Rocco rushed up to Helen and grabbed her by the collar. "What did you feed my father?!""T-The Ichor Pill!" Helen cried in confusion."Shut up!" Rocco bellowed in rage. "Then how do you explain what happened to my dad?"Helen was left biting her lip—she had no idea what had happened either!Just then, Gina went up and said, "Please, Mr. McCoy. There may be a misunderstanding here. It probably isn't the pill!"Luckily for them, Rocco was still somewhat rational."If anything happens to my dad," he growled coolly, "neither of you are leaving this place alive."With that, he had the family bodyguards keep them locked in a guest room, while the servants promptly called for Dan Zimmer from Flora Hall.Helen was left pacing around in the room, while Gina sat on the bed, clutching her head as she grumbled, "Oh, it's game over… this is really bad. Shouldn't the Ichor Pill have helped Lyndon McCoy? Could it really have been the issue here?"Pausing for a moment, Gina then urged Helen,
Henry said, "Me? I'm feeling just fine. What is it?"Helen breathed a sigh of relief—the Ichor Pill was clearly not the issue. "No, I was just asking.""And why would you suddenly ask?" Henry was curious—they had just seen each other hours ago.Such concern was out of place, even from Helen.The way she put it made it seem as if they had been apart for months!"I gave Lyndon McCoy the other Ichor Pill," Helen admitted. "His condition worsened after that… I don't know if it's the pills, or if Lyndon's condition is just too critical."Henry smacked his lap at her words. "It's definitely the pills."Helen was confused. "B-But you took it yourself.""Pfft." Henry snorted in disdain. "That's bullshit. Frank's the one who saved me, not that what's-his-name. Where are you now?""The McCoys locked us up," Helen admitted. "They probably won't free us if Lyndon doesn't recover.""Oh, you…" Henry sighed in disappointment. "Just try not to upset them further. I'll try to get you out."W
Rocco bellowed right then, "Guards! Get him!"At his voice, the McCoys' bodyguards promptly surrounded Frank.He looked at them in turn, frowning, "What is this?"Rocco brandished the wooden case at him and snapped, "Your wife hurt my dad once, and now you're going to finish her job? I'll have you beaten to a pulp right now!" Frank sighed exasperatedly. "The pill inside can save your father.""Shut up!" Rocco barked. "Get him!"At Rocco's orders, the bodyguards whipped out their weapons, ready to hurt Frank, when a car bounded into the compound toward them, sending the bodyguards scampering for cover before the door opened.Dan alighted, and promptly shouted, "Hold it, Rocco!"He had rushed here right after receiving the McCoys' call, stunned to find that fake Ichor Pills were already in the market in just a few days.He certainly had to stop Rocco when he arrived and saw that the latter was ready to hurt Frank—if Rocco really went through with it, Lyndon would be a dead man
Forget dissing Rocco—Dan could slap Rocco in the face, and Rocco would never retaliate!Frank shook his head. "No, I understand how the boy felt. There's no reason for me to blame him."If anything, Helen was to blame for bringing Lyndon the fake Ichor Pill, which led to Rocco believing Frank was bringing him another dud when he brought a real one. Naturally, that was no reason to hold a grudge against Rocco.Dan then walked up to Frank, appearing utterly respectful. "Your understanding certainly sets you apart from the rest… also, should you find the time, why don't you visit my Flora Hall? We can exchange our knowledge when it comes to medicine."Frank smiled in turn. "Don't worry, Mr. Zimmer. I'll actually require your assistance, since I'll need plenty of medicinal ingredients soon enough. I'll be imposing plenty."Dan was beaming at Frank's words—imposing suited him just fine. If anything, he was more worried that Frank would not visit.Decent relationships went both ways,
As Rocco escorted Helen and Gina out of the front door, Helen was about to get into her car when she spotted a familiar figure.It was Dan Zimmer, the owner of Riverton's Flora Hall.The last time they were at Verdant Hotel, Sean pointed out Dan to Helen when Dan was following Gerald.Running up to Dan, she called out, "Mr. Zimmer?"Gina hurried after her, while Dan turned when he heard her name called.Looking at Helen in surprise, he asked in curiosity, "And you are…?"Helen flashed a businesslike smile. "My name is Helen Lane. Pleased to make your acquaintance.""Oh!" Dan exclaimed in realization. "So you are Ms. Lane. Apologies."Helen was actually surprised that he would be that respectful. "Do you know me, Mr. Zimmer?"Nope." Dan shook his head. "But everyone has heard your name. Securing a partnership with the Turnbulls despite your youth? Your future is immeasurably bright!"Helen blushed a little. "You flatter me, Mr. Zimmer. By the way, was Mr. Wesley the one who se
Sean called Helen just then. "Are you alright, Helen? Don't worry—I've sent my people to deal with the issue. I'll destroy Rocco McCoy if he so much as lays a finger on you."In reality, he sent nobody. After all, he had no idea how to clean up the mess—there was just no way for him to keep deceiving Helen that the Ichor Pills were fake while having Rocco release her as well."Don't worry, Mr. Wesley—my mom and I were released," Helen said quietly, her eyes then narrowing as she asked, "By the way, who did you send?"Sean was caught dumbfounded, stammering endlessly but unable to say even a name.That made Helen more confident that Frank had sent Dan—why else would Sean hesitate?However, Gina shouted just then, "Mr. Wesley, was it Dan Zimmer?"Sean heard her and promptly said, "Yes, yes, of course. I sent Mr. Zimmer.""Mom, what are you doing?!" Helen was furious."What are you doing?" Gina shot back. "I told you—Mr. Wesley definitely sent Mr. Zimmer.""Oh, it's no big deal a
Yara was already familiar with Frank and promptly greeted him. "Mr. Lawrence."On the other hand, Cliff did not like Frank, let alone consider him capable of protecting Vicky.Cliff snorted coolly and ignored Frank.Frank rolled his eyes. "You really know how to put a guy in an awkward spot."Vicky giggled. "Not really—you three are all here to keep me safe, so I naturally have to bring you all along."Frank got in the backseat with Cliff, though there was a clear distance between them.At the same time, Vicky floored the gas pedal, and they headed straight to a dilapidated factory in the outskirts of West City.It was a desolate place, with decrepit motor vehicles sitting strewn around the compound.As for the four of them alighted and strode right into the factory, they found a gang of people inside.Their leader, a rather young man, approached them. "Hold it. What are you doing here? Who let you in here?""I'm Vicky Turnbull," Vicky told him. "Tell your boss to come see me
Vicky narrowed her eyes curiously. "The Salazar Triplets?"Jackie nodded. "Good eye, Ms. Turnbull—they are indeed the Salazar Triplets of Sunny City."Vicky snorted in disdain. "And you're in cahoots with them. That explains how you've grown a pair."Sunny City was right next to Riverton, and the Salazars were top dogs there. That meant they were influential, but it was still surprising to learn that they had expanded here to Riverton.And after Jackie became a part of their family, Sergio Salazar sent the triplets over to assist him. They were all killers, and while they were actually there to keep an eye on Jackie, Jackie was actually eager to test the depth of their abilities.Lighting himself a cigarette, Jackie said, "Care to make a bet, Ms. Turnbull?"Vicky put his hands on her hips and snorted in contempt. "Do I look spooked? Who's up first?"Uno Salazar promptly moved forward, just as Jackie demanded, "What if you lose, Ms. Turnbull?"Vicky smiled. "What would you like?