Henry's face mirrored the same expression of compassion. "Youth and ill health is always a sad thing. Is she a good friend of yours?"

Deul nodded. "When I first came to the hospital, she would always try to help the nurses understand me. She speaks Chinese and Korean so she is a great person. She's fine with her condition, but the only thing that bothers her is her younger brother's college fees. He's a master's student at the university. He's got a hard career because academic is hard. But Ellie was paying for his schooling with her racing money. But the money's run out with all the hospital bills. It's expensive. Her parents are gone so when she's not here any more the young man will have no one to rely on." Deul shook his head, "She reminds me of my own daughter who's studying in Beijing University. So young. Such a sad ending for a kind person. We shouldn't talk about these depressing things of someone else. We should count our own blessings."

Henry shook his head as he was about to say that Deul could talk about whatever he wished, but he stopped when something began to blossom in his mind. He was in the search of a wife and the dying young girl in the adjoining room wanted a scholarship for her brother. There would be no irritating children to deal with to haggle over the will, like Mrs. Whitehouse, after she died. In exchange for taking her innocence, he could give her brother a small pension that would give him enough security that he could pursue his career with ease. It was ideal in all aspects: he would garner control of his company and she would die with no regrets.

"Uncle Deul, you're a genius. I just got the most brilliant idea to kill two birds with one stone." In rapid succession, he explained the finer points of his father's will and summarized the plan to skirt his father's stipulations.

Deul's eyebrows went up, but he listened to Henry's ideas with no disdain. His questioning stare soon turned to measured nods of understanding. "What a strange last will old Conrad put up. But, I am not Miss Wong's father. Seeing that he is no longer with us either. You're going to have to ask her directly. She will most likely be excited to provide for Nolan for the rest of her life. I can make the introduction if she is not swamped with nurses?"

"That sounds great. I'd love to meet someone who has been helping you." Henry rose, delighted to have a solution to his pending problem. Deul got up slowly moaning and Henry helped him across the room to his to the walker that was placed against the wall. Deul lead Henry with a shaky hand on his arm to the room across the hall. The door was ajar as a pair of nurses bustled out laughing among them. They nodded at Deul and giggled at Henry before heading to the nurses' station.

Deul took a seat at the chair next to the bed and tapped a frail hand. Henry studied her anorexic appearance and couldn't believe that she was being cared for at all. Ellie Wong appeared to be in her early to mid twenties with a beautiful black waterfall of hair and almost glass like skin that was stuck to a pleasing face. She looked like a little fairy who had been struck down by accident.

Deul shook her again, "Ellie?"

Ellie's large eyelashes fluttered against her face as she tried to sit up. Deul reached forward and helped her to a sitting position as she ran her fingers through her silky hair to give it a semblance of order. Henry really wanted to touch it.

She rubbed her eyes as she glanced from Deul to Henry, "Uncle Deul? Why are you here so early? It's not yet time for our card game."

Deul gestured to Henry, "There's a handsome young man here I'd like for you to meet. He's very excited to talk to you."