Chapter 153 A Common
Cold
“Daddy…”
Felix’s whisper was soft and full of tenderness. He lay on the bed, a slight grimace of discomfort on his face, but his eyes lit up with sheer joy when he saw Ryder. Stretching out his little
rms, he beckoned for a hug.
Ryder’s heart twisted with a surge of sympathy as he lifted Felix gently into his arms. Turning to the nanny, who hovered anxiously by the doorway, he inquired softly, you notice Felix had a fever?”
When did
“Just last night,” the nanny answered, her voice tinged with worry. “I attempted to reach Ms. Carter several times but to no avail. I resorted to using cool compresses on Felix, and thankfully, his fever seems to be easing now.”
As Ryder pressed his forehead tenderly against Felix’s, the boy giggled, playfully nudging Ryder’s head with his own, turning their quiet moment into a gentle head–butting game that brought smiles to both their faces.
“Sir, would you like something to eat?” the nanny asked, her tone hopeful.
“No, thank you. I’ve already eaten,” Ryder replied, noting the new nanny’s curious glance. She seemed to be piecing together the family dynamics, perhaps wondering about the relationship between him and Renee.
“But, please prepare something. Renee will be back later,” Ryder added after a moment’s thought. “Cook something she likes. Maybe roasted ribs -she can’t get enough of them”
“Of course, sir,” the nanny responded, her smile brightening.
Since she took the job of taking care of little Felix, she had quickly learned that beneath Renee’s reserved exterior lay a generous heart. She recalled how, when her husband fell ill one time, Renee not only granted her time off to care for her husband but also gave her another hefty paycheck to help with the medical bills.
The nanny felt deeply appreciative of Renee’s kindness and treated Felix `with all the affection she would her own grandson, cementing a bond that
felt both professional and personally fulfilling.
The nanny now watched as a man treated Renee with such tenderness, and her heart swelled with genuine happiness for her charge.
That same afternoon, Felix’s condition worsened; his fever soared once
again.
With nerves creeping in, Ryder wasted no time calling a doctor.
“It’s merely a common cold. You’re overreacting,” the doctor declared, after a thorough examination of Felix.
Yet, Ryder’s brow stayed knitted with worry, his anxiety unabated even after the doctor’s reassurances.
“Are you certain you’re fully qualified in pediatrics? Could you recommend a pediatrician for a second opinion?” Ryder probed, his tone edged with
skepticism.
The doctor, a renowned surgeon known across the nation, was taken aback. Here he was, summoned urgently for a mere cold, only to have his expertise doubted?
The affront was palpable, and under any other circumstances, he might have stormed out in indignation.
But this was Ryder, a man no one dared cross lightly.
With a forced calm, he patiently reiterated, “It’s truly just a common cold, stemming from a viral infection. I’ve administered an IV drip, and his fever
31.9%
22.31
should decrease by tonight.”
“A viral infection?” Ryder echoed, the tension clear in his voice. “Isn’t that dangerous?”
The doctor responded with a strained smile, trying to alleviate the anxiety in the room. “It might sound dangerous, but actually…”
Before he could continue, Ryder interjected, his brow furrowed in concern,
“I noticed your technique with the syringe was less than steady. Are you certain you’re proficient with this?”
Caught off guard, the doctor hesitated, his expertise in question.
It had been over a year since he last administered an injection himself, given his specialization in complex surgeries. To him, such a task felt overly simple, almost misplaced.
Deciding on a different approach, he suggested, “How about this? I have a colleague who specializes in pediatrics. I’ll have her come over.”
“Thank you,” Ryder replied, his tone softening.
The doctor excused himself to make the call. Meanwhile, the nanny, climbing the stairs, caught snippets of his conversation.
“Please, just consider it a favor to me. I’m at a loss here,” he stated over the
phone, his voice laced with desperation.
The nanny’s heart sank as she entered the room to relay her concerns to Ryder. “Mr. Chadwick, I overheard the doctor. It seems he might be out of his depth with Felix’s condition. Perhaps we need to get Felix to a hospital, just to be safe.”
