The windfall made Kate’s mother and sister both ecstatic. They hurried to get her father back to bed. Kate ran out to catch up with the hospital staff. “Please, tell me who paid the bills for us?”

The hospital staff turned crossly, “A big guy called Mr. Fox. He talked to our hospital president. Since you knew such a powerful person, what were you doing earlier? It is a waste of my time.” And he left angrily.

Her suspicion was confirmed. She leaned on the wall languidly.

What did this mean? Had he forced her to accept the trade?

While she was leaning on the wall weakly, and enduring the...