The central hospital
Author: Jericho Chase
last update2024-12-11 19:04:22

“You rotten piece of trash,” Reeves roared, slamming his fist on the desk. “How dare you ignore us and make such an outrageous demand? I'll have you skinned alive.”

Before Reeves could make a move at Barry, Kane Nightingale stood up and raised a hand, stopping him immediately.

He gazed at Barry with growing interest. “Don't push it, Reeves. Barry, you've piqued my interest. Do you really think you can buy this hospital which is owned by the government?”

Barry looked straight into his eyes. “I will. Once I acquire it, the surgery won't happen.”

Kane threw his head back and laughed as loud as he can. “This is just remarkable. You? Buy Central hospital? You're the same broke bastard who couldn't pay rent without the assistance of a dead woman.”

Barry gritted his teeth. “Don't make mockery of Madam Evelyn.”

Kane's smile widened into a smirk. “This is really entertaining to say the least. I'll humour you, Barry. Here's a deal. If you acquire this hospital this very night and prevent the surgery, I'll let your sister go.”

Barry's gaze didn't waver for a bit. He locked eyes with Kane. “And if I fail to buy the hospital?”

Kane stepped closer, folding his hands behind his back, a jeering expression written all over his face. “If you fail, I'll proceed with the surgery and take your sister's heart. Afterward, you'll become my slave for the rest of your miserable life.”

Reeves grinned. He loved where this was going. “What do you say, Barry? Want my advice, kneel and plead for our mercy, then we might just let you go.”

Barry ignored Reeves and took a step forward, glaring down at Kane. “You've got yourself a deal. You had better keep to your words. Once I buy this hospital, Snow leaves with me.”

For a second, Kane felt a wave of Barry's confidence overpowering him. He didn't like the way Barry gazed down at him.

“I'm a man of my words,” Kane replied stiffly. “Although I doubt you will succeed.”

A small smile appeared on Barry's face. “We shall see.”

There was something about Barry's confidence that made Kane felt like he had made a terrible mistake.

“I need to make a call,” Barry announced, exiting the office.

No one stopped nor questioned him. They were all curious to know how Barry could do.

* * * *

The central hospital had a phone booth in the hospital lobby, where calls were made for free.

Barry locked himself inside as he retrieved Veronica Phoenix's number from his pocket.

He dialed her number and held the receiver to his ears, his heart pounding.

The phone rang only once before she answered. This was her personal line. Only five people could call her with it.

“Hello?” Her lovely voice came on the line.

“Veronica, it's Barry,” he began, his voice steady and calm. “I'm in a jam right now, and I need your help.”

Veronica responded. “Tell me what's going on. I'll help whatever way I can.”

Barry began. “The Nightingale family bought my sister through some underground slave auction this afternoon, and they're planning to use her for a heart transplant.”

“That's outrageous,” she exclaimed. “Where is the surgery supposed to take place?”

“Right here at Central hospital,” Barry paused. “I need to buy the hospital tonight and stop the surgery from ever happening. I made a bet, Veronica. If I fail, not only would I lose my sister, but I'll also become a slave to the Nightingale family.”

“I can't let that happen,” Veronica said firmly. “I'll call the government and make them an offer I'm sure they can't refuse. Give me a moment. I'll get back to you shortly.”

Before Barry could reply, she had hung up.

Barry was beginning to feel at ease. He took a deep breath and leaned against the glass, waiting for Veronica's call.

Ten minutes later, Veronica called back. Barry answered the phone as if it had just turned hot.

“Hello?” Barry said.

“It's done,” Veronica stated. “Phoenix bank now owns Central hospital. I've also issued strict instructions to the government to forbid the surgery from happening. The hospital management is already speaking with the doctor in charge of the surgery as we speak.”

Barry was speechless. He couldn't believe how fast Veronica pulled it off. “But….how…”

Veronica laughed softly. “The government owes Phoenix bank a truckload of money. They tied several major loans to their infrastructure projects. Central hospital is one of the many governments owned institute used as collateral. It was quite easy to make them an offer.”

