Chapter 175: Chapter 175: Kenny Fainted
Cyrus Hawthorne’s long, ink-black eyes revealed a hint of surprise as he looked at the articulate little fellow in front of him for the first time, "You’re quite clever."
"Of course!" Kenny puffed out his little chest, looking defiant, "Don’t think you can make a move on my mommy. I won’t let you see her just for a stuffed toy!"
"Kid, how old are you?"
"I’m already three and a half years old this year, not a kid anymore!"
Three and a half years old.
Recalling something, the faint smile on Cyrus Hawthorne’s face instantly disappeared, leaving behind only desolation and a fleeting pain in his dark eyes.
He then slowly stood up, handed the toy to Mark Joyce, and, with one hand in his pocket, looked down at Kenny calmly, saying, "Since you’re a big kid now, you shouldn’t be playing with toys."
Kenny: ???
Mark Joyce, watching the scene, could barely hold back his laughter.
When did the gentleman become so childish, actually arguing with a little kid over a toy?
Speaking of which... Mark suddenly paused, finding something oddly familiar about the little kid.
And so, Kenny spent all the money he had to win a toy at the stall, another little fox like the one before.
If the previous one was the cub, then this one is the mother, and that big jerk took the cub!
Next time he sees him, he won’t hold back!
Kenny, fuming, hugged the toy and walked home. Halfway there, he noticed someone following him, the distance changing, quite discreet, hardly noticeable.
Kenny smirked mischievously, turned swiftly, and dashed into a small alley.
The person behind him followed more closely, seemingly realizing Kenny’s intention to shake them off and gave chase.
But when they followed him into the alley, they found it was a dead end, with no way out.
Even though Little Dumpling had clearly been nearby, there was no sign of him.
Meanwhile.
The Island Master unexpectedly visited, and Ann Vaughn had to stop her work to greet him in the living room.
"Island Master, I wonder why you’ve come so late with such urgency?" Ann Vaughn could guess the reason, but remained composed outwardly.
"Dr. Vaughn, you’ve been living on the Isle of Flora for over a year now, and we’re all familiar with each other, so I’ll get straight to the point." The Island Master took a sip of tea, sighing, "A distinguished guest has arrived on the island and specifically requested to meet you."
Ann Vaughn wasn’t surprised, "Did you agree?"
"Dr. Vaughn, you know the development situation of the Isle of Flora is currently not good. Being isolated and near the border with M Country, if war breaks out, we’ll be the first to suffer. Virtually no tourists want to come..."
"This distinguished guest has significant influence, and with his investment, the residents of Isle of Flora could fare much better. I’m thinking of the island’s long-term development and also hoping you have a comfortable environment for your medical research in the future."
The Island Master spoke earnestly, almost ready to recount past hardships again.
Upon hearing this, Ann Vaughn’s expression cooled, and she placed her teacup back on the table.
"The Island Master thinking of Isle of Flora’s future development is understandable." Ann Vaughn’s smile faded as her eyes turned cold, "But I trust you know very well that I don’t wish to meet outsiders."
"It’s just a meeting, I assure you, it won’t affect anything!"
"So, has the Island Master already made promises on my behalf?"
The Island Master’s face stiffened, then he nodded.
In his opinion, it was merely a small matter of meeting someone, and it wouldn’t cause Dr. Vaughn any loss, but it would greatly benefit Isle of Flora.
"Since Dr. Vaughn intends to settle on Isle of Flora permanently, why not make some contributions to the island?"
How novel, this self-righteous tone, as if Ann Vaughn owed something to Isle of Flora.
Ann Vaughn immediately let out a cold chuckle, her usually gentle and elegant face showing a hint of cold distance, "What makes the Island Master think that I can’t live without Isle of Flora?"
Her choice to come here wasn’t because she knew of the virus outbreak initially, but because she happened to arrive as it was happening. Out of a doctor’s duty, she couldn’t abandon a patient.
To cure these patients, she extracted the antidote by herself despite her own illness and nearly overworked herself.
This small island, with its simple and honest folk and isolated nature, had outdated communication; large news needed broadcasting, while small news couldn’t come or go.
More importantly, since the war and virus outbreak, the original tourism industry collapsed, and few dared to come.
Even though the international community knew Ann Vaughn was here, they didn’t dare blatantly disturb her, and the media couldn’t sneak in to broadcast her personal information.
With the protection system set up by Sutton Jennings, Ann Vaughn’s information was entirely confidential to the outside world.
Even the residents of Isle of Flora didn’t know who she used to be or why she willingly gave up fame and fortune to stay here and see patients when she had nothing else to do.
"This..." The Island Master didn’t expect Ann Vaughn to be so blunt. Torn between the distinguished guest and the resident deity-like Ann Vaughn, he pulled out a few strands of hair in frustration, "Dr. Vaughn, can’t you be flexible? It’s just one meeting."
"To you, it might be just a meeting, but to me, it could be a life or death matter."
Assassination wasn’t unheard of in the past.
Ann Vaughn found it hard to believe that someone in the Island Master’s position could be so insensitive.
Could it be that Isle of Flora was no longer a place to stay?
Sherry curtly saw the Island Master out, then approached Ann Vaughn, who was sitting in a daze on the sofa, and gently asked, "Annie, if you don’t want to meet him, not even the Island Master can force you."
"I’m just afraid he’ll abuse his power to force me." Ann Vaughn rubbed her temples, "Let’s wait for Kenny and Brother Shane to come back and discuss our next steps."
Sherry glanced at the clock, "It’s already ten o’clock. I’ll go out and look. Maybe they’ve lost track of time."
Just then, the phone on the table rang suddenly.
Ann Vaughn saw it was Sutton Jennings calling, answered, and heard his steady voice without any pause, "Kenny suddenly fainted at Isle of Flora Hospital. You should come over."
"Why did he faint?!" Ann Vaughn leapt up from the sofa and rushed out without even changing her shoes.
"Overexertion, his body couldn’t handle it. I just got Kenny to the hospital, and he started running a high fever." Sutton Jennings briefly explained the situation and comforted Ann Vaughn, "Don’t worry, drive safely, I’m here."
How could Ann Vaughn not be worried?
Ever since Kenny was diagnosed with this illness at two years old, she hadn’t spent a day without fear and anxiety!