The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 648

Zachary's expression darkened further as he read the doctor's report. He snapped a picture of the medical assessment and sent it directly to the executive at his father's rival company.

His message was short. "The rest is up to you."

The reply came promptly. "Understood."

After putting away his phone, Zachary sat quietly. The police officers beside him couldn't help but offer words of comfort.

"How could your father be so cruel? You're just a kid, and he dared to use such force. Didn't it cross his mind that your ear may become permanently damaged?

"My dad doesn't care about me. All he cares about now is the baby in that mistress's belly. Maybe, deep down, he's even hoping I'll end up disabled so he can have an excuse to abandon me," Zachary muttered.

The officer's sympathy for Zachary deepened as they saw his dejected state. Their disdain for Steven deepened. How could an adult treat his child this way?

"What a shameless man!" one of them muttered furiously. Another added, "We'll deal with him right away."

Zachary looked up cautiously. "Can I go home now? I'm really tired. I just want to go home and rest."

"Of course. Do you need us to send you home?" the officers offered kindly.

The police followed Zachary to the police station entrance, where they discovered that, indeed, someone was waiting. Zachary approached Harry and then waved to the police officers.

"Thank you all." Everyone waved back at Zachary, not understanding how Steven could fail to cherish such a good child.

...

Zachary sat in the car. Harry fastened his seatbelt, then turned to ask Zachary, "Where shall we go next?"

Zachary's ears were still somewhat painful. He said, "Let's go to Steven's house first."

Harry was annoyed to hear Steven's name. "Why go there?"

Zachary replied calmly, "Let's find a hotel to stay at. If I go home, Grandma will be heartbroken to see me like this."

"That's true," Harry said as he drove to a nearby hotel. They booked a single room with two large beds.

Zachary lay down on the bed and started monitoring the online news.

Harry approached Zachary and asked, "Didn't you always avoid using your phone at home?"

Zachary, who had never been particularly interested in phones, replied, "Steven is about to face his downfall. Don't you want to see it?"

"Absolutely!"

"Steven abused a child! He caused severe injuries to a minor!"

"Jessica plans to abort her child!"