The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)

When Mango returned to the ward, she saw the doctor standing in front of the window while holding a toy in her hand, but no one could tell what was on her mind. It was a child's toy.

However, Mango said nothing as she didn't have the time to listen to stories now, although she knew that the doctor must have had an eventful past.

"I want to leave the hospital."

Mango spoke in a bland tone.

Nevertheless, the doctor didn't look back at her and just said in a low voice, "You can leave whenever you are in good health again."

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm fully aware of my health condition. Hence, I must leave this place as I cannot stay any longer."

Mango knew that she definitely could not walk out of this hospital without the doctor's permission. Although this unadorned and simple hospital seemed desolated, Mango was observant enough to notice that surveillance cameras were all over the place.

Perhaps there was something in the hospital that Mango was oblivious to, otherwise why would the doctor install so many cameras here if there were no patients?

Frankly, Mango would be curious to explore the hospital if it weren't for her eagerness to leave this place and look for Nathaniel and Walter.

A City was an extremely eerie place.

Then, the doctor turned around slowly and stared straight at Mango before whispering, "You can leave, but that little girl must stay."

"No way."

"There's no room for negotiation, as you would return only if the young girl is still here. If you take her with you now, I'm sure you won't come back again. I'll give you three days' time and if you don't return by then, I'll kill her!"

"What? How could you do that?"

Hence, Mango instantly boiled with anger.

Alas, the doctor said in a calm and unhurried manner, "I've told you that I'm not a good doctor, and it's up to me to save or end a person's life. The girl would have died if it weren't for me, and since I'm the one who saved her, I can also kill her. Your body can withstand no longer than 3 days, so if you don't return by then, you'll run out of energy and I can't guarantee whether you'll survive or die.

But if you're no longer here, it wouldn't matter whether the girl is still alive or not, isn't it?"

Mango clenched her fist tightly as she suppressed her rage and said, "Is this how you view a person's life and death?"

"I'm not sure how others think about it, but your life is in my hands and you can't die as long as I'm here."

"Why is that? I didn't make any deal with you nor do I owe you anything!"

"Have you forgotten what you've promised me? Your life will be at my mercy until you fulfill the deal."

Only then did Mango recall what the doctor said before she agreed to let her visit the young girl.

She did not know why the doctor insisted on seeing Zion, and she suddenly found this very odd. So odd, in fact, that Mango was regretting her initial promise.

"If you go back on your words now, I will kill the little girl right away as her life worth nothing to me anyway."

The doctor said as she walked out.

"Wait a minute!"

Hence, Mango panicked when she noticed that the doctor wasn't joking at all.

She couldn't let anything bad happen to Anaya, nor could Mango leave her alone even though the child had a lot going on in her mind.

"I promise you that I'll leave and come back within three days to take her from you."

"No, you must bring the person I want to meet in three days, only then can you take the girl away."

Frankly, Mango really didn't want to agree, but she knew that she had no choice but to do so at this moment.

How the hell did she offend this woman?

Thus, Mango was a little annoyed.

But at the thought of how dire Anaya's situation was previously, Mango felt somewhat comforted that she was safe and sound now.

"Fine... but please return my belongings to me now."

"You don't need those. I'll give you a shot later and you will keep going for three days."

The doctor said as she left the ward.

On the other hand, Mango had no idea what medication the doctor administered to her, but she let the doctor do whatever she wanted as her health condition was already in a mess anyway. She just wanted enough time to look for Nathaniel and Walter.

Thus, she became calm at the thought of this.

A person who came face to face with death would no longer have fears other than being reluctant to part from their families.

She didn't want to say goodbye to her children, Nathaniel, her good friends, and not to mention her parents.

All she could do now was to seize the time she had left to look for those she cherished.

Mango stared at the gloomy sky outside and felt that the rain might start to pour soon.

Then, someone opened the door to her room.

Mango didn't turn around as she thought that the doctor was back, but a small shadow appeared before her instead.

She turned and glanced at the person before realizing that it was Anaya.

Mango smiled as she said, "What's wrong?"

"Are you leaving?"

Anaya wrote it on a piece of paper using her pen.

However, Mango seemed to have discerned a hint of despair in Anaya's eyes.

Her heart ached as she said, T m only leaving temporarily, and I will be back for you in three days. Don't worry, I will bring you back to Ocean City and let you meet Gissel."

A glint flashed across Anaya's eyes as she continued writing, "Are you going to the Equatorial Hotel?"

"Yes."

"If you do me a favor, I will tell you where Walter and Nathaniel are."

Mango frowned as she saw what Anaya wrote to her.

"Do you have a grudge against the Equatorial Hotel?"

Of course, she noticed how Anaya's eyes were filled with hatred.

