Chapter 86: Miss Woodham's Trouble
Meanwhile, Shonna had been taking the medicine prescribed by Amber for three days, yet her condition was deteriorating. She suffered from relentless high fever, extreme weakness, and even bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Mrs. Fanning and Beatrice were beside themselves with worry. After the family doctor administered antipyretic medication to Beatrice, Mrs. Fanning anxiously inquired, "Dr. Lyon, how is Shonna doing? Will her fever subside?"
"Miss Woodham's situation is not promising," Dr. Lyon said gravely, "She has been experiencing continuous high fever for these three days. Normally, after the fever breaks, it should not recur so quickly. But after taking the medicine, her fever returns within just seven or eight hours. Today, the antipyretic drugs are no longer effective on her."
Dr. Lyon continued, his expression serious, "Additionally, her vomiting and diarrhea are relentless. If this continues, I fear for Miss Woodham's life. I recommend we send her to the hospital."
"But Miss Reed said that this condition is normal, indicating that the toxins in Shonna's body are being expelled. She advised us to reduce the fever first, and only then apply the medicated ointment, which is crucial for treating Shonna's face," Beatrice said, glancing worriedly at the frail Shonna in bed. She knew what healing her face meant to Shonna.
Throughout these disfiguring days, Shonna endured endless humiliation, akin to a walking corpse. Beatrice could not bear to see her daughter live like that.
"What is the time for if not to worry about this?" Mrs. Fanning retorted sharply, "Saving Shonna's life is what's most important. I suspect that Amber Reed is not a legitimate doctor. She doesn't even have a medical license. How can she treat anyone? We might have all been deceived by her."
"That's not possible," Beatrice countered. "Many people were there that day, all saying Amber healed Sophia's face. Mother, I want to try. As you know, Shonna might as well be dead the way she's living now. Only if her face heals can she be happy. Let's wait a bit longer and see if the fever subsides. If it doesn't, we'll ask Amber to come."
In fact, Beatrice had called Amber several times over the past two days. At first, Amber patiently explained that the fever was a normal part of the detoxification, but later she became impatient and stopped answering calls altogether. This frustrated Beatrice, but for her daughter's illness, she endured.
Now, at this critical juncture, she truly didn't want to give up.
"You're being foolish!" Mrs. Fanning exclaimed angrily. "Shonna is in this state, and you're still waiting for Amber? Do you want to be happy only if she dies?"
"Mother!" Beatrice shouted, bursting into tears. "Shonna is my only daughter. How could I bear to see her die? But she's suffering so much. Seeing her like this is painful for me too. This is her last chance, and I don't want to give up."
As the argument continued, Dr. Lyon interjected, "Let me see the prescription. If there's nothing wrong with it, then we can wait and see if the fever breaks."
Beatrice nodded and immediately fetched the prescription. Dr. Lyon examined it for a long time without speaking.
Beatrice, feeling a sense of foreboding, asked, "Is there a problem?"
Dr. Lyon shook his head, "From what I see, there's no issue. This prescription is for detoxification, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Something seems off."
After a moment of silence, Dr. Lyon suggested, "Let's wait another hour. If Miss Woodham's fever hasn't subsided by then, we must rush her to the hospital. Her condition is seriously deteriorating, and we can't afford to waste more time. I can only guarantee her safety for the next two hours. Any further delay, and I can't assure her safety."
Beatrice nodded and then told Mrs. Fanning, "Mother, did you hear that? Dr. Lyon said we could wait another hour. Let's wait a bit longer."
"Suit yourself!" Mrs. Fanning, too upset to engage further, turned and left.
She desired her granddaughter's facial recovery as much as anyone. But what good was a face if one lost their life?
Upon reaching the ground floor hall and taking a sip of tea, the nanny informed her, "Madam, Mrs. Lehman has arrived."
Mrs. Fanning brightened, "Oh, she's been discharged? Please bring her in."
Standing, Mrs. Fanning went to greet her at the door. Soon, Grandma Lehman was ushered in, and Mrs. Fanning, delighted, took her hand, "You've just been discharged from the hospital, why not rest at home instead of coming over to my place?"
"I was feeling bored at home, so I decided to come over for a chat," Grandma Lehman replied with a smile.
Mrs. Fanning invited Grandma Lehman to sit and asked, "Are your son and daughter-in-law on a business trip again? They really should spend time with you. All three of your sons are so busy, and you only have one granddaughter here in Ensford to look after you."
"I'm used to it," Grandma Lehman replied, though the situation still bothered her. Accustomed to being busy, her sons had suggested taking turns looking after her every few months. The day she was saved by Tina at the amusement park marked her return from her youngest son Luis Lehman's home abroad. Luis was even busier, and with her granddaughter in school, only she and the nanny were home. Fortunately, Ensford was her foundation, filled with many friends, and Mrs. Fanning was among her closest. When bored, she could seek out Mrs. Fanning for a conversation.
"I feel the same," Mrs. Fanning confessed. "Ever since my husband passed, I've been alone. The kids are all busy. Thankfully, my daughter and granddaughter recently came to keep me company." Mrs. Fanning sighed as she continued, "I was planning to visit you the other day, but my granddaughter suddenly fell ill with a high fever, and I couldn't leave her, making you come to me instead."
"Shonna has a fever? Is it severe? Where is she hospitalized? I'll visit her," Grandma Lehman expressed concern.
"It's quite serious. I want her to go to the hospital, but Beatrice absolutely refuses."
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Grandma Lehman frowned, "A high fever and she still won't go to the hospital? Isn't this playing with Shonna's life?"
"Alas," Mrs. Fanning sighed again. "Beatrice is almost crazy about Shonna's face. A few days ago, she heard that Miss Reed had cured Sophia's face, so she insisted on having her treat Shonna. But after taking Miss Reed's medicine, Shonna's high fever persisted, and she suffered from vomiting and diarrhea. Now she's bedridden and in a particularly bad state."
"I've been telling Beatrice to take Shonna to the hospital immediately, but she insists the fever is normal."
"Miss Reed?" Grandma Lehman paused, then smiled, "Miss Reed is indeed a fine doctor. I don't mean to hide it from you, but I almost died when I fainted-it was Miss Reed who saved me."
"Really?" Mrs. Fanning was surprised as it was Amber who had saved Grandma Lehman as well.
"Yes. Miss Reed is a very kind person. If she prescribed the medicine, you can rest assured."
Mrs. Fanning let out a wry smile, "Maybe Miss Reed is just fortunate for you. She's been quite impatient treating Shonna. This time Shonna got a fever, and despite our requests, she hasn't shown up, and now she won't even answer our calls." "That doesn't sound right!" Grandma Lehman said, puzzled. "The Miss Reed I know is quite kind."
After a pause, Grandma Lehman offered, "How about I call Miss Reed to come take a look?"
"That would be a great help," Mrs. Fanning replied.