Barry felt like jumping for joy. “Veronica, I owe you a lot for this. You just saved my sister's life. How can I ever repay you?”

“Well, now you owe me dinner someday,” she replied warmly.

Barry smiled. “You've got it. I'll get back to you on that date after I take my sister home.”

“That would be great. Your account is still blowing up with numerous credit alert,” she added. “I'll keep you informed of how much you've made.”

Barry thanked her, then hung up.

He didn't rush to meet the Nightingale family. Instead, he took his sweet time.

When Barry entered the office, he met the Nightingale family gaping at him as if he were a god who had descended from heaven.

Their faces were pale, as if every blood on their faces had drained away.

Kane Nightingale's voice croaked as he asked, “How the hell did you do it?”

Related Chapters

  • I Made $900 Trillion In 24 Hours   Account balance

    Barry didn't want to reveal the entire truth. “I made a call to someone I knew.”He made it sounded so simple. As if he just pressed a few buttons. “Bullshit!” Kane Nightingale bawled angrily at him. “There's no way you could have pulled that off. Not only was the hospital bought out, but the government also forbade us from proceeding with the surgery. How did you pull it off?”Barry dug his hands in his pockets and gazed down at Kane. “What's this? I thought we had a deal? If I'm able to prevent the surgery, my sister leaves. That was the deal, or are you backing out on your words?”“You bastard!” Reeves yelled at Barry. “You had better start talking, or I'll rip you apart right here.”Barry frowned. “You can't do anything to me, Reeves. We had a deal and that's that. I won't disclose how I pull it off. I owe no one any explanation.” Barry approached the doctor in charge of the surgery and placed both hands on the desk. “About my sister, doctor. Where is she?”The doctor cleared hi

  • I Made $900 Trillion In 24 Hours   Barry's revenge at his landlord

    “Take it easy, that's painful,” Barnes groaned as his wife tended to his busted jaws. His wife hissed as she removed the ice bag from his jaw. “How could you let your tenant hit you that hard? And Barry for that matter.”“I didn't expect such a reaction from the kid,” Barnes barked, feeling humiliated at being punched by his tenant. “I can't believe you'll let that bastard get away with it,” his wife ranted. “You're a disgrace if you allow Barry to walk freely around without fixing him.”Barnes knew his wife would talk about this for weeks. She would definitely gossip to her friends and her friends would in turn tell their husbands.Soon, word would circulate and Barnes would end up becoming a laughingstock. His other tenants won't respect nor fear him. If Barry, a nobody could punch him and get away with it, the other tenants could feel the need to do the same when Barnes demands for his rent money. No, he can't allow that. No matter what, he must find Barry and make an example

  • I Made $900 Trillion In 24 Hours   Barnes regrets

    Barnes heart skipped a beat when his wife delivered the bad news. “What do you mean they destroyed our house?” Barnes asked, grabbing her shoulder and giving her a little shake. His wife snapped angrily at him. “Are you deaf? Our home was demolished five minutes after you left. They said they were given orders and permission to demolish all our properties. As at this moment, they're currently demolishing our shopping complex. Do something, Barnes. They'd ruin us all.”Barnes eyes widened in shock. He glanced at Barry and saw the seriousness in his eyes. That was when he realized Barry wasn't fooling around. “Barry, what have you done?” Barry wore back his dark glasses. “I kept my promise to you, landlord. You never should have sold my sister in the first place. This is your punishment for your wickedness.”Barnes owned the block of apartments which his twenty tenants lived in. He also owned a small shopping complex and a private house. If what his wife was telling him was true,

  • I Made $900 Trillion In 24 Hours   The real estate agent

    After crushing his landlord, Barry decided to buy a house and become his own landlord. Evelyn Raven had left Barry the White mansion off the coast of North Hills in her will, but due to his divorce with Laura, his ex-wife took claim of the mansion. The White mansion was built in Diamond estate, one of the most luxurious estates in North Hills. As soon as the taxi cab driver dropped him at the motel and drove off, Barry took out his phone and called Veronica.He was worth $900 Trillion. It's about time he put his money to good use. Veronica answered on the first ring. “Good afternoon, Barry. How can I be of help to you?”“I need a house,” Barry answered. “Preferably at Diamond estate.”“What kind of house do you want, Barry?” Veronica asked. Barry smiled. “The best money can buy.”“Say no more,” Veronica replied him. “I'm going to contact the real estate board. You don't mind me giving them your number do you?”Moses shook his head. “No I don't.”“Very well, Barry,” Veronica said.

