Chapter 672: Hold A Press Conference
Leah’s attending physician, Paul, walked into the ward. Everyone made way for him so that he could examine Leah. After a thorough check, Paul glanced at Michael and Wendy. Then, he walked out of the ward without saying a word.
Wendy and Michael exchanged looks, then followed him out. Mary and Michael’s grandmother followed them out too.
"How’s Leah’s condition?" Wendy asked.
"It’s currently under control. But we have yet to find a suitable bone marrow donor," Paul sighed. "I’m afraid we could only rely on medication for another month..." Paul did not finish his words, but everyone knew what he meant.
"Did you manage to find any donors previously?" Michael frowned as he asked anxiously.
Paul shook his head, "Nope."
"Jade and Anthony had undergone the blood test," Michael’s grandmother sighed as she said. "Michael, I have already asked most of the relatives to go for the test. But non of them are a match."
"How about my relatives then?" Wendy quickly asked.
Only your mom has done the test," said Michael’s grandmother. "She did not mention any other relatives from her side."
In fact, Wendy did not seem to have any relatives. As far as she could remember, her mother had always been staying in Linton. But Linton was not Mary’s hometown.
She heard that Mary was pregnant when she left for Linton. At that time, she was doing a few odd jobs. None of their relatives came to visit them ever since she was a child.
"Wendy, how about your relatives? Is there anyone else from your side who can take the test?" asked Michael’s grandmother. "As long as it is a match, the Lucas family will reward them accordingly."
"Well..." Wendy frowned. She did not know what to say.
"How about your father?" asked Michael’s grandmother. "If you don’t have any other relatives from your mother’s family, how about your father? No matter how slim the chances are, as long as there is some blood relation, we should give it a try."
Michael’s grandmother had been worrying about Leah’s condition for days. She did ask Mary, but Mary said that Leah’s maternal grandfather was already dead.
Moreover, there was no way for her to contact that side of the family.
Paul adjusted his glasses and said, "There will be a higher chance of a match with relatives. But remote kinship would not be of much help."
"That’s right! Christian Lucas!" Suddenly, Michael came to think of Christian. He said immediately, "Christian is my half-brother. He can be considered Leah’s uncle..." No one could be more reluctant than Michael to acknowledge that Christian was part of the Lucas family. But at this point, all he wanted was to save Leah.
When Michael’s grandmother heard Christian being mentioned, she opened her mouth to speak, but changed her mind.
Michael called Evan immediately. Christian was currently held by the Interpol. The fastest and only way to reach him was through Evan.
As soon as the call got through, Michael said immediately, "Evan, could you arrange for Christian to do a blood test? We need to see if his bone marrow is a match."
"Bone marrow?" Evan frowned as he asked.
"That’s right. My daughter, Leah, needs a bone marrow transplant immediately.
We’ve yet to find a suitable donor. Christian is her uncle, so there’s a chance that his bone marrow could match hers," explained Michael.
"Wait. Let me bring him out, and you may speak to him directly," said Evan.
...
Michael waited anxiously. Although it was just a few minutes, it felt like an eternity.
Finally, he heard some voices from the other end of the line.
"Christian, Michael wants to speak to you," said Evan as he turned on the speaker mode and put the phone on the table.
Christian was in handcuffs. He was exceptionally calm.
Christian glanced at Evan and said, "What else does he want to say? If it’s regarding the antidote, I am sorry. There is nothing I can do to help."
He had already been arrested. He had no idea why Michael wanted to speak to him again.
Before Evan could say anything, Michael said anxiously over the phone, "Christian, Leah needs to undergo a bone marrow transplant. We have yet to find any match for her. You are her uncle. Could you take a blood test? Perhaps you’ll be a match?"
"I am her uncle..." Christian’s expression stiffened upon hearing what Michael said.
Then, Christian laughed out loud as he repeated, "I am her uncle, I am her uncle..." Christian’s laughter caught the attention of the policemen on duty outside the room.
When Evan saw them coming in, he said hurriedly, "No worries. You may stand guard outside."
The policemen glanced at Christian. Then, they walked out of the room after ensuring that nothing was amiss.
Michael was anxious upon hearing Christian repeat himself. He continued, "Christian, what happened to Leah was your fault. It’s fine if you don’t have the antidote, but how could you not take the test for Leah?"
Michael was afraid that Christian would refuse to take the test because of the enmity between them.
