Chapter 50

Stephen, a prominent patient, lay in the intensive care unit of the Lofbury hospital, his face pale and his body weak. The Hoffman family, significant shareholders in the hospital, were gathered at his bedside. Marlondo, the eldest son, knelt with his two siblings, silent and apprehensive. Their anxiety was palpable, though the ward's activities remained unseen by outsiders.

Despite being awake, Stephen remained irritable. Occasional glimpses through the ward window revealed his furious outbursts and Marlondo's trembling fear.

"Dad," Marlondo explained, his face etched with distress, "we didn't know he was the son of the Zabinski family! Kendrick from Acocester claimed he was a poor boy preying on the Labelle family. I assumed…"

"You are stupid!" Stephen sputtered, his hand too weak to raise for a slap. "The Zabel family is powerful in Acocester. Kendrick, their spokesperson, dared to antagonize the Zabinski heir—but we can't! Have you considered the consequences of offending the Zabinskis? You mustn't forget your origins, Marlondo. We owe everything to the Zabinski family! You've made me seem ungrateful!"

Emotion overwhelmed him, and he gasped for oxygen.

Marlondo, burdened by guilt, responded, "Dad, don't worry. At dawn, I'll go to Yrinas and apologize to Mr. Zabinski."

Stephen sighed; it seemed their only recourse.

The ward door swung open, revealing Stephen's butler with a phone. "Mr. Hoffman, a call from Yrinas. Mr. Camidge of the Zabinski family."

"Mr. Camidge!" Stephen's face changed. He struggled to sit up; a phone call from Carlos demanded more respect than a recumbent position afforded. Marlondo and his siblings knelt, silently praying for clemency.

As Stephen spoke on the phone, his initial smile gradually faded, replaced by fury and hyperventilation. A minute later, he said, "Mr. Camidge, don't worry. I'll explain."

After hanging up, Stephen's eyes blazed with an unfathomable rage. Marlondo had rarely, if ever, seen such intensity.

"Bastard! Bastard!" Stephen trembled, raising a shaking hand. "Get Charles here! Now!"

Marlondo immediately dialed the number.

Meanwhile, in Yrinas' Miclore Bar, Charles and Kendrick were enjoying drinks when Charles's phone rang.

"It's home!" He was ecstatic. "Kendrick, wait. I'll answer."

Minutes later, he returned, beaming. "Kendrick, you were right! My family needs me. Thank you!"

Kendrick shrugged indifferently. "We're friends. No need to thank me. Let's go. I'll visit Mr. Hoffman tomorrow."