Chapter 2

Adeline strode up in her heels, stopping right in front of me. "What's the drama about, Henry? It's not like this is your first time donating. Stop being so precious about it!"

Her security team dragged me to the hospital room. They held me down while I watched helplessly as they drew my blood.

From the adjacent bed, Bryan looked at me, his face pale. "I'm really sorry for the trouble again."

I clenched my fists tightly, anger welling up in my eyes, "This is the last time. I won't let you get away with this again."

"We're done, Adeline."

She frowned. "What's your problem? Saving a life is sacred - I'll make it worth your while."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Worth my while? Who do you think you are, Adeline? Some untouchable goddess?"

"I told you, we're done. Don't come looking for me again!"

I took a deep breath, my heart aching unbearably. God, I still hadn't even arranged Grandma's funeral!

I regretted everything. I never wanted to cross paths with her again.

After the transfusion, I was feeling dizzy and was about to close my eyes when I heard footsteps outside.

"Who called the police?"

"I did!" I called out immediately.

Adeline looked stunned. "Henry, you actually called the cops?"

I slowly sat up and addressed the officers. "They forced me to give blood, and these doctors forged my signature without consent. I want them all held accountable!"

My grandmother was still lying in the morgue, and everyone here had helped cause that. I wouldn't let any of them off the hook.

Adeline's face darkened.

But money talks - she was out within an hour, though clearly rattled.

She'd been warned by the police and had to sign an agreement and write me an apology letter.

I held onto it like a trump card - if she tried anything again, I wouldn't hesitate to make it go viral.

Outside the station, Adeline's face was livid. "Look who grew a backbone!"

I shrugged. "Let me remind you, Adeline - you're just rich, not untouchable. Consider this a warning. Actually, no - there won't be a next time."

"Henry Scott, you'll regret this!" she shouted.

Regret? What a joke.

Meeting Adeline was my life's biggest regret. If I could turn back time, I'd never get involved with her again.

Back at the hospital, everyone involved in forcing the transfusion had been disciplined. The director apologized and begged for mercy. I just collected all my blood donation records from the past few years.

I also saw Bryan's blood type - it was indeed rare.

But his medical report showed he was far healthier than I'd thought.

I snapped a photo when no one was looking, then left to arrange Grandma's funeral. I buried her ashes in the suburban cemetery.

After everything was done, I went home.

I had my own rental apartment in the city, which I'd moved into for the engagement. Now that things had quieted down, I just wanted my normal life back.

Just as I lay down after sorting everything out, I saw dozens of texts from Adeline:

"Are you seriously doing this, Henry?"

"Come back now and I'll forgive you!"

"Stop playing games. If you wanted me to apologize, I did! What more do you want?"

"It was just a few bags of blood - why are you making such a big deal out of this!"