Natalie escorted Marcus to the door of Goodwill Pharmacy and extended her hand. "Give it to me."


    Marcus feigned ignorance. "Give you what?"


    "The cup," Natalie said, tilting her chin slightly. "You''ve finished the water, so hand it over."


    "Alright." Marcus reluctantly handed the cup to her. He had wanted to take it with him, but he had not expected Natalie to be so attentive.


    "Natalie, remember to call me when you''re done with work. I''ll treat you to dinner," he added.


    "Got it." She was already tired of Marcus''s nagging.


    Ever since learning she was the one who saved his life, his attitude hadpletely changed. He seemed ready to camp out at Goodwill Pharmacy just to repay his debt.


    "Don''t forget to call, okay? Don''t lie to me," Marcus emphasized seriously. "My phone''s turned on 24/7 and never on silent mode. I''ll be waiting for your call."


    "Alright, just go already!" Natalie snatched the cup and shoved Marcus out the door. For someone who used to exude that aloof ''mysterious CEO'' vibe, Marcus had surely thrown all that dignity away.


    Marcus opened his mouth to say more, but Natalie spun around and walked off without a second nce. Her crisp, no-nonsense exit left him standing there.


    "Mr. Holden, should we head back now?" Ethan asked cautiously. He could not help but notice that Marcus was acting differently. Perhaps love was finally blooming for him.


    "Yes, back to the office," Marcus said, his expression hardening again as he strode toward the car.


    He had plenty of time to figure out how to improve his rtionship with Natalie. ying the ''vulnerable'' card seemed to be working for now, but he wondered if it might backfire if he overused it.


    As Marcus'' car pulled away, a white BMW parked nearby opened its door. Ruby stepped out, her movements sneaky and suspicious.


    "Ruby, what are you doing?" Julia called out from the car, her voice raspy as she eyed Ruby''s strange behavior.


    "Just go to Goodwill Pharmacy and buy me some medicine. The pain''s killing me," Julia whispered.


    "Alright." Ruby straightened up immediately. "I''m on it, Mom."


    "Good. Now, go." Julia leaned back in her seat, pressing a hand to her chest to steady her breathing. She had relied on Goodwill Pharmacy''s herbal remedies for years to live a rtively normal life.


    She had spent a small fortune on those medications, but it was worth it. After all, her maniption skills kept Ivan firmly under her control.


    Who cared if Sophia was his legitimate child? Julia had sessfully turned her and Samantha into disgraced outcasts.


    Julia nced at therge ''Goodwill Pharmacy'' sign. If only she could be a regr VIP guest there-life would be perfect then.


    "Don''t worry, madam. Ruby will get the medicine for you," Wendy reassured her softly. "No matter how exclusive Goodwill Pharmacy is, they wouldn''t turn down a chance to make money."


    "Mr. Sinir was just throwing a fitst time. He''lle around. He wouldn''t abandon you," Wendy added.


    Julia murmured with a cold smile, "Exactly. Samantha''s been sent to a convent, and Sophia''s a useless failure. If Marcus hadn''t been protecting her, I''d have sent her packing right alongside Samantha by now."


    Her eyes glinted with malice as she continued, "Samuel''s the real obstacle. But he''s overseas, and by the time he returns, Sinir Group will be in Ruby''s hands. After that, I''ll finally have peace of mind."


    "If Samuel really cared about Sophia, he would''vee back by now. I don''t think their sibling bond is all that strong," Wendymented, shaking her head.


    "Madam, you''ve got nothing to worry about," Wendy assured with a loyal smile. "Everyone knows you''re the realdy of the Sinir family now."


    "That''s true," Julia replied smugly, but her gloating was cut short by a sudden coughing fit. "Water... W-Water... I need water..."


    Wendy quickly opened a bottle of water and handed it to her. Julia gulped down


    several mouthfuls before finally feeling some relief in her throat.


    Then, she said, "Go check on Ruby. How long does it take to buy some medicine?"


    "Yes, madam," Wendy replied as she stepped out of the car.


    Inside Goodwill Pharmacy, Wendy found Ruby desperately pleading with Zane, who looked thoroughly irritated.


    "Ruby, we''re over! Goodwill Pharmacy doesn''t sell medicine to the Sinirs. You could camp out here forever, and the answer would still be no."


    "We''ll pay! It''s not like the Sinirs are asking for charity!" Ruby''s face turned pale with anger and embarrassment. Desperately, she clung to Zane''s arm like her life depended on it.


    "Zane, I get that there''s no love between us anymore, but we were together for a long time. You know about my mom''s health. Are you really going to stand by and watch her suffer?"


    Ruby''s eyes reddened as tears welled up. "I''m not leaving until you give me the medicine."


    "Ruby, have you no shame? Now you''re resorting to emotional ckmail?" Zaneughed bitterly.


    "Let me make this clear-you could drop dead right here, and Goodwill Pharmacy still wouldn''t sell you a damn thing. If you have any sense, stop making a scene and leave."


    He shook his arm vigorously, trying to free himself, but Ruby clung on tightly.


    She could not care less about her image and dropped to the floor, clutching his leg with all her might. She shouted, "I''m not letting go until you sell me the medicine!"


    Zane''s face flushed with fury. He tried shaking her off, but Ruby stubbornly held


    on.


    Just then, Wendy stormed into the pharmacy, her eyes zing. "Zane, what do you think you''re doing? How dare you mistreat Ms. Sinir!"


    Wendy''s fierce demeanor stunned the other employees. This woman, a helper from the Sinirs, had the audacity to act like she owned the ce.


    "What are you all standing around for? Get security!" Natalie stepped through the curtain separating the back rooms from the main hall.


    Thomas followed behind her, having just finished taking stock of their rare medicinal herbs. Natalie had not intended to get involved, but when she saw Thomas'' troubled expression and recognized Ruby''s


    ve?


    voice, she decided to intervene.


    "Ms. Walker, help me!" Zane cried out like a drowning man spotting a lifeboat. He


    yanked his leg away, but Ruby clung to him stubbornly, wincing in pain.


    Wendy rushed forward and shoved Zane. "How dare youy a hand on Ms. Sinir? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Zane, you''re her boyfriend! How could you humiliate her like this in front of everyone?"


    "Boyfriend? Are you blind?" Zane exploded in anger. "Ruby and I broke up ages


    ago! She''s the one harassing me, not the other way around!"


    With a surge of frustration, Zane shoved Ruby off his leg, sending her sprawling to


    the floor. Ruby cried out in pain, clutching her side.


    Wendy moved to attack Zane, but Ruby grabbed her leg and stopped her. She said through gritted teeth, "Wendy, calm down! We have to be respectful. We''re here to beg for the medicine!"


    She was visibly in pain, her eyes watery, but she dared not cause more trouble now that Natalie had arrived.