  • I Made $900 Trillion In 24 Hours   The Bet

    The Real estate agent scoffed. “What mistake are you talking about? Get lost, or I'll have no other choice but to call the cops to kick you out.”Just then, the agent's phone rang, breaking the tense silence hanging in the atmosphere. He hurriedly pulled out his phone and was startled to see the caller ID was his superior. “Hello, Mr. Hemsworth,” the agent said respectfully. “Has the buyer arrived yet, Jerry?” Mr. Hemsworth asked over the line. Barry who had been listening caught the agent's name. "So the agent's name is, Jerry," Barry thought. Jerry sighed, pacing up and down. “It's been nearly an hour and I still haven't seen him.”“What! An hour? What's taking him so long?” Hemsworth demanded. “Is he serious about buying this house or not.”“Beats me,” Jerry turned to Barry and sneered at him. “There's someone here though, but he's a nobody.”“A nobody? Who the bloody hell is that?” Hemsworth asked, curiously. “Oh you wouldn't know him because you're new in North Hills,” Jer

  • I Made $900 Trillion In 24 Hours   A new house owner

    Moses was impressed with the house as Jerry gave him a tour. The mansion was powered by an advanced voice-activated artificial intelligence system called ZEUS. ZEUS manages the room temperature, the lightening and cooling system. ZEUS was also built with an upgraded security system that operates the smart cameras in the house and controls the home appliances. The living room was lavishly furnished with a massive chandelier, plush Italian furniture and a 150 -inch OLED TV. It's dining area had a twelve chairs handcrafted mahogany table. There were six bedrooms built within the mansion with a walk-in closet and a jacuzzi bath in each bedroom. Then there was the home theater; a velvet coloured soundproof room with a 4K projection system and a popcorn station. To Barry's delight, the Mansion contained an underground private gym with cutting-edge equipments. There was the private pool and exotic maze garden with a koi pond. The mansion also boasts of its spacious underground park

  • I Made $900 Trillion In 24 Hours   My ex-husband, Barry

    Later that evening, Barry returned to the motel to pick up his sister. Snow was reading a book when Barry barged into their room. “Pack up Snow,” Barry announced with a big smile on his face. “We're moving out of this cheap motel.”Snow kept her book aside, curious about Barry's improved mood. “We're moving? Where to?” She asked. Barry sat on the bed, stretching his hand to caress her hair. “Remember that interview I told you I was going to?”Snow nodded. “Yeah, sure. How was it?”“I got hired at the spot,” Barry lied. “My new boss seemed to like me. He needed someone he could trust. Someone who could look after his house while he's away on business trips.”Snow raised an eyebrow. “You're going to be a caretaker?”Barry nodded, feeling embarrassed at the lies he was spilling to her. “You see, my new boss bought this expensive mansion, but he's rarely in the country to live in it. He needs someone he could trust to live inside and look after the house for him while he's away.”Snow

  • I Made $900 Trillion In 24 Hours   Reunion at Barry's gate

    Barry had finished watering the flowers in his garden and was now attending to his koi fish. He caught a whiff of something delicious coming from the kitchen which told him Snow was cooking. Snow was a wonderful cook. It's been five days since they moved into their new home, and it's been nothing but bliss. At first, Snow was afraid of the luxury in the mansion but after a day or two, she got used to it. It was amazing how quickly she adapted and could even give ZEUS voice commands to adjust the lighting, operate the coffee maker and do the cleaning. Since he moved in, five days ago, Barry enjoyed nothing but peace. For the first time in years, he slept like a baby every night. Suddenly, ZEUS called out to him. “Sir, I have detected two individuals standing outside the gates.”Barry glanced at the smart hi-tech wristwatch which was connected to ZEUS. “Who are they, ZEUS?” Barry asked, swiping the screen of his watch. “We haven't had any visitors since we moved in.”“My analysi

