Saving Erica

Tyler took a step back in surprise. He had been focused on healing and had not expected the heiress to assault him physically.

"I'll sue you into oblivion!" She screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You monster!"

"It's okay, Nat…" Silas said, stepping down from the car and getting to his feet. His skin looked more youthful, and his breathing had become normal.

Natalie watched her recovered father with widened eyes. Did the homeless man really heal him? Were such miracles actually possible? She began to have an existential panic.

"Thank you, young man," Silas said, patting Tyler's shoulder. "You possess a special gift, and I am blessed to have met you. I owe you my life."

Tyler, still annoyed by Natalie's slap, shook his head at the billionaire. "The healing is temporary. I merely extended your lifespan by a week. You can spend it in the hospital if you must. But even the most talented doctors can't help you."

Silas laughed a hearty laugh. "I must thank you, regardless. It gives me sufficient time to solve a few pending issues. And I wish to give you a million dollars for treating me. Kindly accept the same." He extended a debit card to the young man.

Tyler shook his head again. "As I mentioned earlier, I won't charge a penny for my services. If that is all, I will take my leave from you. I have somewhere important to be, and time is running out."

Silas offered a curt nod and handed Tyler a rectangular card. "I understand that you won't accept money for your help. But please accept this. It is a free pass to my properties. I am currently staying at the Hotel Marian, owned by me. Please come and visit me in my suite once your work is done. I will be grateful to speak to you again."

Tyler took the card but offered no other response. He flipped it over. It said: VIP ACCESS TO ALL ANDERSON PROPERTIES AND EVENTS.

Tyler raised an eyebrow. Was the old man trying to bribe him? Did he think Tyler would be able to heal him completely?

Silas’ condition did not look treatable. The young man was still in his early stages of practice, and to attempt such a feat would be dangerous for both of them. But he pocketed the card so as not to insult Silas, who had only a few days to live.

Natalie was still adamant. "Dad, let's go to the hospital. These parlor tricks won't help you. You need an actual doctor and medical intervention."

She avoided Tyler's gaze and left in the Lamborghini.

"What a rowdy and ungrateful girl," the young man said to himself as he turned and walked away. "I hope I don't run into her again."

***

The unexpected encounter with the Anderson patriarch and his arrogant daughter did nothing to ease Tyler's worries. He was flush with anxiety by the time he reached Erica Sinclair's place.

Did Trent Cooper arm-twist his girlfriend to marry him? If so, the trauma she must have gone through was unimaginable.

Regardless, the poor girl wouldn't have to worry anymore since her savior had arrived.

Things didn't turn out as Tyler expected. He could barely recognize the Sinclair compound. Three years back, the family lived in an ordinary two-bedroom house. Now, in its place stood a new mansion! Did the Sinclairs win a lottery?

Tyler stepped through the iron gateway, bewildered by the transformation. The place was decked up in bridal decorations and swarmed with people. Relatives and uniformed servants rushed around, making arrangements for some occasion. Were they preparing for the wedding?

A familiar face emerged from the main entrance as soon as Tyler stepped into the driveway.

"Is that you, Tyler?" the middle-aged lady asked. It was Gertrude, Erica's mother.

Three years back, she used to pamper him as her future son-in-law. Now, the woman's voice was laced with derision, and she glared at him with narrowed eyes.

"Who allowed you to enter the premises? Ex-convicts need to stay out! Shall I call the cops?"

Tyler was taken aback by the woman's hostility. "Gertrude! That was uncalled for! I am here to rescue Erica."

"I know Trent is forcing her to marry him. Don't worry. Now that I am back, she can call off the wedding. I'll protect Erica."

Gertrude scoffed at the young man. "Rescue? Force? Has prison rotted your brain, punk?"

"Who asked you to come back, huh? We don't want your stink in our mansion! We don't want you anywhere near our daughter! Get lost!"

Tyler was about to protest when three Rolls-Royce limousines cruised into the compound. Sharply dressed butlers and bodyguards shuffled out and stood in attention.

The middle limo's chauffeur opened the passenger door, and a young man in an Armani wedding suit stepped out gracefully. It was none other than the billionaire scion Trent Cooper.

"Oh, Mr. Cooper is here with limousines!" Gertrude called out to the servants. "Everyone! Let's get ready quickly to move to the wedding venue—Marian Hotel!"

As the Sinclair servants ran helter-skelter in a hurry, Trent came face to face with Tyler. "Who are you?" he asked with condescension.

"If you are a beggar, we will distribute alms outside the wedding reception. Homeless guys can have leftover food. Now, get out of my way!"

Tyler clenched his jaw. "You know very well who I am, Trent. You put me in prison and ruined my family!"

The young billionaire raised an eyebrow. Then he let out a taunting chuckle. "Oh, it's you, loser! They finally let you go scot-free. I couldn't recognize you under the homeless man's clothes."

"It seems prison time didn't wash away your arrogance," he added with a smirk. "Have you come back for more punishment? Or are you here to fall at my feet and apologize?"

Tyler pursed his lips to control his fury. He could kill Trent with one blow, and his revenge would be complete. However, it wouldn't be satisfactory. Moreover, his girlfriend would disapprove of violence.

"I am here to rescue Erica. You've forced this wedding against her will. You brought my family's life in shambles in my absence, but I won't let you ruin my girlfriend's life!"

Trent raised his arms in mockery and began guffawing. His friends and butlers also joined him in the laughter.

"Did you just say that Erica's life will be ruined if she becomes my wife? That she is your girlfriend? Are you drunk or delusional?"

Just then, sounds of a pair of heels clicking came down the corridor and stopped by the entrance.

"Never mind that," the billionaire heir jibed, pointing towards the doorway. "Why don't you ask Erica directly what she thinks?"

Tyler turned around to see a beautiful woman in a dazzling white wedding dress. Erica looked as stunning as ever. It had been three years since he laid eyes on her. The young man's heart fluttered to see the love of his life again.

"Tyler…" she murmured with furrowed brows. It was the expression he least expected.

"Erica… I'm back! I know you've been waiting for me all these years. You couldn't come to visit me in prison because the Coopers threatened you, right?"

"But you have nothing to worry about anymore. Neither do you have to marry Trent. I will protect you."

Erica didn't appear as pleased to see her returned ex-lover as he anticipated. She paused for a few moments before answering. "I am glad that you are free from prison, Tyler. But I don't understand why you have come here. You weren't invited to my wedding."

"What are you saying…?"

Erica went on mercilessly, ignoring his shocked expression. "Just to be clear, Trent is not forcing me to marry him. I love Trent and am getting hitched to him of my own will. It's time for you to leave and not come back again."

Tyler felt as if daggers had pierced his heart. "What are you talking about? You love Trent? I don't get it! You promised to wait for me!"

The beauty rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Wait for you? Who do you think you are? Nothing more than a peasant with a rap sheet!"

"Do you think you measure up to Trent? He is a goddamn billionaire! The Cooper family owns the city! Trent is playing chess while you're eating the pieces."

"Isn't it enough that you and I could be together?" the young man made a last appeal to Erica's sentiments.

"Gah! I don't care! You're just a nobody, Tyler. Still, I'll give you a chance. Let me see—have you come back from prison with loads of wealth to sweep me off my feet?"

Tyler eyed Erica blankly, his expression unreadable. The air was suddenly tense. "What if I tell you I have? That I have returned with unparalleled wealth and power."

"Will you regret your decision later?"