Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Fame always brings its share of trouble," Vince said, his tone grave. "Since this all started because of Jessy, I can't help but worry about her safety."

"You've got a point," Yates agreed, nodding. "It's just one film, but she's clearly on the verge of a breakthrough. It's not impossible someone might be jealous. Looking deeper into this is the right call."

Just then, Vince's phone rang. It was the property management office.

"Mr. Zimmerman, the police just contacted us. Someone's reported the incident, and they're coming to conduct a thorough investigation."

The woman on the other end sounded anxious. A police investigation meant construction would stop, and they were desperate to stay on schedule.

"With something this serious, it's only natural the police would get involved," Vince replied.

"The injured man is your brother-in-law. Is there any way we could settle this privately? The management would make sure you're satisfied with how we handle

it."

"I didn't call the police," Vince said coolly, "so it was likely his family. I'm afraid I can't ask them to back off. Sorry."

Privately, Vince felt it was better this way-with the police involved, it would be easier to get to the truth.

"Is there really no way to help us smooth things over, Mr. Zimmerman? This is your family's ancestral estate. If all goes well, it could mean great things for the Zimmermans..."

"Enough." Vince cut him off sharply. "Something happened here-someone got hurt. You need to take responsibility, learn from your mistakes, and manage this place better so no one else gets injured. Trying to sweep it under the rug is disappointing."

"...I'm sorry."

The manager fell silent, not daring to argue further.

Vince ended the call, his mood soured. This kind of management left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Yates tried to calm him. "Come on, don't take it too hard. He's just an employee- probably trying to do his job and keep the higher-ups off his back. He just wants to minimize the fallout."

"But what if it had been Jessy who got hurt today?" Vince shot back, his voice tight with worry. "With her condition, do you really think she'd have survived something like this? I can't just sweep this under the rug and move on. Not until we know exactly what happened."

"...Sorry."

Vince glanced over at Yates. "You act like Jessy's just a passing thought. How do you have the nerve to say you want to pursue her? You talk about fair competition with Timothy, but you won't even break off your childhood engagement. Are you just doing this because you can't say no to your parents?"

Vince's words landed like a punch to Yates's chest.

Why? he wondered. Why was he suddenly so interested in her? Why did he refuse to end the engagement?

He couldn't even imagine risking everything for Jessy the way Timothy had. Was this just stubborn pride? Was it because, as kids, Jessy had always liked Timothy more—and then, as adults, she'd married him?

Or was it simply pity he felt for her, and not real love at all?

"I don't know," Yates admitted quietly, guilt weighing on him.

As the car pulled through the gates of Zimmerman Manor, Yates considered. going inside to visit Jessica But their relationship was

so distant now that he couldn't on

think of a reason to see her. In the end, he didn't go in.

Vince got out, and Yates drove straight to the hospital.

Outside the intensive care unit, Sallie sat slumped in a chair, her eyes swollen

and red from crying. She looked up as Yates approached, her voice thick with tears.

"You came to see Timothy?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"You can't see him right now."noveldrama

"I heard from Vince. I just wanted to check in—see how he's doing."

Sallie's worry was written all over her face.