Chapter 8: An Indirect Rebuke

Words : 1842 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

No one had expected Fabian Farrell to actually haul Kingston back from the brink. They all stared at him, stunned, then pinched their own arms, hard. The bite of pain told them this was no dream. Dante Doyle, seeing his father's eyes open, hurried over and asked anxiously, "Dad, how are you feeling?" Kingston gave a slight nod; he was fine, then asked anxiously, "Has Bella come back?" Amara smiled. "She's back. Don't worry, Dad." Only then did Kingston finally relax. Amara quickly sent Carlos Doyle to fetch the doctor. The doctor nearly toppled out of his chair when he heard the news. "He… he's really been brought back?" He muttered to himself, unable to believe it. What the hell? The old man's organs had all been on the verge of shutting down. A heart condition had already triggered neurological problems. He should not have lasted. And yet he had. That kid, was he even human? Shaken, the doctor bolted for the ward. After a meticulous round of tests, he discovered that aside from general weakness, the old man truly had no issues left to speak of. Dylan Briggs clenched his fists. Damn, the old bastard actually pulled through. He pasted on a look of concern all the same; Kingston Doyle was not someone he could afford to offend. When the checkup ended, Kingston noticed Hugo standing nearby in a hospital gown. "Hugo, what are you doing here? What happened to you?" Hugo walked up with a grin. "Kingston, what a coincidence-aren't we a pair. I had one foot in with the King of Hell, and you were about to follow. And wouldn't you know it, this young man pulled us both back. The kid's medical skills are otherworldly." Hearing Hugo, Bella quickly brought Fabian over to Kingston. "Grandpa, this is Fabian Farrell. He not only saved me, he saved Grandpa Hugo and you too." She spoke with unabashed pride. "Young man, thank you. You've let these old bones carry on a few more days," Kingston Doyle said, gratitude heavy in his voice. "Please-you're Bella's grandfather. If anything happened to you, how could I just stand by? Don't worry, I'll put you on a therapeutic diet with some herbal tonics. Stick to it for six months, and I promise you'll have decades ahead of you. For now, you've only just recovered, so try not to get worked up." Fabian spoke with easy confidence. "Hahaha, good. Then this old man will be counting on you." Kingston gave a hearty laugh, then eyed Fabian's plain clothes with curiosity. "So, where are you from, young man?" "I came down from Seize Mountain," Fabian answered truthfully. "Oh. If you've nothing urgent, stay at the Doyle residence a few days. You saved me. I should show my appreciation." "All right. I'll need a few days to monitor your condition and fine-tune the diet. I'll stay, thank you, Kingston." The Doyle relatives exchanged startled looks. He looked barely twenty, and yet he had such skill, rescuing both Hugo and Kingston, two heavyweights. Who knows what he'll be capable of down the road? Their initial disdain had already flipped to thoughts of how to get close to Fabian. Watching how Bella and Kingston treated him, Dylan made a silent vow. Given the chance, he'd make sure Fabian could never make a comeback. After everyone paid their respects to Kingston Doyle, they trickled out of the hospital. Hugo went back to his own ward. Only Dante and Amara, Bella and Carlos, Fabian, and Dylan remained. "Dante, have you looked into it?" Kingston asked. Dante blinked, then nodded. "Dad, don't worry. I've already sent people to investigate." "Hmph. Whoever dared to hurt my granddaughter really has a death wish," Kingston said, anger simmering. "Kingston, you've just gotten better-take it easy and don't get agitated," Dylan said with a smile. Kingston gave Dylan a brief look. His expression eased a fraction, though no smile touched it. "Dylan is here too." Seeing his father notice Dylan, Dante hurried to speak up for him. "Yes. From the moment you fell ill, Dylan has been running himself ragged looking for doctors for you-only the best in the hospital. These two days have worn him out." "Uncle flatters me. With Kingston ill, of course I had to come," Dylan replied, deferential. "Mm." Kingston did not add more. He turned to Bella. His voice went grave. "Bella, in matters of the heart, you love who you love. As long as I'm here, no one will force you." The color drained from Dylan's face. In families like this, the children's wishes normally did not matter. Secure Dante and Amara's consent, and Bella could not resist. He had not expected Kingston to say this-least of all with him standing right there. It was a slap in the face. Before Dylan could react, Kingston continued, "Carlos, you're not a child anymore. Even if you lack initiative, you must at least know right from wrong. You represent the Doyle family." "Yes," Carlos answered, head bowed. Dylan's heart lurched. Kingston must have guessed what he had set Carlos up to do earlier. None of those words were really for Carlos. Every line had been aimed at him. Ignoring Dylan's expression, Kingston said to Dante, "Dante, from now on, run things by Amara before you make decisions. Sometimes you rush and don't think things through. Do you hear me?" Dante lowered his head as well. "Yes." Dylan's brows knit. His gaze turned icy. Kingston, you old bastard. On the surface you were scolding your own, but every sentence was for me. So what if you know? I've had your son and grandson dancing in the palm of my hand. Sooner or later, your family's fortune will be mine. Carlos is a fool who knows nothing. Bella is a naive girl who can't make waves. And Fabian, a country bumpkin with a knack for medicine-crushing you will be as easy as squashing an ant for the Briggs family. Rage surged in him, close to boiling over, but he kept his smile in place and said to Dante and Amara, "Uncle, Auntie, Kingston, Bella, I've been out for days. There's a lot waiting at the company. I'll head back." Dante glanced at his father, then smiled. "All right. Go take care of your work." After Dylan left, Dante's face tightened with embarrassment. Amara nudged his arm and shot him a look. Dante cleared his throat and smiled at Fabian. "Fabian, I was out of line earlier. Don't take it personally." Fabian smiled gently. "It's fine. I understand." "Good. You're young, but you've got a generous heart." Dante laughed, his dislike of Fabian softening. … At the Doyle residence, Kingston asked Bella to settle Fabian in one of the guest rooms. Fabian did not bother changing clothes. He lay down on the bed at once. He had never slept on anything so soft. Up on Seize Mountain, he'd always slept on a hard wooden board. Nothing there felt anything like this plush spring mattress.

Chapter 8: An Indirect Rebuke

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