469: Get it together, man.

Get it together, man.

[City Medical Center]0

"They were saved, Madam." Butler Fu stood a few steps from Grandma Zhu. The latter was standing in front of the window, holding on to her cane to keep her balance, eyes on the city lights that appeared like stars in the ground. 

"I haven't heard the details from Mr. Zhang, but everyone is fine... fortunately," he added solemnly. "They're on their way here."

Grandma Zhu kept her attention on the view out of the window, letting out a shallow sigh. "It's been a long time, wasn't it?"

"When I first met the General, he was still a young private who carried a righteous heart," she continued in a quiet tone. "I remembered how his eyes used to light up in the face of justice — he used to impress me. Time truly changes people, huh?"

"People's hearts have always been changeable, Madam. If a vicious man found satisfaction in being a house attendant, then it wouldn't be surprising if a righteous man turned corrupt." A subtle smile appeared on Butler Fu's face, eyes on the old madam's back. "It is a shame, however, inevitable."

"Inevitable..." Grandma Zhu rocked her head. "Well, our relationship with him was a fair trade. Butler Fu, the general, already showed whose side he was on. Take away the role I gave him. He is also getting older, after all. He should retire and give the position to someone else worthy to protect this nation."

Butler Fu lowered his head with his arm across his abdomen. "I'll make arrangements, Madam."

"I am foolish to think my people would never betray my grandson." Grandma Zhu let out a deep exhale, eyes softening as she stared at the twinkling city lights. "They might have not betrayed me, but times were different for Dominic. My poor grandson. This would serve as a lesson for the both of us."

"I am certain the master will reevaluate this situation and have a deeper understanding of why you had done things in the past which he doesn't agree with previously." Butler Fu sported a subtle smile. "Please rest, Madam. I will tend to them once they arrive."

"Just do what needs to be done." Grandma Zhu waved dismissively. "Don't worry about me. I am still as strong as a cow. With everything that is going on in this family, I can't die yet."

Grandma Zhu stomped her cane lightly as she turned around slowly. When she faced Butler Fu, she huffed.

"Arrange a meeting with the General. I would like to have a word with him for the last time," she added, walking her way to the seat to wait for her grandsons and Heaven.

Meanwhile, Butler Fu assisted her back to the chair before bidding her farewell. He made sure the Old Madam Zhu was comfortable before leaving the ward to execute her orders and to wait for the young masters and the young mistress to arrive. 

*

*

*

Dominic never ran so fast in his life until tonight. Bombs were planted around the building and the path they came from collapsed, following them viciously. Every second was important. Despite the crawling fear in his heart, his determination overpowered any other emotions. When they managed to get out of the building through the skin of their teeth, only then did he realize the authorities had just arrived. 

The authorities didn't waste a second, taking everyone into custody while putting first aid on Dominic's people. They first tended to Sebastian and Riley, and then Heaven and Gray. Although Tiger and Bear weren't injured, they were still taken to the ambulance and were rushed to the medical city hospital. 

Everything after that was a blur to him. He hadn't even processed they were saved, knowing he had to hear his son's and wife's condition first. 

Sitting in the waiting area in the hallway, Dominic stared at the wall across from him blankly. Heaven had another bleeding and thus, she was rushed to the emergency. His son was the same. They only realized the severity of Sebastian's injuries when they were given first aid.

"Hah..." Dominic hung his head low, burying his face in his palms. 'What a crazy night.'

Dominic closed his eyes as he tried to calm his breathing. His mind was still muddled, unable to process everything in one go. All he knew was that he almost lost his family... and even now, he couldn't say they were safe. Considering his son and wife were in the emergency room, there was still a high possibility things would go downhill. 

"It's all my fault," he whispered, eyes still shut, with his face in his palms. 'I was too confident and arrogant.' — This situation humbled him. 

Now that he had the time to think things through, the bitterness and guilt that had been clenching his heart grew stronger. He couldn't suppress the shame creeping up his spine, remembering how his wife put her life in danger just to save Sebastian. He should be the one protecting them, but in the end, he was the one who was protected by the person he promised to protect. 

His wife was pregnant on top of that, and right now, they might lose their unborn child because of his incompetence. 

"Damn…" he hissed through his gritted teeth. His face crumpled as his jaw tightened before his brows rose upon sensing a person's presence on his side. 

Dominic peeled his face from his palm, turning his head, only for his eyes to land on Tiger. Both of them were given first aid, which explained the band-aids on their cheeks and forehead. Their clothes were also dirty, stained by dirt and blood, and their scent reeked with gunpowder. But overall, they were fine since they weren't admitted for grave injuries. However, Axel was admitted because he fainted due to high emotions. 

"Man…" Tiger, slid his hand inside his pocket, taking out a pack of crumple cigarettes. He picked one stick, clipping it in between his lips. As he tried to light it up, he arched a brow and cast Dominic a side-eye. 

"What?" he asked, cocking his head slightly to the side. "Want a stick?"

"No." 

"You sure?"

Dominic didn't answer as he looked away from his bodyguard and sighed. He didn't even bother with how casual Tiger was to him; there were other things he should think about and was still unable to absorb. He had to calm his mind first.

"Well, it's bad for one's health, but it helps calm me down." Tiger shrugged as he lit up the end of the cigarette, taking a long drag as he puffed it out in the air. This was a non-smoking area, but alas, he never cared about the rules. 

In a snap of a finger, the pungent scent of smoke wafted through their nostrils. Normally, Dominic would mind. However, his mind was too busy at the moment to care about the small things. 

"Blaming yourself will not help." After another minute of silence, Tiger puffed out the smoke and watched it ascend to the ceiling. "Instead of blaming yourself, use this time to do something else just to keep sane. After all, your enemies got away."

Dominic furrowed his brows as he slowly turned his head, facing Tiger squarely. The latter was sitting idly on the seat, head cocked back, eyes on the corner to look back at Dominic. 

"You… got interesting enemies, Mr. Zhu," Tiger remarked languidly. "And I put my hand on my heart to tell you this is simply the first, but definitely not the last. Get it together, man. It hurts my eyes seeing my employer being so pathetic — makes me want to quit."

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