Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Zack’s fever went down fast after Sylvia’s medicine, but he still looked pale and tired.
Cedric, being cautious, insisted Zack stay in the hospital another day for monitoring
Sylvia had quietly asked him to keep tabs on Zack, and she’d stayed at the hospital all night, too anxious to leave.
With the Pharmaceutical Conference just days away, she and Cedric had plenty to talk about regarding their prep.
Early the next morning, Sylvia slipped over to Zack’s room, peeking through the door’s window.
She stopped cold because Joanna was inside.
Next to Joanna was a stocky man in his fifties, hair slicked back, dressed in a crisp gray suit, acting like he owned the room.
Sylvia knew him right away: Hugo Quill, the shady “Traditional Medicine Association chairman” with a bad rep.
And he’d be at the Pharmaceutical Conference, too.
“Byron, this is Hugo Quill, from the Traditional Medicine Association,” Joanna said, her voice smug. “I brought him to check on Zack since he’s been under the weather.”
She knew Zack was Byron’s world. Looking out for the kid was her way to win him over.
Byron had heard of Hugo and gave him a quick handshake. “Thanks for coming.“,
Hugo strutted to the bedside, smirking down at Zack. “Hey, kid, let me took a look. I’ll mix up some herbal medicine, and you’ll never get sick again.”
Zack started to hold out his hand but spotted Sylvia at the door. His heart raced.
‘Oh no–Mom was here!‘ he thought to himself.
He knew if she saw him taking some random medicine, she’d be pissed.
“Nope! I already took medicine, and my fever’s gone!” Zack pulled his hand back.
“Zack, this is the famous Hugo Quill,” Joanna said, trying to sweet talk him. “People line up for his
help!”
Zack pressed his lips together, not buying it. “Yeah, sure. If he’s so awesome, how come he screwed up that other kid’s cold so bad the kid almost ended up with brain damage?”
Hugo’s smirk vanished, his eyes going wide with shock.
‘How does this kid know?‘ he wondered.
Years ago, Hugo had botched a diagnosis, nearly ruining a child’s life. It took a ton of money to cover it up.
Zack grinned from his bed. “No thanks. I don’t want to end up like that kid–a total mess!”
He’d overheard Sylvia and Mr. Groove talking about it in the office. Sneaking around to catch a glimpse of his mom had paid off.
That poor kid only got better because Sylvia stepped in to fix Hugo’s screw–up.
Zack’s respect for Sylvia shot through the roof.
She was the best to him now. Her medicine zapped his fever fast. He wasn’t touching anyone else’s junk.
Chapter 36
Sylvia, still by the door, was shocked Zack knew all this. Then she figured he probably found it online–kids and their tech.
Byron’s face turned grim as he stepped toward Hugo. “Mr. Quill, is that true?”
Hugo’s eyes darted around nervously. “Mr. Blair, come on, kids make stuff up.”
Joanna jumped in, all smiles. “Byron, I don’t know where Zack got that, but Mr. Quill’s a pro. We should trust him.”
Zack wasn’t letting it slide. “Joanna, you calling me a liar? What if I’m right? You okay with me ending up a mess?”
Joanna’s face went pale, thrown off. “Zack, how could you say that? You used to say I was your favorite! You trusted me!”
Zack sat up on the bed, his small voice steady but still kid–like. “That was ages ago, Joanna. I was just a little kid. I don’t even remember that.”
Joanna stared, stunned at how much Zack had changed.
Sylvia watched from the doorway, her emotions all mixed up.
This stubborn kid was different now, but she wasn’t ready to forgive him just yet.
Still, a small smile slipped onto her face.
Byron’s expression turned dark. He pointed at the door. “Joanna, get your Mr. Quill out of here.”
Joanna gave Hugo an awkward look. “Mr. Quill, maybe you should head out?”
Hugo grumbled under his breath and stomped out of the room.
That’s when everyone noticed Sylvia standing at the door.
“Sylvia, you’re here?” Joanna’s eyes flashed as she moved toward the door, glancing at Byron. “Byron, guess Sylvia’s not as heartless as she acts. She’s been checking on Zack this whole time.”
Byron’s face darkened, his eyes narrowing.
Her words struck a chord, stirring his old fear: Sylvia was back to take Zack away.
“Joanna, my mom’s a doctor,” Zack chimed in, jumping off the bed/“It’s normal for her to be at the hospital. Maybe she’s here for some other kid!”
He started toward Sylvia without thinking, but his big eyes flickered, and he stopped short.
He knew Sylvia wasn’t ready to forgive him yet. He couldn’t risk ticking her off.
Sylvia kept her face neutral. “I’m here for other stuff. Just passing through.”
Her eyes lingered on Zack, her feelings getting murky. She couldn’t quite figure her son out anymore.
Him sticking up for her? That threw her off.
Byron saw Zack inching toward Sylvia, and it put him on edge. He stepped forward, putting himself between them. “If you’re not here for Zack, then you can go.”
Sylvia’s voice was cold. “Trust me, I wouldn’t be here if you paid me.”
With that, she turned and walked off.
Byron’s brow creased. Is Sylvia pretending, or does she really not care about Zack at all?‘
Zack, who’d been holding it together, felt a wave of panic as she left. Before he could stop himself, he ran after her.
Chapter 36
Sylvia frowned, noticing Zack trailing her. “Why’re you following me?”
Zack shoved his hands behind his back, tilting his head with a bold little smirk. “I’m not following you. Just felt like stretching my legs, that’s all.”
His small face flashed a cheeky grin, though he tried to act cool.
Sylvia gave a sharp huff and stepped into the elevator. Zack moved to follow without thinking.
“Zack! Get back here!” Byron’s angry voice echoed from behind.
As the elevator doors began to close, Sylvia shot Zack a chilly look. “Don’t follow me. Listen to your dad.”
“Okay!” Zack pouted, nodding quickly, then turned and sprinted back to Byron.
“Dad, I’m back! See how sweet I am?” Zack grinned up, giggling, his dark eyes twinkling.
Sylvia told him to do it, so he’d listen to her from now on. That’s how he’d win her back.
Byron saw the bright, familiar smile on Zack’s face again, and it warmed him, but a heavy feeling settled in, too.
Zack had changed so much lately, his personality shining through. But it all seemed connected to Sylvia.
AD
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