So naturally, I can guess that bastard is definitely still alive. I just don’t know whether he—or they—are less injured than I am, or more! Of course, if that bastard dared to drive on the highway without wearing a seatbelt, that’s another story. That would be a death well deserved.”

After hearing James Bolton’s words, Frank Shelton smiled and said:

“Boss is boss—whenever it’s not about ‘serious business,’ your brain works so well. No wonder you’re the leader of the brothers…”

“Knock knock…”

Before Frank Shelton could finish his half-praise, half-mocking words, and before James Bolton could fly into a rage and start cursing, the door to the hospital room was knocked on.

As James Bolton and Frank Shelton simultaneously called out, “Come in,” the door was pushed open from the outside. In came three people—one man and two women. Judging by their ages, they seemed to be a family of three.

The one who entered first was probably the man of the house, a middle-aged man in his forties wearing black-rimmed glasses.

Seeing the newcomers walk straight in and come right up to his bed, James Bolton was a bit taken aback. Frowning in confusion, he asked:

“Excuse me, who are you? Are you looking for me? Is there something you need?”

Looking at these completely unfamiliar faces, James Bolton was certain he didn’t know any of them.

The middle-aged man gracefully adjusted his glasses, extended his hand for a handshake, and spoke in a magnetic baritone that could charm a group of young girls:

“Hello, Mr. James Bolton. Let me introduce myself. My name is Ethan Lane, and I’m Linda Lane’s father.”

James Bolton absentmindedly reached out his right hand to shake hands with Mr. Lane, his mind spinning.

“Ethan Lane? Linda Lane?”

With a look of recollection, James Bolton repeated the two unfamiliar names to himself twice before finally showing a look of sudden realization. Just as Frank Shelton and the Ethan Lane family thought James Bolton had remembered who they were, his next words nearly made everyone fall over.

“Don’t know you. Absolutely no impression!”

James Bolton shook his head decisively, his tone certain, and his expression… begging for a beating.

Even Frank Shelton, who was used to being the underling, couldn’t help but roll his eyes at this.

“What’s the point of putting on that look of sudden realization if you don’t know them? Damn, looks like that car crash wasn’t hard enough—didn’t even fix your crazy ways!”

Of course, Frank Shelton only muttered this to himself. Not just because there were outsiders present, but also because he knew very well that the boss was petty and his revenge was endless. Pissing off the boss was even more dangerous than poking a tiger’s butt.

Ethan Lane awkwardly adjusted his glasses again and was just about to explain when, from behind him, the girl who had been hiding since they entered suddenly jumped out and said sharply:

“I’m Linda Lane, and I’m the ‘bastard’ you called ‘deserved to die’ when you were talking to this guy earlier!”

The girl’s slender index finger pointed straight at Frank Shelton, who had stood up by James Bolton’s bed.

This girl, Linda Lane, looked about seventeen or eighteen. With two layers of gauze wrapped around her head, an arm in a cast hanging from her neck, and a fierce glare at James Bolton, this lively young lady had a bit of a wounded, tough-girl vibe.

Seeing Linda Lane puffing her cheeks in anger, James Bolton couldn’t help but grin. “So you’re the one who crashed into my car? Are you even old enough to have a driver’s license? Don’t tell me you’re driving without a license?”

James Bolton fired off a string of questions, as if accusing the person who hurt him, but the lazy, mischievous smile on his face made it seem a bit like he was teasing her.

James Bolton’s reaction made Ethan Lane quietly breathe a sigh of relief. Skilled at dealing with people, he could tell that this ‘victim’ James Bolton wasn’t planning to make a big fuss, so he didn’t stop his daughter from bickering with James Bolton. Instead, he watched with a reserved, cultured smile.

Standing next to Ethan Lane was a middle-aged woman, presumably Linda Lane’s mother. She was clearly sharp as well, and saw through James Bolton’s intentions. Since her daughter was at fault in the first place, she just smiled lightly and didn’t say a word, leaving Linda Lane to handle things herself.

Although her parents acted all Zen and unbothered, Linda Lane was different. Spoiled since childhood and from a well-off family, this little princess had always played the ‘moon’ surrounded by ‘stars’—used to being pampered and indulged by everyone. So even though she was the one at fault in the accident, she didn’t feel the least bit guilty.

Now, after being called a ‘bastard’ behind her back by James Bolton and then treated like a minor to her face, Linda Lane’s blood boiled and she exploded.

First, she snatched her mother’s handbag, rummaged through it, pulled out a palm-sized little booklet, and threw it hard onto James Bolton’s body, shouting:

“Open your eyes and take a good look—isn’t this my driver’s license?”

Despite Linda Lane’s aggressive display, James Bolton just kept smiling, picked up the license that had been thrown at him, flipped through it theatrically, and turned to Frank Shelton standing by his side, saying: