Chapter 13
The girl clutched Olivia’s hand like it was the only thing keeping her from drowning. Her pleading eyes burned with hope.
“Meet me here tomorrow at nine,” Olivia sighed, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind the girl’s ear. “I’ll see what I can do for your grandma.”
“Thank you.” The girl’s face lit up, but then dimmed just as quickly. “But… I don’t have any money to pay you.”
Olivia chuckled, “Don’t worry about it. Free clinic today.” It wasn’t like she needed the cash anyway.
Tears welled up in the girl’s eyes. “Thank you so much. I’ll pay you back somehow, I swear.”
“Just get home safe,” Olivia said, turning to leave. “And avoid Liberty Avenue.”
The girl didn’t understand why, but she nodded and hurried off, sticking to the shadows as she disappeared into the night.
After the charity gala, Henry left with his entourage, his mind still stuck on the bizarre scene from earlier. ‘Natalie has been frozen like a statue, unable to move or speak. Could that girl really be behind it? But she’s so young. How could she even make it?‘
As his car approached the first intersection, he suddenly remembered Olivia’s warning from that morning. He scoffed and didn’t buy it. “Jack,” he ordered, “take Liberty Avenue.”
The light was about to turn green when screams erupted from the left. Henry whipped his head around just in time to see a convoy of overloaded trucks barreling down the road at breakneck speed.
One of them swerved violently, flipping onto its side. Steel pipes scattered like deadly spears, impaling pedestrians and shattering storefronts.
If he hadn’t stopped for the red light, he would’ve been right in the middle of it.
A cold sweat broke across his skin. His pulse hammered in his ears. Olivia’s warning had come true. ‘How the hell has she known?‘ he wondered.
Night at the Sherman residence, William slammed his fist on the table, his face twisted in fury. “I told you we never should’ve taken her in. This is all your fault.
“You were the one who swore she looked like Cheryl and dragged her into our home. And now look what we’re stuck with? A worthless, ungrateful wretch.”
Margaret’s lips curled in disdain. “Oh, I’m to blame? You’re the one who sold her off and pocketed the money. If anyone deserves her hatred, it’s you.”
Years ago, they’d adopted Olivia solely because of her faint resemblance to Cheryl. It was a small comfort in their grief. And as she grew, their intentions shifted. She’d be groomed to marry into wealth, another asset for the Sherman family.
Yet Margaret could never stomach the thought of Olivia living in luxury while her own flesh and blood had suffered in some backwater
LOWN
No, Margaret thought, Olivia needs to know what it means to be truly alone and struggle without our protection. Let’s see how she li suffer
Then her voice softened, shipping into the coaxing tone she knew William couldn’t resist. “Darling, remember that prophecy about Cheryl when she was little?”
William frowned, “What do you mean?
“It’s said Cheryl is destined for greatness and she’ll bring honor to the Sherman name” Margaret leaned in her eyes gleaming. “And you’ve seen how people adure her. She charms everyone she meets
A greedy light flickered in William’s gaze.
“Now, with the Shra family’s party in two weeks… Margaret lel the words hang. Just imagine if Mr. Shea kok notice of her”
1/8
12:20 PM PS
Chapter 13
William’s mouth twitched into a smile he couldn’t suppress.
“As for that bitch?” Margaret’s voice turned icy. “If she dares stand in Cheryl’s way, we’ll simply have her removed.”
Olivia was up at five on the dot the next morning. Like most elders, she didn’t need much sleep, so she figured she’d make up for the free clinic she’d missed yesterday.
The moment she settled in, a line had already formed.
Soon, Helen was sitting across from her. Olivia checked on her. “I told you not to let yourself get so worked up,
Helen.”
Helen gave an embarrassed laugh, rubbing the back of her neck. “I couldn’t help it. That heroine’s life is just infuriating.”
Olivia smirked as she scribbled out a prescription. “Well, revenge stories need a little suffering. It makes the payoff better.” She handed Helen the slip of tips. “No spicy or greasy food. Stick to this regimen for three days. You’ll be fine.”
Helen beamed with a nod, “Alright, since you say so.”
After seeing dozens of patients in a row, the free clinic finally wound down. Olivia checked the clock, grabbed her medicine bag, and headed out.
By the time Olivia arrived, the girl had been waiting forever. “You actually came,” she gasped:
Olivia gave a faint smile. “I keep my promises. Let’s go to your place.”
They walked for what felt like ages before reaching a crumbling house, its walls cracked and peeling. Inside, the place was barely furnished, just the bare essentials.
The air smelled stale, and an elderly woman lay in bed. Her hair was thin and white, her eyes clouded and bloodshot, her lips pale as paper. She looked like she was clinging to life by a thread.
Olivia turned to the girl, her sharp gaze softening. “What’s wrong with your grandmother?”
“She’s got heart disease and high blood pressure,” the girl explained.
Olivia took the old woman’s pulse, then frowned slightly. “Her pulse is… off. Did she have heart surgery?”
The girl’s eyes widened. “Yeah, a bypass a month ago.”
Olivia’s brow furrowed. “Her heart’s stable. It’s just her high blood pressure. Why would they do bypass surgery?” She shook her head, pulling out a set of needles. “I’ll help wake her up first.”
The girl, Nina Sampson, nodded and stepped back, watching intently as Olivia worked.
With practiced ease, Olivia pressed a few key acupoints before sliding the needles in
A weak groan escaped the old woman’s lips. Her hazy eyes flickered, and then slowly focused.
“Grandma,” Nina cried, tears spilling over. “You’re finally awake.”
Olivia smiled, “Try to speak now.”
“Nina. the old woman rasped, trembling as she reached for her granddaughter’s face.
Nina clutched her hand, choking back a sob. “I’m here. Grandma Tin right here.”
Then, turning to Olivia, she whispered, “Thank you We’ve been to so many hospitals, and they all insisted she needed that surgery. My dad died in a crash trying to get the money for it
“And after the operation, she just got worse. We ran out of funds, so we we gave up. But then I saw you. You’re a miracle worker
Nine had spotted Olivia while picking up medicine and followed her for days, desperate for help When Olivia finally agreed and
fused payment. Nina felt something rate blou in her chest genuine, overwhelming grade
Olivia caught her arm before she could. “This was just untreated hypertension Her heart was tine. She just needed proper meds and maybe regular acupuncture Who told her she needed bypass surgery?”
12:20 PM Pσ
