252 Jackson at the FMC 4

Liz compared Jackson's story to what Sabrina told them, and she can see that he conveniently does not remember any unpleasant parts. She found it interesting that Jackson came to Sabrina's apartment to invite her to a party. Is it possible that it's just that? Or did he have something else planned? Did his plan fall apart because Sabrina shifted the topic to the breakup?

"There will be no party for you tonight, Mr. Adams. You had a seizure that put your muscles under stress. And at this point, we are still not confident about what triggered your seizure. I recommend that you stay here for observation, at least twenty-four hours."

Jackson's head snapped toward Liz. Did he hear her right? "Stay here?"

He also heard that she is not confident about what triggered the seizure, but unless he was strapped to the EEG machine during the seizure itself, he can always say that the test results are unreliable.

"Yes. I recommend that you stay here at least twenty-four hours.", Liz responded. "That is a common practice when someone is involved in an incident that includes head injury. I would give you an option to go home and stay supervised, however, the fact that we don't know what caused your seizure makes your situation more… complex. I recommend that you stay here."

When he heard about the head injury, Jackson reached for his right cheek and his sight fell on Ashton. That bastard hit him!

It was only for a second, but Liz saw Jackson glaring at Ashton, and that confirmed that he remembers the punch. 'Hmph! Epilepsy, my foot!' It only reinforced Liz's theory that Jackson is faking it, but knowing and proving it are two different things.

"Why is my boy's face bruised?", Mrs. Adams asked Liz.

"He hurt himself when he fell."

Mrs. Adams shook her head. "Not possible."

Liz observed Jackson's mom. "I thought that you are familiar with epilepsy. The seizure can't be predicted, and if it happens when a person is standing, then he will fall and hurt himself. Are you telling me that Jackson has epilepsy for many years, and he was never hurt during a seizure?"

Mrs. Adams pressed her lips into a line and exhaled through her nose.

The door of the room opened and an older man entered. He greeted the three members of the Adams family and then walked to Liz and extended his hand for a handshake. "I assume you are the doctor who is taking care of Jackson currently. I am his personal physician, Dr. Schmitt."

Liz assessed the man while accepting his handshake. "Dr. Schmitt, nice to meet you. I am Dr. Williams, a senior neurosurgeon at the Franciscan Medical Center. Are you a general physician? Do you have expertise in neurology?"

Dr. Schmitt frowned slightly. He does not like that a girl who can be his daughter is questioning his credentials. And did she say, 'senior neurosurgeon'? Isn't she too young for that?

"I am a doctor in general practice. I am taking care of everyone in the Adams family for many years, and I know Jackson since he was born."

Liz is aware of who he is and his background and connection to the Adams family. It's all in the files Max provided, and the information there confirms that Dr. Schmitt is a family physician who does regular physical checkups and for anything else, he refers his patients to specialists.

The question Liz has is, why would he come here when he has no expertise in neurology? Well, at least he didn't lie about it.

She wondered if Dr. Schmitt is aware that Jackson is faking his epilepsy. Is that worth risking a career of thirty-something years in order to cover up for Jackson? Is it for the money? Max's files show that Dr. Schmitt got several generous payments from the Adams family over the last several years, but that came as 'medical charges', and they can't find more than that. It's lost in the lack of documentation a small medical practice usually has.

"If you know Jackson for many years, that means you are familiar with his medical history. It would be best if we can collaborate to ensure the best treatment for Mr. Adams. Can you tell me about his seizures?"

Dr. Schmitt must admit the fact that Liz is a senior neurosurgeon at a large hospital like the Franciscan Medical Center. If she managed to reach this position at such a young age, she must be capable. Dr. Schmitt is a man who works in his small office. How can he not be drawn to working with big-shots? He can use this to promote his business, so it's in his interest to play nice with Liz.

"Yes, I am familiar with his history, Dr. Williams. I assume that you will tell me about his current condition?"

Liz saw that Mrs. Adams frowned at the mentioning of them sharing information. Liz suspects that the woman will interject. Well, Liz will not give her that opportunity. "Please, come to my office, and we can talk in private…"

Dr. Schmitt followed after Liz happily.

Jackson looked at his parents and he saw that his mother is signaling toward Sabrina. He understood.

"Rina, I am sorry you had to see something like that. It must be uncomfortable.", Jackson said with concern obvious in his voice.

Sabrina's eyebrow arched. "Which part of your visit do you think was uncomfortable for me? The one when you showed up unannounced? The one when you accused me of sleeping around? Or the one when you tried to force yourself on me?"

Jackson's eyes darted nervously on the faces in the room and then settled on Max who seemed to turn into a devil.

