Skyler stood there, stunned.


    She cast a sideways nce at Mark, her shoulders sinking in relief now that the ordeal had ended.


    Mark, however, frowned slightly.


    He had assumed Cameron would be easy to handle because of his age-young and inexperienced. He hadn''t expected Cameron to give them absolutely


    no room to maneuver.


    Now that Cameron and Elijah had moved to a private room, following them would only make the situation worse.


    All he could do was wait for another opportunity.


    Mark waved his hand, signaling Skyler to sit back down.


    She covered her face, wishing she could disappear.


    Mark snapped, "Are you seriously crying right now?"


    Skyler choked back her sobs-only for them to spill out louder.


    Inside the private room, the air felt much lighter.


    "Running into them here, of all ces," Elijah muttered, brows furrowed.


    "They followed us," Cameron replied calmly.


    Elijah''s frown deepened. "So now that talking to your parents didn''t work, they''ve decided toe straight to you?"


    Cameron gave a small, amused smile. "Honestly, they should''ve just gone


    to you


    instead."


    They were literally barking up the wrong tree.


    Elijah sighed.


    "I''ll call my dad.”


    Cameron kept eating, not responding.


    Let the one who started the fire put it out.''


    A few minutester, Mark''s phone rang.


    For the past few days, he''d been trying everything to get in touch with Thomas Moore-calls, messages, even showing up in person-but he''d been blocked at every turn. So when he saw the caller ID, his heart leapt.


    "Mr. Moore!" Mark answered eagerly.


    Thomas didn''t bother with small talk.


    "Mr. Young," he said coldly, "ending our partnership was my decision. Over the years, you''ve be increasingly reckless. You''ve been tampering with pharmaceuticals. You think I''d keep working with someone like that? I only held my tongue out of courtesy. But now, you''re harassing my son-and his friend?"


    15:04 PM 23 May


    His tone sharpened.


    "Tell me, Mr. Young-do you really think there''s still a ce for you in Viremont? Or should I say...do you still want a ce?"


    Mark nearly dropped the phone.


    Thomas had made himself crystal clear. If Mark didn''t back off, he could kiss his career in this city goodbye.


    Losing the Moore family was already a huge blow-but being cklisted in Viremont? That would be the end.


    Mark stammered, "You''re right, Mr. Moore, I was out of line. I swear, I''ll back off immediately. I won''t show up in front of Elijah or his friend ever again. I give you my word."


    He hung up the phone, his hands mmy with cold sweat.


    "Let''s go," he barked, ushering Tessa and Skyler out of the restaurant as quickly as possible.


    Inside the car, Tessa asked anxiously, What now? What are we supposed to do?" Mark exploded. "What do you think we do? If we don''t find a new hospital to work with soon, we''re going under!"


    Their pharmaceuticalpany churned out medication by the truckload. Every day that passed without distribution meant another day closer to spoge.


    If they couldn''t sell in time, everything would have to be trashed-millions flushed down the drain.


    A few more months of this, and they''d be bankrupt.


    Skyler sat frozen, too scared to say a word.


    Mark''s fists clenched. "This is all that damn Cameron''s fault!"


    He sneered.


    Sure, Thomas had med it on some vague concerns aboutpliance and ethics, but Mark knew what this was really about.


    He''d been cutting corners for years-why the sudden holier-than-thou act now?


    It was because of Cameron. Thomas was just making moves to protect his son''s favorite.


    ''Elijah is out of reach. But Cameron?''


    Mark''s eyes narrowed.


    -''Cameron''s just some broke kid with no family backing him-estranged from his own parents, no less. And he''s dead now.''


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