The reporters surged forward, their voices sharp, each question cutting like a blade.“President Verrick, how do you plan to take responsibility for what happened at the construction site?”“President Verrick, we heard you were in the fashion industry before founding Rift Corporation. Now that such a massive accident has occurred under your management, do you think this is the result of your lack of expertise?”“President Verrick, what do you have to say to the injured workers or their families? Are you ready to resign?”Their words struck without mercy, echoing in the night like accusations in a courtroom. Microphones and cameras were thrust inches from Selena’s face, the flashing bulbs making her flinch as if under gunfire.Before she could even open her mouth, Jaden stepped forward, his presence cutting through the frenzy like a blade through cloth. His expression was stone-cold, his voice calm yet laced with steel.“Sorry. We have nothing to say at this moment,” he said firmly, sc

Jaden stepped forward, positioning himself between Selena and the grieving families. His tall frame and commanding presence forced a brief pause in the chaos. His voice thundered through the sterile corridor, sharp and unwavering.“Enough! This is the ICU!” he barked. “Do you think shouting and creating a scene will help your loved ones? All it will do is stress them further and disrupt their treatment. If you really care for them, stand down and let the doctors work.”His words carried the weight of reason, but pain made the crowd stubborn.A tall-built man, his eyes bloodshot from sleepless nights, pushed forward. His voice cracked with grief as tears rolled down his rugged face. “Easy for you to say. Do you even know what it’s like to watch your brother dying? The doctor just told us… my brother may not make it through the night!”A ripple of anguish spread through the gathered families. One woman clutched her chest and sobbed uncontrollably, while an elderly father shook his head

The families at the scene were left dumbfounded. For a moment, they just stared at Jaden, their grief-stricken faces twisting in disbelief before erupting into scornful laughter and angry mutters. “Overclaiming? This isn’t overclaiming, this is a joke!” one man snapped. Another woman shook her head furiously. “The richest tycoon in the country offered ten billion and still couldn’t get Dr. Neon to lift a finger. And you’re telling us you can bring him here for ten bucks? Who the hell do you think you are? The Northern General himself?” Their voices cut through the corridor, harsh and unrelenting. Selena’s stomach tightened in panic. She could already feel the anger in the air boiling toward violence. She hurried forward, grabbing Jaden’s arm and forcing him back. “Jaden, please!” she begged, her eyes wide with desperation. “Stop this nonsense. You’re making things worse.” Her voice dropped, sharp with urgency. “If you keep talking like this, they’ll tear you apart.” Without givin

Brigham’s eyes lit up the moment Ortega’s words settled in his ears. Greed worked faster than reason. A billion. That number echoed in his skull like a drumbeat. He did a quick calculation—surgery fees, hush money, Ortega’s promised cut—and realized he could turn this crisis into a personal gold mine. His lips twisted into a grin.“Hehe. I understand, Mr. Ortega,” he said, voice thick with satisfaction.Before Ortega could respond, a sharp knock came at the office door.Brigham straightened his posture and adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. “Enter.”His assistant stepped in—a young woman in her late twenties, neat in her gray skirt suit, her hair pulled into a bun that left not a strand out of place. She carried herself with polite efficiency as she spoke.“Dr. Brigham, Mr. Jaden Rift and Ms. Selena Verrick are here to see you.”Brigham’s gaze flicked toward Ortega. The two men exchanged a brief but loaded glance. Ortega leaned back in his chair, silent, letting the tension in the room

Selena’s face went pale as the words left Brigham’s mouth. Her breath hitched; for a moment all the air in the reception room felt suddenly too thin to breathe through. “Six billion?” she repeated, voice raw with disbelief. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking for? This is extortion.”Caldo Brigham smiled as if she’d merely complimented him. He leaned forward, fingers steepled on the mahogany desk, and delivered his justification with the casual arrogance of a man used to having the world bend around his whims. “Six billion is fair. You’re at the center of a scandal now—cameras, reporters, the mayor sniffing around. If the three patients survive after surgery, everyone will call you a responsible project manager who did right by the workers. If they don’t… well, the story will be very different.”He let that hang in the air, watching the color drain from Selena’s cheeks. “I’m risking my reputation to perform these operations,” he said, voice silky. “The procedures are high-risk, p