CHAPTER 110: CHAPTER 110: JENSON FORREST ARRIVES

It was Alaric Hawthorne. He was wearing a white coat and exuded an authoritative presence that immediately subdued the crowd.

"Dr. Hawthorne." A few flustered nurses looked as if they had found their backbone.

Alaric Hawthorne spoke in a deep voice. "Hospital security will be here soon. Stop causing trouble! This is a hospital! All you onlookers, disperse!"

He then instructed the medical staff, "Go check on the patient first."

The crowd quickly dispersed and vanished. The head nurse led the other nurses into the ward.

Only then did Zinnia Lawrence step away from the bedside. She breathed a sigh of relief as she walked toward the doorway where Alaric Hawthorne and Yara Fairchild stood.

Yara Fairchild’s livestream was still on. She pointed her camera at the faces of Gloria Grant and George Grant inside the ward, loudly addressing her viewers.

"Things aren’t at all like what you heard. You’ve all been deceived by these three people, so take a good look at their faces."

"What are you doing!?"

"Get away! Turn it off!"

Forced to retreat, Gloria Grant and her two companions awkwardly shielded their faces from the camera with their hands.

The head nurse saw the continued commotion and intervened. Only then did Yara Fairchild turn off the livestream.

Meanwhile, Crystal Sutton, who had been watching the livestream from her car, threw her phone in anger upon seeing the comments turn against her.

She was breathing heavily with rage when she looked up and unexpectedly spotted a familiar Cullinan speeding into the underground parking lot.

When she saw Jenson Forrest get out of the car and head quickly toward the elevator with Timothy Cohen, Crystal Sutton bit her lip.

Jenson Forrest actually came too. He still cares about Zinnia Lawrence, rushing over for her!

Thinking about the man’s voice she had just heard on the livestream, Crystal Sutton’s lips curled into a cold smile.

Too bad Jenson Forrest is a step too late. He’s going to see someone else playing the hero for Zinnia. I wonder what he’ll think then.

With a soft scoff, Crystal Sutton opened the car door.

「Inside the ward.」

Gloria Grant originally thought that if she caused a scene and pressured Zinnia Lawrence, the girl would surely hand over the money. She simply didn’t believe Zinnia hadn’t received any assets from her divorce with Jenson Forrest. But who would have thought that even after all that chaos, that wicked girl still wouldn’t part with a single penny.

Just as Alaric Hawthorne arrived, two hospital security guards came in right behind him and escorted Gloria Grant and her two companions out of the ward.

"I’m warning you, stop causing trouble and leave now!" one of the guards said, releasing his grip and staring down the trio.

Zinnia Lawrence followed them out of the ward. The matter with Mason Lawrence had to be resolved. If she just drove Gloria Grant and the others away this time, they would definitely cause trouble again. Mason couldn’t act on his own right now, and Gloria Grant was his mother.

If Gloria Grant was determined to stop her, it would be extremely difficult to take Mason abroad.

As soon as Zinnia Lawrence stepped out, Gloria Grant glared at her with eyes that looked like they could devour her whole. "You wicked girl," she cursed, "if I go to the police and refuse to agree, no matter what, they will absolutely not let you take my son away!"

Gloria Grant was banking on this leverage to demand a massive payout from Zinnia.

Zinnia Lawrence bit her lip and compromised. "I can’t possibly come up with ten million. Five hundred thousand. You let me take my brother, and I’ll transfer you the money in installments over the next six months."

"Five hundred thousand? Zinnia Lawrence, are you treating us like beggars? We won’t take a penny less than ten million!"

"That’s right, not a penny less!" Gloria Grant and Holly Tilton clamored.

Zinnia Lawrence sneered. "I said five hundred thousand, and I won’t give a penny more. If you don’t accept it, go to the police. They aren’t unreasonable. By then, you might not even get the five hundred thousand. It would be quite interesting if you got charged with extortion instead. Think about it."

Zinnia Lawrence didn’t want to waste her breath on them. After stating her decision, she turned to head back to the ward.

