From Pathetic Loser To A Potent Legend

Chapter 006: Unexpected Twist

Gilbert took it, confusion settling in. What could possibly be inside? He felt a mix of anticipation and disappointment, wishing she could do more. As he stared at the envelope, he couldn’t help but wonder if this was just another empty gesture.

“Make sure you follow through with what’s in that envelope,” Callie said softly, her eyes locking onto his for a moment before she gave a small nod, almost as if she knew something he didn’t.

Gilbert sighed, still holding the envelope. "I…. I….wait, what exactly is this?"

Callie just smiled while looking in haste. “You’ll find out, okay?”

The next moment, she turned and headed toward her sleek Volkswagen, parked nearby.

As she pulled away, Gilbert, feeling both spooked and curious, opened the envelope. Inside was a short note with the address of a popular five-star hotel in New York City and instructions to meet Mr. Hoffman, the CEO of Hoffman Corp.

Gilbert stared at the note, his heart racing. For a moment, he didn’t know what to think. The name "Mr. Hoffman" wasn’t familiar, and the idea of suddenly meeting a CEO felt strange.

He glanced around, half-expecting Callie to reappear, but she was already gone. The note remained in his hand, its message direct yet puzzling: Meet Mr. Hoffman at The Plaza Hotel. Why him?

Skeptical but curious, Gilbert’s mind raced. Could this really be the break he needed? His sister’s medical bills weighed heavily on his thoughts. Desperation ate at him, and though part of him was hesitant, he couldn’t ignore the possibility.

“Ah, what do I have to lose?” he muttered, tucking the note into his pocket as he stood up. But then, doubt nagged at him, “Could this really be what she claims will change my life forever?”

Without a second thought, Gilbert pulled the envelope from his pocket, squeezed it tightly in frustration, and flung it into a nearby trash bin.

Shaking off the encounter, he turned to hail a taxi. Today was his only day off, and he couldn't afford to waste it. He needed to visit his sister, Megan, at Mount Sinai Hospital. Time was not on his side, and he knew that in the coming days, his job would keep him away. As the taxi pulled up, he climbed in, determined to make the most of the time he had with her.

Upon arriving, Gilbert rushed through the hospital lobby, briefly explaining his visit to the receptionist.

The receptionist nodded and directed him to the right floor. On the way, a nurse appeared and guided him down the long corridor. His mind raced, trying to focus on Megan’s health, but the looming $3 million medical bill weighed heavily on his thoughts. He pushed the worry aside as they neared her room, determined to stay focused.

“Here we are,” the nurse said, stepping aside to let Gilbert through.

He gave her a quick thumb-up. “Appreciate it, ma’am.”

As he entered the room, Gilbert steeled himself for the sight of Megan in the weakened state he had left her in. But the moment he saw her, he froze. Megan was sitting up, her face brighter, a spark in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

"Gilbert," she greeted him with a soft smile, her voice stronger than the last time.

“You... you look so much better,” he said, clearly excited.

“Uh, I feel better,” she replied, adjusting the blankets. “The new treatments... they’re really working.”

Gilbert leaned in closer, still stunned by the transformation. Relief mixed with worry. Megan was improving, which was great, but it also meant the hospital would soon expect payment—and he had no way of covering it.

“That’s amazing, Megan,” he said, forcing a smile. “I’m so glad you’re getting stronger.”

Megan nodded, sensing the tension in him. “But you’re worried, aren’t you? About the bill?”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... I don’t know how I’m going to cover it."

Megan lowered her gaze. “I hate that this is on you.”

“Don’t worry about it," Gilbert replied quickly. "You just focus on getting better. I’ll figure out the rest, alright?”

As they continued talking, a doctor in a pristine lab coat stepped into the ward. His cheerful tone immediately caught Gilbert’s attention.

"Mr. Hayes," the doctor said with a reassuring smile, "I’ve got some good news. Megan's on track to be discharged in about a month, once her leg fully heals.”

Gilbert, caught off guard, opened up quickly. "Discharge? But I haven’t paid the bills yet," he said, confusion creeping into his voice.

The doctor looked just as confused as him. "Oh, I thought you knew. Someone came in earlier today and paid the full amount."

Gilbert’s heart skipped a beat. "Paid the full amount?" He glanced over at Megan, hoping for some clarity, but she looked just as shocked, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Weren’t you informed?" the doctor asked, clearly surprised by their unawareness. "The payment was processed earlier."

"No," Megan and Gilbert said in unison.

"Do you know who made the payment?" Gilbert asked, his voice a little more urgent now.

The doctor shook his head. "I don’t have that information, but the cashier’s office will be able to give you all the details."

Without hesitation, Gilbert rushed out of the room, heading straight to the cashier’s section. As he arrived, the woman behind the desk looked up from her computer.

"Mr. Hayes," she said after pulling up Megan's account, "your sister’s bill has increased to $3.2 million, but today, we received a payment of $3.4 million.”

Gilbert's heart skipped a beat. "Someone paid my sister's bill, and I didn’t know? Please, who made the payment?”

She glanced at the screen again. "It was Mr. Hoffman. He paid the entire balance and even left extra to cover expenses for the next one month until Megan’s discharge."

The name hit Gilbert like a ton of bricks. Mr. Hoffman? The man from the note and envelope he had trashed by the roadside? He stood there, stunned, trying to piece it all together.