"Hello, Adam Miller." Lewis narrowed his eyes, throwing a mischievous glance at Oliver's father.
Oliver's father gave a fierce glare at the man in front of him. He always suspected that he played a role in his misfortune because, after he refused to sell the land, not quite long after, he was fired from his job and he was framed. Then all assets were seized by the government.
"Life hasn't been really pleasant for you, I guess, given your current situation." Lewis let out a small chuckle.
"You don't have to taunt me, Lewis. I just need help with funds. I promise to pay back with interest," Oliver's father pleaded.
"Despite our rough past, I hold no grudges towards you, A...dam," Lewis smirked.
"I'm glad to hear that. So can you help me?" Oliver's father pleaded as he tried not to sound too desperate.
"Sure, I can. What are old friends for?" Lewis laughed as he wrote a cheque and passed it to Oliver's father.
Oliver's father breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the cheque. At last, his baby girl would finally get surgery.
"I'm grateful for this, Lewis. I won't forget your kindness in a hurry."
"I bet you won't," Lewis let out a wicked smirk.
Oliver's father smiled happily. He couldn't contain his level of happiness at that point.
"I'm glad I could help. Sign at the bottom," Lewis said, motioning with his hand as Oliver's father was passed a pen.
Oliver's father quickly signed the contract. He didn't even bother to read it because he was overjoyed with excitement. He thanked Lewis once more, and he was escorted by a guard to meet Reo.
Lewis, who was still seated in his seat, his eyes darted to Oliver's father's signature on the contract, and he smirked wickedly.
"All these years and you still haven't learned your lesson," Lewis muttered to himself as he clicked his tongue.
Oliver's father raced to the hospital after his wife's urgent call about Mia's deteriorating condition. He swiftly made the payment and Mia was promptly taken in for her surgery.
Oliver and his mother were confused at first when he told them he had gotten the money for the surgery.
"Honey, hope you didn't steal this money?" his wife asked skeptically.
Oliver's father laughed as he explained to his wife how he got the money. She hated Lewis and also shared the opinion that he was the reason why they were broke. Oliver's father eased her worries and explained to her that Lewis truly only wanted to help and bore no ill-intention towards the family. She found it hard to believe, but she had to let it go.
Oliver, on the other hand, was glad his sister was getting the surgery, and soon she would be healthy again. He didn't have any interest in how they got the money. All he wanted was for Mia to be okay.
The Miller family waited for hours for the doctor to give them the good news, but when he finally emerged, they held their breath awaiting the results, praying for a successful surgery.
"The operation was successful, but you can't see her now until the anesthesia wears off," the doctor said before he walked down the hallway.
Oliver finally exhaled the breath he had been holding since the doctor was talking. He held onto the door so he wouldn't fall. The Miller family embraced themselves with joy after they heard the news.
Mia stayed at the hospital until the doctor decided it was okay for her to be discharged.
The money for the surgery didn't exactly cover her medical bills, but the doctor helped them pay it off. They were so happy, and they expressed their gratitude.
Months had passed, and everything looked as though it was back to normal. Like every regular evening, the Miller family was having their dinner when they heard car sounds popping up in their yard.
A harsh bang was heard at the door as men rushed into their house.
Everyone got up from their seats, trying to figure out what was happening when Lewis strode into their apartment with his cane. Oliver wondered why he bothered to carry a cane when he could walk perfectly well.
The men grabbed Oliver's father and pinned him down on the floor. The rest of the family tried to help Adam, but the guards held them back.
"I've come for my money, Adam." Lewis grinned as he pressed the tip of his cane on Adam's face, and he groaned in pain.
"Let my father go," Oliver barked, but he immediately regretted it when one of the guard's fists landed in his stomach, which sent his mother and his sister letting out horrified screams.
"But the payment isn't due yet," Oliver's father said as he struggled to get up from the floor.
"This is what happens when you don't read the contents of an agreement before you sign. It says in this contract that you are to pay me twice the amount within three months, and this is the last month, and you haven't paid half the amount." Lewis laughed wickedly as he twirled the paper over Oliver's father's face.
"This is absurd!" Oliver's father frowned, screaming in anger.
"That was exactly the kind of theme I'm going for. Joke over, Adam. I need my money," Lewis said with a stern expression.
"Lewis, how could you do this to me? I trusted you," Oliver's father yelled in anger.
"Well, you shouldn't have, because I'm one to hold grudges." Lewis laughed as he took a seat in front of Oliver's father, who was still pinned on the floor.
"Please, Lewis, I'm begging. Just give me more time. I'm sure we can work something out," Oliver's father pleaded.
"I don't think you understand the situation you are in. You don't even have the right to negotiate." Lewis's laughter echoed through the room.
Oliver's father felt helpless. He blamed himself for trusting Lewis. This was just a means of payback for what happened years ago. If only he had read the contract. But still, he needed the money to save his daughter, and there was no way he would regret it.
"Please let my father go. We promise to give you your money back," Mia cried out.
Everything was happening because of her stupid sickness. She wished she had died. Then she wouldn't be a huge burden on her family.
"Kill her!" Lewis casually shrugged, his hands waving in the air as he gave a nonchalant expression.
Oliver broke free from the men holding him and swiftly rushed to stand in front of his sister, using his body as a shield—just as the guard was about to shoot.
"Okay, wait, stop. I changed my mind. No need to be serious. I was just trying to lighten the mood," Lewis chuckled, his hands clapping together in excitement.
"You monster!" Oliver's father screamed, but he fell silent when one of the guards cruelly kicked his face and he spat out blood.
Lewis crouched down beside Oliver's father, gripping his face firmly as he lifted him by the chin with force.
"Now, what do I do with you? Should I kill you and let your family go, or should I kill your family and watch you suffer? I will also need to recover my money," Lewis said, pretending to be lost in thought.
The Miller family stood in disbelief, their eyes locked on Lewis, who treated them like mere playthings, finding amusement in their fate.
"I think I have the perfect way to recover my money and also let you and your family suffer. Take them away, and burn this place to the ground," Lewis ordered as he walked away with a smug look on his face.
He stopped halfway. "You definitely won't forget my kindness in a hurry, Adam Miller," Lewis chuckled as he recalled Oliver's father's words.