Chapter 45

Bradley gave a small smile. "I'm just worried about you. You need to get that divorce from Randy sorted out ASAP so it doesn't cause you more trouble."

Deep down, Bradley kept his true feelings about wanting Kathie to get a divorce hidden. He didn't think it was the right time to confess his feelings;he was afraid of losing even the friendship they had now. So, he continued to keep his admiration for her a secret, staying by her side and waiting for the right moment to reveal his heart.

Kathie, completely unaware of Bradley's feelings, was grateful. "Thanks,Bradley. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Bradley got to the point. "Now that you're back and the kids are in school,you have more time. Would you consider working at Staright General Hospital?"

Bradley was the director of Starlight General Hospital. They had gone to the same medical school, and he was also Melinda's brother, so he and Kathie had always had a good relationship. Bradley had wanted to invite her to work at his hospital for a long time, but she had always declined due to her marriage and the kids.

At this moment, Bradley extended the invitation again, but Kathie's mind immediately went to Jonathan, the injured man at home who couldIn't take care of himself. Without him, she might have considered accepting.

"Bradley, you know I have a patient at home to take care of. I don't have the tíme right now," Kathie said.

"You could bring him to the hospital. That way, more doctors could help treat him and ease your burden,"

Kathie shook her head. She suspected Jonathan had been targeted and

didn't want to expose him to the public.

"I want to take care of him myself, but thank you for the offer."

"Alright. I won't push you. When he's better, you can reconsider.Since you're here, why not visit Starlight General Hospital? That way, if you decide to accept my invitation later, you'll already be familiar with the place."

"Sure. I'd love to check it out. You know, I also want to open my own hospital someday and pass on the medical skills our professor taught us."

Bradley nodded approvingly. "I support you."

At the outskirts of Eldoria, a van pulled over by the roadside. A man and a woman got out. The man was handsome, and the woman was strikingly beautiful.

"Is Jonathan really still alive?" Patricia Stewart had been asking her brother this question the entire trip.

Henry Stewart analyzed, "When Jonathan had his accident, his grandfather was in the hospital in bad shape. But recently, he's been full of energy and even personally arranged for Randy's son to go to school. Whatdoes that tell you?"

Patricia suddenly understood. "Jonathan must be alive"

"Exactly. And his grandfather is keeping it a secret. I asked Ben several times, but he wouldn't say anything. I had someone follow him, and he's been coming to the outskirts a lot lately."

"Ben only listens to Jonathan, so he must be nearby. Maybe Jonathan is injured and can't go back," Patricia said excitedly.

Henry comforted her. "That's what I think too. That's why I brought you here to find him. He'll be happy to see you." Patricia's eyes filled with tears. Since Jonathan disappeared, she had been crying every day and had canceled all her engagements to search for him.

"Henry, if Jonathan is alive, I'll take him back and protect him," she said.

"Alright, let's ask around. If he's nearby, someone must know."

Patricia quickened her pace, asking every passerby she saw, but several villagers said they hadn't seen him, leaving her disappointed.

Henry encouraged her. "Don't lose hope. Jonathan is probably injured and hasn't been out, so people don't recognize him. Let's ask the kids."

Patriciatook a deep breath and approached some children, showing them a photo. "Hey kids, have any of you seen this man?"

One of the boys, who had been scolded by Jonathan before, immediately started cursing, "Yeah, that's the bad man who brought some illegitimate kids with him."

Patricia puzzled. "A bad man? Illegitimate kids? Are you sure you've seen him?"

The boy nodded. "He threw rocks at us and yelled at us."

A girl added, "He was with the Cavendish family. My mommy says they're trash."

Patricia was confused but decided to find Jonathan first to figure out what was going on. "Can you tell me where they live?"

The kids eyed them, and Henry pulled out some chocolate from his pocket."Please tell us where he is."

.The kids took the chocolate and pointed ahead. "Go up this hill and turn the corner. There's a small house with some mean dogs. That's their place." Patricia was thrilled and ran ahead, leaving Henry behind.

"Patricia, slow down. The road is rough. Be careful,"Henry called out.

Patricia couldn't wait. She had been longing for news of her beloved and was desperate to find him.

The siblings reached the small house, and the dogs started barking furiously,scaring them.

Jonathan, who was resting inside, opened his eyes. Someone was trying to break in.

He wheeled himself to the living room and heard familiar voices.

"Jonathan, are youin there?" Patricia asked hurriedly.

"Jonathan, can you hear us? It's Henary."

Jonathan was surprised to see Henry and Patricia.

Henry came from a renowned medical family in Eldoria and was well-known both domestically and internationally. He was one of Jonathan's friends.

Jonathan spoke up, "How did you find me?"

Patricia, with tears in her eyes, said, "Jonathan, it's really you. We finally found you. I missed you so much!"

Henry pointed at the dogs. "Can you put the dogs away andI let us in?"

Jonathan hesitated,thinking this was Kathie's house and it wouldn't be right to let others in without her permission. But he needed to know how they found him and if anyone else knew. So, he called the dogs back and let them in. Patricia ran up and hugged him, momentarily stunned by the rash on his face but still excited.

Jonathan pulled her away and asked. "How did you find me? Who told you?"

Henry proudly explained, "I figured out you weren't dead, but Ben wouldn't give me any information. I had to follow him and ask around with your photo until we found you."

So that's how it was. If they could figure it out, others wouldn't be far behind. This place was about to be exposed.

"Jonathan,why are you in a wheelchair? Did you hurt your leg? Come back with us and let Henry check you out," Patricia asked with concern.

"Patricia's right. You don't look well. Come with us, and I'll give,you a full check-up. Ill make sure you're healed," Henry said.

Jonathan refused. "I'm fine. The doctor who saved me is very skilled. She can heal me."

"But you have a rash all over. It's clearly an allergic reaction. This place is too basic for proper treatment. Cometo the hospital with us. We can keep it a secret if you don't want others to know." Henry didn't trust any doctor but himself.

Patricia,remembering what the kids had said, felt jealous and didn't want Jonathan to stay with Kathie any longer. She had loved Jonathan for so long without any progress, and now she heard he might be involved with another woman. She couldn't stand it. But she didn't show her true feelings in front of Jonathan.

She tried to stay calm. "Jonathan, do you know what the kids said about you? They called you and that doctor trash. Is there something going on between you two?" Her words, though she thought were calm, angered Jonathan.

Jonathan's handsome face filled with anger. "Even if you heard that,you shouldn't sayit. Dr. Cavendish is a good person. Those people are just talking nonsense."

Jonathan, trusting his friend Henry, didn't pursue Patricia's mistake further but was angry at the villagers.

It seemed his previous warning wasn't enough. He needed to find a way to shut them up.

Patricia didn't expect Jonathan to defend Kathie. Her jealousy overwhelmed her, and she couldn't hide her true feelings. She angrily said,"Jonathan, are you defending that woman? I heard she has several kids.What does a country woman know about medicine? She's probably trying to trap you because she knows who you are."

"Shut up! I won't let anyone insult her! She's my savior. You don't know anything and are just guessing. Without her, I'd be dead! If I hear you insult her again, I won't care that you're Henry's sister!" Jonathan interrupted Patricia, not allowing anyone to insult Kathie.

Patricia was shocked, forgetting her sadness. She and Henry exchanged looks of disbelief. This was the first time they had seen Jonathan defend someone so fiercely, especially a woman.