Emma Brooks was still dressed in that same elegant and refined outfit, with an extra light yellow trench coat draped over her shoulders, slightly concealing her alluring curves.

 “Thank you for taking care of me these past few days, little... Little Brooks...” Ethan Taylor struggled to get out the words Little Brooks, feeling inexplicably awkward inside. Emma Brooks, however, just smiled without saying anything, picked up her large black leather bag, and said with a laugh, “Mr. Taylor, you’re all alone in a strange place, unfamiliar with everything. What I did was just my duty—there’s nothing to thank me for.”

 Ethan Taylor knew that not only did the people at the grassroots level, but even those at the county and city committees, had no idea he was from the The Taylor Family. Emma Brooks’s care for him was purely out of concern, with no ulterior motive. Besides, he was currently down on his luck—others would be eager to distance themselves from him, let alone try to curry favor. Ethan Taylor couldn’t help but think even more highly of his godmother’s character. At this time, she had only just met his adoptive father, so it was impossible she had any feelings for him; her care must have come from a girl’s attentiveness and sympathy.

 Sure enough, when he was discharged, the director of the health clinic didn’t even show his face. After leaving the clinic, Ethan Taylor took a deep breath of fresh air and looked back at the plastic red characters on the hospital’s glass door: “Save the dying and heal the wounded, serve the people.” It truly felt like a lifetime ago—he couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen such a slogan with socialist characteristics.

 The town health clinic was at the westernmost edge of Brooksville Town. Brooksville Town had several hundred households, and the asphalt road leading to the county seat ran through the entire town. The town’s buildings were scattered artfully around the road; the residences were all single-story houses, with only a few government offices like the industrial and commercial bureau and the police station housed in two-story buildings.

 Just as they stepped onto the asphalt road, a hurried shout came from behind. Ethan Taylor and Emma Brooks turned around to see a young girl in a white nurse’s uniform rushing out, pushing open the glass door as she ran, calling out, “Mr. Taylor, Mr. Taylor, wait a moment!”

 The girl ran up to them, caught her breath, and finally said, “Mr. Taylor, your hospital bill hasn’t been settled yet.”

 Ethan Taylor frowned slightly. In 1991, medical care hadn’t yet undergone enterprise-style reform, especially in small towns like this. The medical expenses of town leaders were always recorded and settled together at the end of the fiscal year—very few people actually paid cash for treatment. Now, being asked to settle the bill clearly meant they thought he probably wouldn’t escape being dismissed from his post.

 “Hey, Little Clark, do you know what you’re saying?” Emma Brooks put on a stern face.

 “Ms. Brooks, Mr. Taylor’s medical expenses weren’t signed off by Mr. Harris, and the director didn’t give any instructions either. Please, don’t make things difficult for me, okay?” The young nurse’s face flushed red with anxiety, tears welling up in her eyes. After all, she was just a nurse and didn’t understand the subtle office politics—she only knew that if the bill wasn’t collected, she might be criticized or even have to pay out of her own pocket.

 Ethan Taylor smiled. “Forget it, don’t make things hard for her.” As he spoke, he took out his wallet to pay, but Emma Brooks glared, her almond-shaped eyes wide, and said loudly, “Little Clark, is a few hundred yuan really going to ruin you? Was it worth chasing after us like this? I was the one taking care of Mr. Taylor these days, and I handled all the medication. If you were going to charge, why didn’t you come to me? Why are you running out here to collect from Mr. Taylor now?” Emma Brooks’s tone was harsh, making the young nurse’s eyes redden as tears streamed down her face. She wiped her tears, choking back her grievances.

 “Little Brooks, what are you doing?” Ethan Taylor quickly pulled a few hundred-yuan bills from his wallet and handed them to the nurse, smiling. “Don’t listen to her. Take the money, but remember, you must bring me the receipt. A few hundred yuan is nothing to your Emma Brooks sister, but it’s a big deal to me.”

 The nurse was amused, glanced fearfully at Emma Brooks, and said, “Thank you, Mr. Taylor,” before running off.

 Watching her leave, Ethan Taylor shook his head with a smile. When he turned back, he saw Emma Brooks still pouting angrily, which made him want to laugh for no reason. His godmother had always struck him as poised and unflappable, with the air of a matriarch from an old noble family. He never would have imagined that, a decade ago, she was such a headstrong girl—the contrast was striking. This odd discovery eased much of the gloom from being forced out of office.

 “Little Brooks, what’s the point of sulking at her?” Ethan Taylor shook his head with a smile. This time, calling her Little Brooks felt much more natural, because he suddenly realized that, compared to himself, his godmother really was just a young girl.

 Emma Brooks pouted. “Whatever, they’re all a bunch of snobs.” She angrily kicked a small stone by the roadside with her delicate black shoes, sending it flying.

 Ethan Taylor said, “Come on, are you here to pick me up from the hospital or to fight my battles for me?”

 Only then did Emma Brooks remember her duty. She stuck out her tongue and said, “Of course I’m here to pick you up, Mr. Taylor. Don’t worry, the truth will come out eventually.”

 Ethan Taylor said nothing. The truth will come out? In his world, the The William Thompson Case was a case set in stone—a lifetime of “forced confessions and wrongful death” pinned on his adoptive father. Thinking of the The William Thompson Case, Ethan Taylor’s mood grew heavy again.

 “Mr. Taylor, let’s go home.” Emma Brooks picked up her bag and walked ahead. After a few steps, she realized Ethan Taylor hadn’t moved, and turned back in confusion. “Mr. Taylor, what’s wrong?”