Zoe had no idea Sally would call her, and her temper flared. "What's the matter? Did Miranda tell you something? So what if I did something to her!""Where are you now?" Sally only wanted to confront Zoe."Why should I tell you? Who do you think you are!" Zoe stopped eating her nuts and swung her hand. She was just looking for a way to vent her pent-up anger.Sally sneered, "Are you scared now? Scared I'll come after you? I know your beauty salon got vandalized, and now you're hiding like a turtle!""Scared? Have I ever been scared of you all these years? If you hadn't married into the York family with William, I wouldn't even acknowledge you as part of our family!" Zoe retorted."Fine, then come out. Let's confront each other face to face!" Sally declared."Come out if you dare, Sally! If you want to confront me head-on and tear each other apart, then I won't give you any face either!" With that, Zoe hung up the phone and grabbed her bag to leave.Seeing this, Nina called out,
"So you resort to any means to destroy one family after another! You never think you're wrong!" Zoe exclaimed. "I didn't do anything wrong!" Sally exclaimed, agitated. "You all forced me into this!"Seeing both of them so worked up, Miranda interjected, "Zoe, don't argue with Sally. She's just impulsive. I'm fine, I don't blame you. Let's all calm down.""It's none of your business!" Zoe looked at Miranda sharply. "You don't blame me, yet you tell Sally everything. You just want her to step forward, don't you? Hypocrite! You disgust me the most!"At this, Sally immediately shoved her. "Who are you cursing? Knowing that Miranda can't hear, you talk behind her back. How despicable can you be!""I may be despicable, but not as despicable as you!" Zoe pushed back."You're laying hands on me?" Sally glared at her. "Today, you'll pay for it!""Let's see if you can handle me!" Zoe wasted no time in engaging in a physical fight with her.When Nina and Scott arrived, they saw the scene
"Nash." In the midst of the dispute with Zoe, Sally noticed his presence, and she was taken aback. Nina also glanced over and saw Nash's figure standing behind them. His expression was indifferent, seemingly unsurprised by their arguments. Instead, he accepted the fact calmly. Zoe was shocked to see Nash's gaze. In that moment, she regretted blurting out that he was not Sally’s biological son. It was undoubtedly a blow to him.Distracted, her gaze remained fixed on Nash. "Nash..."Nash remained silent. He knew they were at the cemetery and came over out of concern that something might happen.Sally, infuriated, exclaimed, "Zoe, what are you saying? You're intentionally making things difficult for me. You're truly despicable!" With force, she shoved Zoe.Zoe focused her attention on Nash so she became less hostile. She withdrew her claws, her mind preoccupied with the possibility of causing him harm. Unaware of Sally's action, she was suddenly pushed down the steps.Nina, sti
"No...," Sally protested, "you're still my son. I regret it, and I've been trying my best to make it up to you...""I no longer need that," Nash said, his gaze icy. "Calling you 'mom' was my greatest concession. You should consider yourself lucky!"Sally could not help but step back, her voice trembling with emotion. "You can't treat me like this. You can't be like your father. Otherwise, what's the point of bringing you back?"Nash's tone remained cold. "The only point was to win back my father's heart. Unfortunately, all efforts were in vain!"Every word hit Sally like a dagger to her chest.Back then, her marriage to William was, to put it rather ironically, nothing but her forcing herself into it. William did not love her. In fact, he despised her. She thought that once they were married, he would be hers. Afterall, what's done was done.But she was too naive. William could stay out all night, leaving her alone. To win back his heart, she made countless efforts, even trying t
While Sally was defending Miranda, Nina's expression turned cold. Seeing Nina speak up, Sally added, "Nina, look at the state of Miranda. Stop causing her more harm!" Her instinct was to protect Miranda.Approaching them, Nina saw Miranda crying, looking fragile and pitiful. "Why can't I speak up? Who among you is truly worried about Aunt Zoe? You're worried about your son doesn’t want you anymore, and Miranda is worried about being blamed. She's putting on an act to gain sympathy. We all saw Aunt Zoe being pushed, and you're the one who did it. Miranda, on the other hand, is likely the instigator!" As Zoe was rushed into the operating room with serious injuries, Nina felt no need to hold back. "Don't talk nonsense!" Sally snapped. "Yes, I pushed Zoe, but it was gentle. Why don't you mention that Zoe intentionally fell?"Nina looked at Sally. "That push wasn't gentle at all. We all saw it." Sally, feeling challenged, raised her voice. "Nina, who do you think you are to talk t
Seeing his indifference, Sally called out, "Nash!" However, Nash did not want to hear her words and he walked away with a cold expression. Sally wanted to talk and patch things up with Nash. However, with Miranda crying and being bullied, she could not leave. She could only go over to help Miranda up, saying, "Miranda, get up quickly, stop crying." Miranda was supported by Sally, burying her face in her arms. "Sally, am I too annoying? Everyone seems to dislike me!" she sobbed. "No, no, I like you, everyone likes you," Sally comforted her, patting her back. Miranda continued to cry in Sally's arms. In this state, even if she was at fault, she turned into a victim, and no one dared to say a word against her. If it weren't for the hospital and so many people around, Nina would have wanted to give Miranda a good beating, tearing off her mask to see how good she was at pretending. Of course, she knew that no matter how much of it was true or false, Sally would still defend
