Chapter 19

Cynthia had no idea what Zachary was thinking. The moment the car stopped at the mall, she opened the door and stepped out holding Mason's hand. It was a multi-level wholesale mall, and it was bustling. Every kind of merchandise imaginable was sold here. Mason, clearly unfamiliar with such a place, couldn't contain his excitement. Cynthia held Mason's hand as she meticulously examined the clothes, weighing her options with a serious focus. The three of them quickly became the center of attention. Zachary's innate elegance and refined air made him stand out, drawing countless admiring glances from the women in the crowd. Zachary didn't share their enthusiasm for the scene. With a low, commanding voice, he said, "Be quick about it." Cynthia shook her head at him. "Mr. Beaver, I'm sorry, but I can't rush this. Children have sensitive skin, so I need to select pure cotton fabrics. I also have to avoid potential hazards, like drawstrings that could get caught around the neck. That's why I need more time. If you're in a hurry, you can go ahead. I'll take good care of Mason." Damn it. Was she giving him an order or subtly telling him to leave? Zachary's expression darkened, but he said nothing. Cynthia shrank back slightly, then returned to her task. It took her the entire afternoon to find 30 outfits she was satisfied with. Just as she was about to leave with Mason, a woman with heavy makeup suddenly bumped into them. Mason was caught off guard and fell forward. He collided with the glass railing. The railing shattered instantly, and Mason began to tip over the edge. "Oh my God!" "Someone, help!" They were on the second floor. The 20-feet drop was enough to be fatal. Gasps and screams rippled through the crowd as everyone watched the horrifying scene unfold. Zachary had been paying at the counter. When he heard the commotion, he turned around and caught sight of Mason falling. His face was drained of color. "Mason!" He surged forward instinctively. However, before he could take more than a step, Cynthia—standing much closer—regained her senses. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, grabbing Mason in midair. Under the collective gasp of the onlookers, the two of them plummeted together. Screams echoed through the mall. Two seconds later, there was a dull thud. The entire mall descended into chaos. Zachary had not expected Cynthia to leap after Mason. For a moment, he froze in shock. Then, realizing the gravity of the situation, he turned and sprinted downstairs. A crowd had already gathered in the concourse area. On a large inflatable castle set up for children were two figures. Mason was on top, while Cynthia was beneath him. "Thank goodness for that inflatable castle. They'd be dead otherwise," someone murmured. "That woman didn't even think twice. She just threw herself out to protect the child. Amazing!" "I hope they're okay." Zachary pushed through the crowd. His sharp gaze swept over Mason. When he saw that Mason was unharmed, he turned to Cynthia. Her face was pale, her delicate brows furrowed in visible pain. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low. Cynthia felt like her insides were on fire, but she ignored it and looked at Mason. "Mason… Is he hurt? Is he okay?" Even now, all she could think about was the child! Something stirred in Zachary's chest. His eyes darkened as he gently lifted Mason into his arms. "He's fine. You need to stay still." He pulled out his phone, called Adam, and barked an order, "Get to Galaxy Plaza immediately." Adam, who had been nearby at the hospital, rushed over as soon as he heard. "Mason, you fell? Come, let me take a look at you." Mason was Zachary's baby and the treasured heir of the Beavers. He couldn't afford even the smallest injury. "Mason is fine. Check on her." For the first time, Zachary didn't prioritize Mason but asked him to examine Cynthia instead. Adam was stunned. Since when did Zachary care about anyone else?