Chapter 111
Suddenly, Theo’s face broke out in angry red rashes. His cheeks flushed, and his breath came in sharp gasps. His body twitched slightly he looked like he was about to lose consciousness altogether.
Carter rushed to his side and called his name a few times.
No response.
Without hesitation, he turned to Kelly, who stood frozen nearby. “Call an ambulance! Now!”
As if waking from a trance, Kelly’s face went pale. She fumbled for her phone, her hands trembling as she dialed.
Around them, the restaurant fell into chaos. Other diners had taken notice, some standing up from their seats in alarm.
“Looks like an allergic reaction,” someone muttered. “He needs emergency treatment right away. If they wait, he might not make it till the ambulance gets here.”
Tears welled in Kelly’s eyes. “Carter, what do we do?”
Carter’s brow was deeply furrowed. He’d never seen Theo like this. He wasn’t a doctor. He didn’t dare move Theo, unsure of what would make things worse.
He raised his voice, clear and steady. “Is there a doctor here? Anyone who can help this child-I’ll pay ten million.”
Ten million?
Gasps rippled through the room like a dropped stone in water.
If it had been anyone else throwing out numbers like that, it would’ve sounded like a joke. But Carter-with his tailored clothes, his calm composure-radiated a quiet authority. He could very well mean it.
With that kind of reward on the table, someone was bound to step forward.
And someone did.
“I’ll do it!”
Carter’s eyes turned sharply to the man. “You can save him?”
For a second, the man flinched under his gaze. But then the weight of that offer steadied him.
“I’m a doctor,” he said, lifting his chin.
He wasn’t lying-but he was a surgeon, not a pediatrician. Not even close. The distinction mattered, but to him, ten million
meant more than playing it safe.
He pulled out his ID badge. “Here. My credentials.” 1
Carter studied it briefly. His expression eased just enough.
The man knelt beside the boy, giving him a quick once-over. He was just about to begin CPR when a sharp, clear voice rang out
“Stop!”
His hands froze mid-air.
Sharon pushed through the crowd, striding forward with urgency.
She’d only stepped away to use the restroom. When she came back and saw the crowd gathered, she caught sight of Kelly and
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Carter at the center. Something in her chest clenched. She rushed over and found Theo unconscious.
The man had been about to administer emergency care.
Sharon didn’t hesitate to speak.
Kelly looked at her, distraught. “Sharon, he’s in danger! If we don’t act now, he might not last until the ambulance arrives! Sharon, please let the doctor help him!”
But Sharon’s tone was icy.
“His condition does not call for CPR.”
Her gaze was cold and sharp.
“You don’t even know what’s going on. Don’t touch him. If something happens to him, you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”
The man’s expression hardened. Someone else trying to snatch away that reward? No way.
“I’m a licensed professional,” he snapped. “I know these symptoms better than you ever could. Who the hell are you to stand here making wild claims?”
Sharon had no time to argue. Her eyes were fixed on Theo. Without another word, she shoved the man aside, reaching for the boy.
But her wrist was suddenly caught mid-air.
Carter’s voice came from behind her-low, cold, and biting.
“Sharon, could you stop causing trouble for once?”
x
