Stay Away 255

Posted by adminJ, ? Views, Released on November 12, 2024

Chapter 255 The Foolish Zachary

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After hesitating for a few moments, Miles gathered his thoughts and his report. “The company

had plans to invest in multiple theme parks across Nusridge this year. During the early planning phase, we didn’t anticipate that some Hoffman family members were already negotiating for those parcels of land-

Zachary waved him off, disinterested. “Is that all? If there’s nothing more, you can head back to work.”

Miles was momentarily speechless, fumbling with his words. “Uh, yes… All right, I’ll be on my way.” Clutching his folder, he exited the room hastily.

Zachary stepped toward the window, retrieving his phone as he dialed Madison’s number.

Once he had finished issuing his instructions, he powered off his phone, tucking it neatly back in his pocket. He looked out at the skyline, his eyes carrying an unsettling intensity.

He simply couldn’t fathom how, after everything, Lendra could still harbor any feelings for Connor.

Zachary lingered by the window for a few moments longer, then grabbed his coat and left the ward. He’d barely walked a few steps down the hallway when he heard a voice call out behind him. “Mr. Fuller?”

Zachary turned. “Dr. Jennings.”

“I reviewed your records. It looks like you’re cleared for surgery. When do you want to schedule it?” Dexter Jennings asked.

Zachary thought for a moment, then replied, “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll go with a more conservative treatment plan for now.”

Originally, Zachary had planned on going through with the surgery, but he hadn’t anticipated that Lenora and Connor would suddenly make their relationship official.

If he went under the knife and spent half a month recovering in the hospital, who knows what Lenora and Connor might have done in his absence?

Dexter’s eyebrows rose, surprised. “All right, that’s definitely an option. You’re still quite young, so holding off on something as serious as a gastrectomy could certainly be wise.”

When Zachary finally returned to Galaxy Bay, he found that Lenora had already left.

Not only had she left, but she’d also left him a note, which read: Did you really think you could trap me? Fool!

The note was accompanied by a drawing of a round, goofy egg with a bemused expression.

Zachary could just imagine her snug little grin as she sketched her mocking message. A faint smile started. to form on his lips, but as his thoughts returned to Lenora’s hot spring plans with Connor, his mood darkened, and his face grew stern again.

Lenora was cozily lounging in bed, perusing reviews of various photography courses online.

Fiona had finally responded to her message: Nora, I’ve looked over your recent work.

After giving her feedback, Fiona recommended: I think you should go for the Man and Nature‘ category. Your

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work really shines in blending people with natural scenery. I remember some of the photos you’ve taken of your niece- they’re particularly beautiful, with a great sense of harmony.

Taking Fiona’s advice to heart, Lenora decided to pursue studies in blending human subjects and landscapes. After weighing her options, she chose to enroll in Zeke’s photography course.

Following the enrollment process, she added the course assistant on WhatsApp, completed her payment, and was subsequently added to the course’s WhatsApp group, where everyone waited for the official start at the end of the month.

Before the live classes began, she received access to a few recorded sessions, which she skimmed and noted were fairly introductory.

In the WhatsApp group, Lenora saw a stream of student messages popping up: I remember last time Almighty Zeke held a class in Jeahron. Why is it online only this time?

Same here! I registered thinking it would be in person–like it was last time–because I’d focus better. I didn’t expect the switch to an online format.

Oh, don’t kid yourself! It’s not focus better in person! You’re just crushing on Zeke!

Guilty as charged! But can you blame me? Almighty Zeke is a dream! I’d love it if he’d be my live model!

Hey, are you out of your mind?

Just then, the assistant finally joined the conversation: Unfortunately, this round is online because Almighty Zeke has obligations outside Jeahron. But don’t worry, there’ll be more in–person classes in the future.

The group responded reluctantly: All right then.

Another person bragged: By the way, I already have a picture with Almighty Zeke. I’ll admit, last time, I got too distracted by his looks, so this time. I’ll be focusing!

Show us!

To everyone’s excitement, the user did post a photo, though they had edited a cat face over their own image, leaving Zeke’s features clearly visible.

Curiosity piqued, Lenora tapped to open the photo and immediately raised her brows. He was indeed attractive, with an air of rugged sharpness about him.

