but you insisted she marry him." "And now that Dante's recovered, instead of learning how to behave, he first stirs up trouble and talks big!" "Today's incident isn't entirely his fault either." Grace suddenly spoke up. Seeing their daughter speak for Dante, both parents were stunned. Dante remained silent. With the Immortal Medical Tome in his possession, acquiring power, wealth, and status would never be a challenge for him. A mere gangster boss wasn't even worth mentioning. But there was no way to explain this to them. For a while, an awkward and strange atmosphere filled the car. No one spoke again as the car sped toward the Thubron residence. The Thubron family lived in a mid-to-high-end neighborhood south of Norbia. Their four-bedroom, two-living-room house was spacious. Karina and Grace went straight to their rooms as soon as they got home. Only Dante and Raymond remained in the living room. Raymond held Dante's hand. "Now that you're better, I can finally face your mother with peace of mind." With a guilty expression, he continued, "When your parents passed away so suddenly, all I could think about was taking you in since I was an outsider at the time." "So, your uncle took over your parents' house and company affairs." Dante nodded. "Dad, I understand. There wasn't much inheritance anyway. At most, there are some keepsakes. I'll retrieve them at my uncle's when the time comes." Raymond hesitated. The situation was akin to a lamb entering a tiger's den. How could Dante's uncle willingly spit it back out? But since Dante had just recovered, he didn't want to say too much. "Well, as long as you take it easy. From now on, live well with Grace. She has a cold personality—be more tolerant and give me a grandchild soon." Dante blushed, feeling warmth in his heart. Karina might not treat him well, but Raymond genuinely cared for him. "Alright, it's getting late. Go rest," Raymond said, pushing Dante toward Grace's room. "Ah, this..." Dante remembered that he and Grace had always slept in separate rooms. What was his father-in-law trying to do? "What? You're better now—hurry up and give me a grandchild," Raymond said, shoving Dante into the bedroom. Grace was about to change for a shower. Hearing the commotion at the door, she hadn't had time to put her clothes back on before Dante was pushed inside. What greeted his eyes was a stunning expanse of fair skin. Grace was only wearing underwear similar to a bikini, her enticing figure on full display. "Turn around!" Grace blushed furiously. "Oh!" Dante quickly turned his back. Hearing the rustling sounds of her putting on clothes behind him, he suddenly felt parched. When Grace finished dressing, her face still carried a faint blush of embarrassment. Without saying a word, she went straight into the bathroom to shower. The bedroom had an ensuite bathroom. Sitting on the bed, Dante could hear running water, stirring his imagination. Grace had a delicate face and an incredible figure. Dante figured any man in this situation would find it hard to remain calm. But would it be too soon to share a bed? When Grace stepped out of the bathroom, she pulled a blanket from the wardrobe and laid it on the floor. Dante snapped back to reality. She was making him sleep on the floor. The lights went off. Neither of them spoke again. Dante understood that neither he nor Grace had truly accepted each other yet. Dante did not deny that he had feelings for Grace. Over the past three years, he had felt her care. It was precisely because of this that he did not want anything to be forced. As for where this relationship would go, he wanted to let things happen naturally. The night was quiet, and the sound of them tossing and turning was magnified infinitely. "Tomorrow, I'll drive you to the hospital and take the car for repairs." "Okay." After that brief exchange, everything fell silent again. The following day, Dante drove Grace to work as promised. Raymond watched the two leave together. He had a massive grin on his face. Karina, standing beside him, dampened his excitement. "Don't be too happy. Aren't we supposed to ask my cousin for help settling that issue? Buy groceries. And brace yourself—he's a real money-grubber!" "There's no choice. I asked around. Ryan is notorious for holding grudges. We can't just sit back and wait for him to retaliate against Dante," Raymond said with a frown. "Anyone listening would think he's your son-in-law, but those who don't know might think he's your illegitimate son!" "What nonsense are you talking about?" When Grace arrived at the hospital, as soon as she entered the department, the head nurse, Martha—who had a good relationship with her—pulled her into a corner and whispered, "Did you hear? Mr. Johanson is under investigation." "Oh!" Grace was slightly surprised. Although Sebastian had always been shady, Thomas had kept his word. Today, Sebastian was already being investigated. Was this the influence of the wealthiest man? Thinking of how Dante had boasted about curing Sienna's depression, she suddenly felt a wave of concern. "I heard your husband is better now?" Martha asked again. "Yeah." Grace was already used to hospital gossip. Checking the time, she went straight to the consultation room. She was on outpatient duty today. After seeing a few patients, a young man with bleach-blond hair and a cocky demeanor swaggered in. He wore a sleeveless vest, his body covered in tattoos. Grace routinely asked, "What seems to be the problem?" "It itches down there. Why don't you take a look for me?" The man smirked and stood up, starting to pull down his pants. "Stop!" Grace immediately stopped him. "For this issue, go to the dermatology department!" The man snorted in displeasure, his face twitching with irritation. "Are you refusing to treat me? You think I won't file a complaint against you?" "You have the right to complain." Grace stood up and pulled open the consultation room door. "This is the emergency department, which only handles urgent and critical cases. "Your condition is not life-threatening, nor is it an emergency. You should go to the dermatology department!" "I'm telling you, I want you to check it today! Say 'I can't' again, I dare you!" The man looked furious and kicked over a chair. After that, he suddenly put on a victim's expression, standing at the door and wailing, "This damn doctor is refusing to treat me! Heartless doctor! Is there anyone in charge here?" After shouting a few times, several hooligans rushed over. Grace's face turned pale with fear. Instinctively, she grabbed her phone to call Dante. But the moment she dialed his number, she hesitated. In this situation, the first person she thought of was Dante. Had this man, without her realizing it, given her a sense of security?

Chapter 8: Thomas' Influence

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