But an enraged Angus Grant suddenly rushed forward, grabbed Zinnia’s shoulder, and raised a hand to slap her.

Worried, Alaric Hawthorne had followed her out and happened to see the whole thing.

He swiftly pulled Zinnia into his arms, clasped Angus Grant’s wrist, twisted it, and forcefully shoved him away.

Angus Grant stumbled and fell hard to the ground with a loud thud.

"Are you all right?" Alaric Hawthorne asked, holding Zinnia by the shoulders and looking down at her with concern.

Zinnia could feel the rush of air from the attempted slap. Her face was a little pale as she shook her head at Alaric Hawthorne.

But an inadvertent glance made her freeze. Not far away, Jenson Forrest was walking toward them.

The man’s handsome face was as coolly remote as ever, and he carried himself with his usual air of noble composure.

And keeping pace right beside him was a delicate figure: Crystal Sutton.

Zinnia Lawrence watched them approach side by side and curled her fingers slightly.

"Auntie, how could you come here and cause a scene?" Crystal Sutton said as she rushed over to Gloria Grant, her face a mask of anxious reproach.

Gloria Grant clung to her as if she were her own beloved daughter, tears streaming down her face. "Crystal, you have to help me! Your sister wants to take your brother abroad and leave me here all alone. How can she do that?"

"Auntie, don’t cry. You must have misunderstood my sister. She’s a filial daughter; she wouldn’t just abandon you," Crystal Sutton said, comforting Gloria Grant while her words subtly undermined Zinnia.

Jenson Forrest’s gaze, however, didn’t stray to anyone else. He walked straight toward Zinnia Lawrence and Alaric Hawthorne.

His eyes fixed on Alaric Hawthorne’s right hand, which was still on Zinnia’s shoulder. A deep chill emanated from his gaze, and his lips curved into the barest hint of a smile.

"Dr. Hawthorne is certainly very caring."

Alaric Hawthorne didn’t remove his hand. He looked back at Jenson Forrest and replied nonchalantly, "You flatter me, President Forrest."

Seeing that Zinnia didn’t object to Alaric Hawthorne’s arm around her, Jenson reached out, gripped her wrist, and pulled her to his side. His voice was surprisingly gentle as he looked down at her. "Why didn’t you call me when you got into trouble? Dr. Hawthorne is an outsider. It’s not right to always be bothering outsiders."

He’s being ridiculous, Zinnia thought. They’re already divorced. Isn’t he an outsider here, too? Why on earth would she call him? Besides, from the way he showed up with Crystal Sutton, it doesn’t look like he came to help her. It looks more like he’s here to back up Crystal and Gloria Grant. Today’s incident definitely has something to do with Crystal Sutton. She’d have to have been kicked in the head by a donkey to call Jenson Forrest for help. Just so he could come and support Crystal?

Zinnia pulled her hand away. "Has Stellar gone bankrupt? You seem to have a lot of free time, President Forrest."

Jenson Forrest didn’t press her, letting her withdraw her hand. But in the next moment, he raised his own hand and patted her shoulder twice.

He patted the exact spot where Alaric Hawthorne’s hand had just been, as if brushing away some kind of filth. After patting it twice, his hand remained there, unmoving, in a clear display of possession.

Zinnia raised her head and frowned at him.

Jenson replied, "What nonsense. I still rely on Stellar to support the family... and you. Stellar won’t go bankrupt."

Zinnia’s eyes widened. What the hell is he talking about? We’re divorced! If he’s supporting a family, he’s supporting Crystal Sutton. What does that have to do with me? It’s not like I get half a penny out of it!

"We’re already—" Zinnia started to remind him, but Jenson cut her off. He looked up at Alaric Hawthorne and said, "Dr. Hawthorne has already submitted his resignation to the hospital. Officially, you are no longer a doctor here. And personally, this is our family’s private business. So, if you’ll excuse us, we’d like to handle this ourselves. Still, thank you for your help just now, Dr. Hawthorne."