Sarah can see that ili is still frowning, obviously confused, and probably angry as well.
Sarah rembered that they sent videos of ili's misdeeds to her parents, and the other girls wrote letters. Sarah never found out what was written in those letters, but she can guess that it was nothing pleasant. ili's father assured them that he will discipline ili properly and seeing her wearing a business suit, Sarah is not sure if the man followed through on that. After all, ili does not look like soone who was (or is) punished.
"How are you doing?", Sarah asked after so ti.
ili's frown deepened at Sarah's question. "Since when are you worried about how I am doing?'
"Not worried. Curious."
ili's impatience swelled. She is a teenager without any empathy, and no matter what she went through with her being kidnapped and in Akmal's hands (and after that), her nature didn't change.
ili is a type of person where partial improvent is not impossible, it is an on-off switch. During her weeks of captivity, she was not assaulted, so she is able to brush that experience aside like it didn't happen. But the fact that other girls hit her, shaved her head, and removed her eyebrows under Sarah's (and Aiden's) watch, is sothing she can't forget.
"At least you are honest.", ili said sarcastically.
"I am always honest.", Sarah responded flatly.
"Then you can answer my question, why are you here?"
"My friend needs dical assistance.", Sarah responded.
She didn't disclose Master Hollow's identity to no one here. She is not sure if that was necessary, but her guess is that the old man has his reasons to stay in the mountain. At first, she thought that Master Hollow prefers solitude, living in nature, away from the hustle of civilization. But then she realized that he enjoys stories and is curious about life beyond that mountain, and he is also reluctant to part from his disciples. That is why Sarah's conclusion is that there is sothing more than that. Well, if she is wrong, no harm will be done.
ili was suspicious. Other than her having a personal grudge against Sarah, this is an exclusive hospital where money and power don't guarantee that a patient will be treated. "This is not a place where just anyone can co and seek assistance."
"My friend is not just anyone."
ili saw that Sarah is secretive and she guessed: "Is it Aiden?"
"No."
ili was not sure if she should believe her. She glanced around the lounge area, hoping to see Aiden. She rembers him as a handso movie star-superhero guy and that is not easy to forget. Also, if he is not the patient, he will be close to Sarah.
Sarah noticed ili's behavior and exhaled in frustration. "Don't tell that you are hoping to see my husband. It appears that you forgot what happened last ti when you tried to get close to him."
Subconsciously, ili reached for her hair. "How can I forget? Every day I see myself and I rember the hell you put through."
"That is an interesting way to say: thank you from rescuing ."
ili sneered. "I bet that you regret doing so."
Sarah shook her head. "I would never regret punishing a man who thinks that he can force himself on a woman just because he has more power."
"Do you expect to thank you?"
Sarah was getting tired of this exchange which is not leading anywhere. She can see that ili is getting increasingly hostile and she does not want to get into an argunt with a teenager. "Honestly, I don't have any expectations from you. But I hope that you are happy."
"How magnanimous of you."
Sarah shook her head and moved to walk away. There is no point in talking to ili.
ili blocked her way. "Where are you going? Do you think you can do as you please? This is my ho, and my rules."
Sarah blinked. "Your ho?"
ili lifted her chin proudly. "This is my hospital. I wonder what sche you used to co in here…"
"ili!", an angry voice ca from the entrance.
ili froze and Sarah looked in the direction from where the voice ca.
"Mr. Wang.", Sarah called. She recognized him as the one who gave her the jade token in exchange for the vase she won in a poker tournant in Las Vegas more than a year ago. Thanks to that token, she was able to get Master Hollow out of the forest in ti to save his life (hopefully).
Mr. Wang walked to Sarah and stopped two steps away. He bowed. "Mrs. Black. When I heard that you used the token, I ca to check on you. I hope that I am not intruding."
"Not at all, Mr. Wang. Please, call Sarah."
ili was watching this scene in disbelief. Why is her uncle bowing to Sarah? How did she earn this respect? ili scrutinized Sarah. "You have the Wang family token?"
Sarah smiled smugly. "I guess you got your answer to how I got here."
Mr. Wang bowed again. "I apologize on her behalf. My niece is young. I am aware that she has a lot to learn and that is why she is accompanying ." He side-glanced at ili and said harshly: "ili, bow!"
ili was not willing. "To her? Do you know that she is the reason I look like this? I demand that you investigate how she got her hands on the token. She probably stole it!"
"ili!", Mr. Wang snapped. He was super-embarrassed by ili's behavior. "Stop your nonsense! We will talk about this later."
ili felt wronged. Why is her uncle raising his voice at her? Because of Sarah? Doesn't he know that Sarah is not a good person? "Uncle! She is a thief! I saw her sneak around and fight to take over soone else's house! And then they threw a party! All that while shaving my head and…"
'SLAP!'
"Quiet!", Mr. Wang roared.
ili stared at her Uncle. Did he just slap her? Then she glared at Sarah. This is the second occasion in her life that she got slapped, and both tis it happened in front of Sarah!
"I gave the token to Mr. Black because she is my benefactor.", Mr. Wang said to ili through his teeth, unable to hide his irritation mixed with embarrassnt. He didn't want to explain to ili more than that because acquiring that vase (which Sarah gave him) was a task created by his grandfather. When he brought the vase, it solidified his position as the next successor who will lead the family. Mr. Wang is grateful to Sarah, but he is reluctant to reveal that most of his current glory is because she helped him.
"But Uncle…", ili called with a shivering voice. "She is a thief and a bully. And Mrs. Black is probably not her real na…"
"You are right.", Sarah interjected. She didn't want to listen to this Uncle-niece interaction anymore. To Sarah, ili is not her problem.
Sarah turned to Mr. Wang. "I go by Mrs. White now. Aiden and I got married three months ago. Do you rember him?"
Mr. Wang's face lit up. "Of course, I rember. Congratulations. I don't have anything appropriate, but I will make sure to prepare a present."
Sarah lifted her hands defensively. "Please, don't. You helping my friend now is more than enough."
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