Chapter 35
Joanna’s face twitched with annoyance before she forced a smile, “Sylvia, I heard about your medical patch. How’s it doing?
“If it’s not selling, why not partner with the Moore family? You bring the formula, we’ll take care of production.”
She’d heard Byron’s mom used the patch and her chronic back pain was finally manageable, Joanna was dying to get her hands on it.
“Sure,” Sylvia replied, her smile cold and steady. “But I’ve got one condition. Agree to it, and the formula’s yours.”
Joanna’s eyes sparkled, barely hiding her eagerness. “What’s the condition, Sylvia?”
“I want ninety percent of your company’s shares.”
Joanna’s face dropped, her jaw tightening. “Sylvia, don’t act like your patch is some game–changer.
“We’ve already brought in Hugo, the hotshot from the Traditional Medicine Association. My family’s launching our own brand soon.”
Sylvia’s eyes narrowed. ‘Hugo? Hugo Quill? That fake expert who sells nonsense? Joanna’s betting on him?‘
She had no time for Joanna’s schemes. Even with Joanna blocking her patch, Sylvia was sure she’d find new buyers.
After a long day, Sylvia picked Ruby up from preschool, cooked dinner, and snuggled with her to watch cartoons before tucking her into bed.
Late that night, as they slept peacefully, Sylvia’s phone buzzed.
Half–asleep, she grabbed it and saw Zack’s name flash on the screen. The call dropped after one ring.
Sylvia frowned, setting the phone down. She thought it was probably a butt–dial.
Zack hardly ever called her unless it was about Joanna.
Ruby was sprawled next to her, arms and legs flung out, snoring softly.
Sylvia kissed her daughter’s soft cheek, her mood softening, and fell back asleep.
At the Blair family’s huge mansion, it was past midnight.
Byron, still in the study, had just finished signing a pile of papers. Even in comfy sweats, his sharp, commanding vibe was clear.
Since taking over the Blair Group, he’d been dominating Silverton City’s business world, his workload relentless.
Heading to his bedroom, he noticed Zack’s room still lit up.
Curious, he nudged the door open. Zack was hunched over his desk, phone in hand, making a call under the lamp’s glow.
“Zack, who’re you talking to this late?” he asked.
Zack jolted, scrambling to end the call. “Uh… nobody,” he stammered, his voice shaky.
He hid the phone behind his back, guilt all over his face.
Byron’s instincts kicked in. Something wasn’t right. His expression darkened as he stepped forward and grabbed the phone from Zack’s hands.
The screen showed three words: Bad Mom.
Byron fumed. ‘He’s sneaking calls to her? This kid’s in for it.‘
Chapter 35
“Zack!” Byron’s voice was sharp, barely holding back his frustration. “Didn’t I tell you no more contacting her?”
Zack flinched, almost dropping the phone. He glanced at Byron’s furious face and felt his stomach sink.
‘Oh no. Dad was pissed,‘ he thought to himself.
He knew he was done for.
Thinking fast, Zack’s eyes darted around. He then hung his head, pulling out his best sad puppy–dog face, staying quiet.
He was playing the pity card again.
Byron saw through it but couldn’t resist those big, teary eyes.
He sighed, frustrated. “Fine. Call her if you want.”
Every time, this kid got to him.
But maybe letting Zack face the truth would finally break his obsession.
“Thanks, Dad! You’re the best!” Zack’s face lit up, and he eagerly dialed the number again.
Sylvia’s phone buzzed again. Seeing Zack’s name, she paused. He had caused her too much hurt, but something made her answer.
“I’ve got a fever!” Zack blurted, sounding confident but his fingers shaking. “I need you to come check on me!”
“Fever? Tell your dad to take you to the hospital,” Sylvia replied, her voice cold.
“No, I want you to come! Right now!” Zack’s stubborn side kicked in, his voice getting louder.
But before he could say more, the line went dead.
Zack went quiet, biting his lip hard.
“Zack, you hear that? She doesn’t care about you!” said Byron.
Byron felt Zack’s forehead, realizing he was burning up. He threw a jacket over the boy’s shoulders, his voice firm. “We’re going to the hospital. We don’t need her.”
Picking Zack up, Byron headed downstairs.
Zack’s eyes filled with tears, his small shoulders shaking.
She’d really changed. Even when he was sick, she didn’t care.
Byron drove them himself, racing to the nearest community hospital.
Sylvia tossed her phone on the bed, her thoughts all over the place.
She tossed and turned, Zack’s voice stuck in her head. She tried to stay tough, but finally kicked off the blankets and got up.
She kissed the sleeping Ruby on the cheek, then called the babysitter and rushed downstairs.
Figuring Byron would take Zack to the closest hospital, she hopped in her car and drove there.
At the hospital, Byron arrived with Zack in the middle of the night.
Cedric, on duty, stepped in to check on the boy.
14:47 Fri, 13 Jun G MW
Chapter 35
“Does he need a drip?” Byron asked, worry etched on his face.
Cedric thought for a moment. “A fever shot for now. I’ll prescribe some meds. There’s a touch of pneumonia, but it’s mild. Meds should handle it.”
He left the room and went to his office.
Someone was already waiting there.
Cedric reported, “Zack’s got a fever of 101.3. The nurse gave him a shot to bring it down.”
Sylvia stood in Cedric’s office, her face full of worry.
Sylvia listened to Cedric’s update on Zack’s condition, then jotted down a prescription on a notepad and handed it over.
63%
“Have them brew this herbal remedy for him, she said. “He’s never liked herbal stuff, saying it’s too bitter. So you’ll need to convince him to drink it.”
She paused, then added, “And don’t tell anyone I was here for him.”
She wasn’t ready to forgive that ungrateful kid.
As Sylvia and Cedric talked, they didn’t notice a small figure hovering outside, big
ark eyes peeking through the door’s crack, taking it all in.
The next moment, a huge grin spread across his little face. He knew it–his mom still loved him!
It was Zack, who’d slipped out to use the bathroom and passed by, hearing the familiar voice.
voice.
Seeing Sylvia’s worry, he almost ran in, wanting to hug her and tell her how much he missed her.
But then he realized that he had to play it cool. No way he’d seem desperate.
She wasn’t fully ready to forgive him yet, but if he kept trying, he was sure she’d come around.
Cedric soon brought a steaming bowl of herbal medicine to the room.
Byron looked at the dark, murky liquid and frowned. “Zack’s never liked herbal remedies. Got anything else?”
Cedric, recalling Sylvia’s instructions, opened his mouth to convince Zack.
But before he could, Zack jumped off the bed, stood tall, and grabbed the bowl.
He downed it in one gulp, then smacked his lips loudly. “Dad, it’s not even that bitter!”
He knew this was from Sylvia. No way he’d let her think he was weak.
Byron stared, stunned.
Cedi
