Archie and Benny exchanged a glance and shook their heads concurrently. Instead, they mentioned how much their grandfather cherished them and their mutual fondness for him..
“Daddy, Grandma still isn’t willing to acknowledge Archie and Benny,” Estella revealed. Her tone was filled with worry. Lucian stopped the car and looked over his shoulder at Archie and Benny before beckoning them closer.
The boys thought they were getting a reprimand from their father for not being. honest. However, when they inched closer, instead of at chiding, they felt a hand gently patting their heads, reassuring them.
“Don’t worry. I’ll get your grandma to apologize sooner or later, so don’t take anything she said to heart, okay?” At such a young age, they’ve already learned to disclose only the good news and keep the bad news to themselves. I don’t know whether / should be at ease or worried.
Feeling the warmth of their father’s palm, the boys locked gazes and exchanged smiles. Finally, they lifted their heads and nodded in agreement. Once they arrived home, Lucian informed Roxanne about his parents meeting the children earlier in the day.
The news worried Roxanne, and she rushed to ask Archie and Benny about the details. Her stomach churned with anxiety at the thought of Sonya insulting her kids.
Luckily, with their father’s encouragement and assurance, they didn’t mind their grandma’s brusque attitude, knowing she only acted that way due to a misunderstanding.
Roxanne wrapped her arms around them, inciting envy in Estella. Archie and Benny immediately stepped back from their mother’s embrace to let their sister have a go.
Roxanne had returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner when Lucian wrapped his arms around her from the back and promised her softly by her ear, “Roxanne, trust me when I say I won’t let the kids feel wronged ever again.”
She nodded, believing that her husband was a man of his word. In ten short days, the ginormous Damaris Group and the prestigious Damaris family with deep roots in the traditional medicine field had tumbled into ruin.
When the tree fell, the monkeys scattered. Those claiming to be distant relatives of the Damaris family had all left. Moreover, they fervently absorbed every last worthy asset the Damaris family had.
Even though the Damaris family reacted quickly, many assets were frozen before they could transfer or sell them. Jack’s assistant, Kevin, was also involved in many illegal activities. Hence, he was incarcerated as well.
Even Hector wasn’t spared. He was summoned by the police numerous times to cooperate with the investigation. Jack’s final charges were entwined with the fate of many others.
A few days later, a kind-hearted nurse helped Hector to walk into a law firm. He was dragging an IV pole with an IV bag hanging on it. His health had deteriorated a lot during that time. His exhaustion was evident on his pallid face.
After trying to make an appointment with a renowned lawyer, Allen Caldwell, a few times, he finally succeeded. He wanted to ask about the possible charges Jack would receive.
On top of being late, Allen’s expression wasn’t courteous. After all, the current Damaris family was no longer the old and powerful family it used to be. He used to try every trick in the book to be the legal advisor of Damaris Group, but Jack didn’t even spare him a glance.
The tables had turned, and it was his turn to be the one looking down his nose upon them. How curiously the world worked. However, Allen managed to calm his anger and soften the hard look on his face when he saw Hector.
This man had fought many battles in the medical field over the years and treated countless patients. He’s someone who deserves respect and shouldn’t be the one to blame for his grandson’s crimes.
“I’ll cut to the chase and tell you the truth, Old Mr. Damaris. Jack’s case doesn’t look good. He’s involved in too many criminal acts, and the police have all the evidence they need to charge him. The family members of those affected by the medication are still making reports. Thus, even if you compensate all the victims’ families, the prosecutor still won’t let a big case like this close without a fight. I’ll give you a rough analysis. The worst-case scenario is most likely life imprisonment. Ten to fifteen years is a slightly better outcome. Basically, he’ll already be in his forties when he’s released.”
Putting aside his personal feelings, Allen kept his tone as neutral as possible as he objectively analyzed Jake’s possible charges.
If the person sitting across from him wasn’t Hector, he might’ve thrown in a few jeers and insults. Jack Damaris wasn’t human. He was a monster. Despite being a doctor himself, he conducted dastardly acts due to his greed for wealth.
Even though Hector had mentally prepared himself for the possible outcomes, he was still crushed when he heard the verdicts. His body swayed, and black dots swarmed his vision. He nearly fainted from the harsh news.
Allen swiftly reached his hand out to stabilize the elderly man. “Are you okay, Old Mr. Damaris? Calm down. Please remain calm. You’re a patient yourself, so you need to control your emotions. This is why I didn’t want to meet you. I was worried it would cause you much distress.”
After taking a few deep breaths, Hector finally calmed the despair within him. Despite so, he looked as though he had aged a few years after hearing Allen’s analysis. A sickly pallor took over his face.
“Doomed! The Damaris family is a goner this time! Jack’s life is ruined!” His lips trembled vehemently as his face was etched with sadness. “Why did you have to be so stubborn? Oh, Jack! How could you have destroyed the good name of Damaris?”
The more he spoke, the deeper he slipped into despair. Finally, tears flowed from Hector’s eyes. A look of pity crossed Allen’s face at the elderly man’s desperate cries. He tried to comfort him.
What a horrible grandson! The Damaris family had wealth, power, and fame. I don’t understand what else Jack wants. Was it even necessary?
“Don’t be sad, Old Mr. Damaris. The Damaris family’s foundation is rock solid. You’re a renowned prestigious family in the medical. field, so you’ll regain your former glory one day. As long as Jack is alive, there’s still hope if he turns over a new leaf once he’s released.”
Allen had said every encouragement he could think of for fear Hector’s health would further deteriorate from the cruel reality.
“No, the Damaris family doesn’t need to regain our former glory. We don’t need the riches, nor do we need the power. This incident has dragged centuries of the Damaris family’s good name through the mud. I fear it will never regain its untainted state. From today onward, there won’t be a Damaris family in the medical field.”
Hector sighed defeatedly once he had accepted the Damaris family’s fate. His eyes misted over, filled with desolation.
“Thank you, Mr. Caldwell. I’ll pay the consultation fee once I settle the hospital bill. I’m deeply ashamed!” Hector rose to stand on wobbly legs and nodded at Allen in gratitude.
Allen hurriedly waved his hands. “There’s no need for that, Old Mr. Damaris. You should save it for your medical bill. You’ve saved countless lives in this lifetime. I feel bad seeing you in such a state. You can look for me if you have any financial difficulties, and I’ll do what I can. Your grandson is a good-for-nothing, but that doesn’t negate your noble accomplishments!”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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