?Chapter 1097:


    “How could he let himself get to this point?” Lawrence muttered, eyes scanning the page. “He’s got gastritis.”


    Gerard stayed silent.


    Lately, Kristian had been skipping meals as if hunger were optional. Some days he didn’t eat at all; other days, he managed only a few bites. Any ordinary person would be dragging their feet, but Kristian walked as if fueled by invisible fire—shouldering twice the workload with no visible cracks.


    “Go get some rest first,” Lawrence said gently. “He needs to stop working for a few days. I’ll persuade him.”


    Gerard said nothing. He wanted to say it wouldn’t work. Kristian had always been a fortress unto himself. Not even his parents could move him—so how could Lawrence?


    But he swallowed those words. He didn’t want to dissuade Lawrence.


    “Alright,” Gerard replied. “If anything gets out of hand, call me. I’lle immediately.”


    Lawrence gave a nod of acknowledgment. That night, he stayed at Kristian’s vi.


    When Kristian woke the next morning and saw him, he didn’t say a word at first. Only after sipping some water did he finally speak.


    “You can go now.”


    “No hurry,” said Lawrence.


    Kristian’s brows furrowed, confused.


    “There’s something we need to discuss.” Lawrence sat down and tossed a folder on the table. “Take a look.”


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    Kristian reached for it, expecting some mundane document. But when he saw it was his medical report, he paused for a moment before calmly flipping through it. Once finished, he tossed it back on the table like it was yesterday’s news. His voice remained as detached as ever.


    “I’ve read it. What’s your point?”


    “Nothing you’d like to say?”


    “Say what?”


    “You tell me,” Lawrence countered.


    “No clue.” Kristian’s eyes were cold, his demeanor colder. “If that’s all, I’ve got work to do. See yourself out.”


    Lawrence rose to his feet—and with no warning, pushed him firmly back into his seat.


    “Sit down!”


    Kristian was caught off guard.


    “It’s only been two months, and your body’s already raising red gs like it’s a protest. Your indicators are off the charts. You’ve even developed gastritis. Keep this up, and you’ll be in serious trouble by year’s end.”


    Kristian had been surviving on a few hours of sleep a day—never making up for it. Meals had be optional, not essential. His stomach bore the brunt of it.


    And if no one stepped in now, his body might simply give out without warning.


    “I know my own body,” Kristian said calmly. “I won’t let myself die.” There had been moments—sharp chest pains while working—but he had always stopped to rest.


    He wasn’t reckless. He wasn’t gambling with his life.


    “If you really did, why haven’t you looked at your cardiac markers?” Lawrence’s tone was filled with urgency. “From this moment on, you’re going to eat properly. Rest properly. Or you know whates next.”


    Kristian stared at him, baffled. Was that… a threat?


    “What wille next?”


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