“Dad, what I mean is, if we want Mr. Wilson to become the director of Nova University’s Sixth Affiliated Hospital, I can do my part to help push it along. I’m just worried he won’t be willing.”“By help, I mean I’ll be a bit proactive—do some quiet brokering.”Richard Anderson explained patiently.“Your son is the incoming director of the Nova City Health Bureau. He’ll be taking office soon, and he’s already acting in that capacity.”“The provincial office sent a letter asking for his recommendation on how to handle the Havencrest Medical Center land, didn’t they? He’ll have to weigh in on that.”“If, when the time comes, your son mentions Mr. Wilson to President Harris—says that it was Mr. Wilson’s intercession that allowed the land to go to Nova University—”“Then guess what? In the end, wouldn’t Nova University seriously consider Mr. Wilson as director of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital?”“At that point, even if Mr. Wilson isn’t keen, they’ll likely pin the top seat on him anyway.”T

“Uncle, Auntie, wherever you came from, go back there. You won’t be homeless, will you? In any case, it’s no longer appropriate for you to stay here.”Charles Martin drew a long breath and spoke.“Charles?”Maria Long tried to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.“It’s decided. You have two or three days—move out. Tell me when you’re leaving. If you don’t, I’ll come by myself.”“All right, I’m busy. I’m hanging up.”Charles didn’t want to go in circles with Maria and Stephen any longer. He ended the call.Left with a dead line, Maria and Stephen simply stared at one another.“Joseph. It’s Joseph again—that insidious, scheming Joseph. Damn him.”“Why won’t he leave us alone, even now?”Maria found her voice at last, each word bitten off with spite.“Let’s think what to do. If we leave here, where can we go?”“I was thinking—could we return to the old house?”Stephen’s brow furrowed deep.“Stephen, are you out of your mind? Back to the old house? You think your heartless father w

For the next hour or so, Joseph endured a blissful kind of torment.Only after that did the two women finally set him free.He spent a short while in his room, then went to shower.When he came out, the hall was empty—Mason Alvarez and Alice were nowhere to be seen. It was only a little past ten, yet both had gone to bed early.Even more surprising, he drifted off without trouble. Neither of them sneaked in to tease him that night.It felt a little strange, but hardly a bad thing.Some things were best done in moderation. He could handle it, but Mason and Alice were still delicate; they shouldn’t be run ragged.After all, his constitution wasn’t exactly average.He hadn’t been in bed long before sleep took him.He turned in early; naturally, he rose early too.Before eight, he’d already made breakfast. The two lazybones, Alice and Mason, showed no sign of getting up.Since they wanted to sleep in, Joseph didn’t call them—he simply left breakfast set out on the table.After eating, he

“Come now, Mr. Anderson, you’re being overly cautious. We’re off the clock—this is our personal time, just a private catch-up.”“And besides, it’s only a slightly pricier meal. Hardly a scandal.”Geoffrey Harris hurried to explain.“Let it slide this once, but don’t do it again. There really are rules.”Richard Anderson sounded helpless.“All right, all right—have it your way, Mr. Anderson.”Geoffrey picked up the menu and began ordering. After choosing a few dishes, he offered it to Richard, who politely declined.“Principal Harris, you handle it. Just don’t order alcohol—we have regulations.”Richard reminded him.“Of course not. Just ordinary dishes.”“That’ll do for now.”“By the way, what did you want to discuss with me today, Mr. Anderson?”After handing the menu to the server, Geoffrey turned to him.“Actually, I asked to see you to talk shop.”Richard wore a mild smile.“Oh? Don’t tell me there’s been progress with Havencrest Medical Center?”Geoffrey’s eyes lit up, a pleased

“Hahaha… No mistake at all—how could it be? This is your doing.”“If not for you, why would Mr. Richard Anderson speak so warmly on our behalf? Without his help, it would be difficult for us to secure the Havencrest Medical Center site.”Geoffrey Harris laughed again.Joseph, however, was still a little at sea.“How do you figure?”He asked.“Here’s how it went—let me walk you through it.”Geoffrey’s tone was enthusiastic.He then recounted the day’s events in detail, including all the delicate turns and hinges in between.Joseph listened patiently until he finally understood.“I merely spoke from a sense of public duty. Nothing more.”He answered with quiet modesty.“Whatever the case, the credit is yours. You provided the finishing touch, Mr. Wilson.”Geoffrey sounded genuinely gratified.“You flatter me, Principal.”Joseph was embarrassed by the praise.“Mr. Wilson, the deanship of Nova University’s Sixth Affiliated Hospital will be hard for you to decline.”Geoffrey said it with m