The emergency medical ward, by the way, is in the Ming Kah-Ching wing. So Rachel will be treated like a VVIP from the moment she arrives,” Eddie boasted.
Like Rachel cares about that right now! Peik Lin thought. “As long as they treat her EFFECTIVELY, that’s all I care about.”
They drove in silence for a few minutes, and then Eddie asked, “So was that your GV, or did you charter the plane?”
“It’s my family’s,” Peik Lin answered. I bet he’s going to ask who my family is.
“Very nice. And if I might ask, what line of business is your family in?” She looks Hokkien, so I’d guess either banking or real estate.
“Construction and property development.” Now he’ll want to know which company. I’m going to make him work for it!
Eddie smiled at her cordially. Damn Singaporeans! If she was from Hong Kong or China, I would have known everything about her family the moment she stepped off the plane. “Commercial or residential?”
Okay, let’s put him out of his misery. “My family started the Near West Organization.”
Eddie’s face lit up. Ding ding ding! The Gohs are ranked number 178 on The Heron Wealth Report. “Oh, you guys built that new condo in Singapore with the sky garages, didn’t you?” he said nonchalantly.
“That was us.” Now he’s going to tell me what he does. Based on the outfit, I’m guessing either weatherman or hairdresser.
“I’m the managing director of Leichtenburg Group Asia.”
“Ah, yes.” Another banker. Yawn.
Eddie flashed Peik Lin his Cheshire cat grin. “Tell me, are you satisfied with your private wealth management team?”
“Very much so.” I don’t believe this fucker! Rachel’s being rushed to the hospital in critical condition and he’s trying to land a new client!
7:45 p.m.
Peik Lin and Eddie ran up to the reception counter at the emergency medical ward. “Yes, can you tell us where Rachel Young has been taken? She would have been admitted in the past hour. She came in by air ambulance.”
“Are you relatives of the patient?” the woman at the counter asked.
“Yes, we are.”
“Let me see…” The woman began typing into her computer terminal. “What is the name again?”
“Rachel Young. Or maybe she was admitted as Rachel Chu,” Peik Lin said.
The woman scanned her computer screen. “I’m not finding anything here. You should go to the main reception hall at—”
Eddie banged on the counter in frustration. “Stop wasting our time! Do you know who I am? I’m Edison Cheng! My father is Dr. Malcolm Cheng—he used to be head of cardiology! The cafeteria is named after him! I demand to know where they’ve taken Rachel Young right now or you will be out of a job by tomorrow!”
Just then, they heard someone call out behind them, “Hey, Eddie! Over here!” They turned to see Nick poke his head out from behind a pair of swinging double doors.
“Nick! How the hell did you get here before we did?” Peik Lin said in shock as she rushed to him.
“I called in a favor,” Nick said as he hugged her tightly.
“You know Captain Kirk or something? Beijing’s an hour farther from Hong Kong!”
“I managed to catch a military transport jet. We didn’t have to deal with any airspace delays, and I swear we were flying at Mach 3.”
“Let me guess…Uncle Alfred made a call?” Eddie asked.
Nick nodded. He ushered the two of them into the waiting room of the adult intensive care unit, which was lined with comfortable leather chairs. “I was able to see Rachel for a few minutes, and then they made me leave. They’re trying to restore her renal function right now. The doctor needs to ask you some questions, Peik Lin.”
Several minutes later, the doctor entered the waiting room.
“Everyone, this is Dr. Jacobson,” Nick said.
Eddie got up from his chair and extended his hand with a flourish. “Edison Cheng—I’m Malcolm Cheng’s son.”
“I’m sorry, am I supposed to know that name?” the raven-haired doctor asked.
Eddie looked at her in astonishment. The doctor grinned, “Just kidding. Of course I know your father.”
Eddie was never more relieved in his life.
“How is she?” Nick asked, trying to remain calm.
“Her vitals have been stabilized for the time being, and we’re running a range of tests. This is a very perplexing case. We’re still not able to pinpoint what led to such rapid multi-organ failure, but obviously there is something extremely toxic in her system.” Looking at Peik Lin, she asked, “Can you tell me everything your friend ate or drank in the last twenty-four hours?”