Chapter 3

As the car cruised down the streets, Austin remained in shock. It all seemed like a dream.

He and the old man, Ezra Lockwood, went up to the ICU ward at Legacy Hospital.

It was not until Austin saw his mother, Dahlia Emerson, that he fully registered what was happening. Dahlia had just come out of the operating theater.

Joy, gratitude, and other overwhelming emotions washed over Austin.

"I'm happy to report that the liver transplant surgery was a success, Mr. Lockwood," a doctor came over and said respectfully.

Austin was stunned. The doctor, Isaac Navarro, was Dahlia's attending physician. He was one of Legacy Hospital's most well-known doctors and also an expert in the medical field.

Isaac was the one who suggested performing the liver transplant surgery to save Dahlia.

It went without saying that such an esteemed doctor would have no qualms treating even the most powerful beings as his equals. Despite that, he was showing such courtesy toward Ezra.

"Thank you, Dr. Navarro," Ezra dipped his head slightly and said with a smile.

Startled, Isaac hastily said, "Not at all, Mr. Lockwood. You're too courteous."

He exhaled when Ezra straightened up again.

Then, he looked at Austin with an unreadable gaze and smiled. "You're a very loving son, Austin, and a lucky one too. If all goes well with your mother during the post-transplant adjustment period, the surgery can be considered a total success."

Austin could not stop himself from tearing up.

"Thank you, Dr. Navarro. Thank you so much."

Seeing that Austin was about to bow as well, Isaac quickly stopped him. "I'm just doing my job as a doctor."

Isaac knew full well who Ezra was.

If Ezra had come forward to handle the arrangements for Dahlia's surgery, it meant that Austin was no ordinary person either.

Austin was certainly no fool. After noticing the way Isaac had reacted when Ezra thanked him, Austin was unsurprised by Isaac's response to his gratitude.

Isaac claimed he was only doing his job, and as it was, his attitude toward both Austin and Dahlia remained the same.

Yet, Austin could sense that Isaac's earlier attitude was out of his sense of responsibility as a doctor, but now, his attitude was respectful and deferential, as if Austin were a powerful individual.

"If there's nothing else you need, Mr. Lockwood, I'll take my leave now. I've updated the hospital director on the situation as well," Isaac said.

Ezra waved his hand and said, "I'd like to keep a low profile, so I won't be seeing the director today."

"Alright, Mr. Lockwood."

Isaac did not linger. After casting a somewhat regretful glance at Austin, he walked off.

With tears in his eyes, Austin fell to his knees and bowed to Ezra.

"Thank you for saving my mother. I will always remember your kindness and—"

Before Austin could finish speaking, Ezra swiftly helped him up. "Please get up, sir. If anything, I should be the one kneeling before you."

Austin was taken aback. Earlier on, he had been so distracted by his feelings of elation over Dahlia's surgery. Now that he had calmed down a little, he recalled something.

From the moment he met Ezra, the latter had addressed him as sir.

Austin came from a poor family background. He and Dahlia had no one but each other. The family's financial situation only started improving after he graduated from college and started working.

That was why he felt sorry for Nancy when she married him. He had been holding onto that feeling all these years.

Either way, he did not have anyone in his life who would address him respectfully as sir—especially not one who rode in a Rolls-Royce Phantom!

Ezra smiled and explained, "Actually, I came to save your mother on my employer's orders."

After a pause, Ezra added, "He's your father."

Austin froze in shock. His expression stiffened at once.

The concept of father was a foreign one to him.

Ever since he was a child, Dahlia told him that his father died before he was born.

"That's impossible. My father died a long time ago," Austin said as he shook his head dazedly.

Ezra seemed to have anticipated Austin's reaction.

Still smiling, he explained, "Your father didn't die. In fact, he comes from a wealthy and powerful background. Back then, he and your mother were in love, and you were the product of their love.

"As for what happened afterward, I'm afraid it's not something that can be explained in just a few words."

Austin was staggered by the wave of emotions coursing through him. His fists were clenched, and his body trembled. It looked like he could not accept what he just found out.

"If he's still alive, and if he's just as powerful as you claim he is, then why didn't he come and visit my mother and me all these years?"

The more he said, the more emotional he became. Pointing at Dahlia in the ICU ward, he continued, "Even when my mother was on the verge of dying, he didn't come here himself. He merely sent you over. Why is that?"