Chapter 217: Faking an Illness for a Blood Sample? If Anyone’s Failing, It’s You.
Vincent’s expression cracked.
“He won’t even see me?”
He knew he messed up.
Badly. Ridiculously badly.
But he wanted to fix it.
If only he had the chance.
This time, though, Cassius truly didn’t care anymore.
“1”
“Please don’t misunderstand, Mr. Cassius has never been angry with you. He’s always cared about you, his grandfather.”
The butler’s explanation only made things worse. Vincent’s eyes welled up.
“Oh, he cares about me, alright.”
Memories flooded his mind.
Everyone knew Cassius was ruthless, decisive, and hot–tempered.
But no matter what Vincent said or did, Cassius never truly retaliated.
“Mr. Harrington.”
Gemma had been watching from a distance.
But seeing the old man on the verge of tears, she couldn’t just stand by. She walked over.
Stella froze when she saw her.
“You–you–you…”
How was she living in the manor?!
This place had been a women–free zone before!
Gemma didn’t explain.
“Mr. Harrington, Evangeline has been in Pine Garden for years. It’s time to lay her to rest.”
Blunt. Direct. No room for evasion.
Even if Vincent wanted to pretend he didn’t understand, he couldn’t.
Alright. I get what you mean. I’ll handle it.”
Gemma smiled.
“You really do see the bigger picture.”
Cassius had a terrible reputation.
Now, with all these scandals surfacing, his image needed repairing.
Giving his mother a proper burial was a good start.
A devoted son.
His past brutality? Just a means of self–preservation.
This would flip the narrative completely.
Vincent understood the stakes.
“These gifts… they’re for him. Over the years, I never gave him anything. Please, could you pass them along?”
Gemma shook her head.
“He’s not a kid anymore. These gifts won’t make up for the past–just add to his burdens.”
Vincent’s back hunched slightly.
He’d braced himself for rejection. But now that it was happening, it still stung.
Back at the villa, Cassius stood by the window, watching.
The gifts had been repacked Vincent took them with him.
Gemma leaned against the door frame.
“So, think John will spill anything useful?”
19:29
Setting
Chapter 217: Faking an Illness for a Blood Sample? If Anyone’s Failing, It’s You.
Cassius snapped out of his thoughts.
“Doesn’t matter. What matters is that Esapring Island is now under the spotlight.”
Gemma tensed. She remembered what he’d said about opening the island on New Year’s Eve.
“This won’t delay the opening, will it?”
Cassius rubbed his temples.
“The timing isn’t set in stone.”
She sighed in relief.
“Then at least there’s a pattern to follow.”
Cassius glanced at her. “You always seem to find a way.”
She shrugged. “No point running yourself into the ground. Gotta leave an escape route.”
He actually agreed with that.
“Alright. We’ll do it your way.”
“So, can we go now?” Gemma nodded toward the door. “Mr. Harrington is probably waiting for you at Pine Garden.”
Cassius asked.
“Do you think I should forgive him?”
Gemma smiled. “You already know the answer.” She pushed open the door. “Just follow your heart.”
Cassius slowly placed a hand over his chest.
For a long moment, he stood there.
Then, he smiled.
The butler hadn’t lied. He said what was told.
Cassius had never blamed his grandfather.
They just… hadn’t had a real relationship for years. They were strangers now, unsure how to interact.
That was why he’d avoided seeing him.
Gemma waved at him.
“Come on!”
Afternoon.
A gentle breeze drifted through the cemetery.
They stood in silence.
Outside, reporters crouched with their cameras, waiting for an emotional moment to capture.
But inside, there was only quiet.
To them, Evangeline had never truly left.
That night, Gemma was on shift at the hospital.
She had barely finished settling in when a patient walked in.
“You’re…”
The man pulled down his mask. “Don’t tell me you forgot me?”
Gemma gestured for him to put it back on.
“I forgot.”
“What?!”
Bradley almost slammed the table. He was a famous actor! How was he this forgettable?!
“I’ll say it again–remember this time. I’m Bradley Jennings. The best actor in the industry!”
Gemma leaned back in her chair, watching him with mild interest.
“So your kidney issue’s better? Here for a follow–up?”
Bradley.“..
She really had no filter. So irritating.
“Just check me over, alright? I feel off. Give me some meds.”
A patient was a patient–Gemma did her job.
Seming
19:29
Chapter 217: Faking an Illness for a Blood Sample? If Anyone’s Failing, It’s You.
After the checkup, she smirked.
“Too many thoughts. Just get some sleep.”
Bradley, “?!!”
“You really know your stuff. But what if I can’t sleep, gorgeous doctor?”
Gemma tapped the desk.
“See this?”
Bradley leaned in. “You’re gonna hypnotize me? That’d be great. I’d love to sleep through the night.”
“You misunderstood.” She smiled sweetly. “If you really can’t sleep, just bash your head on the desk until you pass out.”
She folded her arms. “Look, faking symptoms ruins doctor–patient trust. Why not just tell me what you really want?”
Bradley stunned.
Had his acting really gotten that bad?
That she saw through him so fast?
“…Fine.” He sighed. “I wasn’t here to make things hard for you. It’s just… you remind me of someone. A relative. I think you should take a DNA test.”
Gemma chuckled.
“You do realize that telling me this only makes me more careful, right? Now I’m gonna guard my blood sample like my life depends on it.”
Bradley shrugged.
“No big deal. I never actually expected to succeed. I just needed to prove I TRIED.”
Gemma tilted her head.
“If you’re so convinced, why not tell me about this relative of yours? Maybe you’ll convince me to take the test.”
Bradley froze.
Wait. That worked?!
“This relative of mine? She’s a LEGEND.” He leaned in, excited. “A world–famous botanist! She discovered several rare, endangered plants!” “She was dedicated. So much so that she’d disappear into the mountains for months at a time.”
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