PAMPERED

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Minutes ago, in the elevator… 1

“Sir, are you alright?” asked the bodyguard, noticing Zoren massaging the top of his brow.

Zoren glanced at his bodyguards and squinted.

“Yes,” he kept his answer short, straightening his back. “Don’t mind me. I’m alright.”

The bodyguard lowered his head and took a step back, giving him some space. When the lift arrived at their destination, more bodyguards were already waiting for him outside.

Zoren didn’t stop for anyone, heading straight to the ward where Dean was. However, despite the strong and stoic front he maintained, Zoren’s vision was blurring with every passing second. His head had been aching since the moment he woke up–probably because of the incident not so long ago,

I’m not going blind, am I?‘ he wondered as they made a turn in the hallway.

Snapping his eyes ahead, he caught sight of a woman squeezing herself to the side to make way.

“Move aside,” he said, his voice barely audible to the men around him. “The way is not only for

1. us.

The bodyguards glanced at him and then noticed the woman ahead. They quickly stepped aside, squeezing into the other lane.

When Zoren got closer to Dean’s private ward, another sharp pain struck the side of his head. His steps slowed, but he didn’t stop. The only time he paused was when he reached the door of the private ward.

‘My vision is getting even more blurry,‘ he thought, taking a shallow breath before exhaling slowly,

Despite everything happening within him, his demeanor, stance, and stoic front didn’t change. When he stepped inside the ward, he could only rely on the big movements and colors inside

the room.

“Uncle,” Dean smiled gently, watching his uncle sit down. “What a surprise! I didn’t know you’d visit today” @

“Didn’t Ben tell you about it?”

“No.”

“I probably told him in my head and forgot to say it.”

Dean shook his head and glanced at the door behind Zoren. “Had you been waiting outside?”

“Why would I wait outside?”

“Ahh. So you just came in,” Dean chuckled, smiling. “Nothing, Uncle. I just thought I made you

wait.

“Who? Did we have a luitar?”

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Dean’s brows rose slightly at the question before he smiled broadly. “Yes, but it seems you

missed her.”

“Her?”

“My girlfriend,” he chuckled. “Didn’t I tell you I’m seeing someone?”

“No.” Zoren leaned back and rested one leg over the other. “Not interested, either.”

Dean chortled. “Right. You’re never interested in trivial matters.

Zoren blinked slowly, saying nothing more. Meanwhile, Dean maintained his smile, his gaze shifting to someone outside.

“How are you,

Uncle?” Dean broke the silence, glancing at the small bandage on Zoren’s temple. “I heard you got into an accident too. It’s scary living in these times. After your accident, I got

into one as well.”

“Mhm“.

“I heard you broke a bone, but you seem fine.”

“I am fine.”

Dean blinked, studying him. “Uncle, why are you here?”

“To show you I’m fine.” Zoren planted his hands on the armrest and pushed himself up. Gazing down at his nephew, he said indifferently, “I agree that living in these times is scary. You never know when you’ll get bitten. Be careful next time, Dean.

The smile on Dean’s face remained, but he understood the threat in his uncle’s words. “When I

have the time, I will visit, Uncle.”

“Go home,” Zoren said, glancing at his nephew as if studying him. “Hospital bills are expensive.

Says the one who’s always in the hospital.

Dean chuckled, nodding. “I will.”

Having said that, Zoren didn’t linger any longer and walked out. Dean, on the other hand, fixed his eyes on his uncle’s retreating figure. When the door closed, the smile on his face faded, replaced with a cold expression.

“He didn’t recognize her?” he whispered. “Or did she take a different route?”

Dean slowly arched a brow before squinting. “Something’s wrong with him,” he muttered before the corner of his lips curled into a smirk. “Is he hiding another illness now?”

Meanwhile…

Penny’s patience was burning aggressively and steadily as she waited to hear back from Yugl. So when the heavens sided with her today and she saw her husband, she didn’t want to miss the chance to gather more information about him.

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Sitting in the hospital lobby, Penny positioned herself on one of the couches with a magazine over her face. Her eyes lingered over the top of the magazine, waiting for Zoren to emerge.

DING!

When she heard the faint elevator chime, she perked up. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw a group of uniformed men step out. The second she spotted that tall figure among them, Penny held her breath.

“That’s it! It’s really him! That bastard–!‘Penny clasped the magazine tightly, her entire body trembling with anger.

With that thought in mind, Penny slowly placed the magazine back. As the group drew closer to her vantage point, she rose from her seat and sauntered in their direction. She couldn’t just confront him and make a scene; it was better to approach with a diplomatic heart.

But alas…

“Excuse-” Penny barely stepped into their vicinity when a bodyguard stopped in front of her.

“Miss, do you need anything?”

“Oh, yeah.” Penny nodded and pointed at the person they were guarding. “I need to talk to him.”

Zoren’s steps slowed as he looked back at her.

Penny could’ve sworn their eyes met, but the man treated her as if she were invisible. “!!!!”

This was your wife here?!

“I’m sorry, Miss, but we cannot allow that,” said the bodyguard, thinking she was just one of those women trying to crawl into a rich man’s bed. Even so, he kept his tone polite. “Please stay away. Do it while we’re asking nicely”

Penny opened and closed her mouth, rendered speechless by how quickly the bodyguard jumped to conclusions. He didn’t have to say what he was thinking; it was already written all over his

face! Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Hah.” She scoffed, watching the bodyguards warily walk away while keeping an eye on her as if expecting her to run after them and breach their formation.

While all this was happening, Zoren didn’t stop and quickly jumped into the car that was waiting

for him outside.

“Sir, is everything alright?” asked Benjamin from the front row as soon as Zoren got inside.

Zoren was massaging his temple with his eyes closed as he replied, “There’s a woman in the lobby. Tell her that if she needs something from me, she should make a proper appointment. I’ll see her then.”

“She’s probably someone your uncle sent to seduce you, Benjamin assumed. “There’s no need to bother with her, sir.”

Zoren didn’t reply, continuing to massage his temple. Seeing this, Benjamin couldn’t help but

raise his concern.

<

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“Sir, should we cancel your next appointment?”

“No.” Zoren peeked at the front. “But call Doctor Tan for me.”

Benjamin pressed his lips together and lowered his head, thinking Zoren wanted to call one of the best doctors in the world for another health concern. “Yes, sir. He’s still in the country, so I’m sure he can meet you right away.”

After everything was settled, they sped away to Zoren’s next “important” appointment.

At the same time, Penny stepped out of the hospital and watched the cars go away.

“Hah!” she sneered. “Oh, no. You’re not going anywhere… until you divorce me?

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