"James got into a traffic accident on the way to the airport," Debbie said worriedly. "The doctors are operating on him right now, but he's not out of danger yet."Isaac's face fell right then. James was in trouble? And it had to be now?He could not return at the moment either."Got it. Which hospital is he in?""Aiken. It's a small hospital nearby, but he needed help urgently.""I see."Isaac hung up and quickly called Zachary.Zachary might have quit his job as a doctor, but he had built a network in his time as one. Isaac would also have peace of mind with him keeping an eye on things.…Zachary was shopping with Ember at a store for luxury goods—since he was supposed to appeal to her emotionally in order to find out what happened to Lulu, it meant spending time and effort to earn her favor.Ember was naturally basking in the sweet world he fabricated for her, thinking that all her hard work had paid off as she had finally won Zachary's love. "That looks really nice,"
Zachary quickly drove to Aiken Hospital with Ember and arrived to find Debbie waiting alone outside the operating room.However, Zachary had noticed that conditions there were exceedingly crude, and his brow was deeply creased even as he strode inside.Even Ember was asking, "Why would they send Mr. Cross here?""What are you doing here?" Debbie was actually surprised to see Zachary there.Zachary said, "Isaac called me.""I see." Debbie lowered her eyes.Ember's eyes were locked on her. "You seemed surprised." Debbie looked up then, but her usual businesslike expression had already returned—she appeared solemn, even a little lofty as if she stood above others. "I'm sure you have a misunderstanding here, missy."As Isaac's secretary, she certainly had the disposition to belittle others. After all, there are so many people who wanted just minutes of his time, but they all had to go through her first.Be that as it may, Ember grew up like a pampered princess and she was not a
[You don't have to know who I am. Just know that Ember Lindt suspects you, and you really shouldn't let her stay at large or there's going to be problems.]It was as if the sender had seen everything that happened with their own eyes… Perhaps they were right there!Debbie quickly looked around and quickly spotted a person dressed in a black trench coat and a baseball cap on the second floor walkway. Seemingly sensing her gaze, the person quickly turned to leave.Debbie gave chase, but they were already gone when she reached the second floor. However, she was not giving up just yet—she quickly looked around to find the person when her phone jingled again.[Don't try to look for me, or I'll tell Isaac Jefferson that you tried to kill James Cross.]Debbie panicked—who were they? How did they know about Isaac?She quickly sent a reply.[What do you want?][To help you.]Debbie scowled. [Do you take me for a fool? You were threatening me a moment ago.][You can ignore what I sa
Debbie held her head high without appearing guilty at all. "James and I go way back. We know each other so well, and everything I'm doing right now is for his sake.""If you're not lying," Ember said with a sneer.Debbie promptly wheeled on her and snapped, "What's your wife's problem, Zachary Slate? She doesn't even know me! Why would I try to hurt James? Even if we can't agree on this, what we want is ultimately the same—for James to be fine. Your wife, on the other end, keeps insinuating that I'd hurt James! So I'm asking you, why would I do that? What good would it do me?!"Since Debbie had worked under Isaac for a long time, she was close with Stan and James. On the surface, she had no reason to hurt James. As such, Zachary said, "Forgive her. She doesn't know that you're his friend."Meanwhile, the medical staff had wheeled James out of the operating room, and Zachary said, "Let's go."Debbie glanced at James on the stretcher and remained impassive despite her panic. "Yeah
Dr. Wagner and Zachary were close, and so the former easily agreed to the surgery on short notice.But things appeared ominous at the moment."Well, he's safe and breathing…"Debbie panicked right then and dropped her phone, its screen shattering with a loud crack!Ember glanced at her, but while she felt that Debbie was obviously acting suspicious, Zachary thought that Debbie was just thrilled. "Don't worry. James is safe now."Debbie kept her head down to hide her reaction. "I'm just so happy…"Dr. Wagner suddenly said, "May I finish?" "What's wrong? Didn't you say he's saved?" Zachary asked."He's breathing, but…" Dr. Wagner was looking Zachary in the eye, but soon sighed. "I've done my best."Zachary sensed something ominous. "What is it?""He's in a vegetative state…""What?" Zachary exclaimed in fear and disbelief. It was a terrible outcome—the only difference between a person in a vegetative state and a dead person was their breathing!"We did what we could," Dr.
