Poor Black Teen Carried a Sick Old Man's Groceries Home — He Had No Idea Who the Man Was
Chapter 29
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Arthur's expression hardened instantly, because he knew exactly what that meant. And for the first time, the situation felt dangerous: not for him, but for Jamal.And somewhere across the city, Richard Caine was already making plans of his own.The moment Margaret delivered the warning, Arthur Whitmore's expression changed. Jamal noticed it immediately: a few seconds earlier, the old billionaire had looked thoughtful; now he looked dangerous—not loud, not angry, but something colder: the kind of calm that appeared when a man who had built an empire recognized a threat."What did he do?" Arthur asked.Margaret looked at her phone. "The details are still coming in."Jamal shifted uneasily in his chair. "Who is Richard Caine?"Arthur and Margaret exchanged a glance. Neither answered immediately. That alone told Jamal enough: something was wrong.Arthur finally spoke: "He manages the property where you live."Jamal frowned. "The apartment building?"Arthur nodded.A strange feeling settled in Jamal's stomach, because if Richard Caine was involved, nothing good ever followed. The man seemed to enjoy making life harder for people already struggling: late rent, broken elevators, maintenance requests—Richard always had a reason why nothing could be fixed or why someone else was to blame.Arthur stood. "I'll handle this."Jamal looked confused. "Handle what?"Arthur hesitated, then offered a reassuring smile. "Hopefully nothing."But even he didn't believe that.An hour later, Jamal returned to the hospital. The meeting with Arthur had left him overwhelmed; he still couldn't fully process everything. Arthur Whitmore. The Arthur Whitmore—one of the richest men in Illinois. And somehow that man knew his name, knew Gloria's situation, knew about the surgery. The entire bus ride back felt unreal.By the time he reached Greenfield Medical Center, the sky had darkened again. Heavy clouds gathered above the city; a storm threatened in the distance. The hospital lobby buzzed with activity: visitors moved through hallways, phones rang, elevators opened and closed. Life continued as usual.Jamal headed straight toward Gloria's room. He found her awake, a blanket tucked neatly around her shoulders, a television playing softly near the bed. Her smile appeared instantly when she saw him."Well?"Jamal laughed. "Well, what?""You met your mysterious friend."News traveled fast when Gloria wanted answers. He pulled a chair beside her bed, then told her everything: the mansion, the photographs, Arthur's identity, the conversation, the questions about school, the questions about the future.Gloria listened carefully. Her eyes widened once or twice, but she didn't seem shocked; if anything, she seemed amused. When he finished, she smiled. "I knew it."