Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Stephanie scrambled up. “Sorry about that. You okay?” she asked Vincent.

Vincent was still trying to wrap his head around what just happened, but he pushed those thoughts aside, reassured the group, “It’s all good.”

Stephanie took a breath of relief, glad her secret was safe for now. She gave Douglas a sharp look. “Seriously? Watch it next time!” Douglas gestured to his throat, silently pleading for her to let him talk.

She hoped he remained mute for the rest of his life so his words would stop disgusting her.

She took out more needles and stabbed him a few times. “Done. You can talk now,” she stated.

Douglas croaked and finally got out a question, “Why did you use that many needles just to fix my voice?”

Stephanie chuckled inwardly. That’s because you annoy mel

“It’s complicated, acupoints and all that. Trust me, you wouldn’t get it even if I told you,” she said, then eyed him a bit closer, “You don’t look good, though. I bet you have some problems.”

“Dr. Summer, can you make a pulse diagnosis for Douglas?” asked Lorelai, panicking.

Stephanie rubbed her fingers together, showing it was gonna cost.

Lorelal’s not happy about it but grinds out, “2 million dollars.”

“Fine, for Vincent’s sake, I’ll do it,”

Stephanie caved. When Douglas held out his arm, she took a handkerchief from her bag and laid it down first.

“Why the handkerchief now? You didn’t use one with Uncle Vincent or Grandina. What gives? You think I’m dirty or something?” Douglas was ticked off.

Stephanie sighed. “I use it for guys who can’t keep their pants on.”

Douglas lost it and snapped back, “Cut the c a p!”

She pulled her hand back and shot him a look. “You know if I’m lying.” After being reborn, Stephanie investigated Douglas and knew his dirty secrets. Douglas was a player and had his fun left and right.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Summer. Please, just check him,” Lorelai pleaded.

“Guess I have no choice,” she sighed. With her fingertips resting on his wrist, she scoffed, “You need to chill with the party lifestyle. You’re burning out, and you’re already halfway down the drain.”

“Then what should we do?” asked Lorelai fearfully.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got just the thing.” Stephanie chimed in. She whipped out a small red bottle. “Here are some vitality pills-pricey stuff, though. Each is 100 grand, and you need all 40. That’s 4 mil, plus the 2 for the check-up, so 6 million total.”

Douglas frowned and protested, “I feel like you are swindling me.”

“Fine. I’m not selling it,” Stephanie threw in his face. “But hey, if you come crawling back, it’s 20 million next time.”

Before Lorelai could say anything more, Douglas, stopped her and said, “Mom, I’m very healthy. Don’t listen to her nonsense.”

“Remember, if you come begging, it will be 20 million dollars.” Stephanie couldn’t help but laugh.

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Chapter 22

Douglas snorted. “You are a quack!”

Vincent’s expression darkened as he threatened, “Douglas, do you want to be punished according to the family rules?”

Douglas shut his mouth.

Vincent looked at Stephanie and said, “I’ll walk you out.”

“Okay.” She nodded.

Walking out of the Fletcher residence, Vincent whispered his thanks.

“No sweat,” Stephanie quipped back. “I mean, they say dead men tell no tales, but let’s hope Mr. Fletcher isn’t getting any ideas.”

Vincent chuckled, “I trust you.”

When Stephanie was about to enter the car, Frederick and Edith ran toward her.

“Can I help you with something?” asked Stephanie.

“My daughter has been in a coma since she fell down the stairs three ye

years ago.

o. Can you examine her? Name your price,” said Frederick.

She glanced at Vincent and thought, This petty guy doesn’t seem to want to talk to me today. I might as well take a look since I have nothing else on.

“Lead the way. I will follow in my car,” agreed Stephanie.

Frederick nodded repeatedly. “Okay.”

When she got into the car, Giovanni asked, “Boss, you’re good at making money. I can hear the sound of money rolling in from afar.

Glancing at him, Stephanie urged, “What are you waiting for? Let’s go!”

