Chapter 1254

It was quite strange.

This was completely out of character for Isaac.

"What are you thinking about?" Franklin couldn't help but notice her serious expression and asked, "Why so serious?"

Sylvia put down her chopsticks and took a sip of soup. "Don't you think Isaac is acting a bit strange?"

Franklin chuckled, "You just realized your dear brother isn't normal? You're a bit slow on the uptake."

He was so frustrated that he wished he could kick Isaac into the Pacific Ocean.

"He's definitely acting strange!" Sylvia shared her doubts and then looked at Franklin. "So why did he suddenly give you this opportunity to shine?"

"He's cunning; there's nothing he wouldn't do. Only you think he's a good brother," Franklin said with a hint of sarcasm. "If it weren't for your sake, I would have dealt with him long ago."

"It seems you have a big issue with him," Sylvia said, her eyes clear and bright. "I always feel like there's tension between you two. Isaac doesn't seem satisfied with you either."

Their competition for inheritance was now almost out in the open.

Both had their own supporters and detractors.

"I just can't be bothered with him," Franklin said sarcastically, but his eyes were filled with affection as he looked at Sylvia. "Let's go see Jasper."

Talking more about Isaac would depress him.

However, Sylvia was right about one thing: Isaac was acting unusually, not playing by his usual rules. It seemed necessary to have Jax investigate.

The couple soon arrived at the rehabilitation department, where Jasper was already on crutches, discussing details with the doctor.

Seeing Franklin and Sylvia approach, he smiled faintly, "Young Master, Madam."

"How's it going? If possible, give it a try," Sylvia glanced at his legs. "They seem to be recovering well on the surface, but we need to see if they can handle the rehab exercises."

"Dr. Sylvia is right. We can give it a try," the rehabilitation doctor said, handing Jasper a rehab plan. "Follow this schedule for rehabilitation. Let's start now."

The path of rehabilitation required perseverance.

As Jasper began the prescribed exercises, a searing pain shot through his legs, causing him to cry out in agony, "Ah-"

"Hang in there, you must persist; you can't give up halfway," the doctor encouraged him. "Your muscles and legs haven't been active for a long time. If you don't continue with healthy rehab, you'll become crippled. Your muscles will atrophy, and you'll become useless!"

The harsh words were true.

Franklin patted his shoulder, "If you can't handle it the first time, how will you manage later?"

Sweat beaded on Jasper's forehead from the pain, and he gritted his teeth, "I can do it! I will do it!"

He then continued to perform the rehab exercises with determination.

"After a week of rehab, you'll notice significant changes in your body. Assistant Song, you won't let us down, right?" Sylvia couldn't help but speak as she watched Jasper's face contort with pain. "Why didn't Evie accompany you today?"

"Jaime has a parent-child sports day at kindergarten, so she's there with Jaime," Jasper replied through gritted teeth. "What am I? I'm an adult; I don't need company! It's just rehab; I can handle it!"

Sylvia and Franklin stayed with Jasper for a while before leaving.

As soon as they returned to the ICU floor, a young nurse rushed over and grabbed Sylvia's arm. "Dr. Sylvia, the President is awake!"

Sylvia immediately quickened her pace. "Quick, take me there."

She hurriedly prepared herself and entered the ICU without waiting for Franklin.

The President lay on the hospital bed in a daze, his head heavy and his body weak.

He struggled to open his eyes and saw tubes everywhere around him, feeling as if a massive weight was pressing down on him.

The sound of machines occasionally reached his ears.

At that moment...

Just as his sluggish brain began to function, he heard the sound of a door opening.

Then came footsteps, followed by a familiar voice saying, "You're awake? How do you feel? You just had bypass surgery and are very weak."

Sylvia?!

Why was she here? How did she know so much about his condition?

The President was shocked to see Sylvia's familiar face and figure in sterile clothing bending slightly over him.

Who else could it be but Sylvia? Could it be...

"You... you..."

"Oh, I'm Sylvia. Your attending physician. Oh, by the way, I performed your surgery," Sylvia said with a mischievous smile. "Surprised? Delighted? Don't worry; the surgery was successful."

"You! You!" The President was so angry that he rolled his eyes. He never imagined he would end up in Sylvia's hands one day.

