Coleman’s face became pale.Genevieve looked towards Simon. He had enough evidence to destroy Coleman publicly, but he showed no satisfaction.Simon stepped closer to the table. “Dr Coleman claimed his medication stabilised Clara,” he said. “The monitoring system proves that she continued declining until I returned.”Coleman glared at him.“You have no right to judge my decisions.”“I am not judging them. The evidence is.” Simon indicated the report. “If your treatment saved Clara, why did you remove the period when she was dying under it?”Coleman opened his mouth but produced no answer.The board members exchanged quiet words.Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He had expected the hearing to humiliate Simon. Instead, every new piece of evidence damaged the doctor he had supported.The chairman turned towards Simon.“We still require an explanation concerning your training.”Simon’s expression remained calm. “The question before this board is whether I harmed Clara and whether

“So this Simon Gallagher is a former fish seller?” Lady Eleanor asked.Ethan looked towards Simon, who was still speaking with the two women near the hospital steps.“That is what they said.”Eleanor’s eyes narrowed.She had expected Simon to possess an incomplete medical education or belong to a minor family outside Betford. She had not imagined that the man attracting Clara’s attention once sold fish in the local market.“Did he mention that during the hearing?”“No.”“Did anyone ask about his occupation?”“Father questioned him yesterday,” Ethan replied. “Simon refused to explain what he did for a living. He said his background was not relevant to Clara’s recovery.”Eleanor’s expression hardened.“A fish seller stood before General Victor Ashbourne and decided which questions were relevant?”“He does not behave like an ordinary market trader,” Ethan admitted. “That is what makes him difficult to understand.”Eleanor looked at him. “What do you mean?”“He is never nervous. He speaks

Four days after the hospital hearing, General Victor Ashbourne sent Simon a formal invitation to dinner at the Ashbourne estate. The invitation presented the dinner as an expression of gratitude, but Victor’s true intention was to study Simon more closely. He wanted to understand better the stranger who had saved Clara’s life, rejected six million dollars and gained his daughter’s affection within such a short time.Simon had initially considered refusing. He expected the evening to contain more questions about his family, occupation and intentions towards Clara. However, Pa Gallagher encouraged him to accept. His grandfather understood that avoiding the Ashbournes would not stop them from judging him. Meeting them inside their own home would instead allow Simon to discover their true characters and more about them and their intentions towards the prosperity of Betford.Simon eventually accepted the invitation out of respect for his grandfather’s advice. He had no intention of enter

Eleanor’s announcement left the dining room silent. Several relatives looked towards Simon, waiting to see whether the insult would finally disturb his calmness.Simon did not respond immediately. His expression remained unchanged, as though Eleanor had merely commented on the weather.The service doors opened before anyone else could speak. Several servants entered carrying covered dishes, bottles of wine and polished silverware. The rich smell of roasted meat and spices spread through the room.The earlier discussion had taken place around one side of the table, but the formal dinner required everyone to move to their assigned seats. Eleanor immediately took control of the arrangement.“General Victor will sit at the head,” she instructed the servants. “Clara will sit beside him, while Ethan and the senior relatives will occupy the remaining places near the centre.”Her eyes then moved towards Simon.“Mr Gallagher can sit at the far end beside the junior advisers,” Eleanor continued

Simon looked towards Clara. Hope and uncertainty had appeared in her eyes, but he refused to use either emotion against her.“I will never use Clara’s gratitude to demand her affection,” Simon said. “Saving her life does not make her mine.”Relief appeared on Eleanor’s face, but Simon had not finished.“However, if Clara chooses me freely, I will not walk away simply because your family believes a former fish seller is unworthy of her.”Clara’s eyes brightened. Victor could not accuse Simon of manipulation, yet Damien could not claim that Simon had rejected her.The room became completely silent.Clara reached for Simon’s hand and held it before everyone. Damien stared at their joined hands as the control in his expression began to disappear.“All of you keep asking what Simon wants,” Clara said as she rose beside him. “Perhaps it is time you heard what I want.”Clara continued holding Simon’s hand as the entire dining room waited for her answer. Damien’s expression remained controlle