Chapter 9

At the Ginger residence, Mildred watched as Nox carried Tamara back to her room and called for the family doctor. The whole family bustled about as if Tamara were on the verge of death. She returned to her room, removed her makeup, and changed into a loose long-sleeved top and pants. Outside the door came Pippa's shrill voice. "Ms. Mildred, Mr. Kieran says you're to come down for supper! Don't keep everyone waiting!" "Got it." Mildred gathered her long hair into a loose tie and slowly made her way downstairs into the dining hall. When Nox spotted her, his temper nearly flared. But he forcibly swallowed it back down after recalling Kieran's earlier warning. Kieran gently said, "Come have a bite, Mildred. You had wine tonight, so don't go to bed on an empty stomach." Mildred picked up the bowl and sniffed lightly at the hangover soup before setting it back down. "I'm not hungry." Nox's patience snapped almost immediately. "Then don't eat! Kieran, get to the point." Kieran announced, "I asked Mrs. Luzon Senior about Arthur's health. Apparently, the Luzons brought in that so-called elusive miracle doctor a while back, and Arthur's now fully recovered." "Seriously, a miracle doctor? Who is it?" Adrian asked as a cold glint flashed across his glasses. "Who else? It's the so-called miracle doctor who appeared out of nowhere last year, who they say could cheat death, Bread Roll." Mildred nearly choked. That name sounded awfully familiar… She only had herself to blame. Back then, she'd completely lost her memory. And when someone had asked for her name, she'd been reminded of the bread roll she'd eaten that morning and blurted it out. Even the usually aloof Kieran was so startled his glasses nearly fell off. "Bread Roll? Seriously? What do they look like? Is it a man or a woman?" Nox chimed in with a frown, "Calm down, Adrian. Everyone in Riverdale knows this miracle doctor is some eccentric sport. Tycoons offer fortunes for a consultation only to get turned away, while beggars receive their care for free. "And even when they do treat someone, there are strict conditions that no one is to reveal their true face." Kieran nodded. "Exactly. The Luzons were teetering on the brink over Arthur's declining health, and tonight's banquet settled that. Now, they've stabilized their empire and turned Arthur's recovery into a recruitment ad. "Half the city will be hunting Bread Roll and dying to know who the miracle doctor is, the one who refuses fortunes. "If we find this miracle doctor, does that mean Kieran's legs could be cured?" Tamara's soft, weak voice sounded from the door. Nox immediately helped her over, looking visibly distressed. "You shouldn't be up yet. You should've stayed and rested." "I'm fine, Nox. I've just been spoiled and never got slapped, and that's why I fainted. I promise I'll toughen up and not embarrass the Gingers again," she murmured with tears brimming in her eyes. The more Nox looked at her, the more his dislike for Mildred simmered. "It wasn't your fault at all! Some people are just professional lunatics who lose it anytime, anywhere!" Turning her big, misty eyes to Kieran, Tamara continued, "Since the Luzons found that doctor, we should try too. Arthur and I grew up together, and I'll beg him until he's willing to share the miracle doctor's whereabouts." Kieran took her hand and gently said, "I stopped holding out hope now that my legs have been crippled for years. "And with the engagement scrapped, Mrs. Luzon Senior's most likely furious right now, and Arthur won't give you the time of day. So, I won't have you lower yourself and beg on my account." Tamara dropped to her knees, looking up at him. "Kieran, I'd just be an orphan without the Gingers. If swallowing my pride helps, it's worth it. Unless… You no longer see me as family now that Mildred's back." She glanced at Mildred with her red-rimmed eyes. Growing up alongside Arthur, she was certain that he'd tell her what she needed to know. The fact that he'd fought tooth and nail against canceling their engagement was proof that he still cared, and all she needed was to stroke his ego. Surely, that would work better than whatever backhanded tricks Mildred, that slum stray, was pulling. Mildred calmly chimed in, "Let her beg Arthur if she wants. If you stop her, it'd just prove she's not family. "So by all