This scene was nothing short of a social death.

He wished he could die right there on the operating table to spite Sylvia.

It would be better than being mocked by her here.

"Oh, I know you want to say you're grateful to me for saving you. It's okay; after all, you're my husband's biological father! It was just a small favor. No need to thank me too much," Sylvia said as she looked at the President's pale face, speaking words that nearly drove him mad.

Who thanked you?

Who wanted to thank you?

How could this woman be so shameless! The President raged internally until he finally couldn't take it anymore and slipped back into unconsciousness.

Sylvia couldn't help but smile faintly as she watched him. Just two sentences and he couldn't handle it?

His tolerance was too low!

Sylvia then began checking the President's vital signs and recorded them before leaving the ICU.

Outside was a crowd of people from various prominent families, including Isaac and Franklin.

"Sylvia, how is Father?" Isaac looked less haggard than yesterday and seemed more spirited in a black shirt paired with a matching suit jacket.

Sylvia glanced at him and replied, "His vital signs are recovering well. You don't need to worry."

Isaac smiled warmly, his eyes gentle. "Thank you for your hard work these past few days. Fortunately, we have you. Take some rest; I'll treat you to a big lunch."

Franklin almost gagged at Isaac's nauseating words. He walked over to Sylvia and wrapped an arm around her waist possessively. "I'll take good care of Sylvia myself; no need for you to trouble yourself."

Isaac's expression remained unchanged, still wearing a gentle smile. "Then I'm relieved. Sylvia is my sister; you're my brother. It's my duty to take care of you both."

"Thank you very much, Brother," Franklin replied indifferently, his eyes showing no emotion.

He tightened his grip on Sylvia's waist. "I'll walk you back to your office."

Sylvia: "..."

It's just going back to the office; it's so close. Does it really require an escort?!

As they passed by a chair, they heard snoring coming from it.

"Snore-snore-"

Sylvia frowned slightly and saw a young man lying on the bench in the hallway. Although asleep and unable to see what kind of eyes he had, judging by his other features and the dark circles under his eyes, it was clear he was exhausted from indulgence.

The man suddenly let out a long snore and then exhaled loudly.

After exhaling, he seemed startled awake.

Upon waking up, he saw an extraordinarily beautiful woman passing by him.

He stared wide-eyed at Sylvia's graceful figure as if seeing an angel descend from heaven. "I can't believe such an ethereal beauty exists in this world."

He gazed at Sylvia dreamily, completely ignoring the tall man beside her.

"Mr. Hogan, Mr. Hogan?" A man approached Marco.

It took several calls before Marco responded, "Huh? What is it?"

The man handed Marco breakfast. "I saw you sleeping earlier and didn't want to disturb you. Here's breakfast; eat something before you get too hungry."

Marco disdainfully glanced at the breakfast in front of him. "What is this stuff? Is it edible?"

"Young Master, don't be picky. This is from the hospital cafeteria... everyone eats this here. If you're too choosy and Lucille hears about it..." The man opened the food container and whispered to Marco, "Eat some so I can take a few photos for Lucille as proof and help build your image."

"Such a bother," Marco grumbled as he looked at what he considered a simple breakfast: scrambled eggs with tomatoes in one compartment, stir-fried vegetables in another, and millet porridge in the last compartment.

This kind of food didn't appeal to him at all.

He couldn't understand how people could eat it.

Suppressing his impatience, he posed for pictures while taking a few bites of food and sipping some soup.

Once the man finished taking photos, Marco tossed the food aside. "Throw it away and get me something decent to eat; I have no appetite for this stuff early in the morning."

The man dared not defy him and quickly left.

As he walked away, he sent the photos to Lucille's assistant. "Lynn, here are photos of Young Master."

When he returned with new breakfast items, he received a notification on his phone.

"One of Capital City's Four Young Masters, Marco Hogan eating humble hospital meals early in the morning shows he's down-to-earth and dedicated everything to protecting the President."

This image-building exercise was embarrassingly over-the-top.

But what could they do? Marco's reputation was terrible; they had to use such tactics to rehabilitate his image. Normally, he frequently made entertainment headlines due to scandalous affairs!