James had an idea of what Mick wanted to say, and so, he spoke first. "I'm convinced that time mends, and that Erin would eventually forget the trauma in the days to come. I don't believe that she'd be hurting forever, and I want to stay with her in the long run. You have nothing to worry about—you can entrust her to me, and I promise to make her happy for the rest of her life."Mick was going to ask James just that, and hence, he switched gears. "She still needs time to calm down. Give her some space.""I just wanted to see her," James said, nodding. "I didn't expect her to react that badly." "She's calm around us, but she can't do it around you," Mick explained. "That means she cares about you—what you think and how you'd feel. That's why she would lose control, so please understand her.""I know." James certainly understood and therefore did not take offense.Mick then asked, "Where are you staying? I have another house, you could—""At Swiz Hotel," James replied. "I took lea
James's frown eased when he saw that it was Erin, and he soon appeared delighted beyond words. "You came? Missed me, didn't you? Can't bear to let my trip be wasted?"Erin lowered her gaze and immediately saw her bite marks on his hand. Still, the look of heartache lasted briefly in her eyes before she quickly hid it.Her fingers gradually clenching on her handbag strap, she tried to make herself sound as calm as possible. "I want to talk." James stood aside. "Come in first."She did so, and then noticed the food left untouched on the table."You didn't have lunch?"James smiled. "I'm not hungry. Would you like a drink? I'll get it for you."Erin sat down. "I'm not thirsty. Just sit—we need to talk."James was about to reach for a glass but paused.He took a deep breath, having sensed that Erin was here to break up with him.Calming down just then, he walked over and sat opposite her."I'm not breaking up with you."Erin could not help frowning, having been stopped befor
James looked into Erin's eyes and smiled. "I like it that you're upset."It means that she cared about him, and that she did not want to share his body with other women.Erin lowered her head, her voice unwittingly turning raspy. "You're so annoying."James tenderly reached out with his arms to hold her.This time, she did not push him away, but she grabbed him by the collar instead as she forced back her tears.She was failing, even as she sobbed. "Could you not? Please don't make this difficult for me."Her shoulders were shaking and her tears started to roll, and she leaned against his chest. "I-I don't deserve to be with you…"James held her tightly then and kissed her hair and her cheek before whispering beside her ear, "You gave me your first time to me. I had you in your purest state.""No, I've been defiled…""Shush."James pressed a finger on her lips. "It's in the past, and I've punished the people who hurt you. They'll spend the rest of their lives in jail, and I'v
James kept grinning in amusement. "Just pulling your leg."Erin rose to her feet right then. "Enjoy your meal."James quickly caught her wrist. "You're really upset, huh? Alright, it's your turn to pull a prank on me.""When did you change so much?" Erin asked, staring at him—she almost could not recognize him.He never behaved like this before! How did he change so drastically in such a short time? "I just wanted to cheer you up," James said, tugging at her so that she sat down. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Here—take this slice and mess with me."Erin smiled despite herself."No way, that's so childish."James smiled as he watched her smiling face.There were not many others at the cinema when they arrived after James had his lunch, and it was just the two in the entire hall.Still, James put an arm around her shoulder and said, "Come on. Lean on my shoulder."Erin did so, like a delicate little bird.She suddenly said softly, "You never did this before.""Did wh
As Finn dropped to a crouch beside Dennis to check his vitals, Irene started to apply first aid since she knew Dennis's condition.However, she noticed that something was amiss when she checked Dennis's heart rate. Still, she calmly looked up at Finn and said, "Call an ambulance… Never mind. That would take too much time—just carry him out of here.""Okay." Finn fully trusted Irene now and quickly did what he was told.Irene helped him move Dennis over his back before running ahead and arranging for Eagle to get the car ready. Soon, Finn got Dennis in the car, while Eagle drove all of them to the hospital.Thanks to Irene's quick response, Dennis was rescued in time. "Is Director Turner going to be alright?" Finn asked. Irene simply stayed silent, her expression somber.After all, she knew that Dennis was in bad shape—his life was at risk."Why aren't you saying anything, Director Spencer?" Finn asked, staring at her just then. "Is it serious?"Irene remained silent—she mu
The look in Ray's eyes was basically saying: Are you kidding me? Surgeries were not a game! "Even if you're a medical research staff, surgeries are only to be performed by doctors with the proper certification and training. Do you have those?""I do," Irene replied.Ray stared fixedly at her in silence, surprised despite himself.Still, she had remained calm since the start, and that was proof enough—the average person would be losing composure once they found out that their family was facing mortal danger."But you're not a doctor of this hospital. Even if you are a doctor, you're not allowed to perform the surgery here," Ray told her.Irene had more to say when Finn and several Hotmesh Research personnel arrived together, having heard about Dennis's condition."How is it going?" Finn asked."Not good," Irene replied."What?" everyone exclaimed at once.Irene stayed silent, but Ray explained, "If you're his family too, I'll make it clear—you need to prepare yourself.""W
Ray had the nurse prepare the surgical equipment and assist Irene with everything she needed."Since you're a member of the patient's family, sign the surgery consent form. This is an essential procedure in any hospital, and we wouldn't be able to take the responsibility if anything happens. So…"Irene understood—every doctor feared reprisals.If Dennis died, his family would press the issue on this hospital. But she wanted to perform the surgery, so she must therefore assume that responsibility. "Give it to me," Irene said.The nurse did so, and Irene quickly signed it before turning to Ray. "I will need your assistant."Ray nodded. "Of course.""You know the people here, Dr. Hall. I'll be counting on you now.""Just leave it to me."Having taken the Hippocratic Oath, Ray did his best to assist Irene. She opened the box and took out the artificial heart that Finn brought, then took a deep breath."Are you sure about this?" Ray asked."No," Irene replied. "...Then why
However, Irene quickly noticed the man's resemblance to Dennis and thought right then that the man was his son.Finn gave Irene a look, hinting that they should go because Neil Turner appeared agitated. He was certainly worried that Neil would say something that upset Irene, since she was not Dennis's family and had no authority to sign the consent forms for the surgery.It would be ideal if the surgery was a success, since Dennis's family had no issue to pursue and they would even be grateful to Irene.But if Dennis died, they would have every reason to pursue responsibility.Irene was not about to hide, however.Whatever happened had happened, and she did what she did—hiding would not solve anything. Neil stormed toward them with a furious glare. "Who do you think you are? You have no right to give the surgery a green light.""Director Turner was in danger. There was no time to think," Irene explained."That still doesn't give you the right to decide for my father," he gro