Chapter 1267

Mr. Marquez: ??

Josefina lost? No way. He just couldn't wrap his head around it.

Mr. Marquez had never imagined Josefina could actually fail.

The sudden return of Zachary's headache caught Josefina completely off guard. She'd already cured him—this wasn't supposed to happen.

"Let me check," Josefina said, grabbing Zachary's wrist to feel his pulse. Her eyes darted around the room, sharp and unyielding.

Sandi flinched under her gaze, heart pounding. She turned quickly to Lydia, chatting nervously to hide how rattled she felt.

Josefina reached into her bag, pulled out a small pill, and slipped it into Zachary's mouth, steadying his symptoms first.

"What did you just give him? Are you trying to poison Zachary? Josefina, what's your problem?” Wilson snapped.

Josefina shot him a glare colder than ice. "Don't distract me while I'm saving someone."

Wilson went silent, her chilling look shutting him up before he could say another word.

Josefina moved fast, starting acupuncture—her hands steady, her pace picking up.

Sandi hovered nearby, biting her lip as she watched. She pulled out her phone, wanting to text Makiko, but hesitated. If anyone saw her, she'd be in serious trouble. She tucked the phone away, sweating.

Around them, people started whispering.

"What is Josefina even doing? If she can't fix this, she should just say so. Someone should call an ambulance for Zachary."

"Can't you tell? She was showing off, but now it's all coming apart.”

"She's in way over her head. There's no way out of this."

"She could've just ignored Wilson, but no-she had to make a bet. Thought she had

it handled, and now look. Total disaster."

“Don't be too much like Josefina." Everyone seemed to agree with that.

Mandy heard the murmurs and felt her heart sink. Was Zachary really in danger? That couldn't be. No way.

She leaned in close to Josefina and whispered, "Josie..."

"Mandy, hand me the red-tipped needle."

“Huh? Oh—right.” Mandy fumbled for the needle and carefully passed it over.

Josefina took it, then pressed it into the last acupuncture point. Zachary's breathing evened out he was stabilizing.

Josefina didn't let up, watching him like a hawk. Only when she finally withdrew the last needle did she relax, just a little.

Zachary blinked, then sat up. Suddenly, he felt clear-headed, lighter than he'd ever been. He stood, looking around in disbelief. Then he grabbed Wilson's hand nearly shouting, “My headache is gone! Seriously, I feel amazing-it's like a weight's been lifted!"

Wilson: ??

"That's impossible!" Wilson sputtered, refusing to believe it.

“I'm not kidding, man!” Zachary grinned. “I feel incredible. It's like the clouds finally cleared and I can see the sun."

Wilson was stunned into silence. Zachary was fine but he sure wasn't. Was he really going to have to drop out now? No way. He couldn't let that happen.

"Zachary, are you sure?" Wilson

asked, voice tight. "You looked like you were on death's door just a second ago. How can you be totally fine now?” He squeezed Zachary's. hàng, giving him despėtate looks trying to signal him.

Mr. Marquez, ever the seasoned observer, saw right through it all. He watched

Wilson closely, not missing a thing.

"Wilson, no one knows how Zachary feels better than Zachary himself," Mr. Marquez

said. “If he says he's okay, then he's okay."

Zachary couldn't stop smiling. "I'm

telling you, I actually feel great.

Josefina, you really surprised me.

had that up your

Didnt know you had that up

sleeve."

Josefina's eyes swept the room again, landing on Sandi. Sandi froze, feeling like

she'd just been struck by lightning.