A loud, resounding p echoed through the air, and Wendy''s eyes widened in shock.


    "Madam! How could you? You would dare to hit me? Have you no respect for your elders?" Wendy retorted as she gritted her teeth in anger. "I must have spoiled you! You think you can do whatever you want because I''m your aunt?"


    "Right now, my health is of utmost priority. As long as I can get the medicine, you''d better live with your tail between your legs.


    "Don''t even bother bringing up the fact that Samantha and Ivan aren''t divorced. Even if they were, I''m still not in my rightful ce until my name is on Ivan''s marriage certificate!" Sophia shot back.


    Being too emotional made Julia start coughing uncontrobly again. After some time, she finally was able to hold it in. She became calmer as the pain simmered down.


    "Go, now. Plead for their forgiveness," she ordered Wendy coldly.


    "Madam..."


    "Go."


    Wendy turned away reluctantly and walked indoors. She walked slowly but eventually made her way to Samantha regardless.


    Before Samantha could even furrow her brow and chase her out, Wendy dropped to the ground and groveled before her.


    "Ms. ir, I apologize."


    Wendy felt absolutely humiliated. But, she had to swallow her pride.


    "Ms. ir, please, forgive me. Forgive Wendy. As for Sophia, I''m more than willing


    to stay here and simply pray for her recovery."


    Samantha was stunned by Wendy''s sudden disy.


    Zachary pulled out a cup of warm coffee from a bag and stuck a straw in it. He handed it to Samantha.


    "Ms. ir, have a warm drink. As for that outsider, pay her no mind."


    Zachary spoke softly, not even ncing at Wendy. As Sophia''s psychiatrist, he knew exactly what was going on with the Sinir family.


    Zachary wasn''t home often. He barely returned home most days, especially after learning Zane and Ruby were dating.


    He only returned for dinner after hearing that the two had officially broken up not long ago.


    Zane never saw eye to eye with his elder brother, but it didn''t stop Zane from looking up to him.


    Zachary was a psychiatrist and also managed several of their family businesses. Most of the time, he was always busy.


    However, This time, Zachary himself asked Zane to visit Sophia in the hospital. Zane must have been shocked.


    "Zachary, did you get some for me?" Zane asked as he eyed the cup of coffee in Samantha''s hands. What was weird was that he came together with Zachary, but he didn''t see him stop to buy coffee at all!


    "No," Zachary said calmly. "If you''ve got nothing to do, go pray for Sophia."


    "Huh? Should I go grovel too?" Zane asked, confused.


    "Sure."


    "Alright."


    Zane quickly got up and went to the Intensive Care Unit entrance. He sped his hands together and prayed earnestly.


    Julia arrived soon after and saw this, while Wendy was just as confused.


    "Ms. ir, I have bread here too. Have some bread with your coffee. When you''re done, take a rest. I''ll be here to keep watch, so Sophia will be fine," Zachary said.


    He didn''t even bother to look at Julia, Wendy, or Zane who were both still on the floor. He spoke gently yet with authority, giving off an inexplicable sense of safety and trust.


    Samantha was much more at ease with Zachary than with Natalie and Marcus. She had no appetite, but Zachary spoke up with his calming voice again before she could say anything.


    "I know you''re not hungry. However, if Sophia learns you''ve been waiting here all night without eating anything, she''ll be just as upset and worried. Ms. ir, eat something for Sophia''s sake, okay?"


    Samantha couldn''t refuse Zachary anymore. She nodded.


    "Alright. Thank you."


    "It''s my pleasure, Ms. ir."


    Zachary was a well-mannered, thoughtful, and meticulous man. His authoritative


    yet unobtrusive speaking style made Samantha feel at ease.


    After Samantha finished her bread and coffee, Zachary helped massage her temples.


    After some time, she had finally rxed. She fell asleep on the chair, tucked in with her nket like he said.


    After seeing Samantha doze off, Zachary turned to Zane.


    "Have the guardse over and chase the outsiders away," he said.


    "Oh, okay," Zane said, getting up quickly from praying. He ran off to call the guards.


    Julia stared at Zachary for a while. She recognized Zane since he was Ruby''s boyfriend for two years. Even if it was just in name, a boyfriend was still a boyfriend.


    Speaking of which, where was Ruby?


    It was only then that Julia thought of her daughter. It seemed like she hadn''t seen Ruby ever since she followed Ivan into the hospital.


    Looking around, Ruby was nowhere to be seen. She quickly called Ruby on her phone, but Ruby hung up right after the call went through.


    "Fuck," Julia cursed. She withstood the pain of coughing as she walked up to Samantha. "Ms. ir..."


    "Silence," Zachary said, ring at Wendy. "Get lost."


    "You" Julia began.


    "That''s them, guards. They''ve been causing a ruckus here. Hurry and chase them out."


    Zane had already brought the guards over before Julia could even argue.


    "This is a hospital. This isn''t a ce for you people to make a fuss. Please leave at once."


    "We''re not making a fuss!" Julia exined. "My daughter is in the Intensive Care Unit. We''re worried for her and waiting for her here!"


    "What daughter? Don''t tter yourself, "Zachary spat. "Sophia''s biological mother is right here, watching over her! There''s no need for you to act high and mighty here. Now get lost."


    Zane couldn''t be bothered to be polite toward Julia and Wendy. His blood boiled every time he saw them.


    "The person in there is my daughter," Samantha said. She heard amotion and awoke from her sleep. She opened her eyes and sat up straight.


    "Guards, my daughter is in the Intensive Care Unit. It''s their fault. Please, have them leave."


    The guards looked toward Samantha, then toward Julia and Wendy. Finally, they looked at Zachary, who was still sitting there calmly.


    "Enough, don''t make a fuss here. Hurry up and leave," they ordered.


    Julia and Wendy were reluctant, so they were dragged away.


    "This is a hospital! Keep your voice down!"


    The Sinir family''s bodyguards had left some time ago, so only Julia and Wendy


    were left in the hospital.


    Julia was so angry she started coughing uncontrobly again. Wendy quickly opened a thermos and had her drink water.


    "Madam, we should hurry back and settle things now," Wendy suggested softly. "Samantha has already left the convent, and Mr. Sinir ran off for some reason too. You should make ns for yourself as soon as possible!


    "Zane doesn''t love Ruby anymore.


    He won''t be easy to handle. I''m afraid if we drag things out, i will not be to our advantage."


    His brother is also quite et


    Julia looked toward Wendy. Wendy nodded and looked toward the hospital again.


    "Alright. Let''s go back," she said firmly.