Chapter 362 Total Ruin Ruby’s cousin grabbed the brick and let out a war cry before mercilessly bashing his head in.
She was much shorter than Joel. In the chaos, it hit him right in the face.
Joel screeched and spat out a bloodied tooth. “Are... Are you crazy...?* The woman was yelling frantically. “What do you think? Of course, | am!” She continued to bash his head in with the brick.
He tried to dodge but failed and got hit in the face twice.
His nose was broken and his lips split. It was quite the sight with the blood covering his face.
Their relatives scrambled to separate them. Even Ruby who had beat him up with the trash can watched on in shock.
They were pulled away from one another after a brief scuffle. “What are you doing? You can't just hit someone like that. Let's all discuss this in a civil manne He...” One of Ruby’s cousin-in-law, Joel's wife, tried to speak up.
-Ruby’s smile was cold. “Stop trying to speak up for him! You should know best what kind of man he is.” Who cares if he had a heart of gold when everything out of his mouth was a pile of sh*t? F*ck him! There was nothing more she could say. Part of her, however, was secretly relieved. For him to be beaten this badly, they'd still had to fork out on the medical expenses.
Joel was taken away to be treated. He came out of the scuffle with a broken nose, busted lip, and lost six teeth including the ones that Lilly had knocked out.
These were only minor injuries, leaving the cousin-in-law worried.
His speech was slurred. “You crazy b*tch...! What the fick do you think you're doing?!” Resentment blazed in his eyes.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe official reports had yet to come out. How could they be so certain that it was the wine’s problem? Who hasn't tried to drink alcohol as a kid? Nothing went wrong with them. Why is it my problem? It's not my fault her son is so delicate.
Uncle Huxley could drink us all to shame in the past. Ten pounds was not a problem. All he took was a sip yesterday. How is that my fault? Who knows? Maybe he wasn't resting after the surgery and didn’t take care of himself. What does his internal hemorrhage have to do with me?! Johnny's mother should take responsibility as well. She should've watched her kid better. Why didn’t she try to stop him? What's the point of blaming me? Joel cursed to himself.
1/4 J Hat afternoon, both Johnny and Huxley's reports were issued. Johnny suffered from acute alcohol poisoning while Huxley's hemorrhage was also due to alcohol consumption.
Joel could no longer argue his case.
Huxley suffered from coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, leading to the stent being fixed in his artery. He continued to bleed from his surgical site. All his readings were unfavorable. He was also admitted into the intensive care unit because the operation did not go well.
Johnny was saved but the alcohol poisoning had caused severe brain damage. He now suffered from epilepsy. His intelligence, motor functions, and speech patterns were affected. There was a high possibility of him developing dementia. He would require special care for the rest of his life.
Both Ruby and her cousin served him with a lawsuit to demand compensation.
Joel had fallen from grace.
A-Are you serious...? All | did was get them to drink a little! How did it come to this...? Uncle Huxley was one thing. If he survives, he survives. If not all my problems would be solved by forking out a few hundred thousand.
But the cost of Johnny's treatment which included lifelong support and compensation for mental anguish would cost several million! I don't have that much even if | sell all that | have! His wife divorced him on the spot. He could run but he always be branded a criminal. His two hundred thousand dollar car and three million home would be forcibly liquidated to compensate both Huxley and Johnny.
His legs went limp and collapsed to the floor. He felt so much regret. How unlucky...
News of Ruby's cousin beating Joel bloody spread throughout the hospital. It didn’t take long for everyone in the building to find out about it.
There were rumors that Johnny's father had chased Joel down with a knife for five whole blocks...
Discussions were abound.
Perhaps it was through their connection with Gilbert that Zachary got a private ward to himself.
Zachary got changed and lay in bed. Bettany, meanwhile, heard all about the gossip going around. “That Joel person is quite the horrible person.” She then turned to Zachary. “It'll take two to three days for the hospitalization procedures and the surgery. I'll have you transferred to a private hospital once the surgery is completed. You can focus on recovery in a better environment.” Bettany favored this hospital for its medical care and hnology but private hospitals were still better for post-surgery care.
Doctors and nurses in public hospitals were usually occupied. They wouldn't have time to handle his care.
2/4 Zachary nodded. Bettany noticed how he was no longer paying attention and stopped talking.
Lilly seemed to also be in a daze.
“Lilly?” Bettany looked at her in suspicion.
“What is it, Granny?” Lilly asked.
She turned her attention to the oddly silent Josh and wondered what was going on with them.
She shook her head and left the room.
Josh barged in a while later with a sunny smile. “Hey, Lilly. That guy you were talking about yesterday? Joel? | heard he got his face bashed in. His nose is broken!” “Oh...” Lilly muttered.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmPablo then came into the room to which Lilly immediately asked, “How are Mr. Hux and Johnny?” Josh thought she was asking him and proudly answered, “I heard all about that too. They're both in the ICU. They say...” He blabbered on. It was unfortunate Lilly was listening to Pablo instead.
“Their destinies have not yet ended. They won't die. Huxley is suffering. He had been on the road to recovery but now his body is giving out, Johnny won't die but he'll likely suffer dementia...” Lilly felt lost. She was still, after all, a child with a soft heart who believed she could've done more.
Pablo reassured her. “Don’t worry. There will be people who will care for Johnny for the remainder of his lifespan. His parents would never leave him behind.” She could only sigh at that.
So, this is fate.
Someone walked into the ward just as she was pondering on the matter.
It was Grace with a spirit compass in her left hand and ritual blade in her right.
Lilly was taken aback.
What's Grace doing here? The intruder glared at Lilly. “You! Were you the one who caught that female spirit?!” “Which one?” Lilly asked in confusion.
“The female corpse! The female corpse in the closet! The one that lived there for two whole months!” Oh, Olivia! It had been so long that she had forgotten about her.
3/4 Lilly flashed an innocent glance at Grace. “I did ask you. Twice. You said | was free to catch that spirit!” “I never said that! I...” Grace fell silent.
She finally remembered that time when Lilly declared she was going to catch a spirit and told her not to complain about her performance. Was that what she meant?! Damn it! It was the first time Grace felt the urge to cry but held her grievances back.
Tough luck! It's just a spirit anyway! | passed by Bedlam Asylum on my way here. There's a bad aura in that place.
I'm going there right now to catch one. This time, no one will compete against me! Grace stormed away.