Chapter 401 Stirring Up Trouble
Angela, after thinking things through, asserted, “I’ll handle any further contact from Joseph.”
The mere thought of reaching out to Joseph turned Angela’s stomach.
Jonathan, not one to argue, chimed in, “Mind if I tag along when you meet him?”
His request took her by surprise, and while she was hesitating, he acknowledged, “I’m concerned he might bully you.”
A faint blush colored Angela’s checks and cars as she subtly nodded.
As the night wore on, Joseph returned to the hospital and found Christopher in Zacharias‘ room. Furrowing his brow, he realized that Christopher couldn’t facilitate contact with Jonathan although he was Jonathan’s younger brother.
“Joseph, back already?” Christopher spoke softly, careful not to disturb Zacharias.
He had come here after being bullied by Jane and was exhausted. However, he hid his exhaustion well.
Joseph didn’t reply, merely gesturing for Christopher to follow him outside. Despite his apprehension, Christopher complied..
They walked in silence until Joseph finally stopped and turned to face Christopher’s hesitant expression.
A sense of foreboding washed over Joseph as he avoided broaching Christopher’s involvement with another woman. Instead, he inquired, “What’s on your mind?”
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Chapter 401 Surring Up Trouble
Summoning his courage, Christopher revealed, “The compatibility test for Fanny and Zacharias has begun. In a few days, the results will be out.”
Joseph felt like he’d been sucker–punched, and his anger took over him. “What? Who authorized this?”
Though expecting Joseph to blow his top, Christopher was taken aback by its intensity. Stepping back, he explained, “Zacharias himself, with Mrs. Kins‘ approval.”
As Christopher didn’t want Joseph to be mad at Fanny, he decided not to reveal her involvement for now. Moreover, they hadn’t told her about this
test.
Fanny’s health was fragile, and her kidneys were failing. Nobody could guarantee that she wouldn’t reject the transplant.
So, they never planned to tell her the truth from the beginning. Even if they were a match and Fanny went through with the transplant, they would never tell her that the donor was Zacharias.
Joseph’s face was threateningly dark. When Zacharias brought up the transplant to him, he had a hunch that Zacharias didn’t have the will to live, but he wasn’t expecting him to do a compatibility test.
Thankfully, the results remained undisclosed, softening Joseph’s expression slightly.
Seeing Joseph’s demeanor ease, Christopher pressed on, “Zacharias assumed you wouldn’t take it well, hence excluding you from the process.”
However, he struck a nerve with Joseph, who glared at him. “Don’t let Fanny know about this. Also, I’ll keep an eye on the test. So, please stay out of it, Mr. Sanders.”
Initially, he was satisfied with Christopher, but after replaceing out about his
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involvement with other women besides Fanny, he could no longer hide his disdain for Christopher.
Unnerved by Joseph’s glare, Christopher wanted to say something when Joseph said, “If you don’t want Fanny to know what you did today, stay out of our family’s affairs.”
Shocked, Christopher wondered if Joseph knew about Jane or if he was bluffing.
Seeing the doubt in his eyes, Joseph mentioned Jane’s name. That was a message intended for Fanny, but he redirected it to Christopher and would achieve the same effect.
“Joseph-” Christopher was so nervous at the mention of Jane’s name that he called out Joseph out of reflex.
However, Joseph barked, “Don’t call me in such an intimate manner.”
“I have feelings solely for Fanny. Everything else is just a pretense,” Christopher hastily clarified, eager to sever ties with Jane if she didn’t have a hold over him.
Unmoved by Christopher’s explanation, Joseph dismissed him. urging him to steer clear of the hospital and Fanny.
He then made his way to Gregory’s office, unsure if he’d replace him still there because it was late.
A resident doctor emerged from the office, prompting Joseph to check on Zacharias.
To his surprise, Zacharias was awake.
“Hey, Joseph,” Zacharias greeted, noticeably more alert than before.
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Concerned by Zacharias‘ dehydrated condition, Joseph assisted him to drink some water. Zacharias‘ current state was much worse compared to after Angela’s treatment.
“Did you
look for Angela out again?” Zacharias‘ query pierced the air. In his daze after the last ER episode, he had vaguely heard some conversation.
Joseph’s silence spoke volumes. The last time, Zacharias had advised him against looking for Angele, and he had agreed on a whim because Zacharias seemed to be doing better.
But now, when Zacharias looked as though he had one foot in the coffin, he couldn’t stop himself from looking for Angela’s help. After all, she was Zacharias‘ only hope now.
Zacharias coughed a few times. “Even if you replace her, she won’t come. I said unforgivable things to her.”
“Why?” asked Joseph.
“I’ll let you know once the test results are out,” Zacharias answered after a short pause.
Joseph’s frustration boiled over, especially at the mention of the test. “You’ll risk your life donating a kidney!”
Zacharias‘ silence affirmed his awareness of the risks. “Fanny’s donor hasn’t surfaced, and I might perish regardless.” After all, he was the one who provoked Angela before this.
From Zacharias‘ face, Joseph reckoned that he was missing something, but Zacharias spoke before he could ask more. “Go back, Joseph. I need to
rest.
Acknowledging Zacharias‘ fatigue, Joseph bid him goodnight before
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leaving the ward.
As Joseph departed, Zacharias wrestled with sleeplessness, his body aching from illness and anxiety.
The following day, Angela received unexpected news: Joseph had been abducted by the casino’s associates.
Yarrison, who had been keeping watch on Joseph, relayed the unsettling development to Angela and Jonathan.
The revelation left Angela and Jonathan bewildered, Joseph didn’t strike them as the gambling type. Yarrison clarified that the trouble stemmed from George.
George, indebted from gambling losses, sought Joseph’s aid after suffering a beating.
When the casino’s enforcers located Joseph, they wasted no time in dragging him to a dingy basement, where George was held.
“Joseph, you made it!” George’s slurred words greeted him, leaning heavily
on a nearby wall, “I need help clearing some debts.”
Joseph’s concern grew as he eyed a shadowy figure, maintaining his composure. “How much does he owe?”
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