Latest Chapter

  • The Cafe meeting

    Barry finished his last drink in one swift motion, then he set the glass down on the table. He leaned back in his chair and let out a deep breath. "Thank you for listening to my backstory. I haven't told anyone about this except Madam Evelyn."Sebastian stepped forward and began clearing the table in silence. "Master," Sebastian began, breaking the still silence, "what do you intend to do about your father? He seems quite determined to see you."Barry's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he considered the question. "I'll set up guards at the gates," he said firmly. "If Loid shows his face around any of my properties, they'll kick him out without a second thought. I don't want him anywhere near me or Snow."Sebastian nodded, placing the last of the dishes on the tray. "It's fortunate that Miss Snow is still at school, boarding. I imagine you wouldn't want her to see him and be reminded of... everything.""Exactly," Barry replied sharply. "Snow doesn't need to be dragged into this

  • Loid Reeds

    Barry left Elite High School in a good mood. He had spoken to Snow about Sebastian. She seemed to be doing well in school. Barry couldn't have been happier. As he drove his bike back to the diamond estate, he met a man standing right outside the gates of his mansion. "Excuse me, can I help you?" Barry asked, killing the engine of his bike. "This is private property.""I'm looking for the owner of this house, King," the man said, turning around to face Barry. "I heard he's housing a servant named Barry."Barry caught his breath sharply as he instantly recognized who this man was. This was the man Barry had always hated. The same man who abandoned him and Snow when they were kids.Loid Reeds is Barry's father. * * * * Loid and Barry stood staring at each other in silence. Barry was still wearing his helmet which hide his entire features from his father. He couldn't believe his father had traced him all the way to his home. How dare him?Loid cleared his throat. "Is there a pr

  • Daphne's father

    Barry was clad in a black leather jacket over a simple white t-shirt, paired with fitted denim jeans. His boots clicked against the polished marble floor as he strode confidently toward Snow. A pair of sunglasses rested on his face, elevating his looks.The moment he entered, the room shifted. Girls whispered among themselves, their gazes locked onto him in admiration.Even Daphne’s cheerleader squad suddenly straightened up, eyes widening at the sight of him.Snow, seeing her brother at last, ran straight into his arms and embraced him tightly. “You’re late,” she pouted, looking up at him with slight annoyance. "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you?"Barry removed his sunglasses, tucking them into his jacket pocket as he smiled down at her. “Sorry, kiddo. I got caught in a traffic jam.”Snow studied his face for a moment before sighing. “I was worried,” she admitted, stepping back. “But I’m glad you’re here.”Just then, a scoffing voice cut through the moment.

  • Visitation Day

    Snow sat in the grand visitation hall of Elite High School, her fingers nervously tapping against the edge of the polished mahogany table. The hall was reserved for parents who had come to visit their children at Elite High boarding school.To Snow's surprise, the hall was filled with the wealthiest families in the country.Around her, the other students were surrounded by their families, their tables occupied with lavish gifts and treats. One girl’s parents had brought a limited-edition designer handbag that wasn’t even available in stores yet.At another table, a boy was handed the keys to a brand-new sports car. Snow’s eyes flicked to the piles of shopping bags, the gleaming jewelry, and the latest tech gadgets being passed around. But Snow’s table was empty. No gifts, no family, no one. She wasn’t jealous—she had everything she could ever want.All she wanted was just to see her brother.She glanced at her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Barry was late. He was ne

  • Sebastian

    The Mario brothers exchanged glances after Barry called for Sebastian.Then they burst into laughter. PLorenzo tilted his head, a mocking grin spreading across his face. “You never cease to amuse me, Barry. Who do you think you're calling for help?”Antonio chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “I don't think anyone is coming for your rescue. Give it up, boy. You're a dead man.”Barry’s face went pale. His heart pounded as he glanced around the room. Where was Sebastian? He had promised—no matter where Barry was, all he had to do was call. So why wasn’t he here?A cold sweat broke out on Barry’s forehead as the realization sank in. Sebastian wasn't coming. Had he misjudged the butler’s loyalty? Or worse, had Sebastian been a figment of his imagination all along?Barry’s heart pounded in his chest. He had gambled everything on Sebastian’s promise, and now he was alone, kneeling before two of the most dangerous men in the city.Lorenzo stood up, his laughter fading as he reached for t

