Chapter 280: Chapter 280

Ian steadied Rocky and then took a step back as the door closed behind him. Rocky also looked up at Ian. Even though days had passed, Rocky was still unsure how to relate to Ian after that outburst.

He had never been alone with Ian since Ian had awoken the day after he had collapsed. Rocky always slipped in to see his sister and disappeared. Deep down, he knew he had been trying to avoid this conversation.

"Are you feeling better?" Rocky chose to ask instead, scratching his hair somewhat nervously.

The two stood with an awkward atmosphere, each temporarily with their thoughts.

"Let’s talk for a while," Ian’s deep, captivating voice reverberated as he stepped aside. Rocky had no option but to trail behind.

"I would have apologized for my actions that day, but I don’t feel any remorse for that...."

Rocky kept his gaze downwards as he said this, only to snap his head up at Ian’s laughter.

Ian was the most powerful person on the island, and most people could not even stand in his presence, not to think of saying that they would never apologize for offending him.

"I would have looked down on you, little brother, if you had done that. You should never relent in looking out for your sister. Most importantly, a man never goes back on his choices. You made a choice that day and should stand by it."

Ian patted Rocky’s shoulders and added, "...now, I don’t mean you should never apologize. When it is rightly due, you should, but this situation does not call for that. Your sister would be proud of you if she knew about this. You are probably the only person on this whole island, apart from your sister, who has that privilege to punch me in the face...." Ian chuckled at Rocky’s sheepish look.

He noted the changing looks on Rocky from the start of their conversation till then and could not help but want to protect the young man who was his wife’s only reliable relative.

"I have no reason to lie to you.... do I?"

Rocky looked to be in deep thought for a while, and Ian gave him room. He did not even pry into Rocky’s thoughts.

".... But I will never stand by if sissy gets hurt again!"

"I know. I was careless this time, and it nearly cost her life. Know that she is in good hands now. This time, I make a promise to you, my only brother-in-law."

Rocky brightened and smiled widely.

Ian nodded. He was very satisfied with Rocky. Not many young men at his age would stay true to their beliefs and not be corrupted by money. Rocky had gone through a lot within the span of a few weeks but had still held firm.

This made Ian respect him the more. Ian could see a lot of his wife’s characteristics in her brother. It looked like the parents had only passed on their recessive genes to the children because the attitudes of the parents vs the children were worlds apart.

"How are the school and the principal? Is he giving you a hard time?"

Ian asked as he began to walk with Rocky towards the exit.

"No, that man is just a bootlicker. I’m unsure how you did it, Brother Ian, but he held me on a pedestal instead. Sometimes it makes it a bit uncomfortable for me," Ian let out another low chuckle as Rocky talked on about his school activities.

They had gotten to the reception then, and two nurses were stationed there. Seeing the two men, their mouths dropped open. With the few days Ian and Shelby spent there, they had garnered enough reputation.

However, that was the first time they had seen Ian that casual with another person and the fact that he was chuckling even sent goosebumps down their backs. Ian was very attentive to the young man, almost like he was indulging him.

"Is that Mr. Thornston?" One whispered, scared and at the same time almost swooning at his sight.

"I heard that the other person is Shelby’s younger brother. He is not bad himself ... just a little young."

"What does age matter in the face of money? What matters is that he is legal!" The second retorted in the same tone, with their eyes glued to the two men.

Even as they said this, their hearts thundered because Ian’s reputation over those days had proved that he was not to be messed with. Over the few days, they had seen multiple people fired for just as much as staring at Shelby on her bed, but these two still could not help but have some wishful thoughts.

Ian casually glanced their way. The two nurses turned at once, except one turned left and the other turned right abruptly, resulting in the two bumping their foreheads against each other in a bid to pretend that they were busy.

Ian did not mind them and then continued to walk.

"What are you going to do about Brianna? I get so angry thinking about her... but I cannot help but think that the police cannot do much to her because of her family."

Ian’s eyes hardened over temporarily, and then he responded,

"Each will get what is due them in the befitting fashion. Do not worry about that."

"I will rest assured of this per your words...."

Ian nodded and then said, "What else is on your mind? You shouldn’t shy away from asking me anything."

Rocky turned to look at Ian fully. He took a little breath and then asked,

"I heard that your sister was the other person taken away. Will-"

"No need to worry about that either. Sister or not, she will pay for trying to harm my beloved."

Rocky nodded in agreement, relief flowing through him, but then, he opted to refrain from posing any further questions. He felt reassured after talking to Ian.

"Okay, I’ll leave sissy in your hands then!"

"Okay, go on before you get late for class. Currey is downstairs, and he will send you back."

Rocky was very grateful that Currey was sending him back. He opened his mouth to thank Ian but hesitated as another thought popped into his head.

Ian’s lips rose slightly in a semblance of a knowing smile, "Is it about your mother?"

Even though Rocky was surprised that Ian had guessed this, he still nodded, his eyes lowering with disappointment, especially from thoughts of his mother.

"Do you want to go see her together?"

Rocky did not even bother to ask how Ian knew that his mother was admitted to the same hospital. It was now an accepted fact that Ian was almost all-knowing in many things that occurred around them.

In response, Ian pressed for the elevator, and the two stepped in. Rocky still did not want to see his mother but knew he could not avoid her forever.

Soon, the elevator stopped on another floor. More medical personnel and patients were bristling about, and it was not as quiet as the VIP wards. This was the normal wards and Rocky did not have to be a genius to know why her mother had complained through Angela about this fact too.

Rocky was not even surprised when Ian strode quietly to one of the doors and pushed it open.

Clara raised her head towards the door.

"What is taking so long?" Clara snapped. She had requested for a particular juice from Angela who was taking her sweet time, too Clara’s irritation.

"What was taking so lo-"

Clara stopped short at Ian and Rocky. There was a fleeting panic as her gaze landed on

"Rocky! My dear Rocky! Is this how you treat your mother? How could you not even step one foot here for days??!!"

Tears ran down Clara’s face while Rocky was rooted on the spot. He was absolutely surprised. ’What happened to her?’ he wondered just as the door pushed open and Angela entered.

"Young master! You are finally here?" She rushed inside and then stopped at seeing Ian. Angela bowed deeply,

"Master Ian, I trust that Miss Shelby is okay?"

Ian nodded only slightly and then looked over at the woman on the bed. It was quite strange, but Ian knew that magic was at play. He smirked, knowing perfectly well that Clara knew what her ailment was, and it might have been one of her selfish actions. Ian was absolutely sure about that.

"What did the doctor say?" Rocky asked Angela quietly,

"They have run all the tests but cannot find anything wrong with her."

Rocky closed his eyes and then replied,

"Start the discharge procedures then. It may be psychological ...."

"What do you mean, Rocky? That I am crazy? I am your mum!"

"You ceased to be my mother when you said those horrible words to sissy!"

"What do you mean, Rockwell Wendover?! You’d rather take the side of that person over the mother that carried you nine months?"

Ian stood at the back with no indication of joining the conversation. He had not ’touched’ Clara because of her relationship with Shelby, but that did not mean that she would go free. Each had to own up to their actions!

".... And that is the only reason why I am tolerating you, Madam Clara!"

Clara’s heart lurched. Rocky had not called her ’mum!’ again!

"You only look slightly older. This does not mean that the end of the world has come. Though I am unsure of how that happened, I would think that it is probably your retribution for not heeding nature and taking care of your daughter you have been given as you should have.

Frankly, I would be happy if that is the reason because it gives me that assurance that a higher being that pays attention and is fair exists! I’d even want to thank whoever that was!"

Clara’s shock was through the roof!

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