means, beg. Just make sure you bring back that miracle doctor for Kieran." "No need for the sarcasm, Mildred. If groveling to Arthur is what it takes to bring the miracle doctor to Kieran, I'd gladly oblige to all his wishes!" she sniffled, dabbing at her nose. Kieran dotingly stroked her hair like she was some obedient pet. "Enough. The Luzons are coming for dinner to discuss that important project anyway. Let's all keep it civil." … As the supper wound down, the Gingers began heading off for bed. But before Mildred could follow suit, Kieran called after her, "Are you close to Dorian?" Halfway up the stairs, Tamara froze and strained her ears for an answer. "Not quite," Mildred flatly replied. "But he spoke up for you quite a bit tonight." "Exactly. The fact that we're not close and he still spoke up for me shows even a stranger can't stand it anymore." Kieran stiffened, then forced a little smile. "That edge of yours needs filing down, Mildred. One day, you'll carry the Ginger family name, and you wouldn't want to cause a scandal." A derisive snort escaped her. Perhaps, this present life's edge just meant he couldn't control her anymore. … Late at night, Tamara lay awake as her cheek throbbed worse than ever. She touched her cheek, and for some reason, it felt more swollen than before. When she got out of bed to check the mirror, a sudden wave of nausea clawed up in her stomach. She'd barely made it to the bathroom before retching all over the floor. Vile splatter hit the floor as Tamara collapsed to her knees, violently emptying vomit and bile. When the world stopped spinning, she hauled herself up using the vanity and fumbled for the phone to call for help. Meanwhile, Mildred lay in bed with her hands folded over her abdomen. Her eyes were closed as she listened to the chaos below. Drawers to the medicine kit slammed, people barked orders, and brushes scrubbed against the floor. Amid all that busy chaos, the sound of retching was heard in every corner of the house like a real-time tragedy. Her lips curled in a lazy, contented smile. This was just the appetizer, and the real feast had yet to begin. … When Mildred came down the stairs in the morning, she found Pippa standing in front of Nox and trembling. "Mr. Ginger, I swear I don't know how it happened! I did make supper, but I used only the freshest ingredients, and there was no way there'd be food poisoning!" Nox's face was pale as he could barely hold back from kicking her. But he was too dizzy to get up, so he could only snarl from his chair. "You don't know? So, am I the problem, or is it the Gingers? Tamara almost landed in the ICU last night, and Kieran's still unconscious!" That was when Susan stepped forward with the ledger. "Mr. Ginger, this is Pippa's purchasing log. The dates and quantities show she did use expired stock." Nox flipped through it and didn't bother to read anything since he didn't understand a word anyway. "You're fired. Pack your things and get out!" Pippa paled. "Mr. Ginger, I swear I never tampered with anything! Yes, I skimmed a little and took some supplements for myself, but I'd never dare mess with daily meals! Someone set me up!" The Gingers paid their maids handsomely. And with her seniority, helping Tamara with shady favors and reselling premium ingredients, she pocketed a staggering ten thousand dollars per month. Plus, there were occasional cast-off designer bags from Tamara, so how could she just give that up? "Please just give me one more chance, Mr. Ginger. I swear this will never happen again. I'm begging you…" Nox roared, "I said get lost! Get out of the Ginger residence and Riverdale! If I catch you working for any noble family in Riverdale, I'll make sure you rot in jail! Out!" Swallowing her grievances, Pippa dared not stay any longer. With no choice, she slunk away. Mildred came down the last step and asked, "Susan, is breakfast ready?" Susan's eyes flickered with panic when she spotted her. "Yes, it is. Everything's ready." Nox shot her a cold look. "How nice that someone still has an appetite while the rest of us are falling apart. "Pack me a meal, Susan. I'm taking it to the hospital for Tamara." Mildred ignored him and settled down in the dining hall. Susan returned after sending the thermos off and eyed Mildred fearfully. "Ms. Mildred, if the Gingers find out you forged that ledger…"