  • The third option

    Barry waited for days, then weeks, expecting the Mario brothers to make their move. But nothing happened. No threats, no ambushes, no attempts to intimidate him. It was as if his rejection had been met with silence. Life went on as usual. Barry attended to his studies, managed his investments, and even found time to relax. Sebastian, true to his word, proved to be an impeccable butler. He kept Barry’s mansion spotless, prepared gourmet meals, and handled every task effortlessly. Barry was slowly getting used to having him around.Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Sebastian was a walking enigma. Barry had an uneasy feeling he had struck a deal with a demon but he couldn't be too sure. He was yet to witness the full force of Sebastian's powers before he could come up with a conclusion. One morning, as Barry sat in the dining room enjoying a cup of coffee, he glanced at the calendar on the wall. “Today’s Visiting Day at Elite High School,” he said, more to himself than t

  • I decline

    “Alright,” Sebastian stretch his arms. “First order of business—I'll unfreeze the young lady and wipe her memory. She doesn’t need to remember any of this.”Sebastian snapped his fingers, and Roxanne suddenly blinked, her body relaxing as if she had just woken up from a trance. She looked around, confused.“What… what just happened?” she asked, her voice shaky. “Why are we standing here?”Barry stepped forward, a calm expression written on his face. “You zoned out for a second, Roxanne. Are you feeling okay?”Roxanne frowned, rubbing her temples. “I… I think so. I just feel a little dizzy.”Barry placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone gentle. “You should go home and rest. It’s been a long day.”Roxanne nodded, still looking dazed. “Yeah… you’re right. I’ll see you later, Barry.”As she walked away, Barry watched her leave, his mind racing with excitement. Sebastian’s power was unlike anything he had ever seen.With a snap of his fingers, he had frozen Roxanne in place and erased he

  • Sebastian Graves

    Barry and Roxanne exchanged glances as they stared at this strange man.“Serve me? What are you talking about?” “Yes,” Sebastian replied smoothly. “I wish to pledge my undying loyalty to you. I have heard about you and deemed you a worthy master.” Barry frowned in confusion. “I think you're mistaking me for someone else. I don’t need a butler.” Sebastian chuckled, his fingers tapping against his briefcase. “Ah, but you do, Master Barry.” His red eyes gleamed. “The Order has taken an interest in you.” At the mention of The Order, Barry’s expression turned serious. Sebastian noticed the change in his demeanor and smiled wider. “Ah, I assume I've finally caught your attention.” Barry’s voice dropped low. “What do you know about The Order?” Sebastian stepped closer, lowering his voice as well. “I know they are not offering you protection out of goodwill.” Barry frowned. “What do you mean?” Sebastian tilted his head. “You are a wealthy man. Far wealthier than any man who's

  • The strange Butler

    Barry leaned back in his chair, pressing an ice pack to his swollen eye. His mind was still racing from everything that had happened with the Mario brothers. Without wasting time, he grabbed his phone and dialed Veronica’s number. She answered on the first ring. “Hello, Barry?” “Are you busy, Veronica?” he asked, adjusting the ice pack against his bruised face. “Not really,” she replied. “Is there a problem?” Barry exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “Today… I was taken in by the Mario brothers. They made me an offer. Have you heard about The Order?” A sharp gasp came from the other end of the line. There was a brief silence before Veronica spoke again. “The Order?” she repeated, almost in shock. “Barry, do you have any idea what the Order means?” Barry raised a brow. “I take it you do?” Veronica took a deep breath. “My late grandfather was once a member of The Order… back in his younger days.” Barry sat up straighter. “Your Grandfather?” “Yes,” she confirmed. “

Scan code to read on App