Chapter 602

Orson stood off to the side, waiting for Rupert to give further instructions.

Rupert didn't say a word. He reached into his coat, searching for his lighter, but after rummaging around for a while, he couldn't find it. The rightful source is f͟i͟n͟d͟n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟.net

Without a word, Orson pulled his own lighter from his pocket and flicked it, lighting Rupert's cigarette for him.

Rupert took a deep drag, his face brooding and silent, the ember at his fingertips trembling slightly.

He stood like that for a long moment before, through the haze of smoke, he finally spoke. "Go on."

"Yes, sir."

Orson shot him a worried glance before heading off to find Chris.

But when he reached Chris's office, it was empty.

He called him, only to find out Chris was over at the outpatient building, helping out with some hospital event.

It was noisy on the other end, and Chris had to practically shout to be heard not exactly the best way to have a conversation.

"I'll come find you," Orson said, and hung up.

He stepped outside just as the sky, which had been bright and sunny that morning, erupted into a torrential downpour.

Orson frowned and was about to make a run for it when a car pulled up beside him.

"Hey, Orson!"

The window rolled down just a crack, but Orson already recognized the voice- and felt his irritation rising.

Zion.

Zion lowered the window further, and Orson spotted two people in the backseat. Lester and Sylvia.

Before Orson could even say hello, Sylvia suddenly let out a squeal, clutching her phone in one hand and grabbing Lester's with the other.

"Oh my god! My dream school just emailed-they want to interview me online! Do you know how tough their admissions are? I spent ages perfecting my application and I can't believe they actually replied!"

Lester glanced at her phone and said, "It's pretty far from here, though."

Sylvia immediately sobered up, realizing she might have gone overboard with her reaction. She had, after all, promised Lester she'd consider the college he was interested in.

"I mean, it's just an interview. No guarantee I'll get in."

"You don't have to worry about me," Lester replied with a gentle smile. "What matters most is your future."

"Thank you! I owe you dinner-something fancy."

Sylvia was clearly over the moon. Only after she said this did she notice Orson standing by the window.

Seeing him, she couldn't help but think of someone else.

She reined in her excitement. "Hey, Orson."

"Mr. Sanford. Ms. Lloyd," Orson greeted them politely. "Are you two here for...?”

Lester explained, "My dad heard that Tristan was admitted to the hospital. He just flew back into the country and things to take

Sad some

so he asked me to check in."

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"I see. Well, I won't keep you."

Orson stepped back, but when he saw Sylvia grinning at her phone, he couldn't

help but be reminded of Rupert's solitary figure standing in the hallway.

"Ms. Lloyd, actually—"

"What's up?" Sylvia looked up at him.

Thinking of Rupert's warning, Orson hesitated, then said, “Tristan's really fine. You

don't have to go up there no point risking another one of his tirades."

"Thanks, I get it. I'll just wait in the car for Mr. Sanford," Sylvia said gratefully.

Orson nodded and was about to leave when Zion called out, dropping his sunglasses to the tip of his nose with a grim. "Hey, it's pouring out, man. How are you planning to get around? Don't say never do you any favors-here, take my umbrella." s

Zion tossed a folded black umbrella to Orson, then pulled away.

Orson looked at the plain umbrella in his hand and couldn't help but smile a little.

Guess Zion wasn't a total lost cause.

Back in the car, Zion pushed his sunglasses back up, a sly smirk on his face.

Sylvia noticed and asked, "Zion, what's with the evil grin?"

"What do you think? Sweet, sweet revenge."

Sylvia blinked. "What do you mean?"

Lester rolled his eyes. "Don't mind him. He's just spoiled by my dad. Never takes anything seriously."

Sylvia looked at them in surprise. "Wait, are you guys related or something?"

"Nope," Zion replied with a laugh. "I'm a scholarship kid. Mr. Sanford saw my grades, said was smart and hard working and brought me into the Sanford family to, you know, shape me up." s