Chapter 257: Just a Dog, No Need to Mind Its Owner
The last time she’d felt this powerless…
Was when she was dealing with Marcus.
Gemma just couldn’t wrap her head around it–how could some people be so dense?
Seriously, how did they even make it this far in life?
“You some kind of idiot?” she scoffed. “I spelled it out for you, and you’re still playing dumb? If your brain’s that slow, maybe stop following a big, flashing light around like a lost puppy. It’s embarrassing.”
She rolled her eyes at Ashton, the full dramatic kind.
What a certified moron.
She was just being polite by not cussing him out.
Ashton’s face darkened instantly.
“A little rebellion once or twice, fine, the elders can let it slide,” he sneered. “But keep this up, and no one’s gonna think you’re charming–they’ll just see you for the rotten seed you are!
Gemma smirked.
“Rotten seed, huh? Last I checked, I’ve got Dolton blood in me just like the rest of you.”
So if she was rotten, what did that make the rest of the Doltons?
A whole family of degenerates?
Ashton, “…!”
Gemma clapped her hands.
A group of bodyguards immediately surrounded her, forming a protective circle.
“Get rid of them,” she ordered. “And next time, be more careful. Don’t let just any trash get dumped here.”
The bodyguards stepped forward, instantly blocking Ashton’s path, forcing him a couple of meters back.
Ashton was so furious his face looked like it could drip ink.
“You all better open your damn eyes and see who I am!”
The bodyguards didn’t even glance at him. One of them simply extended a hand–polite, but unmistakably telling him to get lost. Ashton clenched his jaw and motioned for his own men to step in.
Since Germa refused to play nice, he wouldn’t either.
“Take them down!” he barked.
The two sides clashed.
Meanwhile, inside the clinic, Gemma checked on the infant patient.
The baby was much more stable now, crying less and settling down.
Cassius had thought of everything. Aside from medical staff, there were also trained infant care specialists on site.
The child was getting the best possible care.
Every so often, the specialists updated the baby’s father and grandfather, keeping them informed.
Now that the baby’s condition was improving, Juelz was practically shaking with relief.
The moment he saw Gemma walk in, he shouted.
‘Ms. Kelestine, you’re a lifesaver! From now on, if you ever need anything–anything at all–the Chavez family will do it, no questions asked!” His gratitude was a bit… overwhelming.
Gemma almost felt awkward.
“You don’t have to say that,” she said, waving a band. “Saving lives is my job. But, Mr. Juelz, we’re not out of the woods yet.”
Juelz immediately sobered up, hanging on to her every word.
“The next step is a genetic reconstruction surgery,” she explained. “It’s a high–precision operation. I can’t guarantee success.” Juelz nodded firmly.
Just do what you need to do, Ms. Kelestine. No matter the outcome, we’ll accept it.”
A newborn being given a death sentence-
There wasn’t much worse than that.
Gemma exhaled. “Alright. Tomorrow, go to the hospital and sign the pre–surgery consent forms.”
Setting
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Chapter 257: Just a Dog, No Need to Mind Its Owner
Given the baby’s fragile condition, she hadn’t let the Chavez family take care of him directly.
Too many parents ignored medical advice–giving water when told not to, feeding porridge when it was forbidden.
She refused to let the very first case at the Integrated Medicine Department turn into a disaster because of parental negligence.
Juelz agreed immediately. “I’ll be there, don’t worry.”
After ending the video call, Gemma resumed checking the baby’s vitals.
Everything looked good. Now, they just needed to run a few pre–op tests.
Outside, the fight had already ended.
Cassius opened a window, and Gemma glanced out.
Ashton and his men were already getting into their cars, speeding off.
She hadn’t even seen how badly they’d been beaten.
But Brooke came rushing in, all too eager to give her the play–by–play.
“At first, they were acting all high and mighty, bragging about how their bodyguards were trained like mercenaries.”
“And then?” Gemma raised an eyebrow.
“And then,” Brooke grinned, “they got knocked out before they even landed a hit.”
“One guy went down foaming at the mouth from a single kick!”
“Mr. Cassius, I swear, for a second there, I thought they weren’t here to fight–they were just looking for an excuse to flop on the ground and pretend
to be victims.”
Gemma couldn’t help it–she burst out laughing.
“Brooke, did they leave because they were scared?”
Brooke chuckled.
“According to Mr. Dolton, they just didn’t want to stoop to our level. Said the people of N.L City don’t know how to treat guests properly.”
“He said he’ll be taking it up with Mr. Cassius.”
At that, Brooke turned to Cassius.
Mr. Cassius was right here.
So… where exactly was Ashton planning to “take it up” with him?
Clearly, the guy just couldn’t admit he’d been humiliated.
Cassius glanced at Gemma, watching her laugh.
“These men will go with you to the hospital. Make sure nothing interferes with the surgery.”
This wasn’t just a difficult procedure.
There were too many eyes on this operation.
One mistake could be fatal.
Gemma took a deep breath.
She already knew how tough this would be.
Not just the technical difficulty–but the human complications that came with it.
“Got it,” she said, accepting it without hesitation.
It wasn’t until later that she realized… She hadn’t argued with Cassius at all.
Before, she would’ve felt awkward, maybe even resisted a little-
But now…
Maybe she’d just grown thicker skin.
She touched her face,–
Yeah. Being reserved didn’t get you anywhere. Thick–skinned people got to enjoy life first.
Meanwhile, Ashton stormed back to the Dolton estate,
Jonathan looked up, surprised.
I thought you said you’d be staying to look after Kaiya. Why are you back?”
Ashton dropped onto the couch, seething.
He was furious but had nowhere to vent.
His parents didn’t even know about the whole situation with that woman.
10:17
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Chapter 257: Just a Dog, No Need to Mind Its Owner
The Doltons cared about their reputation. If they found out he’d forced a woman, they might actually kill him.
To keep the peace, he hadn’t held a wedding, ofty gotten a legal certificate.”
That sick child… was supposed to be the future heir of the Doltons.
His long–awaited, legitimate son. The other Dolton men weren’t married yet, which meant his child was the only direct heir.
Everything–the entire Dolton legacy–should have belonged to his daughter.
But now… the kid might not make it. That blow had nearly crushed him.
And just when he was at his lowest, he’d found out–Gemma could save him.
“Something happened, didn’t it?”
Madeline, ever perceptive, studied her son’s face.
“Earlier, I heard you moved all our bodyguards in N.L City. Why?”
Jonathan’s expression darkened.
“What? Those men are here to protect us. Did you even consider your mother’s and my safety before sending them away?”
Madeline waved him off. “Calm down.”
She turned back to Ashton. “I don’t know what you were trying to do, but judging by your face… it didn’t work.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Now tell me who dared to humiliate our family?”
10:17
