Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 942: Light and Heavy

The conditions at the village clinic were modest, but the doctor had assured them he would do everything possible to save the Old Madam. Nonetheless, Chalty anxiously waited outside the door.

As a matter of habit as a believer, Chalty held a cross tightly in her hands, kneeling by the window at the end of the hallway, praying silently.

Lucifer, unable to stray far from the two nuns, leaned against the wall, bored, watching a small spider in the corner prey on an insect. At the same time, she pondered what might happen if the Old Madam’s treatment failed.

Although she couldn’t actively harm the two nuns, if they died naturally, that would be a different matter. If the distance-restricted Old Madam were gone, all Lucifer would need to do was evade Chalty.

Just then, the doctor finally emerged from the room, taking off his mask to reveal a weary expression.

Hearing the movement, Chalty quickly stood up and approached the doctor with concern.

The doctor exhaled deeply, furrowing his brow as he said, "She’s past the most critical phase, but her outlook is not optimistic. Chalty, you know we have very limited resources here."

"Do we need to take her to the city hospital? Could an ambulance be called from there?" Chalty asked urgently.

The doctor sighed, “Even in big-city hospitals, resources are limited. I’ve already contacted them; ambulances from several hospitals are on the move, but the earliest one won’t arrive until tonight. Given the Old Madam’s condition, that might be too late.”

“What can we do…?” Chalty grew more anxious. “How about this—I’ll take her to the hospital myself!”“That was my thought too,” the doctor nodded. “But taking her in your vehicle would be too bumpy. I’ll drive her myself, so if something comes up on the way, I can handle it.”

"Thank you, doctor! Thank you so much!" Chalty expressed her gratitude sincerely.

“It’s nothing,” the doctor replied with a smile. “I grew up in this village, and the Old Madam has looked after me all my life. How could I not help her?”

Lucifer watched the small insect finally get caught by the spider and listened to the conversation between the doctor and Chalty with growing distaste.

Helping each other? Gratitude?

"Aren’t you abandoning others?" Lucifer suddenly spoke coldly.

Chalty and the doctor both looked at Lucifer in confusion. Lucifer sneered, “There’s only one doctor here. If you leave, what about the other patients? Will you just abandon them?”

“Lucifer!” Chalty said, displeased, calling her by name.

Lucifer ignored her tone. “When we came in, I saw a baby with a high fever, didn’t I? Is it really alright to leave that child unattended? That baby needs you too, doctor. Or, are you saying that the old nun’s life is more important than the baby’s?”

The doctor’s brow furrowed, and he asked Chalty, “Who is this child?”

“She…” Chalty found herself at a loss for words, suddenly feeling torn between the Old Madam’s life and the baby’s comfort. It was as though a scale had appeared in her heart.

But Lucifer wasn’t finished and asked with mocking curiosity, “Oh, by the way, isn’t it a doctor’s duty to save lives? In your view, does one life hold more value than another? If both are in need, which would you save, the elderly or the infant…?”

The doctor’s eyes widened. It was a dilemma his mentor had posed during his medical training—a question with no easy answer. Clearly, he was not someone motivated by fame or fortune; otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen to work in this small village clinic.

Lucifer went on with a hint of amusement, “So, who will you abandon?”

“I…” The doctor’s lips moved. He replied with a heavy expression, “I’m familiar with the baby’s condition. Even though the fever is persistent, it will eventually break. Worst case, I can leave instructions with the nurse! She’s a professional too.”

“Oh, is that so? Good, then go ahead and drive,” Lucifer nodded. “After all, you’re the only one here with a car.”

“Yes, time is of the essence.” The doctor nodded quickly. For some reason, he felt relieved yet was also hesitant to meet the gaze of the child.

Lucifer then began to walk forward, hands behind her head. But after a few steps, she turned back with a smirk. “I just remembered something—what if the baby’s condition worsens and the nurse can’t handle it? Wouldn’t that put the baby at even greater risk?”

“This…” The doctor’s face darkened. This child…

“And one more thing.” Lucifer chuckled, “What if, after you leave, a patient with a more severe condition arrives? What would you do then? What about your duty? Oh, one last question: should a doctor leave their post to treat a distant patient?”

“I…” The doctor glanced at Chalty, but upon seeing her troubled face, he quickly looked away.

Chalty’s lips trembled, and her grip on her sleeve turned white.

“Whose child is this, so rude?”

Suddenly, Lucifer felt herself being lifted by someone gripping her collar. She glanced back and saw a tall, muscular, bearded man glaring at her.

“Issam, sir!” The doctor called out, “Your child…”

Issam shook his head, “The fever hasn’t broken, but I’m not worried. I believe my child will get through this. If he can’t handle such a trial, he’ll lack resilience in the future.”

“He’s just a newborn, Mr. Issam. That seems a bit harsh…” the doctor replied, shaking his head.

