The nerves in Luca’s head tightened, and her breathing became heavy. Luke moved his hand and placed it on his favorite spot. As he listened to her rapid breathing, he could not help but smile and say, "Time to sleep. I'll stop moving."Luca opened her eyes. The more one could not see anything in the darkness, the more sensitive one’s sense of touch would be. She could feel the warmth of his palm coming through the fabric. The frenetic cells in her body were trembling uncontrollably.Luke said he would not move his hands anymore, and he really did not move them. Luca felt uneasy because of his gesture. It took her more than ten minutes to calm herself down and close her eyes. Luke’s hand never moved again. If Luca turned around now, she would be able to see the smile that was overflowing with happiness on his face. The next day.Jason drove to Blue Skies Shelter and picked Dexter up, just like what Luke had instructed him to do.Dexter was stunned when he looked at the lux
“No, he didn’t. It’s him. He’s the one who revealed Leia’s secrets to the press and ruined her life back then,” Jason assured him. After all, he was in the know of this matter.Johann shook his head and said, “They say even tigers would look after their cubs. Leia’s father is more vicious than a tiger. What a misfortune to have such a father.” “Dr. Park, what’s wrong with you? Are you starting to feel sorry for Leia?” Jason asked teasingly. “She doesn’t deserve my sympathy after everything she has done in the past. But having a father like him…” Johann heaved a sigh. Someone worth one’s sympathy was also worth one’s detest. It was probably what it meant.It was a misfortune for Leia to have such a father. However, everything she did and all the pain others had suffered because of her was detestable too.“But she has a pair of foster parents who were kind to her. To be fair, she’s much happier than the others,” said Jason. However, Leia did not know how to appreciate and protect
Johann was able to know people from all walks of life as he was working in the hospital.Many of his patients who had recovered would send their greetings to him every festive season. Some of them would become his friends, and they would hang out and have dinner together. He got to know them through work.However, his encounter with Luke Crawford was slightly different. It all started 11 years ago.Johann was not a doctor yet but a student who was awarded a medical school scholarship. He was the most talented and outstanding medical student acknowledged by every professor. It was nothing at first, but he stole another top student’s thunder because of his Western facial features when he just entered the school. Hence, the other students had been holding a grudge against him. He was obsessed with learning medical knowledge. He could not be bothered to waste his time dealing with others. All he had in his mind was to finish his studies and learn more medical knowledge.That wa
Although Leia was famous for being a difficult patient in their department, the head nurse felt happy for her to be able to get a liver transplant. "The injections are for your late recovery, and you'll have to get the injections for three days consecutively," the head nurse explained to her as she placed the infusion bottles in front of Leia. Following the code of practice, she needed to ask, "What's your name?"“Leia Norman,” answered Leia. She looked at Johann warily, who was standing behind faking a smile. She had this feeling that Johann was up to something. The nurse checked Leia’s patient wristband. The name was correct, so she hung the solution bottle on the IV stand.The bottle was not that huge. The nurse removed the solution bottle there and attached the new infusion bottle. Johann instructed her when he saw that the drip rate was a little slow, “Speed it up.”“Make it even faster?” The head nurse turned around and glanced at Johann with a surprised look on her fac
Johann was fooling Leia just now. The injection was given to her to prepare for the surgery.However, it was not like what he had told her. Johann knew Leia refused to take Dexter’s liver. That was why he used such a way to bluff her. After all, for her, staying alive was much more important than being stubborn.Still, Johann was not afraid that Leia would look into this. His tutor who was in New York told him that they were currently studying similar drugs to activate the cell activities in the human body, but there were also some similar side effects.They were doing the research to see if they could remove the side effects so that the patient would have more choices. Johann came to the nurses’ station and reminded the head nurse, “Leia’s reluctant to undergo the surgery. Please keep an eye on the solution bottles that she’ll be taking these three days. It’ll be best if you can handle it yourself. Don’t answer her no matter what she asks.” “No problem. But why is she rejecti
“Sure.” Leia and Mandy finally reached an agreement. “Then I’m going back now. Wait for my good news. As your friend, I’ll help you to get the highest price. After all, life has been hard for you too.” Mandy pretended to have sympathy for Leia, but honestly, did she have anything to do with Leia’s life or death?If it were not for the money, Mandy would not have come here again and again.After Mandy left, Leia shot a glance at the drip solution. It was almost done. Then, she pressed the patient call bell.The head nurse pushed the door open, came in, and asked, “What’s the matter?”“The solution has finished.” Leia had already calmed herself down.“Okay. Wait a minute.” The head nurse turned around and left. After a while, she came back and removed the needle from Leia’s arm. Then, she injected some saline solution into the vein catheter and sealed it. “Everything that Johann told me… Is it true?” Leia looked at the head nurse and asked.After the nurse disinfected the vei
