The Conglomerate's Hidden Legacy

Chapter 7: All That's Left

Zayn watched Benjamin drive away with an annoyed face. The man was even seen making a few short calls before he finally disappeared in his luxury car.

Zayn tried to ignore everything, then went inside the house. Bianca, who saw Zayn, seemed to ignore him, making the woman angry. Bianca deliberately provoked Zayn's emotions so that he could divorce her immediately. Now, she was starting to worry that her life would also fall apart because of all this.

"Are you just ignoring me?" Bianca shouted at Zayn, who continued to walk behind her.

Zayn quickly entered his study in the house and immediately opened the safe there. Zayn realised Bianca seemed to be following him from behind because she had ignored him earlier.

"Oh, that's where you keep the Hayes family's valuable documents. I thought you were completely broke," Bianca interjected and was again ignored by Zayn.

The man quickly opened his laptop and went straight to several websites. From Bianca's vantage point, the woman surmised that Zayn wanted to sell his remaining assets.

"As a wife, I deserve a share in your estate, right? I'll make sure that I demand a share of the assets when we divorce, baby," Bianca said slyly.

"Wife? You are crazy. A while ago, you didn't even acknowledge me as a husband. You kissed other men like a whore," Zayn responded coldly.

Bianca, who heard that, became furious. She did not think her husband could proudly boast after losing his fortune. Bianca now had to take the initiative to get back at Zayn.

"Whatever you want to say, because the truth is that we are still husband and wife. If you don't like me that much, then just divorce me. Is that so hard for you to do?" Bianca mentioned her status once again.

Zayn, who heard the word divorce, immediately got angry again. The man couldn't figure out what karma he received from the universe in his previous life.

"You keep talking about divorce. All you have in your head is money, cheating and divorce. Do you even realise where Mum went? Don't you realise a family member is missing from this house?" Zayn muttered with emotion.

Bianca, who heard that, was stunned. She didn't even realise that she was alone there for a moment. Bianca hadn't even seen Teresa at all.

"Huh, what do I care? That woman is your mother, not mine. I don't care about what happens to Teresa," Bianca replied cheekily.

"BIANCA!!!" Zayn replied in a louder tone. Zayn thought that his wife was starting to cross the line.

"Gosh, I get it now. That woman has been single for a long time. Neither I nor you have met her since yesterday. Don't tell me that a woman like her is selling herself like a bitch," Bianca responded insultingly to Zayn's Mother.

"Stop it. Stop talking nonsense. My mum is a good woman, don't make her look like you. You really should apologise to my mother when she gets out of the hospital," Zayn said angrily.

Bianca began to understand the situation, especially when Zayn mentioned the hospital. She assumed that Teresa must suffer from something so serious that Zayn must sell the Hayes family's assets. Bianca thought that she should take a chance on this.

"Ah, that's why you opened your family's secret vault. You need a lot of money right now. I hope you can quickly complete all the transactions so that your mother's life can be saved," Bianca said slyly. Something was going through that woman's head.

As Zayn was about to respond, Bianca cut him off by saying, "Hush! I can help you, but I'll only do that if you sign our divorce papers."

Zayn is now stunned. Bianca's offer was exactly what he needed, but if they divorced now, Zayn couldn't repay her for all the humiliating things she had done to him.

Zayn then fell silent. The man was hesitant to decide, but for now, he didn't want to make his pride fall deeper. Zayn could only hope for the Hayes family's remaining assets.

After Zayn cashed out all of the Hayes family's remaining assets at a lower price than he should have, he went straight to the hospital. Zayn immediately paid off every bill and medical expense that Teresa needed.

"Well, Mr Hayes, the surgery is about to begin. Please be patient until we have an update," a nurse who had previously been unfriendly towards Zayn suddenly became a kind person and treated him with respect after Zayn paid his mother's medical bills.

The man could now breathe a little easier because, luckily, he still had the right timing to save his mother. At least Zayn thought that one ordeal would soon be over if his mum regained consciousness.

While waiting, Zayn realised that his stomach felt empty and his clothes looked shabby. He quickly decided to clean himself up in the Umbrella Hospital's bathroom, then filled his stomach by buying food at the hospital's restaurant.

Several hours passed, and Zayn had also received a call from the hospital that the surgery was successful. That relieved Zayn, but a second later, the doctor said that even though the operation was successful, it did not guarantee that Teresa would wake up soon.

With hobbling steps, Zayn headed to the ward where his mother was transferred. Zayn looked at Teresa with sadness. She was lying unconscious. Several hoses and medical equipment, including oxygen tanks and heart rate monitors, were still attached to Teresa.

Zayn came closer to grab his mother's hand. He cried bitterly like a child, then told her about everything he had experienced in the last two days.

"Mum, I feel like a failure as a man. I just lost my job, and my company was declared bankrupt. I failed as a son because I could not look after and protect my mother. I also failed as a husband; my wife even cheated on me clearly before my eyes, and she did it proudly."

Zayn, who was in a slump, felt something move. He realised that his mother's hand was moving as if she was responding from her subconscious.

Zayn, who saw this, immediately called the doctor and nurse to conduct an examination. The man seemed to smile momentarily, believing it was a good sign.

Zayn wiped away his tears and saw from the corner of the room that Doctor Sheldon and one nurse immediately checked Teresa's condition. But just a few seconds later, the smile on Zayn's face had to be wiped away as the heart rate monitor screen only showed a straight line.

Zayn saw Doctor Sheldon telling the nurse to remove Zayn from the room and call another nurse to conduct an advanced examination immediately. Zayn could only wait outside the room, watching everything.

Shortly after that, Doctor Sheldon came out and approached Zayn.

"Mr Hayes, I won't beat around the bush. We managed to save your mum's condition. But unfortunately, your mum has returned to the critical phase. I advise you to deposit money for further medical expenses immediately."

Zayn was lost for words when he heard that. He had already deposited a large sum for Teresa's treatment, but it was insufficient. Now Zayn had no money left.

For a moment, Zayn thought of the offer Bianca could make. She was the only person Zayn could turn to for help. Immediately, Zayn called his wife.

"What are you calling me for? If you just want to lecture me, don't bother because I will mute this call..." Bianca sounded unhappy to receive Zayn's call.

"Wait, listen to me first. I have no other options right now. I'm even willing to humiliate myself once again in front of you. Please, I need your help," Zayn said pleadingly.

"Zayn, you are a lowly man in my eyes. Once a rubbish husband, you will remain rubbish. I'm sorry, but I can't help you with just words," Bianca responded by chastising her husband.

"Wait, alright, I'll follow your wishes. I'll sign our divorce papers, but you must help me save my mum." Zayn finally agreed because he had no other options at the moment. It was something Bianca was looking forward to.