Race With a Heart
Chapter 236: Turning Point

Chapter 236: Turning Point

August cursed in his mother tongue with the worst curses he knew. Paxton recognized his voice. How the hell was this even possible? After all, they hardly spoke to each other. Another bundle of juicy curses sprinkled from his mouth.

What would happen now? Will Paxton seek revenge on him? Will he try to silence him? Will August now face what Paxton’s first blackmailer faced?

August furrowed his brow. There were people in his country who had no qualms about removing someone who bothered them. Any means was allowed to achieve their goal. Young people were forcibly conscripted into private armies and forced to follow cruel orders. That is why August left his homeland. That is why he found a country for himself, where he could find a future for himself.

Yes, there were people who would not back down from anything for their own good. Was Paxton one of them? Was the previous person blackmailing him really dead? Or was it just a bluff? Dammit, and did August have the ability to take a chance? He threatened Paxton, he threatened Martin. If Paxton is at least half like some people in August’s homeland, August is finished!

He has no choice but to flee this country. That wouldn’t be a problem. This is not the only free country in the world. There are others where he will be able to try again. He doesn’t have to seek his fortune at all here and in this old car repair shop as an employee at that old Teddy. Nothing kept him here, no sentiments, just lack of money....

Ok, fine, he thought. Paxton did not want to pay, instead he threatened him, okay, in that case he will convince himself that he is not a god in this world and will pay for his arrogance in another way. All August wanted was money that could provide him with a good life. Paxton did not want to deplete his wallet, someone else will do it. Not Martin, the goon. Surely there will be someone in the media who has the proper funds for this kind of sensationalism. Paxton dared to threaten August? August may not have had money or influence, but he grew up in a country where every other kid was more dangerous than Paxton. This rich asshole dared to look down on him, dared to threaten him? Now he will suffer the consequences. He will find out what power the right information has.

***

Time passed so slowly that one second lasted longer than a millennium. Jack’s heart was dying in that time throttled by the black tentacle of terror and was resurrected by the light of hope and determination to be murdered again and rise again... The cycle lasted an eternity....

The door to the operating ward opened suddenly and Jack rose to see a doctor coming out. Was it the doctor who had operated on Michael, or someone who had walked away from another patient’s table? The man’s face was serious and grim. The black tentacle stopped writhing in Jack’s body, frozen in anticipation of whether it should strangle him harder or withdraw....

The doctor immediately recognized Moore’s secretary and approached him. His serious face was not a good sign.

"The operation was successful," he informed and Lambert felt the tentacle retreat with anger before relief. Michael is alive! Jack thanked god in his mind, although he was not a believer at all. "There is still a small risk, but Mr. Moore is strong and has the will to live, so his body should be able to cope quickly with the shock of the operation. He will still be under the intensive care for a few more hours, but the prognosis is very favorable."

The black tentacle retreated so much that Jack momentarily lost strength in his legs. The doctor noticed him and apparently recognized him as a family member.

"Please reduce Mr. Moore’s stress," he turned to Lambert.

"Yes, of course," replied the secretary. "Thank you, doctor."

"Yes, thank you," added Jack.

The doctor smiled crookedly and walked away. Jack was unable to support himself on his trembling legs and sat down. On the racetrack, as he frolicked at two hundred kilometers per hour and braked to twenty, where one mistake could cost him and others their health and lives, adrenaline made him feel not fear but excitement. But now, when he wasn’t the one holding the wheel, when he had no control over what was going on around him, he felt helpless, weak and... terrified.

The mobile rang - not his. It was the secretary who apologized, walked a few steps away and answered. Jack looked at him, envying his calmness. But the secretary at least had something under his control. He could do something and Jack? He was totally useless.

"Mr. Lambert," the secretary turned to him as soon as he finished talking. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Me?"

"I need to get back to the company. It seems that some rumors have begun to surface. I’m reluctant to leave the CEO, but..." He looked toward the door to the operations department. "Chairman Moore may not have vociferously supported Mr. Kevin’s decision to be with you, argued with him about it, but if he was really against your relationship, he would have found dozens of ways to end it. I know it’s not my place to talk about this, but the president loves his son very much and respects you as a sportsman and as a man so... Could you stay by his side? As a family member."

So that’s all he can do in this situation? That’s all he’s good for? But maybe that’s what is needed most in this situation? After all, he had convinced himself literally moments ago that Michael would need someone when he woke up.

"Of course," he replied.

"But first, please eat something. Anything. There are situations where we play a leading role in our own stories, and there are situations where we need to be a support for others. The support has to be strong to hold its own weight and that of the person it supports."

Jack looked at the secretary, whose words were slowly coming to his consciousness and....

"Thank you," he smiled warmly. When Michael wakes up, he will be tired and weak. When Kevin returns, he will have had a very bad experience. "I think I should actually go to the cafeteria."

He was not hungry and had no appetite, but the secretary was right. How will he be able to support Michael and Kevin if he drops his strength himself? The food had no taste, but it provided adequate nutrients, and as he set down the now empty tray, Jack felt his body gain energy. Even his footsteps as he walked to the private ward where Michael was located were stronger.

He was just inside the empty narrow corridor connecting the buildings when his smartphone alerted him to an incoming call. His heart immediately beat harder, more anxiously. It’s Paul. So there is some progress on the case....

Lambert’s hand trembled as he answered the call. God, I beg you, make Kevin live...!

"Paul..."

"Jack..." It wasn’t his brother’s voice, it was the voice of....

"Kevin!" Was it really him?

"Jack, I’m fine. I’m fine."

"Is it really you?" Lambert still couldn’t believe it. "Kevin..."

"Yes, silly, it’s me," a quiet, relieved laugh from the Professor. "I’m on my way to the hospital to see my father. What condition is he in?"

Michael, right.

"The operation went well. He’s stable. He hasn’t woken up yet, but he’s waiting for you. So am I..."

"I’ll be there soon. Wait for me in my father’s room, okay?"

"But your injuries..."

"It’s nothing, a few bruises and a cut lip. It’s nothing."

"It’s okay," Jack had tears in his eyes. Kevin was alive, Kevin was going to him and soon they would be sobbing. Thank you, God!

"Wait for me, I’ll be there soon."

"Ok. I love you, Kevin, so much..."

Suddenly, the silence of the empty corridor was broken by some restless signal and a voice coming from the speaker, "Code blue, code blue at the VVIP ward..."

"Something going on?" asked Moore anxiously.

Jack looked toward the open door to the ward, where several people were running toward where Michael’s room was. One of these people was carrying a device on a table that Jack had seen in movies. Code blue? Cardiac arrest?

"I don’t know," he answered into the receiver trying to hide his anxiety. "This is a hospital, there’s something going on here nonstop."

With the smartphone to his ear, Lamber started running. There were several rooms in the VVIP ward, and how many patients were there? How many heart surgery patients were there?

"Jack, I’m going to hang up, the police want to talk to me."

"Sure..." Lambert rushed into the corridor just as the last of the white-coat-clad people were running into the room occupied by Michael Moore....

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.