The stark truth hit Zach hard, demanding he face it despite its severity.
“I don’t care what it takes, I want you to cure her,” Zach demanded, his voice tinged with desperation.
“It’s not that simple. She’s resisting the treatment, refusing to wake up. At this rate, even a miracle wouldn’t be enough to save her,” Kai responded, weary resignation filling his eyes.
“Fine. If the medical treatments here can’t help, then I’ll take her abroad. Surely someone out there can do something,” Zach shot back, stubborn hope clouding his judgment.
Kai had to admit that Zach seemed to have lost his grip on reality. “Perhaps there’s one last resort,” Kai mused cautiously.
Avoiding any disclosure of Madelyn’s true background and the mysterious Hawk family, Kai sought the advice of Agustin.
He began, his voice laden with urgency, “Agustin, that’s how it stands. If you could perhaps share something about Alicia Wood, it might jolt her awake.”
Still recovering from surgery, Agustin sat in his hospital ward. Sorrow clouded his features after hearing everything from Kai. Agustin said, “You’ve been reckless, Kai. You’ve drugged Madelyn without grasping the whole picture. How am I supposed to face Ms. Wood now, knowing this?”
Kai felt a weight of guilt press upon him as he fell to his knees in front of Agustin. “It’s all my fault. I failed Madelyn. I beg you, Agustin, please help her.”
Sorrowful yet resolute, Agustin finally turned away, gazing out the window. “Fine, if doing so might awaken her, then I’ll give it a try. My score with Hayson is settled and I have no more regrets.”
Kai accompanied Agustin and walked into Madelyn’s ward. Kai motioned for Zach to stay back and mouthed silently, “Let him try.”
“Anyone can enter, but not you,” Agustin said curtly, his face stern. “Every offspring of Hayson is good for nothing.”
With those cutting words, Agustin closed the door behind him, leaving Zach standing there, his eyes darkening ominously.
“He’d better not disappoint me,” Zach muttered, narrowing his eyes at Kai, who quickly nodded in agreement.
Right now, nothing was more important than Madelyn waking up. As for Agustin’s identity, Zach did not delve too much into it.
Meanwhile, Serena returned home but did not do as Zach had asked. Instead, she boldly announced her artwork to the media, even planning an exhibition at the largest center in the capital.
When reporters asked, “Ms. Smith, we heard that Prof. Monet will also be attending your exhibition. Is that true?”
Smiling for the cameras, Serena confidently responded, “Absolutely!”
Another reporter chimed in, “One more thing, we’ve heard from sources that your name used to be Serena, but now you’re Madelyn Smith. What’s the story behind the name change? Could you share?”
“Did you go abroad for plastic surgery? You look strikingly similar to Madelyn Jent. Even your name is the same now! Both of you were also in the same class in high school; are you still in contact with her?”
