Chapter 171 The Conflict
Winona Sullivan had never anticipated that her casual inquiry would trigger such a reaction. "No, I didn't," she had said, her voice steady despite the tension.
Following Stella's examination, it was Zachary's turn to be scrutinized under the medical examination. The doctors informed them that the results would take approximately two hours. In the interim, Winona stepped outside the sterile hospital environment to meet Lydia.
Lydia, having read the news and hastily dialed Winona for the location, had rushed over. Her concern was palpable as she gripped Winona's hand tightly, her gaze flitting nervously to Zachary, who lay on the hospital bed feigning sleep. "Why on earth did you jump in the lake?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Did the test results come back? Is everything okay?"
Winona offered her a reassuring smile, "The results aren't in yet. We need to wait a little longer. It should be fine. Take a seat, don't worry."
Lydia was quick to blame herself, "It's all my fault. I babbled on, and Zachary, hearing you were about to jump in the lake, dashed off to find you without even bothering to put on his shoes."
From his position on the bed, Zachary frowned slightly, "Mom."
"You're going to hold your actions against me?" Lydia's voice was sharp, and if it weren't for his current state as a patient, she felt like slapping him. "Who do you think wanted me to call Winona over for a visit?"
Zachary hadn't said it outright, but it was unlike him to randomly spill the beans about an incident in Silverton just to get someone invited over. His little schemes weren't about to fly under his mother's radar.
Winona let her eyes drift towards Zachary. He said nothing and simply turned his head away, either in silent agreement or not bothering to waste his time defending himself on such a trivial topic.
Two hours later, as Winona went to collect the report, she crossed paths with Stella heading to the restroom. Stella glanced at Winona with a warning, "Keep an eye on your boyfriend. He's got character issues."
Winona Sullivan had no intention of rekindling an old flame with Zachary Bailey, but she still held firm to her moral compass. Hearing the scornful words, she snorted derisively, "So, I guess good deeds do get punished, huh? Talking trash about someone who risked their life jumping into the lake to save you—it's pretty unethical, wouldn't you say?"
"He didn't jump in to save me on purpose; he mistook me for someone else and then tried to hit up my parents for a hefty settlement. You tell me, doesn't that suggest a flawed character?" Stella retorted with irritation, "I'm giving you a friendly warning; don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Winona laughed mockingly, "Don't worry, he's not interested in your stingy compensation. As for character, someone like you can hardly judge him."
Stella's face flushed with anger.
Before she could finish, Winona had already breezed past her, heading off to collect her medical report.
The report concluded nothing was wrong; no hospital stay was necessary.
Winona declined Lydia's invitation to head to Crest Manor and instead went straight home.
She was soaking in a bath when Rebecca Davis called, the aroma of rose oil wafting through the steamy bathroom, lulling and warm, almost sending her to sleep. "Winona, you've got guts, exposing Zachary Bailey on national television like that."
Realizing she had caught the news, Winona let her head rest on the bathtub's edge, resigned, "I had no choice."
She roughly outlined what happened: "I was nearby and just went over to look; I had no idea it would turn out like that."
Rebecca kept laughing.
"By the way, weren't you supposed to stay in Silverton for vacation? Why'd you come back all of a sudden?"
"It's a long story; I'll fill you in when we meet."
The day had taken its toll on her, and she had no desire to discuss those upsetting events further.
"Fine, since you won't return to Silverton, let's go on a trip this year, alright? I know there's this mountain in the next town, fantastic scenery, and there's even a Shaman tribe."
Winona murmured her agreement.
Rebecca wasn't keen on traveling; she just wanted to cheer up Winona, "Screw it, it's settled then. Pack your bags, I'll pick you up in the morning."
The following day, just as she had promised, Rebecca arrived promptly in the early morning to collect Winona. Still in the throes of drowsiness, Winona was roused from her slumber by the relentless chime of the doorbell. She squinted against the harsh light of day as she shuffled to open the door.
"Where's your luggage?" Rebecca burst into the room, her energy nearly tangible. "Hurry up, get dressed, freshen up. I'll take your suitcase downstairs, and I've got breakfast waiting in the car."
Before Winona could fully process her words, Rebecca was already out the door, her suitcase in tow.
Ten minutes later, after freshening up and descending the stairs, Winona found an animated yet somehow drained Rebecca Davis leaning against the car, her face etched with distress.
A confused Winona Sullivan inquired, "What's up?"
Seeing that Winona was still in the dark, Rebecca simply swung open the car door. Austin, clad in hiking gear, poked his head out: "Winona."
"Right after I ended the call with you last night, I tweeted about heading to the neighboring city. When I went upstairs to fetch your luggage, this guy was already waiting by my car," Rebecca explained, raising her hand as if swearing an oath. "I even got into a scuffle with him to prevent him from getting in the car, but I didn't win."
Austin cast a glance at Winona Sullivan, a smirk dancing on his lips: "You did promise to go on a trip with me once; no backing out now."
"When did I ever make that promise?"
Winona had no memory of such a commitment. He was fabricating it.
"In high school," Austin attempted to recall, then casually dismissed it: "Forget it. We had planned a trip back then."
Winona rolled her eyes, "Wasn't that a group event? Most of our class was involved."
"But now it’s just you and me," Austin climbed out of the car and tugged at her, "Life in the army is dull. What’s wrong with asking a friend to accompany me on a trip? I won't share a room with you or anything. The tour spots are crowded during the day, so one more person won't bother you. You can't just let me wander alone, can you?"
Winona Sullivan let him guide her a few steps before finally managing to extract her hand from his grip: "Fine, you can come. But you're driving."
Austin headed to the driver's seat while Winona Sullivan and Rebecca Davis settled in. With Austin present, Rebecca refrained from asking Winona about the events in Silverton.
However, when two best friends unite, even the most trivial gossip can ignite endless, spirited conversation.
Catching sight of the two girls huddled together in the rearview mirror, laughing over something on the phone so enthusiastically they were nearly rocking back and forth, Austin remarked, "You're just bringing me along as your driver, aren't you?"
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