Stronger Every Time I Die
Which doctor has the guts to spill the truth to them? The flicker of cold fury in Zac's eyes didn't go unnoticed by the Gray family. A shiver ran through them. For the first time, they saw that the Zac they had loved and doted on for years was, in reality, terrifying. But the moment passed as quickly as it came. In the next instant, Zac returned to his usual obedient self, his large, innocent eyes blinking up at them. "Mom, Julie, Rosie, Susie, why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion and hurt. As he spoke, he lowered his head, appearing heartbroken. When he looked up again, his eyes brimmed with unshed tears. With regret thick in his voice, he said, "Dad, Mom, Julie, Rosie, Susie, what happened last night was my fault. I shouldn't have lost my temper and attacked Arthur. But when I saw him humiliating Dad, I just couldn't hold back..." He turned quickly to John, his expression filled with concern. "Dad, I hurt you, didn't I? I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to. I was thrown out, and you just happened to be there. Are you hurt? Does it still hurt?" The Gray family members stared at him, their expressions unreadable. Throughout his entire explanation, he never once mentioned his supposed heart condition. And when he spoke of last night, he deliberately glossed over how the entire conflict began, with him deliberately setting Arthur up. Instead, he focused only on the part where John was humiliated. John, however, couldn't help but recall that mortifying moment. A fresh wave of hatred for Arthur surged within him. No matter what, being disgraced in front of so many people was unforgivable! Julie suddenly asked, "Zac, the doctor told me you don't have a heart condition?" Zac froze. Hearing the cold detachment in her voice, his eyes darkened. She used to speak to him so gently. And now, her tone had completely changed.So, they all believed the doctor's words. But Zac quickly composed himself. With a look of surprise and delight, he asked, "Julie, is that true? Does that mean my heart disease is cured?" The Gray family exchanged glances. He was an orphan with no other family besides them. For Pierce to have been bribed for ten years, Zac himself couldn't possibly have been unaware. More than that, the one behind the bribery was most likely Zac himself! But judging by his reaction now, it seemed someone else was responsible. They dismissed the thought almost immediately. The doctor had been clear. His heart condition had never been serious enough to cause sudden fainting. Which meant the episodes he had whenever Arthur angered him were completely fake. Whether or not he was the one who bribed Pierce, the fact remained. Zac had been lying to them. He had been putting on an act since childhood! Julie stared at him and said directly, "Zac, the doctor just told me your heart is fine. There's only a minor issue, nothing serious, and certainly nothing that affects your daily life." She watched him closely, not wanting to miss even the smallest shift in his expression. Zac looked genuinely stunned. "Really?" he murmured in disbelief, then broke into an elated smile. "I don't have a heart condition? I'm normal?" Then, as if suddenly puzzled, he added, "But then why have I been fainting all this time?" The Gray family's doubt deepened. Is he still acting? Or does he truly not know? After a moment's thought, Julie changed the subject. She looked him straight in the eye. "Zac, the Gray family is in crisis. I've lost my authority in the company and can't effectively help Dad manage it. Transfer my shares back to me so I can help stabilize things." Not only the women of the Gray family, but even John was watching Zac intently.Julie's repeated tests had gone unchallenged by John. He, too, wanted to see what Zac's true intentions were. The betrayal from Renee still gnawed at him. He couldn't shake it. Hearing Julie's request, Zac's heart sank. His mind raced, quickly analyzing possible responses. Julie scrutinized his hesitation, and with every second that passed, her heart sank further. Just when she was certain he would refuse, Zac suddenly lifted his head, a bright smile on his face. "Julie, those shares were always yours. You can take them back whenever you want." Julie stared at him in shock. John, too, finally let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Zac glanced down at his heavily bandaged hands. "But with my injuries, I won't be able to handle the paperwork right away." He looked up at Julie, his expression apologetic. "I'm sorry, Julie. I was too careless. I couldn't even protect my own hands."
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