He did not argue with her, simply ignoring all her crying and fussing. To him, Sally's tears were worthless. But as a woman, Sally felt her defenses crumbling under her husband's indifference, leading her to become even more agitated. "Why won't you speak? Do you value Zoe more than me? I'm your lawfully wedded wife, William! You can't treat me like this!" Her eyes almost red with tears and she desperately wanted her husband to show some concern. Even a glance would help soothe her anger and anxiety. Yet William remained silent, treating Sally as if she were a stranger. Nash, observing their dynamic, was unfazed. He withheld any comment. To him, they were only nominally his parents. Growing up in this environment had made him accustomed to everything, even their indifference. Unable to bear Sally any longer, William rose and said to Nash, "I'm going downstairs. Let me know when Zoe wakes up!" Nash kept his gaze low, his eyes cold, offering no response. William did not wait fo
Could he have known all along?She had heard Zoe mention it a few times before, but she had not given it much thought. Perhaps Nash had known all along and just never said anything."Nina," Scott approached her and gently said, "Why don't you take a break? You look exhausted."Nina had been standing for a long time and was starting to feel a pain in her back, but she wanted to wait for Zoe to come out. She sat down nearby and said, "I want to wait until Aunt Zoe wakes up.""I'll stay with you," Scott added.Nina nodded at him.Nash, with his tall frame leaning against the door frame, glanced over. The concern in Scott's eyes for Nina was almost palpable.Nina seemed to readily accept his kindness.A surge of irritation swept through Nash. His gaze turned colder, and he deliberately kicked the chair next to him, creating a noise.It was the chair Scott was sitting on. He looked up, and Nash said in a cold voice, "Sorry, didn't mean to kick it!""No problem," Scott responded
Mrs. Stone was stunned into silence by the officer’s stern words. She stopped her hysterics, but her eyes still held traces of resentment and unease. Meanwhile, in another part of the station, Karina sat on a sofa, her mood as heavy and oppressive as the overcast sky outside. Her mind replayed the countless entanglements with the Stone family—the slander, the extortion, the endless pain. Those memories surged like waves, solidifying her determination to break free entirely. Staying in Birkham would only mean being drained by the insatiable greed of the Stones. Slowly, Karina took out her phone. Her fingers hesitated before they hovered over Wilfred’s contact. Taking a deep breath, she dialed his number. The line connected quickly, and Wilfred’s calm, caring voice came through. “Karina, what’s wrong?” Her lips trembled slightly, her voice tinged with an almost imperceptible quaver. “Dr. Wilfred, I need to tell you something.“I don’t think I can stay in Birkham anymor
“If your son is indeed suffering from a mental illness, we will proceed according to the appropriate legal procedures after professional evaluation. Until then, he must remain under our supervision and be investigated,” the officer explained firmly. Meanwhile, in another room at the station, Kieran, who had been subdued, was gradually calming down. Despite his quieter demeanor, a hint of cunning flickered in his eyes. The officer assigned to watch him kept a vigilant eye on his every move. Noticing the scrutiny, Kieran raised his head and feigned innocence. “Officer, I was having an episode earlier. I didn’t mean to act that way. I couldn’t control myself.” The officer’s response was cold and detached. “There will be time for explanations later. For now, sit tight and behave.” Kieran pursed his lips, remaining silent outwardly but scheming internally. *The police then called Karina to inform her of Mrs. Stone’s claims and to verify their accuracy. Karina let out
The trash can sailed through the air, scattering its foul-smelling contents across the police station, filling the air with a pungent odor. Several young officers flanked Kieran from both sides, trying to grab hold of his arms. But Kieran thrashed wildly, his surprising strength allowing him to break free from one officer’s grip. With a sharp elbow strike, he hit another officer square in the stomach. The officer grunted in pain, stumbling back a few steps but gritted his teeth and held his ground. The scene in the reception hall descended into chaos. Civilians seeking assistance huddled in corners, some shrieking in fear. Mrs. Stone stood to the side, wringing her hands and stomping her feet in desperation. Her voice, pleading and panicked, was drowned out by her son’s shouting. “Kieran, stop this! Calm down!” she cried. But Kieran was too far gone, consumed by his manic performance. He couldn’t—or wouldn’t—hear her. The situation was teetering on the brink of tot
