The Billionaire And His Son Want Me Back (Paisley)

'Mr. Hansen's mentor?' Everyone's attention snapped to Charles at those words. 'Wonder if his mentor is still around? If they are, they've got to be ancient by now. Could they even still practice medicine?'

Some couldn't help thinking, 'I mean, Charles is already a legend in the medical field. His mentor must be like a next-level genius, right?'

Hope flickered across the faces of the Vanderbilt family members at the possibility.

While comforting Kayla, Marissa looked at Charles with barely contained eagerness, finally voicing what everyone was dying to ask. "Dr. Hansen, is your mentor still alive?"

Charles' expression darkened instantly. "Watch your words, young lady. My mentor is very much alive." Marissa's heart dropped as she rushed to backtrack. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Hansen. I didn't mean any disrespect to your mentor. Please don't be angry. I just spoke without thinking."

Charles kept his stern gaze fixed on her, clearly upset.

Marissa fidgeted nervously, terrified that Charles would walk out right then and there because of her careless comment. All she could do was force an apologetic smile, not daring to say another word. "Mr. Hansen," Dominick cut in, "is there any way we could meet your mentor? You've seen my

grandfather's condition. We're running out of time." His voice carried the weight of someone who'd grown up by Paul's side, the deep bond between them evident in every word.

Charles seemed torn. "My mentor, she..."

He trailed off, remembering her words. "Don't bother me unless it's important."

'Jeez,' he thought. 'For someone so young, she sure has quite an attitude.'

The others picked up on Charles' hesitation, jumping to the conclusion that his mentor must be too elderly to come out of retirement.

"Mr. Hansen." Dominick's voice cracked with rare emotion. At this point, they were out of options. He had

to try everything possible to give Paul a fighting chance. "Mr. Hansen, please. I'll pay any price if your mentor agrees to help."

"That's right," Reginald chimed in earnestly. "Name your price, Mr. Hansen. Whatever it takes."

"Money isn't the issue here." Charles' expression remained troubled.

'Money might tempt me, but her? That's a whole different story...' Charles thought to himself.

"Come on, Mr. Hansen, at least try asking," Jonathan pleaded, not wanting to see his old friend leave like this.

Charles wrestled with the decision before reluctantly giving in. "Look, seeing how much you all care, I'll reach out to my mentor. But I can't make any promises about getting her here."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Hansen." Marissa turned to Dominick and the rest of the Vanderbilts, her eyes gleaming with both joy and a hint of triumph.

After all, Marissa was the one who'd brought Charles here. Once this was over, the entire Vanderbilt family would be in her debt.

As the Vanderbilts showered him with thanks, Charles pulled out his phone to call his mentor. But suddenly, something clicked in his mind.

"I'll take this outside." Charles gestured toward the door with his weathered hand and then shuffled out of the hospital room with an awkward expression before dialing his mentor's number.noveldrama

Everyone knew Charles wanted privacy for this call. The Vanderbilts and their group who stayed in the room and hallway kept their distance from Charles, making sure not to bother him, though they couldn't help stealing glances.

It only took a moment for the call to connect.

The change in Charles was instant and dramatic. Gone was the stern, authoritative doctor they all knew. His usually serious face broke into a warm smile, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening.

'Charles must really respect his mentor,' everyone thought, watching his transformation. Whoever this person was, she had to be incredibly distinguished in their field. If she could actually get them to come, maybe there was hope for Mr. Paul Vanderbilt after all.