Though Ember was as rotten as she was a schemer, she was genuinely in love with Zachary.Meanwhile, Debbie was watching them nearby, finding Ember an eyesore no matter how she looked.Still, she turned away and whipped out a phone to make a call.It was soon answered."Mr. Jefferson? James is…"…Isaac had just met the Raideens.In any situation, they would first consider profit and then the big picture, but neither gave them reasons to help Irene. In fact, she was the reason their profits were hurt—since they were Minervans, and they controlled the interest of Mead Clinic.Naturally, they told Isaac that they were already doing him a favor by not adding fuel to fire.Isaac, however, knew that they were just refusing because he did not sweeten the pot enough. He whipped out his phone, about to make a call, when Debbie's call came.He answered it, but Debbie was stuttering a lot."Just tell me already!" he snapped."James… is in a vegetative state. He's at the Central Ho
Ember had a look of utter contempt. "You keep insisting that you are close with Mr. Cross, but you're in such a hurry to leave him already? You hardly look like you're mourning, too—are you really a friend to Mr. Cross as you kept claiming?"Debbie narrowed her eyes at Ember for seconds, but ultimately kept quiet and strode off, bearing with her snide remarks.After all, she knew that arguing or explaining would never work with Ember—the best option was to silence her permanently! On the other hand, Ember appeared disgruntled, but Zachary put a hand on her arm before she could, and even spoke on Debbie's behalf. "Ember, everyone including Debbie is hurting after what happened to James. She can come off as cold, but that comes with working with Isaac—it's not as if she doesn't care, but she's just that good at hiding her feelings."Ember appeared a little jealous that Zachary knew Debbie so well. "You seem to know everything about her… But I still think that she's up to no good."
There were those who willfully made the wrong choices for short term profits.Irene certainly learned her lesson this time. "Do you know what's going to happen if you insist on being so stubborn?" Her interrogator glared at her. "You're pregnant. Shouldn't you think of your child, even if you don't care about yourself?"Irene's fingers clenched. "I told you—I admit to damaging the research effort, and I'll take my punishment accordingly."After all, the hospital could only fire her and demand compensation, but it seems that the Minervan government wanted to make her crime a bigger issue than it was. She knew all too well that if she confessed, they would use her to cause an international conflict.Her interrogators suddenly stopped to whisper to each other.Irene could not hear what they were saying, but it definitely was nothing good given the looks on their faces.And her hunch proved right soon enough.It seemed that they could not get what they wanted from Irene, and the
Soon after the wedding, Mr. Fowler proposed for Stan to work at his company to get used to the work over there.He was worried as he did not have much time left, and it would not do if he was gone before the proper arrangements were made.Still, Stan returned to Franconia with Isaac and his family, sorting out things at work and finishing every task he had on hand.While Isaac used to have a lot of free time with Stan around, he was just slightly busier after Stan left. After all, no company should operate in a way that losing a single person would stall all their operations.And after a week, Stan sorted out all the remaining tasks he had in Franconia and returned to Zidonia to start work at the Fowlers' family business.While Stan had property in Zidonia too, he moved into the Fowlers' mansion, but not as a live-in son-in-law. He was simply aware of Mr. Fowler's illness, and Rea wanted to spend more time with her parents.And as the son-in-law, he was obliged to do that much.
Despite feeling wistful, Mr. Fowler eventually passed Rea's hand to Stan. "I hope you will both cherish each other from now on."Rea told him, "We will."Thereafter, it was the usual proceedings of a wedding, with exchange of rings and vows, the wedding speech, and the luncheon!Though everything went smoothly, Mrs. Fowler could not help shedding tears.She was pleased that her daughter was finally getting married, especially since she was looking forward to this.But now that Rea really did marry, she was worried that her life might get difficult and unhappy.Such was the worrisome nature of mothers.-Later, Stan led Rea to Isaac's table.They were all acquainted, but Stan introduced everyone once again to reacquaint them with Rea.After all, she was no longer Zachary's friend's cousin now, but Stan's wife.Erin was grinning from ear to ear. "Congratulations.""Thank you." Rea smiled in return."Congrats," Baby said, imitating the adults.Rea reached out to stroke his c
Zachary said, "I heard you sealed the deal with Rea Fowler, and her family is preparing for your wedding."Stan smiled. "I'm the look of success—getting a girl couldn't be simpler. See? I'm getting married already.""Well, I guess we're all taken now," Erin said.Tommy poked his head up just then. "Congratulations, Uncle Stan.""Thank you." Stan chuckled, patting his head."Also, I heard that you're marrying into the Fowler family?" Zachary asked.Everyone turned to stare at Stan in shock, but it was understandable.Stan was not that modest that he would have to go that far—he had money and was successful enough to afford a wife.Still, Zachary—who knew the Fowlers—suggested, "To be fair, they do need someone to take care of the family business…"-Either way, it meant that Irene's family would be delaying their return trip to Franconia.After all, none of them had expected to attend Stan's wedding so soon after Zachary's.Stan himself did not expect that either, as he had
