Chapter 32
MW,
The FDA office was shut for the night, but one call from Byron was all it took.
Zack overheard Byron agree and raced down the stairs, launching himself into Byron’s arms.
“You’re the best, Dad!” he said, his voice full of sugary excitement.
Byron caught Zack’s twinkling eyes, a small grin forming.
His usually quiet kid was suddenly all lit up, even throwing out sweet, playful words.
Feeling a warm glow, Byron took Zack’s hand and led him to the car, driving straight to the FDA.
Marlon Crest, the FDA director, was already at the entrance. When he saw Byron get out of the car, he quickly brought him into his office.
“Mr. Blair, what’s up this late?” Marlon asked, raising an eyebrow.
Byron didn’t waste time. He tossed a medical patch on the desk, his voice cold and sharp. “Why isn’t this patch approved for the market?”
Marlon froze. He knew that patch. Actually, he’d issued the order to block it.
An actress he liked had asked him to stop it.
He never thought Byron would show up in person over something like this.
“Mr. Blair…” Marlon fumbled, searching for words. “This patch was made by someone who just came back from abroad. The drug’s okay, but we’ve got…
other issues.”
“Someone from abroad?” Byron interrupted, eyes narrowing. “Who?”
Marlon pulled up the file on his computer and pointed to the screen. “Her name’s Sylvia Sullivan.”
Byron’s expression darkened. He glanced at Zack, who stood quietly off to the side.
It all made sense now. Zack’s persistence had a reason.
It was all for her.
A mix of unease and bitterness stirred in Byron’s chest.
Zack’s little plan was obvious now. The boy’s eyes dropped, his fingers fidgeting nervously.
He knew Byron didn’t want him near Sylvia, but he’d still begged his dad to help her.
And now? He could only imagine how mad and disappointed his dad must be.
Sure enough, Byron’s anger flared.
He’d known Sylvia’s return would be about pulling Zack away.
It hadn’t even been long, and already Zack was taking her side, going all out for her cause.
Sylvia had given up Zack’s custody years ago. She should’ve stayed gone for good.
“We’re going home,” Byron said sharply.
He wasn’t about to help Sylvia’s patch.
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Chapter 32
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Furious, he headed for the door, only to turn and see Zack still standing there, head down, his small figure looking painfully lost
“What are you doing? Didn’t you hear me?” Byron’s voice was icy, barely holding back his anger.
Zack paused, then slowly followed, a heavy weight in his chest.
It wasn’t his dad’s scolding that stung. It was knowing he couldn’t help her.
If Sylvia’s patch didn’t hit the market, she would be crushed.
Zack had grown up spoiled, rarely thinking of others, but now all he could think about was Sylvia’s struggle.
He stopped, gathering his courage, and gently tugged at Byron, softly pulling at Byron’s sleeve in the hallway.
Byron turned, his voice sharp with anger. “Zack! Is she worth all this? Have you forgotten she left you for three whole years? She do’s not your mom anymore!”
Zack was usually obedient, but not this time.
After a long pause, he slowly looked up. In a quiet voice, he said, “Dad, that’s not true. We read a story in school called ‘Mom. It said no matter what, she’s still my mom.”
Tears filled his eyes, rolling down his young face, each one hitting the floor like a silent plea.
He’d been through a lot. Sure, Dad, Grandma, and Joanna all called her a bad person, but the bond between him and Sylvia? That was unbreakable.
Byron’s heart ached seeing his son’s pain. He knelt down, gently wiping the tears from Zack’s cheeks, then took his small hand firmly and marched back to the office.
“If Sylvia’s patch is legit,” Byron said, his face calm but firm, “I want it to get its approval number.”
Marlon froze behind his desk. Just minutes earlier, he’d been relieved when Byron left, thinking Sylvia’s medical patch was dead in the water.
That was the deal he’d struck with Joanna, after all.
But now Byron was back, his determination rock–solid.
Marlon hesitated for a moment, and Byron’s cold, commanding presence hit him like a wave, making it hard to breathe.
“Mr. Blair, no worries,” Marlon said quickly, forcing a smile. “I’ll get the patch’s ingredients checked right away. If it’s all good, it’ll hit the market ASAP.”
His heart pounded as he jumped up from his chair.
Byron gave a small nod, then took Zack and left the office.
He glanced down at Zack. The boy, who’d been so down before, now had a bright, happy glow on his face.
It was a good sign. His son wasn’t as closed–off or reserved anymore.
But a twinge of unease hit Byron. Zack’s change was because of Sylvia.
“Zack,” Byron said, his voice low and serious, “I listened to you and helped her. But I don’t want you to see her again.”
Zack looked up and nodded fast. “Got it, Dad.”/
The FDA worked quickly. By the next morning, Sylvia got a call, saying her medical patch was approved.
She hurried to the FDA office, where Marlon handed her the certification with a big smile.
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Chapter 321
“Miss Sullivan,” he said, “we’ve confirmed your patch is ready. It’s cleared for pharmacies and hospitals. I’m sure it’ll help a lot of people.”
Sylvia frowned slightly. She’d done her research and knew Marlon was the one who’d held up her approval.
‘So why the sudden change?‘ she wondered.
As she left his office and headed for the stairs, an FDA staffer named Luther rushed over and pulled her into his office.
“Miss Sullivan, curious why your patch got approved?” Luther asked straight–up, leaning against his desk.
Sylvia didn’t reply, just met his eyes with a calm, unreadable look.
Luther owed Sylvia big time, so he spilled what he’d heard.
“Last night,” he said, “Byron Blair and his son showed up. The boy’s persistence is what got our director to flip.”
Sylvia’s eyes flickered, a wave of emotion stirring inside, but she hid it fast.
“Thanks for the heads–up,” she said evenly.
Leaving the FDA building, Sylvia kept her face neutral. Sure, Zack had helped her, but that didn’t mean she was ready to forgive him.
Still, despite her firm stance, she didn’t notice the slight smile creeping onto her lips.
With the patch’s approval secured, it was time to focus on the sales market.
Sylvia was about to head to some local pharmacies to talk distribution when her phone buzzed.
It was Ruby’s preschool teacher. “Ms. Sullivan, can you come to the school? Ruby got into a fight with another kid.”
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