Wayne shared the distressing events that occurred during Vickiâs absence and then sighed heavily.
âI once believed Jarrod harbored some affection for you, but I was mistaken.
He exploited our family and then discarded us.
Now, Iâm just an old man, wrestling with the failure to sustain the Hampton legacy.
I dread thinking about how Iâll face our ancestors.
â
Vicki clenched her fists, resolved.
âI wonât let Jarrod escape responsibility for this.
â
Wayne tried to temper her anger.
âLet it go.
What can you really do? He no longer cares about you.
His focus now is solely on that woman and his ailing son.
â
Wayne added bitterly, âItâs absurd that Jarrod would consider a vasectomy for a sick child.
Clearly, that boy means everything to him.
Yet, with the delicate heart condition and no donor, coupled with the lack of a seasoned surgeon, the boy wonât live long.
â
Wayne found a cold comfort in this thought.
Despite the disarray within the Hampton family, the idea of Jarrod facing the potential loss of his son, and thereby his lineage, provided Wayne with a dark reassurance.
âHeart surgery?â Vicki queried suddenly, sparking an idea.
She looked at Wayne seriously.
âHave you forgotten? Thereâs someone who can perform the surgery.
â
âWho?â Wayne was puzzled, failing to remember.
âDonât you remember your old friend who was a top heart specialist? He retired after his wifeâs death,â Vicki said.
Wayne then recalled the individual in question as a renowned heart specialist and a long-time family friend who chose to retire after his wifeâs accidental death.
Now, reminded by Vicki, Wayneâs memory came back.
âThis is our chance to reverse our fortunes,â Vicki said solemnly.
Wayneâs demeanor brightened considerably at Vickiâs resolve.
âItâs good to see how quickly youâve taken control of the situation,â he commented, clearly impressed.
âYouâve stepped up remarkably fast,â Wayne continued, acknowledging her leadership.
âIt looks like the Hampton family are in good hands.
â
âIt seems Vicki could prosper the Hampton family,â Wayne mused, his words affirming Vicki as his successor.
Vicki was elated by Wayneâs praise.
âDonât worry.
The Hampton family will thrive under my stewardship,â she assured him, gripping his hand firmly.
Shortly after their meeting, Vicki had her assistant book a flight where she could potentially arrange the medical help as a bargaining chip.
Meanwhile, around the same time Vicki gained her freedom, Doreen was also released.
Hallie greeted Doreen with tears and a tight embrace, distressed by the toll the ordeal had taken on her daughter.
âMy poor baby, youâve gone through so much.
Youâve lost so much weight.
Itâs heartbreaking.
â
Doreen, feeling wronged and overwhelmed, responded weakly, âMomâ¦â
During her harrowing half-month in detention, Doreen struggled with sleep and appetite, and even suffered physical assaults from other inmates who exploited her vulnerability without leaving any obvious marks.
Feeling utterly isolated and wronged, Doreen lamented aloud, âJarrod was so cruel! How could he abandon me here without coming to rescue meâ¦â Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Hallie was visibly heartbroken as she commented, âYour uncle has completely changed, all because of his wife.
Heâs even planned to send you abroad to study once youâre released, without the option to return.
â
âWhat? No shit!â Doreen exclaimed, shocked and dismayed.
âMom, I really donât want to go abroad.
I want to stay here.
â She shook her head vigorously.
âStudying abroad isnât like traveling.
It would mean constant supervision and no freedom at all!â Doreen snapped, highlighting the stark differences between travel and Jarrodâs restrictive plans for her.