"What's the problem? We've already slept together," Rea said as she put her clothes on.She frowned as Stan was still on the bed and not moving. "What, are you going to stay in my bed forever?""What am I supposed to wear?" Stan shrugged. "You haven't brought my clothes here.""I'll get it for you."Rea remembered his suitcase then and hurried downstairs to bring it up."Wear whatever you like. I'll be waiting downstairs," she said and hurried away.Stan got out of bed and put on a suit—it was only right to dress formally when it came to discussing marriage.After cleaning up and heading downstairs, he found Rea sandwiched by her parents.Stan had no idea if she had already mentioned it, but both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were both staring at him, leaving him further tense.Clearing his throat, Stan began, "Excuse me, but—""Yes, we agree to you marrying our daughter.""You mean marrying into our family," Rea corrected them.Everyone else was staring at her before asking all at o
If Rea asked her parents now, they would only get sad, and life would become difficult for everyoneWhat should she do to make them happy?Right, she could get married! Her parents would definitely be pleased. As for the choice of bridegroom, did she not have one readily available here?If Stan could pretend to be her boyfriend, he could definitely be her husband too.They could fake their marriage if they had to!Putting the medical file back where she found it, she wobbled up to her feet and left the room.Stan had yet to step out of the bathroom when she returned, so she sat on the bed and waited.After a while, Stan stepped out with a towel around his waist and paused when he saw Rea sitting there. "Where are my clothes?" He asked, presuming that Rea had forgotten since there was nothing on the bed or the table. "My suitcase is still in your car trunk."Rea turned toward him. "Let's get married."Stan was left speechless for a moment and soon chuckled, "Did you forge
Mrs. Fowler smacked her daughter, but while Rea thought she was angry, she said instead, "Just do your best."Rea's mind was blown—were her parents bewitched? They were completely different from before! A long time ago, her parents had used to tell her that she did not have to marry as long as she was happy.But later on, they had persistently sent her on blind dates… and now, they were telling her to seduce a man?Touching her mother's forehead, Rea asked, "Are you sick?"Mrs. Fowler slapped her hand off. "Your dad and I are leaving now.""Yeah." Mr. Fowler nodded. "The chauffeur is waiting."Rea walked them to the door and watched as their car left before returning inside.She did not go upstairs since Stan was asleep, and she would be bored—she was the type who just could not sit still.However, it was inappropriate if she left since that would leave nobody home.In her boredom, she thought of pranking Stan. She headed upstairs to find him asleep, and soundly at that.Ca
Unable to argue against her parents, Rea said, "Fine, fine. Whatever you say."Mrs. Fowler smiled. "Then help Stan upstairs to get some rest.""Which room?" Rea asked.Mrs. Fowler realized with a start and quickly said, "Oh, there's no bedding in the guest room… So let him stay in your room."Rea was left staring at her in shock. "When did you get so open-minded? Letting a man stay in your daughter's room?"Mrs. Fowler shrugged. "What can he do when he's drunk?""Haven't you heard of drunken fumbles?" Rea asked.Both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler shook their heads at the same time. "Nope."Rea was left totally speechless—this was just outrageous!She would think that Stan was actually their son, if it was not for the fact that they were not acquainted before.They were not like this before either—even if they were urging her to get married, they were not throwing her at a man like this!Mr. Fowler then said, "If anything happens, we'll demand that he takes responsibility and marries y
"I get it," Stan replied quietly. "I wouldn't have been upset even if you didn't explain yourself. But since you did, I forgive you."Rea's brow creased as she pursed her lips. "See? I knew it. We really shouldn't be too nice to you."While Stan was speechless, Mrs. Fowler was enthusiastically putting food on Stan's plate. "This is our family's favorite dish. Try it."Stan nodded after a bite. "It's good."Mrs. Fowler smiled, while Mr. Fowler poured him a glass of wine. "Can you hold your liquor?"Stan smiled. "More or less.""You're being humble now." Mr. Fowler smiled at him. "You're definitely a good drinker.""A little."Rea had enough right then. "Dad, Stan has work to do, and he has to return to Franconia tomorrow. You're going to make things difficult for him."Mr. Fowler smiled awkwardly. "Right…" "You think?" Rea huffed, snatching his wine away. "Everyone only gets to have one glass."Mr. Fowler glared at Rea. "Party pooper."Rea shrugged. "I'm doing this for your
Rea turned her head aside. "Then what's your hobby?"Stan did a double take and remembered his life… which was work and more work.It had been years since he took leave, and he would not get to goof off the last few days if it had not been for Zachary's wedding.Hobby? He certainly did not have anything like that.Now that he thought about it, his life was boring and monotonous, and he did not have anyone very close.That was why he wanted a kind, understanding wife to care and offer him company while he took care of her needs.When he looked up at Rea, he clearly felt that she was not for him—he needed someone to take care of him, but with her, he would be busy taking care of her instead."You're looking at me weirdly," Rea suddenly said."How so?" Stan asked.Rea moved closer, looking him in the eyes and asking solemnly, "Don't tell me—you've fallen for me?""You don't just suffer from a flawed personality—you're narcissistic too."Stan pursed his lips and checked the tim