"But you could've all received treatment together! They shouldn't have gone to Erihal. The three of you should have stayed behind so that none of you would miss out on Dr. Feroma's treatment!"
"Dr. Feroma was old; he wouldn't have been able to manage. He collapsed right after treating Carla and Venus. If he had to treat me too, none of us would have made it."
"But—"
"That's enough, Mr. Thompson, " Zayn interjected. "It's too late now. There's no point bringing up the past."
"All right." Thompson lowered his head, choosing not to say any more despite feeling slightly resentful toward Carla.
The older man refused to believe that the doctor would be unable to cure one more person and secretly blamed Carla for Zayn's current predicament.
"I called you over because I want to leave the Giblo family in your hands, " Zayn said gravely. "Benard and Brandy have stayed by my side for many years, but they still have a long way to go compared to you. You have the ability to take the helm here. The only problem is that you may seem less convincing because of your identity, so I'll find a way to change that."
"I understand." Thompson no longer opposed to his decision. "I'll do everything in my power to carry out your will and protect the Giblo family for as long as I live."
"That's what I like to hear." Zayn felt especially relieved. "Take care of your health, and please do not fall until the kids have grown, " he exhorted.
"Okay." Thompson nodded, his eyes reddening slightly.
"You can leave now. I'll be meeting Jamal soon." The corner of Zayn's lips quirked into a smile. "Take good care of yourself. I'll talk to you again when I've made all the necessary arrangements."
"Got it." Thompson gazed at the younger man before him. He wanted to say something more but ultimately stopped himself.
"See Mr. Thompson off, " Zayn instructed Benard.
"Yes, Sir." With that, Benard wheeled Thompson away.
"Bring me for a stroll at the courtyard since Jamal has yet to arrive. Mr. Jombo used to love sitting in there." Thompson could not help but lament as he stared at the familiar-looking garden.
"Sure, but it's raining now. Give me a moment while I get someone to pass us an umbrella."
Moments later, Benard wheeled Thompson into the garden while holding a large, black umbrella.
The garden was well maintained by the gardener and looked exceptionally beautiful, but Thompson simply did not have the heart to enjoy the view. "Tell me the truth. Is Mr. Zayn's illness that serious?" he asked solemnly.
"It's been about three months since we discovered the problem. Before this, he would experience blurred vision and dizziness from time to time, but last night, he completely lost his sense of sight for a few hours. According to the doctor, it's because the poison has reached the brain and affected his sensory nerves."
After elaborating, Benard added sorrowfully, "We held onto the last sliver of hope when we went to see Dr. Feroma. He was already barely hanging on back then, but he never forgot about Mr. Zayn's illness and even went on to write a prescription during his last moments. Unfortunately, he couldn't make it. However, before taking his last breath, Dr. Feroma told us that his apprentice, Derelo, would be able to understand the unfinished prescription and cure Mr. Zayn. That's why we've been doing whatever we can to find Derelo, but there's still no news on his whereabouts."
"I'll think of something too." A frown creased Thompson's forehead. "We can't give up as long as we have a chance, no matter how slim it is."
"That's right." Benard nodded. "We've never given up and have been trying our best to find a cure."
"Mr. Zayn is all the family has now. If he were to collapse, it would be the end of the Giblo household's century-long legacy…"
Thompson's eyes watered as he spoke. "I promised Mr. Jombo to watch over Mr. Zayn. How am I going to face Mr. Jombo if anything were to happen to his grandson?"
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