Chapter 988: Did You Know He Was Poisoned? The sudden burst of light illuminated a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Jennie-about seventy percent alike. She approached with hope gleaming in her eyes. "You must be Tina," she said, her voice trembling. "Jennie says you're a great doctor. Please, I'm begging you, save my child. He's only five years old."

As she spoke, the woman moved closer, seemingly ready to fall to her knees in desperation. Tina subtly stepped aside, avoiding the outstretched hands. For Jennie's sake, she offered a calm reassurance. "Don't worry. I'll do my best."

Jennie quickly stepped in to comfort her. "Nancy, don't get so worked up. Tina is here now, so she'll definitely be able to help Oliver."

The woman's eyes were bloodshot, her voice hoarse with emotion. "Tina, I truly have no other options. I've spent every last penny trying to treat Oliver. If I weren't completely desperate, I wouldn't have come to trouble you like this."

Jennie sighed, her heart aching for her sister, who had endured so much. "We're family. Don't call it trouble. Oliver is my nephew-I could never turn a blind eye. Hugo has already said you can stay here. If you don't want to go back, you and Oliver can stay in the capital."

"When Oliver's condition stabilizes, you can come work at the company. Things will get better," Jennie added.

Nancy grasped Tina's hand tightly, her emotions surging. "Sister, I was wrong in the past. I shouldn't have judged you or Hugo. I knew you were worried about me, but I still didn't reach out all these years..."

Jennie's eyes reddened as well. "Let's not talk about the past. Right now, the only thing that matters is helping Oliver get better."

Listening to their conversation, Tina pieced together the story of this estranged aunt. No wonder neither Hugo nor Zackary had ever mentioned her-there had clearly been some fallout in the past.

Her gaze shifted to the corner of the room, where the child in question sat. He was so small, curled up in the corner of the bed, practically invisible. He hadn't made a sound the entire time. Frowning, Tina addressed Jennie. "Take your sister out of the room. Let me examine the child." Jennie nodded, wiping the corners of her eyes. "Alright. Nancy, let's step out so we don't disturb Tina while she checks on Oliver."

Nancy shot Tina a grateful look. "Thank you, Tina."

With that, the two women left the room, closing the door behind them.

Once they were gone, Tina approached the boy huddled in the corner. Up close, she realized something alarming-his size was abnormally small for a five-year-old. Poppy, who was also five, was already nearly a meter tall. This child, however, barely seemed to reach eighty centimeters. There were only two possibilities: either it was a genetic issue, or it was the result of chronic malnutrition.

Tina crouched down and spoke gently to the boy, who had buried his head in his arms. "You don't need to be afraid. I'm a doctor. I'm here to help you. I won't hurt you."

the boy didn't reply. He only kept retreating, even though

the room, observing her surroundings carefully. Then, she asked, "Do you not like the light? Or are you

flinched at her words, his small

the lights in the room before returning to

gave a

issues before. They couldn't be forced. They needed to be guided slowly and gently. "Don't worry. I won't give you any injections or make you take any medicine. I just need to touch your hand to figure out what's wrong. Would you like

would be no needles or medicine, the boy hesitated before timidly lifting his head. His eyes, which should have been filled with the curiosity and innocence typical of his age, were instead empty and dark, like black holes. He looked at Tina for a fleeting moment, then quickly lowered his

anything in my hands," Tina said softly. "You can

move further, simply waiting

a few minutes, the boy saw that Tina hadn't left. Finally, he mustered the courage to extend his

nodded at him encouragingly. "Good

fingers on his frail wrist. His arm

short examination, Tina withdrew her hand and spoke softly, "I can treat your illness, but you'll need to cooperate. Can you

long while, but

and opened the

eyes immediately locked onto Tina as she

is Oliver?" Jennie

to Nancy, her tone calm. "Jennie, I

here. Everything will be alright.

Oliver's condition from the hospital. Ask me anything-I'll tell you whatever

stunned. "How could that be? The hospital said it was because he'd been eating expired food for too long and was malnourished, which caused organ failure. How could

succinctly, "When toxins accumulate in the body

ashen.

first, I

down, covering her face and sobbing uncontrollably. "It's all my fault. If I had fought harder for custody, Oliver wouldn't be like this. How could that monster

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