Vincent watched the cars leave through the fancy gates and then turned away, lost in thought. Was that Stephanie I felt when she landed on me just now? Nah, that’s crazy.” He dismissed the thought right away.

Zane asked, “Are we sticking around?”

Vincent nodded and said, “I’ll go back to the company after Mom wakes up!”

Zane raised an eyebrow, thinking, ‘Vincent barely slept a wink on that trip just to see his wife sooner. Why did he drag me back right after dropping him off last night? Why’s he working instead of hanging with his wife now?’

Vincent looked sideways at Zane and asked, “What’s on your mind?”

“N-Nothing,” stammered Zane.

you

“Then why are you still standing here? Enjoying the scenery?” scoffed Vincent.

Zane just thought, ‘Dude’s definitely craving something!’

Stephanie walked into Frederick and Edith’s huge house and found Christina Fletcher, their daughter, out cold. The girl looked super pale, like a strong breeze could knock her over.

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Chapter 22

Edith sobbed. “Christle has been in a coma since she fell down the stairs three years ago. The experts who examined her couldn’t tell us what’s wrong.”

Stephanie sat, put her fingertips on Christina’s pulse, and frowned. “Sorry, I got nothing.” Stephanie admitted.

Edith wiped her tears, despairing. “Even Dr. Summer’s stumped. Christie might never wake up.”

Frederick was also disappointed as he said, “Thank you, Dr. Summer, How much for the treatment?”

“Just walk me to my car,” replied Stephanie smilingly.

They were stunned, realizing Stephanie was implying something.

Once outside, she whispered, “Christina’s out because her nervous system’s shot. I think someone’s been feeding her downers after she hurt her head.”

Frederick frowned and responded, “That’s impossible! The test results didn’t show anything”

“Test results can be falsified. Your house has been installed with surveillance cameras, including Christina’s bedroom, Who did you offend?” asked Stephanie.

The news made Frederick and Edith’s skin crawl. They had no idea they were being watched.

“Look, I’ll send some meds through Mr. Vincent Fletcher, Get ’em from him. Keep this quiet. And move Christina out of here as fast as you can,” Stephanie advised.

Hope sparked in Edith. “Dr. Summer, what’s the bill for your help and the meds? We’ll pay”

Stephanie waved it off. “No charge, thanks to Mr. Vincent Fletcher. I’ll see you around,” she said, leaving

As the car left the mansion, Giovanni teased, “You’re a real sweetheart, Ms. Hayes!”

“The Fletcher family matter is complicated. It’s good if I can help Vincent get an ally,” explained Stephanie.

Giovanni’s mouth twitched as he asked, “Are you paving a path for him?”

“Of course.” Stephanie snorted. “A single guy like you wouldn’t get it.”

Giovanni was speechless.

Frederick and Edith were torn, worried about a rat in their house.

“Where should we take Christie?” Edith asked.

After thinking briefly, Frederick said, “Send her to Tranquil Garden. It’s the safest place.”

e are on Vincent’s side?”

Edith frowned and questioned, “Doesn’t that mean we are declaring to everyone that we

“Look, it’s Vincent or Raphael And Vincent’s the boss right now. Plus, without him, we wouldn’t have Dr. Summer, and Christie would be gone,” Frederick reminded her.

Edith agreed. “Okay. We’ll chat with Oli when she’s back tomorrow.”

Frederick declared, “No need for discussion. I’ll inform Vincent and send Christie over.”

Vincent happily agreed after receiving the call. Ellen was up and back to herself, so Vincent directed, “Head back to Tranquil Garden.”

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Chapter 22

Zane smiled and said, “You must miss Mrs. Fletcher.”

Vincent quickly said, “Christie’s moving in. I’m visiting her, not Stephanie,”

Zane thought, ‘Man, you’re just looking for an excuse to rush home to your lady!”

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Vincent got to Tranquil Garden and hung around until ten at night, but Stephanie was nowhere. “Where’s Stephanie?” he asked with a frosty look in his