But Issam said firmly, “I don’t know what you’re all debating. There’s only one car here, but I can drive it! You’re the only doctor here, so you shouldn’t leave your post. I can take the Old Madam to the city hospital!”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” The doctor slapped his forehead, “I’d almost forgotten Mr. Issam used to be a truck driver! This is a perfect solution!”

“Thank you, Mr. Issam!” Chalty gratefully grasped his hand.

“Don’t mention it! I’m counting on the Old Madam to baptize my son someday! No way am I letting her retire early!” Issam laughed heartily. “I’m a fast driver!”

With Issam’s simple, decisive words, the heavy atmosphere lightened, and a ray of hope shone through.

"Tsk."

Lucifer's gaze narrowed, staring at the suddenly appearing Mr. Issam.

He really hated that dazzling light.

...

"I’ve already made the arrangements. Here’s the hospital address and contact information. Once you get there, someone will take care of you right away."

In front of the small clinic, the doctor handed a note to Chalty, who was standing by the car with the engine already running.

Chalty helped the unconscious old lady into the back seat, while Lucifer was seated in the front passenger seat and rudely fastened in by Mr. Issam.

"I’m off, Doc! Wait for the good news from me!" Uncle Issam stuck his thumb out of the car window.

Watching them drive off, the doctor let out a long sigh, though he wasn’t quite sure why.

He muttered to himself, "For such a young kid to say something so chilling... What will it be like when he grows up? But still..."

A baby and an old woman.

If Mr. Issam hadn’t been there this time, then what would the answer be?

...

"Wait here for me. None of you are to come in without my instructions."

Outside a designer clothing store, the "Messenger of God" gave this instruction to his bodyguards assigned to protect him.

Then, Bucky stepped out of the car, pushed open the revolving door of the clothing store, and entered. The staff and customers inside looked at him strangely—a man in a mask had just walked in.

Of course, his luxurious suit didn’t escape the sharp eyes of the store employees.

"Sir, may I help you with anything?" a well-endowed female attendant asked with a smile as she approached Bucky.

"Where’s the restroom?" Bucky asked directly.

"Over there." The attendant was momentarily stunned… Dressed like this, he came in just to use the restroom? But thanks to her excellent service training, she quickly pointed him in the right direction.

"Oh... thank you, may God bless you." Bucky replied in a gentle tone, then quickly made his way to the restroom.

Once inside, the mask on Bucky's face began to melt, but instead of falling off, it reformed itself, finally morphing into a human face that fit over Bucky’s own.

Bucky looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction.

This was rather dull… although this life was what he had dreamed of, it did get quite tedious—especially as time went on. He found himself so free that sometimes he had to zone out just to pass the time.

Even back when he was in prison, they’d at least let you out every day for some fresh air... but living in a manor, surrounded by respectful followers, it was getting hard to find anyone to chat with.

Changing faces was an effective trick—it had definitely been worth the money spent on this mask!

Bucky now patted his cheek, transforming into a charming man in his thirties. He draped his jacket over his arm and walked out, casually slipping out of sight from his bodyguards stationed outside.

Bucky didn’t plan to be out for long. He wasn’t planning to give up his current life—this was just a little "sneak out," to savor the long-forgotten taste of being on his own.

Overall, Bucky was an incurable scoundrel.

Why say that?

Because Bucky was now strolling down a back alley lined with shady characters—even though his manor had its share of young, devoted girls, sometimes, after too many fancy treats, you just crave street food.

Passing various women trying to seduce him as he walked, Bucky let out a relaxed sigh, “Ah… it feels like I’m recharging.”

He was just about to pick one suitable lady from the crowd to relive some memories of his wild days, when a pained scream from a side alley caught his attention.

He saw a few thuggish young men beating up a chubby man lying on the ground. Bucky didn’t think much of it—it was typical for this part of town.

Probably some territory dispute, or maybe the poor fool broke some unspoken rule.

“This line of work sure is tough…” Bucky muttered, rubbing his hands together in his typical roguish way as he continued eyeing the women.

His current disguise was almost wasted here.

"I’m telling you! My boss is Bucky! If you hit me again, my boss Bucky won’t let you off!"

To his surprise, the voice yelling in defiance sounded oddly familiar to Bucky.

“Huh, where have I heard that voice before?” He frowned, deciding to turn back—and more importantly, the person shouting had just mentioned "Boss Bucky"!

Bucky walked into the alley, face darkening. The thugs didn’t care, they continued their beating.

"Friends, isn’t this a bit much? Killing him would break the rules, wouldn’t it?” Bucky said calmly.

“Huh? Who are you? Looking for trouble?” a tattoo-covered young man glared at him fiercely.

Bucky shrugged and looked at the chubby man lying on the ground, who looked up at him, black and blue yet still recognizable.

Bucky froze—wasn’t this guy the same prison transport officer, Cage, who had helped him escape, only for him to abandon him?

How did he end up like this?