Chapter 7 It's Just a Small Favor

• The room fell into a profound silence.
• Wallace, barely in his twenties, had Mikael practically begging to be his disciple. It was hard to wrap their minds around.
• Yet, Mikael remained undeterred. He looked at Wallace with hopeful eyes. In any domain, those truly adept were revered as mentors since age held no significance.
• "I don't accept disciples," Wallace said flatly. He shook his head and rejected him outright.
• "Mr. Fender..." Mikael was disappointed. He wished to convey more, but Wallace's indifferent demeanor silenced him.
• "Mr. Lynch, perhaps you should first attend to Rachel and check if she is indeed cured," Howard interjected.
• "That's not necessary," Mikael replied. "If Mr. Fender couldn't cure her, then no one else in the world could."
• Howard was left speechless, while everyone's admiration for Wallace reached new heights.
• Mikael's statement encapsulated the situation perfectly. If Wallace couldn't cure her, then no one else could. This straightforward reality underscored the remarkable depth of Wallace's medical expertise.
• "Thank you for saving my life, Mr. Fender," Rachel expressed. Her eyes brimmed with gratitude.
• "It's just a small favor," Wallace responded stoically, and he nodded. "Nevertheless, you're not fully healed yet," he added after a pause. "I'll need to administer another acupuncture session in two days."
• "Of course, we'll follow your instructions."
• The Swift family members nodded eagerly as their trust in Wallace was absolute.
• …
• Half an hour later, Joshua personally guided Wallace to the banquet hall at Silverlake Hotel, where Sandra and her family awaited.
• Joshua expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Mr. Fender, thank you for saving my daughter's life. Don't worry. I won't overlook what I've pledged. Tomorrow at noon, I'll visit the Williams family to find you, and then we can discuss our collaboration."
• Wallace remained noncommittal.
• Just then, the Williams family caught wind of the news and hurriedly walked out. However, before any greetings could be exchanged with Joshua, they overheard him speaking with a smile, "We are willing to collaborate with the Williams family, but Mr. Wallace Fender must be the person in charge."
• After saying that, Joshua nodded at Wallace before leaving.
• The Williams family stood stunned by Joshua's words. They wondered why it must be Wallace.
• This soon-to-be-divorced foolish son-in-law had suddenly become the central figure of their family. Everyone struggled to comprehend what significant favor Wallace had done for the Swift family to garner such respect.
• Finally, Sandra mustered the courage to approach Wallace. She pulled him aside and asked, "Have you... recovered?"
• "Yes," he replied.
• Her body quivered with a mix of emotions. Despite mentally bracing herself, hearing his confirmation firsthand felt surreal. After a brief moment, she regained her composure and asked, "Then, why did you go there?"
• "I went to treat Joshua's daughter," he replied truthfully.
• "You're lying. How could I have been so blind to your charade all this time!" Sandra didn't believe for a second that her simple-minded husband of six years knew anything about medicine.
• He sighed and chose to remain silent.
• "Let's just forget about it," she said and prepared to leave. But as she lifted her foot, she stopped abruptly. "You know, sometimes, I almost wish you'd remain blissfully ignorant forever. Then, you wouldn't have to endure the shame and ridicule or experience pain and sadness. Even if we do end up divorcing, I still want a bright future for you." With those words, she walked away without glancing back.
• Wallace watched her retreating figure and clenched his fists. He murmured, "You've looked after me for six years. From now on, I'll strive to make you proud through my own actions. Your family's success will also be a testament to you."
• As Sandra returned to her family, Yvonne grabbed her hand. "What were you talking about with that fool?" she asked.
• "He's not a fool anymore," Sandra replied earnestly. "If he hadn't changed, would Mr. Swift have extended an olive branch to us?"
• The others were left speechless. Even now, they still couldn't figure out what had happened.
• "Guess this is what they call fool's luck, huh?" James remarked sarcastically, though his eyes betrayed his bitterness. If anyone could represent both the Williams and Swift families in a collaboration, he believed he was the best candidate.
• "Dad, don't we need to sign the divorce agreement?" Sharon suddenly spoke up. "If we don't sign it and the Sandler family finds out, it could be disastrous."
• "Plus, If word gets out that we rely on Wallace to collaborate with the Swift family, won't we be the laughingstock of the town?" Yvonne frowned.
• Joshua had explicitly mentioned wanting to collaborate with Wallace, but no one in the Williams family trusted him.
• After a few moments of contemplation, she said, "Shay does have a point."
• "If Wallace offends the Swift family through this cooperation, it would be a loss for us," Douglas pondered.
• Yvonne glanced at him and said, "Besides, we've already agreed with the Sandler family. If we delay in letting Wallace sign the divorce agreement now, Zachary will surely be upset."
• When Zachary was mentioned, everyone in the Williams family understood his unwavering resolve to win Sandra's affection.
• As Sharon and James fixed their gaze on Douglas, he deliberated his choices and then turned to Sandra. "Tell him to sign it."
• Wallace's gaze also fell upon Sandra. He had known her for six years. Amidst the haze of memories tainted by insanity, only the image of the girl standing before him remained cherished in his heart. All that mattered to him now was her stance. If she desired a divorce, he wouldn't impede her decision. However, if she wished to remain, he vowed to stand by her side until the very end.
• Her delicate frame trembled slightly, and a mist formed in her beautiful eyes. After what seemed like an eternity, she suddenly lifted her head and said firmly, "All your decisions are just assumptions. Before Mr. Swift left, he made it clear that as long as Wallace was willing to represent our family, the Swift family would cooperate with us. Why are you all unwilling to give Wallace a chance?"
• "What's gotten into you?" Sharon asked in confusion. "Didn't you already agree to the divorce? Why the sudden change of heart?"
• "I haven't changed my mind," Sandra corrected. "I'm just stating the facts again. As for your desire to ally with the Sandler family, even if I really marry Zachary, I wouldn't be any happier than I am now."
• Her gaze was resolute as she continued, "Today marks my twenty-fourth birthday, and my sole desire is to have the autonomy to determine my own destiny. I understand that you all may be displeased with my decision to bring Wallace into our family six years ago and care for him, even going so far as to marry him to repay his kindness. But that's what I believed was right. I truly do not have feelings for Zachary."
• "Sandy, what are you talking about?" Yvonne's concern grew with each word. "Isn't Zachary a thousand times better than Wallace?"
• "Even if Zachary is outstanding, I just don't like him," Sandra said firmly. "And I want to make it clear once again that what I just said was from my heart, and it has nothing to do with Wallace. Don't blame him."
• "Sandy!"
• Sharon was about to say something when a faint voice interrupted.
• "Your twenty-fourth birthday wish," Wallace said. Then, he tore the divorce agreement and let its fragments drift through the air like flower petals. "Sandra, happy birthday."