“Mr. Dawson, how about this: I’ll have my brother apologize <i>to </i>the kids, and I’ll throw in some extra money so they can buy themselves something <i>to </i>eat and drink, help settle their nerves. Would that be eptable <i>to </i><i>you</i>?”
No matter how furious he felt, Carlson had to put on a smile in front of Xander. Offending Xander wasn’t just a personal problem–it meant making an enemy of the entire herbal medicine circle, and Carlson liked being alive.
And then there was Ethan–a rising star in the legal world. If Ethan decided <i>to </i>take the other side in awsuit… Carlson swallowed hard, not daring <i>to </i>let his imagination run any further.
He nced nervously at the group standing nearby. If he remembered correctly, any one of those people could ruin hispany with a snap of their fingers. He had <i>no </i>intention of going bankrupt before he was even forty.
“Wait, what?” Chester stared at his brother, not quite trusting his own ears.
Hearing Chester’s voice, Carlson wished he could cut ties with him right there. He’d just managed to smooth over one mess, and now, barely a momentter, here was another!
Grinding his teeth in frustration, Carlson dragged Chester over to Zachary and forced him into a clumsy bow, pushing his head down in front of Zachary.
Zachary sidestepped neatly, avoiding the gesture altogether.
“That’s <i>not </i>necessary, Mr. ke. I intend to see this through, no matter what.” Zachary’s <i>voice </i>was calm and even, as if he were justmenting on the weather. “So… there’s really <i>no </i>room for negotiation?” Carlson sighed, seeing there was no way out.
“Let them file the report, bro! For all you know, we might get them to pay us!” Chester still had no idea how much trouble he was in.
“Do us all a favor and keep your mouth shut.” If their mother hadn’t been in the picture, Carlson would’ve disowned his brother ages ago. Useless,zy, and always getting into trouble–Chester was more trouble than he was worth.
Chester sulked and didn’t say another word.
“Don’t worry, I’ll still be the one doing your acupuncture. That’s a separate matter,” Zachary said, catching the look of concern on Carlson’s face. He understood what
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Carlson was worried about.
Chester’s mess had nothing to do with Carlson. Even if it had, Zachary believed that as long as he practiced medicine, it was his duty to treat everyone fairly, regardless of personal grievances.
“Good! That’s the spirit. No wonder you’re Mr. Dawson’s prized student. Most people can’t match your perspective.” Carlson gave a strained smile. “Really, I’m sorry about all this. Here, take this card. Without you, my mother wouldn’t have made it through–please, just ept it. It’s the least I can do.”
He pulled a bank card from his suit pocket and tried to press it into Zachary’s hand. Zachary recoiled, refusing to take the money.
In the end, Xander quietly reached over, took the card, and slipped it back into
Carlson’s hand.
“He’s a doctor. When someone needs help, he helps. If he epted money for this, it would change what it means. Keep your card.”
Carlson looked from Xander to Zachary and finally let out a long, weary sigh, tucking the card away. In just fifteen minutes, he’d sighed more than he had all
month.
“So, have you reached an agreement?” The police officer, noting the calmer atmosphere, assumed things had been resolved.
“We’re pressing charges.” Zachary’s answer was simple and firm.
The officer nced at Carlson, who nodded with a resigned expression.
The woman kept quiet, but Chester still thought his brother could fix everything–as
if it was just a matter of paying somepensation, nothing more than a
drawn–out process.
“All right, everyonee down to the station with me. We’ll need to take your
statements.”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Zachary and Ethan gave a polite nod.
“No need to thank me. Just doing my job.” The officer already had a clear picture of what had happened and, judging by everyone’s attitude, knew exactly where the mey.
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