Chapter 112

Adrian’s muffled curses followed her up the stairs.

Evelyn didn’t slow down.

But halfway up, a hand seized her wrist—Nathan’s. His grip was firm, his expression unreadable.

"Care to explain?" he murmured.

Evelyn met his gaze evenly. "He was in my way."

Nathan’s eyes darkened. "That’s not what I meant."

Her pulse spiked. Had he seen through her?

Then his thumb brushed her knuckles—gentle, questioning. "You’re hurt."

Evelyn blinked. She hadn’t even noticed.

Nathan’s voice dropped lower. "Next time, let me handle him."

Before she could reply, footsteps sounded below. Adrian, glaring up at them, his nose already swelling.

Nathan didn’t release her wrist.

Adrian’s smirk returned, blood staining his teeth. "Well, isn’t this cozy?"

Evelyn tensed.

Nathan’s grip tightened—protective, possessive.

And Adrian’s eyes gleamed with something dangerous.

The game had just escalated.

Adrian Grant's cheek still burned from the slap, the sting of humiliation lingering beneath his skin. He hadn't expected Evelyn Hartley to retaliate so fiercely. He had assumed she would eventually submit—but instead, she had struck him with enough force to leave his pride smarting.

"Damn," he muttered under his breath, rubbing the tender spot. "This woman has fire."

Strangely, her defiance only intrigued him more. There was something thrilling about the idea of taming a woman who refused to be broken. A slow, cold smirk curled his lips as he whispered to the empty hallway, "This isn't over, Evelyn."

Meanwhile, Evelyn had already dismissed the encounter from her mind. After finishing her cookies, she returned to her room and slipped back into sleep as if nothing had happened.

The next morning, the Cardiac Surgery Department of Grand Hills General Hospital buzzed with activity. Evelyn walked alongside Vivian Cross as they made their rounds, stopping at each patient's room.

One patient, Franklin Middleton, leaned forward eagerly as they approached. "Dr. Cross, is it true that Dr. Star operated here recently?"

Vivian nodded. "Yes, that's correct."

Franklin's eyes lit up. "Can she perform my surgery too?"

The question sent a ripple of surprise through the other doctors present. Evelyn's gaze flickered briefly at the mention of Star, but Vivian remained unfazed.

Before yesterday, Vivian had only known Star by reputation. But after witnessing her surgical precision firsthand, she understood why the woman was internationally renowned. Star didn't just operate—she performed miracles.

So Franklin's request didn't shock her. If anything, it was expected.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Middleton," Vivian said gently, "but Dr. Star isn't available right now. She can't take your case."

Franklin wasn't deterred. "Please, ask your deputy director to contact her. Money isn't an issue—she can name her price!"

Vivian hesitated, caught off guard by his persistence. Sensing her struggle, Evelyn smoothly stepped in.

"Mr. Middleton, we appreciate your confidence in Dr. Star," she said with a reassuring smile. "But she specializes in particularly complex cases. Yesterday's patient was an 85-year-old with multiple complications—that's the kind of challenge she takes on. Your procedure, while serious, is well within Dr. Cross's expertise. She's an exceptional surgeon, and you'll be in excellent hands."

Another doctor chimed in, backing her up. "That's right. Dr. Cross is more than capable. There's no need to worry."

Franklin considered this, then finally nodded. "Alright, Dr. Cross. I trust you."

Vivian smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Middleton."

Elsewhere in the hospital, Dominic Pierce navigated his own rounds with his team. They entered another patient's room, where a middle-aged man stood by the bedside.

"Mr. Whitmore," Dominic began professionally, "your father's surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at nine. Does that work for you? If there are any concerns—"

Before he could finish, Harrison Whitmore raised a hand. "There's no rush."