Christian laughed not because he took pleasure in Michael’s misfortune. In fact, he knew about Leah’s condition long ago. After all, he was the one who gave the poison to Yvonne. He was the one who got Yvonne to poison Leah and Jake.
Christian did not expect Michael to consider him as a possible donor.
"How about Jake?" Christian stopped laughing. He then said in a low tone, "Jake and Leah are twins, so their bone marrow should be a match, isn’t it?"
"If Jake could save Leah, do you think I’d need to approach you?" said Michael harshly all of a sudden. He was unable to suppress his emotions.
But he came to his senses quickly, and remembered that he needed Christian’s help now. So, he put his pride aside and said, "Christian, if I could find a match, I wouldn’t be looking for you."
"Did you say that I am Leah’s uncle?" Christian asked.
"That’s right. Both of you are related." Michael was reluctant to acknowledge this fact, but he and Christian were indeed half-brothers.
"I agree to take the test," said Christian.
Michael’s eyes lit up immediately upon hearing what Christian said. He was stunned too. He did not expect Christian to agree to it so easily.
However, before he could be happy about it, Christian said, "But on one condition."
"What is it? I will do everything within my means to meet your condition," Michael’s smile faded instantly. There was hope for Leah, but Christian’s condition might not be easy to meet.
"I am pretty sure you can do it," Christian smiled. "It’s whether you want to do it.
Besides, you are the only one who can do it."
...
Michael said through gritted teeth, "What do you want?"
"I want you to acknowledge publicly that I, Christian Lucas, belong to the Lucas family," said Christian, enunciating each word clearly and deliberately.
Michael had managed to defeat Christian previously, so Christian’s hopes of being acknowledged as a member of the Lucas family were dashed. In fact, everything he did was to prove that he was just as capable as Michael. He wanted to be accepted as part of the Lucas family officially.
He did not expect to be given a chance again in such a short time. It seemed like God took pity on him and wanted the Lucas family to accept him too.
"Alright. You have my word," Michael agreed without hesitation, but his fists were clenched. He had never wanted to acknowledge Christian as his brother. To him, Christian was nothing more than his father’s illegitimate son. This was a fact that had always been deeply engraved in his heart, body, and soul.
But for Leah’s sake, he would tolerate this. Leah was such an adorable and sensible daughter. He was willing to do this for her.
"That’s it? You’re agreeing to this so easily?" Christian was surprised. He had been certain that Michael never wanted to acknowledge or accept him as part of the Lucas family.
Christian then continued, "Don’t you want to negotiate with me? For example..."
For example, to agree to his condition only after his bone marrow was a match. After all, he might not be a suitable donor. But Christian said nothing more. He would never pass up anything that was beneficial to himself.
"Do you think I will negotiate when it comes to my daughter’s life?" said Michael angrily. As a matter of fact, Michael knew what Christian was about to say. But he did not think it was necessary to even try.
He knew what kind of person Christian was. Now that he was given a chance to be acknowledged as part of the Lucas family, how could he let such a great opportunity slip by? Even if Michael tried to bargain with him, Christian would never budge.
Now that Christian was under arrest, Michael could actually force him to undergo the test. However, it would be troublesome to do so.
"Well, hold a press conference to acknowledge me as part of the Lucas family then.
As soon as I see proof of this, I will take the test immediately. If it is a match, I will come over to Lake City," said Christian.
"Alright," Michael then hung up immediately. When he turned around, he saw all of them staring at him.
Michael said, "Christian has agreed to take the test."
"That’s great!" Michael’s grandmother and Isabel looked at each other. They could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
But Wendy noticed something amiss. She asked, "What does Christian want in return?"
"He wants to be acknowledged as part of the Lucas family officially," said Michael honestly. In fact, there was no way for him to hide it too. He needed to arrange for a press conference to make the announcement.
"Well..." the smile on Mrs. Lucas’s face stiffened all of a sudden.
Wendy had lost part of her memory. She could not remember the feud between Michael and Christian, but she could see that Michael was reluctant to agree to Christian’s request based on his expression.
"No worries. It’s just a press conference," Michael forced a smile. Then, he instructed Mr. York, "Get ready to hold a press conference."
"Yes, Sir," said Mr. York immediately.
"And..." Michael continued as Mr. York turned to leave, "Take Anthony to the press conference too."
