I could only pin my hopes on Nina for now as I left for the hospital.

Not long ago, my mom was diagnosed with a rare illness. While not terminal, it was difficult to treat.

The treatment required regular injections of imported targeted medication, which was very expensive.

My mom, not wanting to burden me, kept saying, "Maddie, I know my own body. I'm still strong. The hospital is just trying to get our money with these expensive drugs. Let's just go home and I'll rest up - I'll get better naturally."

I absolutely refused. My parents divorced when I was young, and my father barely paid child support. Mom was my only family.

Growing up, it had always been just the two of us depending on each other.

I couldn't lose her. No matter what illness she had or how much it cost, I was determined to earn whatever was needed.

With this drive, since joining the company, I'd worked incredibly hard to secure clients and boost sales, earning significantly more than colleagues who started with me.

Because of my strong abilities and client connections, Felix valued me highly and soon promoted me to Sales Department Manager.

Depending on my salary and quarterly bonuses from working overtime, I'd barely managed to afford Mom's targeted medication.

Luckily, her condition had stabilized and wasn't getting worse.

By my calculations, she was due for another injection these days.

At the hospital, Mom brightened up as soon as she saw me. She reached out with her IV-connected hand and pulled me close.

"Why are you here so early? Did you skip dinner after work to come here?"

I pulled out a takeout container, smiling, "I bought dinner on the way - let's eat together!"

Since being hospitalized, Mom's appetite hadn't been good. She only ate properly when I joined her.

Just as I opened the container, my phone rang.

It was Felix.

I felt hopeful, thinking Felix must be calling about my salary and bonus - he was being considerate after all.

I stepped outside the room to answer, but before I could speak, Felix's urgent voice boomed through.

"Madeline, you're free tomorrow, right? There's a client coming from out of town. I need you to pick them up and host them for a few days."

I hesitated, preparing to decline, "Mr. Blackwood, I have some urgent matters these days..."