Chapter 8

"The toxins in your mother's body will be completely cleared in three hours," said a doctor dressed in military fatigues as he passed a report in his hand to a nurse. "Her condition is also improving, she should regain consciousness soon," the man added, looking at Gabriela with a polite smile.

Hearing the doctor's words, Gabriela's face lit up. She smiled happily as she repeatedly said, "Thank you very much, Doc. Really thank you!"

"No problem, Miss," replied the doctor, seeing Gabriela's reaction. As her job was done, the doctor said, "I'll take my leave. Take good care of your mother, Miss." The man nodded his farewell before turning around to leave with the nurse.

Gabriela saw the doctor off, then stopped at the door. At first, she wanted to go straight back into the room, but in the corner of her eye, the girl caught sight of her brother, Zavier.

With his arms folded in front of the man's broad chest, Zavier could be seen having a serious conversation with another man wearing a military uniform. Gabriela's black beady eyes shifted to the three stars perched on the man's shoulders, realizing that it signified his rank as a high-ranking military official in Ascarion.

Without noticing her sister's gaze, Zavier, who was speaking to Zayn, said, "Thank you for your help this time, Zayn." A hazy sigh escaped his lips as he massaged his temples that felt a little dizzy with everything that had happened. "I'm sorry I had to trouble you so soon," he added. "I never expected to bother you again so soon."

Zavier's words sounded so reluctant that Zayn raised one hand. "No need to be shy, Mr. Zavier! It's my honor to be able to help you."

Zayn smiled kindly to appease the man before him. However, then his gaze turned slightly serious.

"However, if you don't mind, what exactly happened?" he asked in confusion when he saw the state of the woman who was Zavier's mother. "How did your mother end up like this?"

For a moment, Zavier was silent. At first, he still felt a little doubtful about the man before him. However, having come this far, what was the harm in telling Zayn what had happened? After all, the information that would be provided wouldn't be of much use to the man.

Not only that, Zayn was the person the president had entrusted to help him. That was one of the guarantees that the man in front of him could be trusted.

Zavier told Zayn briefly about what had happened to his family. That made Zayn wide-eyed. "What kind of brother—" The man's brow furrowed, imagining the rage that now hung in the heart of the god of war before him.

"Now that I'm back," Zavier began to speak again, "I'll be sure to avenge all those who have dared to touch my family." A murderous aura emanated clearly from his body.

Hearing that, Zayn was determined. "Mr. Zavier, you should not hesitate if you need my help. Avenging cruel people like them is a duty!" He said excitedly, "I'm willing to help you to the end! In fact, it would be an honor for me."

Zayn's words made Zavier glance at the man. "Actually, you can help me do some things." He took out a paper from his pocket and thrust it at Zayn. "Help me investigate the people on this list," Zavier said. "Don't let anyone know about this assignment."

Zayn accepted the paper Zavier handed him and read the contents. His eyes widened when he recognized the names of some of Ascarion's high-ranking people. However, even if those people were quite influential, but when compared to the god of war, Zero, they were clearly nobodies!

"Of course, Mr. Zavier," Zayn replied respectfully before finally leaving the place.

Finished speaking with Zayn, Zavier walked back towards his mother's hospital room. As the door opened, he saw his younger brother sitting at his mother's bedside.

"Gabriela, how is Mama? What did the doctor say?" Zavier asked while looking at his mother lying on the bed.

Gabriela, who was looking after her mother, turned her face away. "The doctor said Mama's poison will disappear within three hours," she said as she looked at Zavier. "Also, mom's condition is getting better and she'll regain consciousness in the next few hours."

Zavier's normally cold expression softened a little when he heard his brother's explanation. He had expected this, but being able to see Gabriela's relieved face made him even calmer.

Zavier sat down next to his mother's bed.

"Now, everything will be fine, you don't have to worry anymore," he told his sister. He also held his mother's hand gently as he kissed her back gently. "Mom, I'm here now. I promise to take care of you and Gabriela." Without anyone noticing, the man's gaze flashed a bit of dangerous lightning as he muttered, 'And, I'll get rid of everyone who dares to touch you.'

As Zavier sat down and held his mother's hand, Gabriela wondered silently as she watched her brother. 'What exactly happened to Big Brother?' She knitted her brows questioningly. 'What has he been through in the past 10 years that he has changed so much and seems to be a different person.'

Since her brother's return, a million questions passed through her mind. The series of problems that had been haunting her were easily solved by Zavier. This made Gabriela very curious about what changes her brother had actually experienced.

In addition, the man who had just talked to Zavier ... Gabriela recognized him.

'Even if Big Brother used to be good at helping father with company affairs, but... he never had a relationship with someone as important as Zayn Rashford.' The girl's brow furrowed. She was sure something had happened during Zavier's time in prison. 'Brother must have gotten to know Zayn after he got out of Ascarion, which means while he was in prison. However, how could a prisoner know a high-ranking military official?'