Love Contract

Chapter 216 Mastermind ( Part One)

"Barry! Why are you here?" Mary came to a halt, her attention diverting to Barry. He stood with a lunchbox and Marry realized his gaze was fixed upon the direction where Selah was leaving.

"Mary, is Selah married? Does she have a son?" Barry turned around and asked.

"I know for a fact that she isn't married. But I had no idea about the son." Mary's lips were pursed and her frown deep. "When did the company sign the contract with her? I guess she didn't put much information in her file," Marry said, lost in thought.

Barry had an incredibly cold look in his eyes. "She has been with the company for five years and her contract is about to expire. Surprisingly enough, she didn't tell us about her wonderful history!"

Barry recalled the day Selah had asked for money. Utter disgust was now written on his face.

"She has rushed to the hospital now," said Mary with a sigh. "If some nosy reporter finds this out, the whole company will get into trouble along with her! This isn't safe. I am going to follow her. I am worried about her." "No, don't," Barry said, stopping her. "I will just ring Cooper and ask him to keep an eye on her."

After saying that, he dug out his phone from the pocket and made a call. "As soon as she gets back, ask her to meet me," he added before hanging up the call.

When he was done with the call, Mary widened her eyes and said, "What's wrong with you? It looked like you wanted to eat someone alive. I have never seen you look so angry!"

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow at her and forced a smile.

"Yes." Mary nodded and continued, "Selah was anxious so she rushed out of here. Please be easy on her. Don't make it harder than it already is." There was a pleading note in her words.

Barry let out a frustrated sigh and explained, "Mary, it's not like I enjoy making things difficult for her. She is asking for it, can't you see? She has violated many rules. To start with, she is hiding the fact she has a child. On top of that, she works as a wine seller in a night club. This is getting out of hand."

"A wine seller? Really?"

Her eyes widened in shock. "Where is she selling the wine?"

"Well...I... I accidentally saw her last time," he answered nervously. "Then what do you plan on doing about it?" Mary gaped at Barry and went on, "She has a promising career as an actress. I hope the company will support her. She needs it."

Barry laughed without humor. "Support?" he asked coldly. "A person like her doesn't deserve to be in this industry. They will only create havoc and mischief." His voice held a note of disdain.

Mary looked at Barry, who was not quite himself today, and said, "You seem to have a strong prejudice against Selah."

"No, I don't," Barry said and flashed her a feeble smile. Remembering the porridge in his hand, he said, "I asked Hester to prepare porridge for you.

"Oh, you didn't have to. But thanks." Mary took the box awkwardly. "Please tell me you didn't drive all the way here just to give me this," she said.

Sheepish grin broke across his face. "Mary, that's exactly why I came here. We are friends and way past these formalities. Please don't be so distant."

"I..." Mary bit her lips, not knowing what to say. 'I have to tell him about me and William,' she thought.

"William and I--"

"What about William? Is he getting better?" Barry cut her off. "I wish I could see him. But work keeps me busy," he added.

"Well, he is doing a lot better now." She lowered her voice and spoke tersely.

"Okay," Barry said, "I am glad to hear that. Are Alick and Elissa also in the hospital?"

"Yes, they stay with their grandpa and grandma."

There was an awkward pause, and they didn't know what to say.

"Barry," she then said, "I want you to know that I

"Eat the porridge! It will get cold," he cut her off once again. Frustrated, Mary glared at him.

"What? Why won't you let me talk?" A stern tone entered her voice.

Barry glanced at her apologetically and admitted, "I am sorry. It's just that I can't bear to hear anything about you and William. Let's wait until he recovers."

"I thought you should know. But if that's what you want, then fine." Mary had no choice but to let go of this topic.

"Mary, the next shooting is about to begin!" a voice called out from behind.

Turning around, Mary gave a prompt answer, "I'll be right there!" "Go ahead, I am leaving," Barry said and waved at her.

"Bye! See you some other time." She then left the spot.