Karina stared at the flood of messages, feeling nothing but disgust and revulsion. Kieran’s texts were growing increasingly obsessive, filled with unhinged threats, unreasonable demands, and even veiled warnings against her safety. No. She couldn’t allow the Stone family’s harassment to continue unchecked. Taking a deep breath, she decisively dialed the police. She provided the authorities with a detailed account of the Stone family’s relentless harassment, including Kieran’s disturbing demands and the threatening content of his messages. The officers assured her that they would investigate promptly and provide her with protection if necessary. With the police now involved, Karina finally felt a sliver of relief. *The response was swift. The blare of sirens pierced through the city’s noise as several police cars raced toward Kieran’s address. Flashing red and blue lights reflected off the surrounding buildings, drawing curious stares from passersby. Guided by
The Stone family wasn’t just greedy. They were relentless, always pushing boundaries and expecting more.Karina sighed. “It’s not that I can’t stand up to them, but sometimes it feels unnecessary. There are things that just can’t be explained.”Wilfred didn’t press further. “Pack your things and come with me. I have to travel for a project negotiation that will help our hospital continue expanding.” He was determined to firmly establish himself in Birkham, not just for his professional ambitions but also because Nina was there. Wilfred wanted to protect her and mentor his students, ensuring they could safeguard Nina’s children in the future. “But didn’t we already promise a patient that we’d perform surgery?” Karina asked, a little hesitant. “I’ll arrange for someone else to handle it.” While Karina might have been the better choice for the surgery, Wilfred had other options, including pulling Caleb in at the last minute. “Alright,” Karina replied. Since Wilfred had
Sera blocked Karina’s path, her expression cold and disdainful. “You think you can just use that money to brush me off? Do I look like someone who needs your measly cash?”She grabbed Karina’s arm tightly, her nails biting into her skin. “Let me make this clear. If you don’t do what I’ve asked, I’ll ruin you, Karina. Completely.”Karina’s fear was palpable, but the thought of endless torment and manipulation was even more terrifying. She met Sera’s fierce gaze with a calm, unyielding stare. “Do whatever you want. But let me remind you, the money you gave me? I’m willing to go down with you if it comes to that. My life might not be worth much, but you’ve worked so hard to get into Wilfred’s hospital. Are you really willing to throw that all away?”Sera faltered. She had worked incredibly hard to get where she was. Countless sleepless nights studying, memorizing every detail of her medical texts, and enduring the challenges of difficult patients had pushed her to the brink. She often
Sera’s gaze was so sharp it felt like it could pierce through Karina. Karina hadn’t expected her momentary greed to create such a mess. If she couldn’t stay a doctor, she would have no source of income, and her life would spiral further out of control. “Please, don’t do this. Tell me what you want, and I’ll keep helping you. Maybe… I could spike his drink for you again, or set up another opportunity,” Karina said, grabbing Sera’s hand out of desperation. Sera clearly wasn’t short on money. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to give Karina such a large sum back then.All she wanted now was to secure her position at the hospital.Sera pulled her hand away, a mocking smile on her face. “Set up another opportunity? Do you think Wilfred would fall for it twice? Do you take him for an idiot, Dr. Norman?” Wilfred wasn’t an idiot, and ordinary drugs didn’t seem to affect him much.Karina felt utterly helpless. One wrong step had led to another, and now she had no idea how to
“Starting today, you’ll officially resume your position as my assistant. I trust you’ll adapt quickly,” Wilfred said firmly. Karina’s eyes lit up with a hint of surprise. “Dr. Wilfred, really? I’ll do my best to fulfill the responsibilities of the assistant role.” Wilfred stood up and walked over to her, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Familiarize yourself with the current work schedule and the relevant materials. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. I have confidence in you.” Karina hesitated, a trace of worry crossing her face. “But… I’m not sure this is a good idea.” Wilfred already had an assistant. If Karina agreed to take the position, wouldn’t that make her a target for trouble from his former assistant? And then there were all the people at the hospital who were infatuated with Wilfred. Lately, she had already been spending more time with him, drawing enough attention as it was. If she officially became his assistant, she’d surely
Back home, the first thing Karina did was take a shower, cranking the water temperature to the highest setting as if that was the only way to wash away the grim memories of the night.She scrubbed her arms fiercely, the spots where those repulsive men had touched her. Even through her clothes, the thought made her feel sick. Again and again, she lathered herself with soap until her skin turned slightly red, but no matter how hard she tried, the discomfort in her heart lingered.After her shower, Karina changed into clean pajamas and sat on the edge of her bed, unable to sleep. Her gaze fell on her phone. She hesitated for a moment before sending a text to Wilfred.“Dr. Wilfred, I’m truly grateful for your help tonight. I’ll never forget it.”After sending the message, she set her phone down, hugged her knees, and curled up on the bed. Returning to the hospital had always been her dream, but now she worried whether she could truly meet expectations and not let Wilfred down.As she