Inside the hospital room, Helen and Gwen were still basking in their joy, completely unaware of the sudden shift in George's expression.
But Eren, who was facing George directly, caught everything—
The rapid change in his face, and more importantly, the way his eyes now resembled a father scrutinizing his daughter's suitor.
It was a look Eren had seen before—
The gaze of a father sizing up the "threat" to his precious daughter.
However, with his mind having reached a state of meditative tranquility, Eren felt zero pressure from George's intense glare.
Still, to avoid unnecessary questioning, Eren decided to address the situation head-on.
"Oh? I never mentioned it?"
"I own five percent of Oscorp's shares. As a shareholder, it's not surprising that I have access to experimental medicine that isn't mass-produced due to material costs and pricing issues, right?"
The moment Eren said those words, the entire room fell silent.
Five percent of Oscorp's shares?
Oscorp was one of the largest biomedical corporations in the nation.
Although its market value wasn't as high as Stark Industries—since it wasn't in the arms industry—it was still a $200 billion giant.
And five percent of that?
That translated to over $10 billion.
For ordinary people, that was a completely unreachable fortune.
Even for someone like George, who had climbed the ranks to become the chief of police, $10 billion was an amount beyond his wildest imagination.
After the initial shock, George's gaze toward Eren became even more complex.
On one hand—he was amazed.
He had assumed that Eren was just an orphan with no background, yet he actually had such an enormous fortune to his name.
On the other hand—he was troubled.
Because this wild boar trying to snatch his precious cabbage suddenly seemed a lot harder to deal with.
In this country, money could buy almost anything.
If Eren decided to use his immense wealth to win over Gwen, could she really resist?
And worse still—
They had already gone through a life-and-death crisis together.
To his daughter, Eren was undoubtedly a hero who had saved her mother.
He had called for help just in time, rescued Helen from a cult, and now—
He had miraculously healed her legs.
Damn it.
The more I think about it, the worse I feel.
Feeling an unfamiliar sense of anxiety, George also realized that, despite everything, he owed Eren a debt of gratitude.
Because as he looked at his wife's fully healed legs, as he saw the genuine joy on Helen's face, he knew—
Eren's help had been invaluable to his family.
Unlike George—who increasingly disliked Eren the more he looked at him—Helen's gaze toward him had softened considerably.
She had far more life experience than Gwen, and she understood what it meant for someone to own five percent of Oscorp.
More importantly—
She understood what it meant for Gwen.
Helen was not the kind of person who judged based on wealth, but as a mother—
Knowing that her daughter liked someone so outstanding, someone capable of providing a better life for her, how could she not feel happy?
With that thought, she glanced at the darkening sky outside and then turned toward Gwen and Eren.
"Since George is here, you two should head home soon. It's getting late, and I don't want you staying out too long. You have school tomorrow—I'd hate for my situation to interfere with your studies."
Then, turning to Eren, she added—
"Oh, and Eren—would you mind giving Gwen a ride? The crime rate in New York hasn't been great lately, and I'd feel safer if you took her home."
Before George could even react, Eren casually patted his chest and agreed.
"Of course, Mrs. Helen. You don't even have to ask—I'd take her home regardless. I can't let my Winter Dance date run into any trouble, can I?"
Hearing Eren say that out loud—in front of her parents—Gwen's face instantly turned bright red.
We're already calling each other "dance partners" in front of my parents?!
Helen, on the other hand, simply smiled knowingly.
It seemed that her daughter's relationship with Eren was even closer than she had initially thought.
Glancing at Gwen with a playful smirk, Helen then turned back to Eren.
"In that case, I'll leave Gwen in your care."
But before Eren could respond—
George immediately cut in, voice firm.
"It's already late. I'll drive her home myself—no need to trouble anyone else."
Helen, seeing right through her husband's intentions, rolled her eyes.
"And if you leave, what happens if I need something?"
George: "I…"
Before he could find an excuse—
Gwen, her blush still lingering, spoke up.
"Dad, if you go, who's going to take care of Mom?"
Eren added casually, "It's on my way home anyway, so it's no trouble."
"On your way?"
Helen and George both did a mental calculation—
Thinking about where the hospital was, where their temporary residence was, and where Chinatown was located.
After a moment, they realized—
It actually… was on the way.
George, losing his last excuse, could only watch as his face darkened.
"How… convenient."
"Well then, Gwen— I'll leave you to Eren."
Helen smiled. "Take care, you two."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Helen. I'll get her home safe."
Saying their goodbyes, Eren led Gwen out of the hospital room—
All while George's glare remained locked onto his back.
Gwen noticed her father's expression and quickly realized what was happening.
Feeling flustered, she hurriedly grabbed Eren's hand and practically dragged him out of the hospital before George could say anything else.
What neither of them knew—
Was that the moment Gwen took Eren's hand and led him away—
George had rushed to the hospital window, arriving just in time to see them disappear down the hall, hand in hand.
Watching his precious daughter unknowingly become so close to Eren—
George's face turned completely black.
His breathing hitched for a moment.
"No… No, no, no… This can't be happening."
That damn wild boar had actually taken his precious daughter.
George clenched his fists, his body trembling with rage.
"Damn it— I'm going to kill him."
He was just about to storm out of the room and give that bastard a piece of his mind, when—
Helen rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Oh, enough. Let the kids do what they want."
"Didn't you see the way Gwen was looking at Eren?"
"Instead of worrying about them, why don't you focus on explaining my 'miraculous recovery' to the doctors— and figuring out how to get me discharged?"
She stretched her arms and smirked.
"I've been stuck in this hospital long enough. I'm ready to go home."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]