Chapter 64:
Knowing how sharp and determined Rylie was, Selah didn’t argue. She simply reached over to affectionately pat Rylie’s head. “Freddy mentioned you’ve finally found your real family. Isn’t it time you went home to them?”
But Rylie caught the sadness in Selah’s eyes — a loneliness that came from not having children of her own. She gave a mischievous grin. “What are you talking about? HaloFlow is home for me too! Besides, nobody cooks like you. I’m staying for dinner. Will you make something special?”
Warmth returned to Selah’s expression, her smile blooming with affection. “I’ll get started right now.”
As Selah disappeared into the kitchen to start dinner, Rylie pulled aside one of the pharmacists at HaloFlow. “Can you fill me in on what really happened all those years ago?”
After a moment’s hesitation, he finally opened up.
In those days, both Selah’s and the Wilde family’s names were rising in the medical world. However, Selah’s family didn’t have the same resources, and she was their brightest star. A bitter disagreement erupted between her and Evita over how to treat a critical patient — Selah pushed for a groundbreaking neural surgery, but the patient died right on the operating table.
The tragedy hit even harder because the patient’s relatives held significant power, and the fallout destroyed Selah’s family’s prospects overnight. Had it not been for the lives she had saved before — and someone influential stepping in — Selah would have spent much more time behind bars than she actually did.
Rylie’s mind worked through the story. She knew how careful Selah was with every case; something about this version didn’t sit right. A major surgical mistake seemed impossible for Selah unless there was more to the story, something deeper.
Leaving the pharmacy, Rylie called Britton right away. “I need you to dig up every instance of malpractice involving the Wilde family at VitaLink Hospital. Get me hard evidence — I want to make sure the Wildes are taken down for good.”
Hearing the gravity in her tone, Britton responded immediately, “You got it, boss. I’ll handle it and get back to you as soon as possible.”
LΑτєѕτ chαρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝑛ovєl𝑆.𝗰𝑜𝗺
Once dinner with Selah wrapped up, Rylie made her way back to Serenity Manor.
Inside, Paola’s room sparkled with brand new furniture and decorations. Laurel greeted her with a rehearsed smile. “Do you like how I arranged your room, Rylie? If anything’s missing, just say the word.”
Rylie’s gaze swept over the room’s over-the-top princess decor. She managed a polite nod. “Thank you for your trouble, Aunt Laurel.”
Kendrick soon appeared at the door. “Rylie, Grandfather wants a word with you.” Upon entering Kendrick’s study, Rylie spotted her two brothers and Paola already waiting.
She walked up to the desk. “Grandfather, you wanted to see me?”
Kendrick motioned for her to take a seat on the sofa. “Since you’ve come back, I’ve been thinking about throwing a grand banquet in your honor — a chance for friends and dignitaries from all over to meet my cherished granddaughter. Still, Paola mentioned that…”
“You might not be comfortable with something so grand right away, and I suggested we hold off for now. How do you feel about it? The decision is completely yours.”
In her quiet way, Rylie felt out of place in a room full of flashing lights and bustling energy. Looking around, she admitted, “This isn’t the kind of environment I’m used to.”
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