However, Luke did not think he returned to Russia. “He won’t bring Mandy along with him if he’s going back to Russia.”He knew Matysh was a person who discriminated against people because of their race. Matysh knew what it meant to bring a foreign woman back to Russia. Mandy was merely a woman he paid to satisfy his desires. Rationally speaking, she did not deserve to stand beside Matysh. Luca bit her lower lip. She thought Matysh had given up the thought of getting her the moment she heard Matysh had checked out of the hotel.“Then, he’s…” Luca could not understand.“We don’t know his destination yet. My men are following him. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine,” Luke comforted her.Luca believed in him. She nodded and said, “Mr. Crawford, I’m leaving for work.”“Okay. Even though Matysh has checked out of the hotel and we haven't tracked him down yet, don’t let your guard down,” Luke reminded. He was worried that Matysh was distracting them, and his purpose was to make t
Matysh was pushed into the car by Mandy.“Is this the best transport the holiday resort could provide to its customers?” Matsyh looked at the chauffeur in front of them and asked disdainfully. “No, sir. If you’re dissatisfied with our transport, you may choose a more luxurious car. But you’ll have to pay more.” The chauffeur could sense the contempt in his voice. Hence, he smiled and recommended another option for him.“Do I look like I can’t afford it?” Matysh asked querulously. He thought the chauffeur was being snobbish.The chauffeur followed the principle of 'the customers are always right' and explained to him, "The car I'm driving now is only available for the basic package as you've reserved a villa in our resort. If there are no upgrade requirements, we'll provide our customers with the transport for the basic package. If you'd like to upgrade the package, you may inform the reception when you're checking in." “What’s the best transportation provided?” Matysh shrugged
“I heard from the boss that he's coming because of Vivian.” Gale paused for a moment before adding, “But never mind, you don't seem interested in her affairs anyway. I'm just letting you know he's on his way.”Gordan frowned. Ray was coming for Vivian?What could that ugly woman possibly need?“What do you mean by that?” asked Gordan.Gale smirked. “If you and Ray meet, that’s bound to end in a fight. And since you can't win against him, you might want to mentally prepare yourself, or better yet, find somewhere else to stay. It’d be safer that way.”Gordan's expression darkened. “If you have nothing nice to say, just zip it.”Gale grinned, clearly pleased with himself like he had just hit a sore spot.Gordan exhaled sharply. “Of all times, why is he coming to A City now? He’s just making things worse.”“It can't be helped. Vivian's situation is urgent.” Gale covered his mouth mockingly after he said that. “Oh, right. I forgot you don’t like hearing about her.”Ray wanted to br
Luke sat in the villa, staring at Luca’s message.He was worried.For a moment, he considered calling her, but then he remembered that there were surveillance cameras everywhere on her side. He dismissed the idea immediately.Her safety came first.Luke reminded her: [Take care of yourself. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. Just focus on keeping yourself safe.] The worry in his heart refused to subside, but at this moment, there was no better solution.“Boss, you’re worried about your wife, huh? If you really can’t stand it, we can sneak you in again during the next shift change, just like last time,” said Gale.It had been his idea last time.Now, the real Lucius was still locked up in the basement of the villa.It had been nearly a month. Luke had forced him to take the antidote Luca had recreated. The man was still alive, proving the antidote worked perfectly.“That plan is too risky.” Luke put his phone away. His gaze was dark and thoughtful.“Risky, sure. But at lea
Luca had not expected Abel and Shanks’ relationship to be like this.It seemed Abel still did not trust Shanks.Shanks continued, “Abel isn’t someone who trusts people easily. He doesn’t trust anyone. You think he’s devoted to Kassy now, right? That’s just his obsession. He's allowing Kassy to receive my treatment, but if it were him… No matter if he were blind or crippled, his safety would always come first. If he were seriously injured, maybe he’d accept treatment, but he definitely wouldn’t do it right away.”Luca stayed silent. Shanks really understood Abel well.Abel did not trust anyone—not even Kassy.Calling him paranoid would not be an exaggeration.Luca felt like they were getting off-topic, but she had never seen this side of Shanks before.In her mind, he was always buried in his work at the lab, only leaving for meals and sleep. Other than that, he was practically never outside.The lab was like his home…“Are you troubled by Hera’s situation?” Luca asked directly
Hera was startled by Luca's words.The refusal that had been on the tip of her tongue suddenly got stuck in her throat.“I…” Hera hesitated, feeling conflicted. Leaving Abel might not be such a bad idea. At least she would not have to live in constant fear.She was finally realizing how unpredictable his moods were. At first, she thought it did not matter as she could still look at other men. She just had to ensure there was no physical contact. In reality, even if she so much as glanced at someone, Abel's expression would darken with anger.It was frustrating. Now, the only person she was allowed to look at was Gerald. Still, what was the point of just looking at Gerald?At that thought, she lifted her gaze to Luca.Luca added, “I’ll give you five minutes. If you refuse treatment after that, I’ll take the medicine back to Mr. Shanks and won’t try to convince you again.”Hera's heart tightened. She did not even need five minutes. She had made her decision within 30 seconds.“I’
“If Abel finds out that Hera's body isn't suitable for organ donation to Kassy, what do you think he'll do?” asked Shanks.He already knew the answer, but he still wanted to hear Luca’s thoughts.“He has invested a lot of time and money in Hera. If he gets nothing out of it, he won’t let her off easily,” Luca said bluntly.Luca and Shanks were on the same page.They did not have a good relationship with Hera, but they had no intention of ruining her either.Hera’s personality was unpleasant, but that was not enough for them to hate her so much that they wanted to see her suffer.“What methods do you think he’ll use?” Shanks asked again.Luca was silent for a long moment.Shanks already knew the answer, yet he still wanted her to say it out loud.After thinking it over, she finally said, “There are plenty of ways he could go about it, but no matter what he chooses, Hera’s fate is sealed. She’s as good as dead…”She lowered her gaze, her tone firm and certain.Shanks nodded.
