Go Back and I Rule There novel Chapter 79

Six o’clock. The peak of evening rush hour.

The roads were clogged with traffic, but Tulip Lane was relatively clear, filled instead with the sound of neighbors chatting.

“Did you hear?”

“What?”

“The doctors from that big hospital across the street were arrested.”

“You mean the Gonzalez family, the ones who came looking for trouble before,” Mrs. Zade said, returning from grocery shopping. “I think they were just trying to bully Mrs. Yates on purpose last time!”

“I think so too! It’s all over the news. That whole family is a bunch of parasites. So many patients suffered because of them!”

“She was always trying to suppress her competition. Grandma Megan must have been one of her victims!”

Mrs. Zade shot them a look. “You all say that now, but you had plenty to say to Rosalind’s face last time!”

“Grandma Megan has lived here for so long. She’s never caused any trouble.”

“I had a stomachache a while back, and the medicine at the big hospital was ridiculously expensive. Grandma Megan made me some soothing porridge with some other things in it—I don’t know what—and it fixed me right up for fifty bucks.”

Just as they were talking, Rosalind returned, carrying a wooden box. She smiled faintly. “Mrs. Zade, what was fifty bucks?”

“Rosalind, you scared me!” Mrs. Zade said warmly. “We were just talking about your grandmother. A real miracle worker.”

Rosalind’s smile didn't waver. “My grandmother prescribed something for you?”

“Just some dietary therapy,” Mrs. Zade said. “I know your grandma’s rule: wellness, not treatment.”

Rosalind set down the wooden box. “Why is everyone gathered here?”

“Well, we wanted to apologize to your grandmother!” Mrs. Zade glanced at her old neighbors. “They’re just too thin-skinned to go inside.”

Rosalind smiled. “We’re a business. Anyone is welcome.”

“In that case, you have to have your grandmother take a look at my neck!” someone piped up. “I haven’t been here in a few days, and it’s all tight and sore again!”

Rosalind agreed and opened the door.

Galeno tilted his head, his eyes narrowing, as if to ask why not.

Rosalind tossed him the wooden box. “Their young master… is a bit dangerous.”

Galeno gestured: More dangerous than you?

Rosalind replied nonchalantly, “That’s not how you measure it.”

Galeno stared at them, his thieving intentions not quite extinguished.

Rosalind’s eyes curved. “Galeno, I taught you that when you’re here, you have to follow the rules. What did I say?”

“No… steal… no… rob,” Galeno said, his sharp canine teeth showing.

Rosalind nodded. “No stealing and no robbing. And no eating random things.”

Galeno was about to nod his head to show how well-behaved he was.

But Rosalind suddenly grabbed his face, turning it from side to side. Her eyes darkened. “These teeth of yours… why are they growing so fast?”