Chapter 1

• Jade Gosling watched her father with deep sadness, struggling to accept that the man who had given her unconditional love and sacrificed his happiness was now fighting for his life.
• "I’d prefer if you went home and rested... Don't worry about me. You need to work tomorrow," Harry said, his voice weakening.
• "Father, don’t worry about me. The only thing that matters is your health and finding a kidney donor. Everything will be fine," Jade reassured him, stroking his face as he fell asleep.
• A few months prior, Harry had been diagnosed with a rapidly progressing kidney disease. A transplant was crucial, or he would need dialysis three times a week to survive.
• Jade was deeply concerned. Harry had cared for her more than her biological parents, who had abandoned her. Her biological father left upon learning her mother was pregnant. Her mother considered abortion, but Harry convinced her to keep the baby, offering her food, shelter, and protection.
• Months later, Harry fell in love with her and proposed, believing the feelings were mutual. They married, but six months later, she left Harry for another man, saying, "She stays with you. I didn't want her, but you insisted. Now she’s yours. If you don’t want her, hand her over to social services. I'm too young to be tied down to a child and a man who offers nothing."
• "You're not harming me, Vanessa. I love her as my own daughter, and I will care for her. Go, and don’t return. My daughter and I will be a happy family without you," Harry replied.
• Over time, Jade grew up loved and supported by Harry. One day, she overheard friends discussing her true origin and felt immense remorse for her past behavior. The revelation changed her rebellious attitude; she became dedicated to making Harry proud, excelled academically, and stopped demanding material things, grateful for his love and care.
• Harry's love for Jade was profound, even surpassing typical parental love. Despite trying to rebuild his marriage multiple times, none of the women got along with Jade. One was Maritza, a blonde beauty whom Harry found abusing Jade. In a rare display of anger, Harry threw Maritza out, vowing never to let her near his daughter again.
• Years passed, and Harry never found another love. Jade was his entire world. Recently, she was transferred to a home automation company and began studying systems engineering to advance, as the salary covered her university expenses. She was informed she would be the vice president's private secretary starting next week, covering for the current secretary’s maternity leave.
• It was nearly 5 a.m., and Jade had been unable to sleep, worrying about her father's operation costs. She quickly washed up and rushed to work by 7:30 a.m.
• As Jade was about to descend the stairs, Dr. Loveall, her father’s physician, stopped her.
• "Miss Gosling, I need to talk to you." Though anxious, she nodded and followed him into the office, her heart racing.
• Dr. Loveall invited her to sit and looked at her with pity, making her uncomfortable.
• "How old are you, Miss Gosling?"
• "I’ll be twenty-two in a few months."
• "You’re very young. Don’t you have family or a mother who can handle this?"
• "It’s just my father and me, but I can manage. Please, tell me what you need to discuss; I have to get to work."
• "Alright, here’s the situation. Your father is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, but finding a donor could take four to five years. In the meantime, dialysis and medication will cost $60,000 to $80,000 per year. Alternatively, finding a transplant might cost $30,000 to $50,000, plus the operation and recovery, which could total $300,000 to $350,000."
• Stunned by the figures, Jade realized she only had around $20,000 saved and doubted she could borrow enough to cover the costs.
• "I don’t have that kind of money, doctor. The insurance won’t cover it," she began, but the doctor cut her off.
• "The insurance is exhausted, and your plan doesn’t cover kidney disease. Frankly, without the transplant, your father might not survive much longer. It’s tragic for a man under fifty to face such a fate."
• Jade’s eyes filled with tears, overwhelmed by the despairing situation.
• Dr. Loveall, observing her distress, made a disturbing offer. "I can cover the costs, but you must keep me company."
• Confused and exhausted, Jade asked, "What do you mean by 'keeping you company'? How does this relate to the medical expenses?"
• The doctor, leering, said, "I’m interested in you in a more intimate way. I need you to come to my apartment for..."
• Jade cut him off, standing up in anger. "You are despicable! How dare you exploit my father's situation to make such a vile proposal? I am not for sale!"
• Unmoved, the doctor replied, "Be grateful for the alternative I’m offering. If you tell anyone, I’ll deny it. As a prestigious doctor, my word will outweigh yours."
• Jade, feeling both defeated and resolute, responded, "I’m leaving. I’ll find the money elsewhere, even if I have to steal it. I refuse to let a wretch like you exploit me."
• She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
• Jade glanced at her watch; time was running out. It was her first day in her new position, and she hoped that her tardiness wouldn’t have severe consequences.
• Unbeknownst to her, in an ornate office, her new boss, Kerry, was fuming, “How dare that new secretary be late? I’m firing her!”