Hera heard that Luca had returned and immediately went to find Shanks. She narrowed her eyes.That woman went to see Shanks. Could she be talking about her?The thought made Hera uneasy. She had a nagging feeling that something was wrong with her medical report.However, when they left the medical center earlier, Abel asked Luca when the report would be ready, and she said it would be available tomorrow.Hera turned to Gerald and said, “Take these back for me first.”“Alright.” Gerald carried the bags as he walked away. He could not help but wonder what exactly Hera bought. These bags were really heavy!Only after Gerald went upstairs did Hera slowly make her way up as well. Her room was on the third floor, but she stopped when she reached the second floor. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching before heading toward the laboratory.The door was closed.Instead of knocking, Hera pressed her ear against it, trying to eavesdrop.However, the laboratory was special
“This cup of coffee is from that gentleman for this lady.” The waiter smiled as he explained, placing the cup in front of Luca.Hera followed the waiter’s gaze and immediately recognized the man Luca had been looking at earlier.Her eyes darkened. She had noticed the man glancing in their direction. However, she had assumed he was looking at her.After all, she was dressed seductively, had put on makeup, and was undeniably beautiful. Any man who saw her would be attracted. If a man’s eyes lingered on her, it was not surprising at all.Realizing that the man had been watching Luca the whole time instead of her, Hera suddenly felt annoyed.Luca noticed her displeasure, glanced at Gordan, then smiled and said to the waiter, “Please thank the gentleman for me.”“Of course, miss. Enjoy your coffee.” The waiter, sensing the tension between the two women, quickly grabbed his tray and left before Hera’s sour mood could affect him too.“Hmph, feeling proud of yourself?” asked Hera.Luca
Although Luca did not know the exact value of the clothes, she was certain that anything Luke had specially sent over would not be cheap.So, when she caught the sales associate’s skeptical glance, she felt a bit helpless but did not bother to explain. The truth would speak for itself. Besides, she had no intention of justifying herself to a sales associate.Hera, despite her love for luxury goods, did not actually know much about haute couture. So, when she noticed the sales associate still sizing up Luca, she immediately snapped, “What are you looking at?”“N-Nothing.” The sales associate quickly averted her gaze and turned her full attention to Hera, smiling brightly. “Our esteemed guest, what can I help you find today?”Hera thought for a moment before saying in a serious tone, “Show me your new handbags.”The sales associate’s eyes lit up when she heard this. Anyone who could afford so much designer clothing had to have deep pockets. This meant a solid commission for her!
The sales associate nodded and said, “Yes, we do. I’ve already placed them in the fitting room for you. Would you like some assistance?”Hera shook her head and pointed straight at Luca. “No, I want her to do it.”Luca shook her head helplessly. It seemed that Hera was determined to make her play the role of a sales associate today.Luca asked, “Ms. Sanchez, where’s Mr. Abel?”“What does that have to do with you?” Hera shot her a wary look. “Where he goes isn’t important. What matters is that you’re spending the day shopping with me. And if I’m not happy, be prepared to face his punishment.”Then, Hera strutted toward the fitting room like a proud peacock.Luca had no choice but to follow.Inside the fitting room, Hera closed the door behind them and commanded, “Help me unzip the back.”“Alright.” Luca lowered her gaze. Since they were both women and Hera clearly had no reservations, there was no reason for her to feel uncomfortable. She placed her hands on the zipper.Hera re