Anaya did not hide it and wrote, "I hate them to my very core, and I swore to take revenge on them. I want Emberly to know what it's like to die."

Her eyes were burning with intense rage and abhorrence.

Hence, Mango was now completely certain that Emberly was the one who threw Anaya into the river.

But what was the grudge that Emberly held against Anaya?

Mango asked, "Does Emberly hate you?"

Then, Anaya shook her head and wrote, "She wants to put me to death for no reason."

Hence, Mango was at a loss.

There was no such thing as love or hatred without an apparent reason in this world, so perhaps Emberly treated Anaya as such because Anaya's presence threatened her. But did Emberly have something to do with Nathaniel's disappearance?

Mango was about to ask more but she noticed that Anaya had already left.

However, she did leave a message for Mango.

"I'll wait for you to come back and take me to Ocean City."

It was a child's wish and her plea as an elder sister.

Then Mango grasped the piece of paper tightly in her palms.

After that, Mango had already regained her composure when the doctor came in again. She was staring at the sky, wondering how long did she have to live.

Her health was deteriorating and she wanted to spend the remainder of her life reunited with her family and having a wonderful vacation with them.

This was what her children longed for, and also what she yearned for as well.

The doctor didn't say a word and Mango was also very calm and cooperative when the doctor gave her the injection.

"Aren't you afraid of death?"

"I am, but there's something even more terrifying than death in this world."

Then Mango looked at the doctor.

The doctor frowned and asked, "What is it?"

"Human nature."

Hence, the doctor fell silent as soon as she heard this.

Alas, Mango did not say anything else as she packed up her belongings and left the hospital.

There weren't many people on the street, though a few of them were extremely stunned to see Mango walking out of the hospital as if she was a miracle. However, Mango ignored their gazes and walked straight towards the Equatorial Hotel.

Several vehicles were parked in front of the hotel and they were all branded and luxurious cars. Furthermore, some of them were even limited editions.

Hence, Mango found it suspicious to have these cars situated at the entrance of the Equatorial Hotel as the results of Zion's investigation resurfaced in her mind. How was it possible to have so many honored guests visiting such a shabby and remote

location?

Then, Mango walked straight into the Equatorial Hotel with puzzlement.

The receptionist who was manning the entrance welcomed Mango into the hotel respectfully as she was wearing a lowkey, yet elegant outfit.

Then, the manager came forward to greet Mango as soon as she noticed her.

"Oh, hello there ma'am! Did you come alone?"

"Yes."

Then, Mango scrutinized the woman from top to bottom, and she could tell from her eyes that she was a scheming individual although her appearance was gorgeous.

Mango disliked this woman from the bottom of her heart but nevertheless stayed calm and collected.

I'm the manager here and my name is Emberly Wang. What's your name, ma'am? Would you like to spend a night at our hotel? We have only two presidential suites left, so should I book them for you now? We'll need to hurry up if you're interested as the rooms might become reserved in no time."

Mango's brows furrowed at Emberly's words.

She was Emberly Wang?

This was the person who had a relationship with

Walter?

She was the person who tried to murder Anaya?

Then, Mango glanced around and was really tempted to ask if there was a big event happening here that attracted so many guests, but she held it back.

Mango didn't tell Emberly her real name as she was being cautious, so she said in low voice, "I am Paola Gerner and I would like a room with a better ventilation."

"Alright, Miss Gerner, this way please."

Next, Emberly led Mango to the elevator.

She escorted Mango all the way to the presidential suite.

Meanwhile, Mango noticed that the decorations here were extremely opulent and even Ocean City had only a few hotels like this.

Why were the guests so interested in coming here?

Hence, Mango had no idea so she decided to have a walk outside and get some information after changing her clothes.

Emberly greeted Mango enthusiastically when she saw her come down to the lobby, "Miss Gerner, are you planning to join the Underground City event tonight as well?"

Underground City?

Mango was stunned for a moment, but she nodded with a calm expression.

Then, Emberly became excited all of a sudden.

"Here's the thing, Miss Gerner, you'll need a pass to go to the Underground City and it's very expensive. I'm sure that someone like you must be pretty wealthy to be able to visit this place, but it's still good to save, isn't it? I've been here for many years and if you trust me, I can guarantee you a pass that is much cheaper than what you can get on your own. However, Miss Gerner, I'm sure you know that I'll ask for some service fees, but don't worry as it will still be cheaper than what you can buy yourself. As you know, we also have strict rules for the pass here and not everyone will get the pass to the Underground City."

Then, Mango was taken aback by Emberly's words.

A pass?

Underground City?

Could the secrets of this remote and desolate place be at the Underground City?

Mango was about to respond to Emberly when someone entered the hotel from outside. The moment Mango saw that person, she was so stunned that she turned her back to him subconsciously.

It was him!