But something else struck her. For reasons she couldn’t place, his face felt oddly familiar, as though she had seen it somewhere before. She mentally sifted through her memories but couldn’t pinpoint the

connection.

Suddenly, Cotton hopped up onto her bed, nuzzling against her arm, and the idea struck her like lightning.

I remember now! No wonder he seems familiar–his face bear an uncanny resemblance to Zachary’s!

The Fuller family, from Gerald down to Zachary’s uncles and cousins, all had a distinct, handsome look about them.

But the common thread that ran through them all was a kind of calm, refined presence. Of all of them,

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Chapter 255 The Foolish Zachary

Johanne, with his softer mannerisms, came across as the gentle, warm–hearted type.

Zachary, however, stood out from the family as the one whose looks were undeniably striking, his features captivating and intense.

Lenora had seen a photo of Ronald once and noticed the resemblance to Johanne right away.

As for Zachary, his eyes and eyebrows seemed to take after his mother’s, whoever she had been. From what Lenora had heard, Zachary’s mother must have been a beautiful woman, one shrouded in mystery.

Even Zachary didn’t know what his own mother had looked like.

Rumor had it that Ronald had been the one to bring Zachary into the Fuller family from the outside, and neither Gerald nor Nathan had ever laid eyes on his mother. They had no idea if she was alive or gone for good.

As for Zeke, he bore a remarkable resemblance to Zachary. Besides the sharp, distinct features that both shared, there was also something in the expression of the eyes and brows that echoed one another.

Meanwhile, the mediation had been a success, but the supplier still hadn’t paid up, meaning Connor was still catching the bus to and from work every day.

That evening, at three minutes past six, he stepped off the bus near his neighborhood and started his usual walk along the sidewalk toward home.

The sky was growing dark, and the streets had thinned out; there weren’t many people on the sidewalk at that hour.

Suddenly, a frantic cry cut through the quiet. “Help! Help! Someone, please!”

Connor’s face tightened, his senses sharpening as he pinpointed the sound–it seemed to be coming from a nearby alley.

He broke into long strides, heading quickly toward the alley entrance. The passageway ahead was pitch. black, impossible to see into.

Only a few vague shapes were visible against the darkness, and somewhere within, he could hear a woman’s quiet sobs. Without hesitation, Connor dialed 911, then rushed forward, shouting. “Stop!”

As he drew nearer, he could finally make out what was happening. Three scruffy punks were harassing a woman, who cowered to one side, her clothes in disarray as she continued to sob softly.

At the sound of his voice, she lifted her head, her eyes meeting his with a desperate glint that quickly turned to hope.

One of the ruffians, a blond–haired guy, turned and gave Connor a dismissive look, sizing him up with disdain. “Listen here, kid. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll walk right out of here,” he sneered.

Connor didn’t flinch; he simply raised his phone, his face calm but determined. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll take off. I’ve already called the cops.”

At that, the three exchanged glances, smirking. “You hear that? Overconfidence in the flesh. This guy’s begging for a beating.” one of them said, scoffing.

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Chapter 255 The Foolish Zachary

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The trio lunged at Connor together. He did his best to fend them off, but three against one was a losing battle. In seconds, he was overpowered and dropped to the ground, taking hit after hit.

The woman tried to intervene, but the men turned on her, kicking her back as she stumbled and fell.

Finally, the blond–haired guy called out, “Enough, the cops are gonna be here any second. We gotta

move!”

“Hurry up, let’s go!” the others shouted, and the trio quickly vanished into the darkness.

Lying face–down. Connor let out a heavy sigh of relief, then slowly lifted himself from the ground. He dusted himself off as best he could and rushed to help the young woman up. “Miss, are you all right? Come on, the police will be here any minute…” he began, but before he could finish, the young eyes rolled back, and she collapsed in his arms.

Connor stared at her in exasperation.

With no other choice, he gently picked her up and carried her out of the alley

woman’s

As he adjusted his grip and glanced down, he caught sight of her face and froze. He recognized her instantly.

She was the same girl whose milkshake he had accidentally knocked over in the mall. Since then, he had spotted her twice more around his office, both times in passing, but he hadn’t forgotten either encounter.