"Rina, sweetie… you don't know what you are talking about.", Jackson said in a shaky voice.

Sabrina could not believe how fake he is. "Maybe you have some type of amnesia, but I don't. And don't call me sweetie. If you forgot, let me remind you, we broke up."

Jackson opened his mouth in disbelief. It's not that he does not remember, but he can't believe that Sabrina just said it like that in front of his parents! Sabrina was always super-sweet in front of his parents.

"Sabrina, honey…", Mrs. Adams stood up. "Jack just woke up after a seizure. Don't you think that it's heartless to put him in a stressful situation right away?"

Sabrina re-crossed her legs and placed her palms over her knee elegantly without removing her gaze from Mrs. Adams. "No. I think that Jack is a grown man who needs to face reality as soon as possible. And the reality is that we are not a couple. Not in a romantic way, at least. And it's time for this charade to end. This breakup is caused by more than one unpleasant visit. Jack is sleeping around for years and disrespecting me in every way possible. So far, I tolerated it, but his actions from today are too much. I will not stay in a relationship with a man who treats me nicely only when it's convenient for him."

Jackson's face contorted in anger. How dares she disrespect him in such a way? But before he could say anything, Sabrina was talking again, to him this time.

"Jack, you are leading a company. You know how to handle adversities without breaking down, and stress is something you can manage skillfully. If that is not true, your company would not be so successful. I believe that you will continue to have a fulfilling life and be a great leader without me in your life. I wish you good luck and I hope that we can each go our own way without unnecessary drama."

Jack was stupefied. Is she praising him or dissing him? What is going on? She just said that he is great at managing stress, and if he blows up, won't that prove that he can't manage himself (and a company) successfully? Ah, what to do? What to say? And he can't speak recklessly because Max is here. It is one thing to offend Sabrina, but Max is a different beast altogether.

Sabrina thought how there is no need for her to say anything else. She made sure everyone relevant heard that she and Jackson broke up, and it seems that it will take hours until Liz is done with Jackson's doctor and the results. And honestly, she does not want to stay here any minute longer than necessary.

Now it's up to Liz to figure out Jackson's condition, and when Liz has something, she will let them know.

Regardless if Jackson has epilepsy or anything else, Sabrina is done with him. The last shred of respect she had toward him was gone when he spoke badly about her and Ashton and when he wanted to force her to sleep with him. They are done and she is ready to fight for her freedom if needed.

If Liz finds the truth behind Jackson's condition, it will either confirm his story or give Sabrina ammunition to prove that he is a liar. But whichever it is, she is out of here.

Sabrina stood up and looked at Ashton. "I am ready for that late lunch…"

In the next moment, Aston was standing by her side. He can't wait to leave so that it can be just the two of them. They have so much to talk about.

Sabrina offered Max to have lunch with them, but Max rejected it. "I will stay here to hear what Liz has to say."

Sabrina understood that Max wants to keep watching the Adams family members. Because of her, and because of Liz.

"Thank you, Max."

Sabrina wished everyone a pleasant rest of the day and left the room.

By the time Jackson came to his senses, Sabrina and Ashton left!

"Jack…", Mrs. Adams said in a low voice. "Are you really so stupid to try forcing yourself on Rina?"

She is aware that her son is fickle. But fooling around is nothing compared to trying to hurt Sabrina Anderson.

Jack exhaled and stared at the ceiling. "Mom, let's not talk about it."

"No.", Max growled. "I am curious also. Why don't you answer your mother's question."

Mrs. Adams looked at Max fearfully. She was in such a shock of Sabrina saying all those things and leaving that she forgot that Max is here!

"Max…", Mrs. Adams pleaded. "It's OK to talk later. Jack just woke up after a seizure and he needs to rest."

Max glared at Mrs. Adams before his sight moved to Jackson.

Jackson avoided Max's gaze. "That… I was just joking, and she misunderstood."

"Rina's wrist is bruised. That is some joke…", Max said. "When we arrived here, doctor examined Sabrina. She is thinking if she will file charges for an attempted assault."

Jackson exhaled and closed his eyes. He needs time to think about this because his current situation is not good. And he can't talk to his parents because Max is here.

Jackson snorted. Attempted assault? Good luck with that. Sabrina let him in her apartment willingly and other than a bruised wrist, they have no evidence. Unfortunately, Ashton is a witness, he heard Jack threaten Sabrina... but Jack can put that in the context of lover's quarrel and that he said it because he was angry, and not because he meant it. But that will mean how he admits remembering the break-up part. Ah, his head is hurting! All this is such a mess.

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