Adam had been miffed, but Aurora’s endless apologies gradually softened the sharp edge of his temper. Her sincerity was evident, and though his pride bristled at being cast aside, he didn’t take it out on her.With a steady tone, he said, “Ezekiel is a decent doctor, no doubt. But he’s not at the level required to treat your father’s condition.”Aurora forced a polite smile, one that couldn’t hide her doubt. In her heart, she thought Adam was bluffing. Ezekiel Mubarak was hailed as the prodigal healer. If even he couldn’t cure her father, then who possibly could?Adam saw the flicker of distrust in her eyes, but he didn’t bother explaining further. There was no point. Instead, he slipped a small porcelain vial from his sleeve and poured out a single pill, handing it to her.“I refined this myself,” he said calmly. “It won’t cure your father’s illness, but it will keep him alive at the most critical moment. Consider it insurance. If you care for him, don’t hesitate to use it.”Aurora h

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Montclair. I won’t upset her in any way. And please, just call me Julian,” he said smoothly, flashing a smile that made his intentions sound far kinder than they were.Julian was elated. The scheme had worked. Aurora was his now—or at least, that’s how he saw it. He didn’t care that she had agreed under duress. To him, the end justified the means.In his mind, tonight would seal everything. He fully intended to share a bed with Aurora, whether she welcomed him or not. If she resisted, so be it. He had already claimed her in name, and in his twisted reasoning, that gave him every right to her body.Even as his desire for Aurora burned, other thoughts intruded. Tessa and Brielle—those beautiful cousins—flashed through his mind like forbidden treasures he was itching to possess. Aurora was just the beginning. In Julian’s view, women were prizes to be conquered, and he wanted them all.His excitement grew with every passing second. He pictured it clearly: one night with

Julian clenched his fists, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring ready to snap. He wanted nothing more than to choke Ezekiel to death for failing him, but he forced himself to hold back. He loosened his grip on the prodigal healer’s collar and stepped away with a cold snort.As much as he despised this humiliation, Julian knew Ezekiel Mubarak was still valuable. The man had a track record—years ago, he had saved Benji Marlowe’s life when no other physician dared to even diagnose him. A healer of that caliber was not someone to be discarded so easily, even if tonight he looked like a blundering fool. Julian seethed silently, grinding his teeth, already plotting how he would use Ezekiel again when the time came.On the other side of the room, Aurora was crumbling. Tears streamed down her face as she watched her father’s chest barely rise. Panic surged through her veins, but then a sudden memory sparked. Her trembling hands darted to her sleeve, retrieving the small jade-green pi

Aurora followed her brother’s lead, her voice trembling with urgency as she pleaded, “Dr. Manchester, please save my father. Whatever conditions you propose, we’ll accept them without hesitation.”The Montclairs were not ordinary people. Ranked second among the ten great families, their status was lofty and unquestioned in the city. Yet in that moment, their proud heirs—Ridwan and Aurora—were bowing their heads, humbling themselves before a man the others dismissed as a fraud. They weren’t thinking about dignity or face. They were thinking about their father.Adam’s gaze lingered on them in silence. He could see the sincerity in their eyes, the desperation that only true filial love could forge. Their tears weren’t for show. Their stubborn pleading wasn’t a ploy. For a brief moment, the hardened expression on his face softened.“Stand up,” Adam finally said, his voice calm but firm. “I’ll give you another chance. Not because of your family name, not because of your status, but because

Julian’s face twisted with disbelief and suppressed rage. His chest burned as he watched Aurora’s radiant smile directed at Adam. Every soft word of gratitude, every glance of admiration she gave Adam, felt like a dagger cutting into him.It wasn’t only her reaction that infuriated him. The Montclairs, one of the most respected families in Ray City, surrounded Adam as if he were a savior descended from the heavens. Their warmth toward Adam contrasted sharply with their cold indifference toward him. In their eyes, Julian Marlowe, the proud disciple of Dr. Mubarak, had become nothing more than an afterthought.Julian clenched his fists until his nails dug into his palms. He couldn’t stand another second of it. Without so much as a farewell, he turned sharply on his heel and stormed out of the Montclair residence, his expression dark as thunder.The night air outside did nothing to cool his fury. He immediately pulled out his phone and dialed.“Tony,” Julian growled, his voice cold and s