As Barry watched her leave, he felt a wave of sadness wash over him. He let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed his forehead

He made his way towards his car. His long fingers then searched the pockets of his trousers and pulled out a cigarette and a lighter.

Finally, Selah arrived at the Children's Hospital of A City.

Rushing to the emergency department, she cried out Ray's name. Her heart thudded in her ears.

"Oh, Selah, why did you arrive so late?"

Selah's cousin asked as soon as she caught sight of her. She took quick steps towards her.

"How is Ray?" Saleh asked anxiously, holding her hand. "And how did he fall down? He really can't see anything?"

Her cousin seemed equally confused. "I had left the room for two minutes. He tried to get off the bed. While doing so, he knocked over the glass and fell down."

"Knocked over the glass? Did he get injured?" Selah looked at her, aghast and confused. Without giving her cousin a chance to respond, she whimpered, "How did you let this happen? Didn't I ask you to take good care of him? You promised me you would!"

"Don't blame me for what happened," her cousin said, annoyed at being scolded by Selah. "You have to remember that I have my own child to take care of. How do you expect me to be with Ray all the time? He's almost blind and his father is nowhere to be found. If he is starting to feel like a burden, why don't you send him to a welfare house?"

"Ray is not a burden. He is my child! I won't give him away. How can you be so insensitive?" As Selah spoke, she wore a pained expression. Her motherly heart cried for her son. "Also, his eyes

can be cured! I have given you plenty of money. How could you let him get hurt?"

"I am sorry! Pardon me for my negligence," her cousin said, finally admitting her mistake.

"Enough of this! Just take me to Ray. I want to see him!"

"He is being examined at the moment! But I'll take you to the consulting room," she replied.

Following her cousin's lead, they arrived at the door of the consulting room. Soon, the door opened and several doctors clad in white coats came out.

"How's it going, doctor? Is my son going to be fine?" Selah asked, rushing towards them. "The bruises he got after falling down are superficial," the doctor answered, "but the child's eyesight has deteriorated sharply. It is important to have it operated as soon as possible."

"A surgery..." Her voice faltered. "But my son is only six years old! He's too young for a surgery. Isn't it going to be risky?"

With a deep and long- drawn sigh, the doctor answered, "Yes, it will be risky. But at this point, we don't have many choices. What the child needs most now is a pair of suitable corneas."

"Let him have mine! I am willing to donate them! " The doctor widened his eyes in disbelief. Selah grabbed his hand and begged, "Please let me do this. I want him to be fine!"

"Have you gone crazy? If you lose your eyesight, who will take care of Ray?" her cousin asked and threw Selah an exasperated look. Selah blinked back a tear, but it escaped and slid down her cheek.

"But I-"

"Standing here and crying is useless. Just go and meet your son," the doctor said.

"Yes, let me see my son," answered Selah and she sprinted into the ward. "Ray!" she called out once she was inside. Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

On the white sickbed lay her little boy. His handsome face bore an uncanny resemblance to Selah. His beautiful eyes, which were normally bright, seemed a little turbid now. His arms and forehead were wrapped with gauze. When he heard Selah's voice, he pricked up his ears, wondering if it was just a figment of his imagination.

"Mommy! Are you there?"

"Yes, my baby! Mommy is here," she said and sob tore from her throat. Ray opened his arms eagerly. Although his vision was bad, he still managed to make out his mother's outline. He threw himself into Selah's arms.

"I'm sorry, Ray. I'm terribly sorry for everything." She brushed away a tear, leaving a streak of smeared rouge and mascara.

"Mommy, it's my fault. Why are you apologizing?" Ray wished he could stop his mother from crying. But with his terrible vision, he couldn't do it. "Mommy, you are crying, aren't you? Please stop."

"No, honey. It's all my fault. But I promise I will cure you."

"Yes, I trust you. But please stop crying," he repeated. After a short pause, he went on, "Also please don't work too hard. I want my mommy to rest."

"No, Ray. I want to work for your sake. The only thing I want in life is for you to be okay. Nothing else bothers me." Then the two of them hugged each other even tighter.