Cover Art Chapter 17---->>>
Justin goes over to the boys and sees Luan asleep, so he looks at Derick and says:
"Don't worry son, he's only asleep, but this can happen quite often, so you'll have to carry him!"
Derick looks perplexed at his father and says:
"Carry? Frequently? You're kidding, right?
Justin adjusts his glasses, shakes his head in the negative and adds:
"I used to carry Luke around too, over time it's diminished, but the whistle you always have to keep around your neck, there's no getting rid of it for now."
Derick rolls his eyes in annoyance, takes Luan in his arms, rests him on his shoulder and leads him to his father's car.
"Okay, let's take sleeping beauty to the hospital as usual..."
"Hm, when will he wake up, Dad?"
"Hopefully in 3 to 4 days"
"What, 3 to 4 days?"
"That's short, Derick, compared to six months ago, when it took more than 10 days."
"Hm, don't remind me, I don't even like to think about it."
Derick goes with his father Justin and Luke to the hospital, and they wait until Luan wakes up. He needs to restore his energy, because he ended up using his magic more than he should have, not to mention using the power of the Bone Breaker Demon.
Meanwhile, Mr. Scoot is in his office and has a fit of rage, he throws everything on the table on the floor, while Secretary Lee tries to calm him down, he immediately sends for Mark, and his Secretary does as his boss tells him, he sends for Mark who is in the room feeling very disappointed, When he hears the Secretary calling him, he already knows that he has to face his Father's fury, he takes a deep breath and goes to the office, when he is near the office he sees his half brother Max standing near the door, and he says:
"Poor you, you failed the Test, that's good at least it reduces your arrogance Mark!"
Mark looks seriously at Max, but doesn't lower his head and says:
"We're two poor things then, I heard he tried to help you in the Test too, but you failed too, Maximus."
But he saws off his fists with rage, and threatens to go after Mark, but Secretary Lee stops him, and asks Mark to come into the office right away, before he makes the whole situation worse, so as soon as Mark enters the office, something is thrown at Mark, he tries to dodge it, but it ends up grazing his face, and giving him a slight cut.
"Useless, I spent tons of money on your training and we still lost the bets, so you can just lose Mark?!"
Mark remains silent, he knows that answering will make the situation worse, but he knows that he will end up losing control.
"And our deal is off, you won't get the money you asked for!"
Mark despairs for a moment, he really needed that money, he feels like he's about to cry, but he holds back and confronts him:
"You, you promised me you'd give me that money even if I failed..."
"I won't anymore, you have to learn that nothing comes that easy in life.
"Easy? I've been living abroad with my mother for more than 10 years, I said I didn't want to go back, but you promised that if I took the test, you'd help me....but I guess I was wrong, what else could I expect from you, right?"
Mr. Scoot throws him a book left on the table, but Mark deflects it this time.
"Insolent, don't give me any lame excuses! You're going to keep living here in this house, and you're going to keep following my orders, then I can think about whether I can help you, now get out of my office!"
Mark takes a deep breath, but decides not to prolong the discussion and leaves the office, when he is near the pool house, which is the place where he wanted to stay and sleep, because he doesn't feel comfortable inside the house, Secretary Lee calls him, they enter the pool house and the Secretary hands him an envelope. "Mark, there's not a lot of money in that envelope, but I know you really need it, so please use it, and no, I won't take it back."
Mark's eyes well up with tears, but he still holds back his tears, he doesn't want to take it, but Secretary Lee makes sure he gets it.
"Mark, you're like a second son to me, if Tommy was more judicious than you I'd be happier, but I feel he listens to you better, and finally finds the right path, I really hope he changes one day."
"Thanks Secretary Lee, but I'd like to be honest, as for Tommy I'll try to do my best, but he needs to stop following my Father's orders, and he should be responsible for his actions, I know there's been some bribery regarding the School Bullying Allegations, I've just tried not to get involved with it, I don't want to be pushed into all this, and end up being the villain of the story."
"Yes, I understand Mark, don't worry, I won't pressure you about it, I'm the one who's most to blame."
Mr. Lee takes care of the small cut on Mark's face, he applies some ointment and puts a bandage on it, they say goodbye, and Mark decides to go and get some rest, it's been quite a stressful day.
Meanwhile Luan continues to sleep in the hospital bed...
....
to be continued Part 2