Hidden ailments?


    When Ste heard the news, she couldn''t help but nce over at Jasper.


    Jasper''s face turned beet red when his embarrassing secret got aired in public. He looked absolutely livid.


    "Old man, stop making stuff up!"


    Mr. Burton calmly replied, "Young man, don''t ignore your problems. If you''re sick, get it treated as soon as possible. You''ll regret it if you let it fester."


    Jasper opened his mouth to retort, but Rachel stopped him with a gentle touch.


    "If this gentleman can really help me with my condition, I''m willing to stay."


    When ites down to survival or running errands, survival wins every time. Anyone withmon sense knows that.


    Rachel knew she had to make her stance clear, or people would start suspecting something. Besides, she thought this so-called miracle doctor was all smoke and mirrors.


    From the start, he imed he could cure her illness without even diagnosing her properly. Even after he checked her pulse, he stuck to his story. Rachel felt a wave of relief but also a growing disdain for Mr. Burton.


    Miracle doctor? More like a con artist.


    She had even considered teaming up with this old chatan before learning of his connection to Ste. Good thing he wasn''t the real deal, otherwise...


    A shadow of determination crossed Rachel''s face. She realized she needed to seek help from someone else.


    Mr. Burton nodded, then nced over at George and Haynes.


    "Two grown men and neither of you can think straight like this youngdy here. Aren''t you ashamed?" Mr. Burton shooed them away with a wave of his hand. "Today marks day one. If you have no business here, be on your way."


    Haynes had a pile of work waiting for him, so bringing Rachel here had already stretched him thin. He checked his watch and turned to Jasper. "If you''re good here, I''ll take off."


    Jasper nodded. "Yeah, go ahead. I''ll stick around with Rachel."


    As Haynes was about to leave, Ste called out to him.


    "Haynes, I''d like a word with you."


    Haynes checked the time again, his brow furrowing. "I''m pressed for time. Can it wait?"


    Ste smirked coldly. "Wait? Until the day you die?"


    Before Haynes could respond, Jasper erupted. "Ste, who are you wishing death upon?!"


    Ste''s voice was icy. "This is between Haynes and me. You have no business here. A grown man gossiping like a bunch ofdies at a quilting bee, meddling in others'' affairs - don''t you have any self-respect?"


    Jasper was not used to being talked down to like this. In his circles, people called him Jasper, Mr. Wilkinson. And here Ste was, brazenly wagging her finger in his face. It was unheard of!


    Just as Jasper was about to unleash his anger, Mr. Burton spoke up in a leisurely, worldly-wise manner.


    "Jasper, my boy, when a husband and wife are talking, why interject? Meddling in others'' marriages could spell trouble for your own."


    Seeing Ste''s determined expression, Haynes knew he couldn''t brush this off any longer.


    After a moment of silence, he nodded. "Let''s step outside."


    Jasper''s face fell, and he instinctively moved to follow them out.


    But a small figure blocked his path.


    Little Marvin stood there, serious as a judge. "Mister, interrupting a couple''s conversation could lead to marital discord for you."


    Jasper, infuriated, pushed Marvin aside, causing him to tumble to the ground. "


    "Ow! Grown-ups picking on a kid!"


    Hearing themotion, Ste turned back and saw Marvin give her a sly wink, mouthing, "I''ll keep him busy."


    Relieved, Ste followed Haynes outside.


    Once they were alone, Ste got straight to the point.


    "Haynes, about the divorce-are you not going to give me an exnation?"