Chapter 696
Sebastian immediately pinched his nose at the stench and decided not to chase after Adrian. With the police involved, if Adrian was indeed guilty of murder, he would face a thorough investigation and trial.
Even if the murder charge didn’t stick, the medical malpractice in the operating room was enough to land Adrian in legal trouble.
The police, experienced as they were, tolerated the smell and restrained Adrian. Terrified, Adrian started babbling incoherently and ended up confessing.
“I didn’t kill him! I swear, it wasn’t on purpose. It was my father! He tried to hit me, and I just pushed him away! I didn’t mean for him to die. I was only defending myself, not committing murder, right? You can’t arrest me for that!”
Adrian’s words were contradictory, but in his panic, he didn’t realize he was admitting to the crime.
The medical staff emerging from the operating room were shocked.
“So the dean hasn’t been missing because of illness? It’s because you killed him, your own father?”
“No! I didn’t kill anyone! Shut up! If you don’t, I’ll make sure you all regret it. I’ll have you fired, and you’ll never practice medicine again!”
Adrian’s eyes were wild with anger, but the tide had turned against him.
The assistant doctor spoke up first. “You don’t have to fire me. I’ll resign myself! I can’t stay in such a disgraceful place!”
“Exactly. I’d rather find another job than work for someone like you. We didn’t go through all those years of medical school just to be associated with a criminal!”
One by one, the medical staff announced their resignations.
Adrian’s face flushed with fury, but before he could say anything more, the police stepped in and dragged him away.
The hospital corridor fell silent.
The staff began heading toward Human Resources to submit their resignations when Melody hurriedly called out to them.
“Wait, everyone! Don’t leave just yet.”
They stopped and turned to face her.
“Miss Fox, we let you down earlier. We didn’t stand up for you when we should have. We’re truly sorry!”
“I’m sorry!” they all echoed.
Melody smiled. “It’s in the past. You stood up for me in the end, and that’s what matters.”
They nodded, feeling even more guilty.
Melody continued, “I heard you’re all planning to resign. If you haven’t found a new job yet, I’d like to invite you to join Herbathrive. We’re short on staff, and I’d be happy to have you on board.”
Their eyes lit up with hope.
“Really, Miss Fox? You’d take us in?”
Melody nodded. “It’s not really taking you in. It’s more like poaching.”
They laughed, and many agreed to join Herbathrive the next day.
After setting a time to meet, Melody returned to the entrance of the operating room.
There, Sebastian was thanking Ken. When Sebastian saw Melody, his face was full of guilt.
“Miss Fox, I owe you an apology. I’ve been so blind, misunderstanding you over and over. You have every right not to forgive me, but please accept this as compensation.”
Sebastian gestured, and a bodyguard stepped forward with a brown paper bag, handing it to Melody.
“What’s this?” she asked, puzzled.
“It’s a token of my sincerity,” Sebastian explained. “It’s a portion of our family’s business in Silverlake. I know it’s not much, but I insist. If you don’t accept it, I won’t be able to move past my guilt. Please, take it as a gift for saving Sid’s life twice.”
Melody hesitated. “I saved Sid because he’s my friend, not for this.”
“I understand, but this is different. If word got out, people would think I, Sebastian Quant, don’t know how to repay kindness. Please, accept it.”
Under Sebastian’s insistence and Ken’s encouragement, Melody reluctantly accepted the brown paper bag.
Sebastian then patted Ken on the shoulder. “If you ever need the Quant family’s help, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve been too prejudiced in the past. That was my mistake, but I won’t make it again.”
Ken shook his head. “Sebastian, you’re too kind. Sid will always be my friend. I consider you family. Let’s leave the past behind.”
Sebastian nodded and went to thank the Chapman family members.
Ken turned to Melody and asked quietly, “Are you tired?”
Melody stretched her neck and replied honestly, “A little.”
“Then let’s get you home to rest. Dr. Mueller will handle things here, and I’ll have James send more security. No one will have another chance to interfere.”
Before, Janet was able to bring people in because Sebastian didn’t trust Ken and made Ken’s people stay away. But Sebastian wouldn’t be doing that now.
Melody nodded, reassured by Jacob’s presence. After saying her goodbyes to Sebastian, Nickolas Chapman, Warner Chapman, and Jacob, she followed Ken to the car.
Once inside, Ken glanced at the brown paper bag with interest. “Want to see what’s inside?”
Melody was curious too. Although she didn’t expect much since Sebastian’s main business was in Insterimond, not Silverlake, she opened the bag.
What she found inside left her speechless. The assets listed were substantial.
Ken estimated their value with a smile. “If you sell all of this, you’d easily make 2 billion dollars. Looks like you’re a rich woman now. Maybe you should hire a few more bodyguards?”
Melody quickly closed the bag, nervous. “Should I give it back? This is way too much.”
“No need,” Ken reassured her. “To Sebastian, this is nothing compared to his only son.”
“I never realized. If he has so many properties here in Silverlake, I can’t imagine what he has in Insterimond.”
Ken nodded. “The Quant Group may rank below the Swanson Group, but with Sebastian’s private assets, they’re not far apart. He was one of the wealthiest men of his time, almost controlling Halcyon’s economy. But now, he’s getting older. If the empire is to grow, it’ll be up to Sid.”