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Novel Catalog
Chapter 73: Fable About Mr. Yarwood
Theo studied Dalton closely. “You seem to be in a good mood.”
Dalton paused mid-sip, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Am I?”
Theo’s gaze sharpened. “Our system’s been hacked, yet you’re still smiling. You’re obviously in a good mood, brat!”
Dalton let out a small laugh, but he could tell his grandfather was still frustrated with him for not taking his treatment seriously. He poured another cup of tea, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. “Grandpa, I’m sure Ethan has already told you about my recent health situation and the people I’ve met.”
Theo glared at the ceiling, refusing to admit it. “Ethan’s your bodyguard. Why would he tell me those things?”
Dalton shrugged with an innocent smile. “Well, fine. You’re right.” He leaned back, feeling slightly amused. “You know, I really can’t be bothered with all this nonsense.”
Theo scowled, his patience running thin. “Alright, enough of the jokes. Which one is this Dr. Genius that Ethan keeps mentioning?”
Dalton’s expression remained calm, but his eyes twinkled with a bit of mystery. Theo’s curiosity was clearly piqued. “I just want to meet her and thank her,” Theo added. “After all, many renowned doctors have said you wouldn’t live past 27. But now your appetite is better, which is good news for the family.”
Dalton hesitated, keeping the secret for now. “Guess.”
Theo pulled out a list of potential names, muttering to himself. “Could it be the doctor from the Lopezes? But their medical skills aren’t good enough. Or maybe from the Shepherds?”
His guesses continued, going through all the prominent families, but he skipped one crucial name. “It can’t be that interesting girl.”
He gave Dalton a pointed look, shaking his head. “You’re allergic to every girl except for the ones from the Yarwoods!”
Dalton didn’t react. That girl is Dr. Genius, Theo thought, but he wasn’t sure. Ethan, who was standing close by, knew exactly who they were talking about, but he couldn’t say a word. He couldn’t risk Dalton sending him away to Astana for leaking information again.
Dalton, however, kept his cool, tapping his beaded bracelet absentmindedly. “Grandpa, you seem to like her.”
Theo didn’t seem to notice the subtle jab. Instead, he grinned, remembering the consultation. “You don’t understand, boy. She’s incredibly sharp. She diagnosed me, but let others take the credit. That’s her style, calm and composed.”
Dalton hid a smile. She’s probably trying to keep a low profile, thinking the three of us are a team and she doesn’t need the limelight.
Theo looked at him with admiration. “She’s got it all—medical skills, wisdom. Knows when to advance and when to retreat. It’s a pity she’s a girl. She could never get close to you.”
Dalton raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond. His grandfather had a point. Since he was young, Dalton had never been close to anyone. He was always guarded, always calculating. There was a wall he put up, one that not even his family could get past. And Theo had always worried about that.
The old man sighed deeply. “What am I going to do with you? You’re so distant with everyone. Your marriage—what are you going to do about that?”
Dalton kept his voice steady. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ve already spoken to Mr. Quinnell Senior. Given my health, I won’t be marrying his granddaughter.”
Theo’s face turned from concern to exasperation. “I never told you to break off the engagement! I want you to think about your relationships!”
Dalton’s calm demeanor never wavered. “I’ve thought about it. I know what’s best.” He paused for a moment, then added, almost in a whisper, “I can’t give someone happiness, Grandpa.”
Ethan, standing by, suspected Dalton was playing the sympathy card, but he didn’t dare call him out. His expression was unreadable, his loyalty to Dalton and his family unwavering.
Theo, however, knew exactly what Dalton was doing. His eyes narrowed as he recalled a memory from years ago—a fable told to Dalton when he was just a baby. It had come from Atwater Munoz, the fortune teller who had been so accurate in his predictions.
Theo’s voice softened, a faraway look in his eyes. “Do you remember the fable Atwater Munoz told you when you were just one month old?”
Dalton’s expression flickered with recognition. He had always known his grandfather cherished that story, but he hadn’t thought about it in years.
Theo smiled wistfully, the memory seemingly comforting him. “It was about a young man destined for greatness, but cursed to remain alone. The fable warned that the young man would never truly be at peace unless he overcame his fear of attachment.”
Dalton’s face darkened slightly, but he didn’t speak. He had always carried the weight of that story with him, even if he didn’t fully understand its implications. Maybe now, with everything happening around him, he was starting to grasp it. Maybe the time had come for him to face his fears head-on, and confront not just the Gibsons and the enemies around him, but the emotional walls he had built up his entire life.
For the first time in a long while, Dalton wasn’t sure where the story would take him next.
