A Pitiful Act
A frown marred Samuel’s countenance. “Why are you zoning out?” Wynnie urged him, “Go now! It’s
almost dinner time already.” “Okay, okay.” With that, Samuel made a trip to the hospital once more. On
the way, Samuel received a call. It was Tyson. “Those savages have owned up, Mr. Macari.” Tyson fell
silent for a bit before going on, “They said it’s Dr. Zabinski who commanded them. It’s her ploy to fish
for sympathy.” Wearing an indifferent visage, Samuel gave out an order. “Oh? Take them to Florinia
Manor tonight. I’ll question them myself.” After a brief pause, Tyson asked, “Do you not believe their
words, Mr. Macari?” “Yeah.” Samuel sounded impassive at that. “Noted. I’ll make the arrangement
now.” With that, Tyson hung up the phone. Putting on a darkened face, Samuel arrived at the hospital.
He made a beeline for the ward, carrying with him the thermal lunchbox along the way. At that moment,
Gizem was standing by the window, staring at the view outside. Hearing footsteps nearing, she slowly
wheeled around. “Mr. Macari?” Why is he back again? Never did she anticipate seeing him that many
times in a day. “My mom asked me to bring you this,” was Samuel’s reasoning as he put down the
lunchbox. “Please relay my thanks to Mrs. Macari.” Gizem was composed as she spoke. Samuel, in
turn, stated nonchalantly, “The interrogation session went pretty well with the nefarious horde.”
“Seriously?” Gizem’s eyebrows bunched up into a tight knot as she queried, “Who’s the mastermind?”
“You!” Samuel glared daggers at her. Me? “Is this a joke? Tell me, then. Why would I endanger
myself?” Gizem shot him a grave look as anger inundated her fair face. “They said it was an act to
arouse pity,” replied Samuel. “An act to what?” Gizem sneered, “You’ve got to be kidding me! Do you
even understand how important hands are to a doctor? It could’ve cost me my entire career!” “No guts,
no glory.” Samuel was emotionless. “It’ll only be convincing enough once you lay your own career on
the line, isn’t that so?” Flying off the handle, Gizem hollered, “No! This has nothing to do with me! Don’t
you malign me!” The whole time, Samuel was staring deep into her eyes. Indeed, her eyes bore so
much resemblance to that of Kathleen.
Because of that, Samuel became all the more infuriated. How dare they make use of Kathleen to play
me for a fool! “That person behind your back is rather smart if I must say,” commented Samuel coldly.
“He didn’t arrange for someone who’s totally alike to Kathleen but you with that pair of identical eyes.
He even made you copy her culinary skills and wear her scent. All that just to entice me!” Gizem was
trembling with rage. “Entice you? With these average-looking facial features of mine?” Samuel placed
his palm on her delicate face. He then ran his fingers gradually toward her neck. Gizem was startled by
his move. All of a sudden, Samuel’s fingers seemed to have felt something odd. “Why are you
disguising yourself as someone else?”
Samuel’s question in a heartbeat. As expected, this is the only logical explanation. Connecting the
dots, Samuel finally understood how she could make an appearance in different places concurrently.
Shock overwhelmed Gizem straight away. Her hyper-realistic face mask was worth a fortune. No
common folks could have noticed it that easily, even if they had the chance to touch her face. Yet,
Samuel had managed to discover her secret in seconds just by touching her face. What a terrifying
person! “Hands off me!” Gizem shoved Samuel’s hand away there and then as she took a step back.
Samuel let out a snort. “If you don’t tell me your true identity in this instance, I’ll never let you off the
hook.” This woman is way too mysterious. Her existence alone is a threat! Gizem bit her lip. “Hehe…
I’m merely an orphan, a nobody. I relied on my own to get into the university. That’s it.” One step at a
time, Samuel approached her. All Gizem could do was step back. Soon enough, her back hit the wall
behind her, and her heart skipped a beat at that. The wall was ice-cold. Lifting his hand, Samuel
pinched her chin.
He then moved his fingers toward her neck, all ready to tear down her hyper-realistic mask. Gizem
became a nervous wreck, screaming, “No!” Alas, Samuel had already had his fingers on the seam.
Exerting his might, he tore Gizem’s hyper-realistic mask apart. Immediately, Gizem covered her face
with both hands. Samuel grabbed hold of her hands and pried them away little by little. Astonishment
was written all over his face once he caught sight of Gizem’s look. “What…” Samuel gaped at her with
utter disbelief. Scars were seen everywhere on Gizem’s cheeks. It was hideous and horrifying to
witness. “Can you quit staring?” Gizem was all choked up. Still, Samuel stared her in the eyes and
asked, “What happened to your face?”
“Just some burn scars.” Gizem retracted her hands on that note. “I had been in a coma, and
unfortunately, I was caught in the fire at the hospital during that period. I was nearly cremated alive.
They saved my life but couldn’t save my face. My master then let me wear this so that I won’t get
drowned in self-abasement.” Hearing her story, Samuel was astounded to the core. No wonder…
Gizem reached out and demanded, “Please give that back.” Samuel obediently handed the hyper-
realistic face mask to her. Hanging her head low, she uttered, “Leave me.” Samuel cast one last gaze
at Gizem before turning around to walk away. “Mr. Macari, it wasn’t me who had hired that group of
people,” added Gizem placidly. “If there’s a need, I can always confront them.” “Okay, then. Come with
me to Florinia Manor later.
They’re already there.” Samuel was expressionless when he spoke. “All right.” Gizem nodded. “Come
outside when you’re ready. I’ll be waiting.” With that, Samuel spun on his heels. Immediately afterward,
Gizem rushed into the bathroom. She heaved a sigh of relief. How terrifying! I was so close to getting
exposed. Luckily, I was prepared and wore two layers of masks. Otherwise, Samuel would have really
unveiled her true identity. Ten minutes later, Gizem exited the ward in a fresh set of casual attire.
Casting a meaningful peek at her, Samuel prompted, “Let’s go.” Gizem followed him downstairs and
hopped into his car that had been parked outside the hospital. Following that, they departed for Florinia
Manor. Moments later, they reached their destination, only to be greeted by Yareli’s presence at the
front door. Samuel and Gizem then got out of the car. The second Yareli took notice of Gizem, a tinge
of disdain washed over the former’s face. Never in a million years would she expect Gizem to be there,
much less be in the same ride with Samuel. She thought that Samuel had heard the testament from the
kidnappers and had gotten rid of Gizem. “Samuel, I heard Desi has gotten into some kind of mishap. Is
she all right?”
Yareli feigned a worried expression as she asked that. “She’s fine. What brings you here?” questioned
Samuel in an icy tone instead. “I wanted to visit Desi,” replied Yareli casually. She then went on,
“Goodness gracious! Who on earth would target an innocent kid like our poor Desi? What a crazy
monster!” Samuel merely dropped a calm remark as he walked past her. “This doesn’t concern you
actually. You may go.” “Hey, wait up, Samuel! There’s something I need to tell you.” Yareli caught up
with Samuel right away. Meanwhile, Gizem was trailing behind them quietly. Sparing a sidelong glance
at Gizem, Yareli gnashed her teeth. “Think about it, Samuel. Desi has always been fine. Ever since
somebody came into her life out of nowhere, she instantly got into such a misfortune. This couldn’t just
be a coincidence!”
Of course, Gizem knew what Yareli was insinuating. Sporting a deadpan mien, the former piped up at
once, “Are you referring to me?” “Ah, I’m glad that you still have self-awareness,” scoffed Yareli. “Yes!
You’re the one who had arranged for Desi’s kidnap. This must be your tactic to gain pity!”
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