2026-09-21 22:01:30
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 22
That night, Theo Hanks tossed and turned on the narrow, spring-coiled motel mattress, unable to fall asleep for a long time. The thin sheets felt like sandpaper against his skin, and every time he closed his eyes, the high-definition image of that butterfly tattoo flared behind his eyelids. He felt a deep, suffocating self-loathing rising in his throat. He hated himself, his stupidity, and his moment of drunken weakness. Right then and there, staring up at the water-stained ceiling, he decided to give up drinking entirely. "I wonder if Tracey will spread those photos around the hospital," he whispered into the dark room, his voice raspy with anxiety. "Although it was an unintentional 'romantic encounter,' it is still a scandal, and it really happened. If those photos circulate around Oakridge General, no one will care about the setup or how it happened. They'll only focus on the fact that it happened at all. I'll be branded as a hypocrite with a dissolute private life. The worst-c
CHAPTER 21
Theo Hanks slumped heavily into the worn vinyl armchair in the corner of the motel room, looking like a withered eggplant struck by an unexpected autumn frost. His entire posture seemed to collapse in on itself, his shoulders sloping beneath the crushing weight of shock. If not for the sturdy wooden armrests and the rigid backrest supporting his spine, he might have slid completely off the cushions and collapsed straight onto the cold, uncarpeted floor.The chaotic, shadowy events of that fateful night suddenly came flooding back to his mind like a surging, muddy river breaking its banks. The dim neon lights of the upscale nightclub, the overwhelming stench of cheap bourbon, the blurred hallway of the luxury hotel, the unknown blonde woman, and that striking, unforgettable tattoo.Yes, judging from the high-definition photograph resting on the table, the woman had a distinctive, finely inked tattoo carved high on her thigh—its delicate wings appearing to flutter across her pale skin a
CHAPTER 20
Recently, Theo had often been called in by Director Martin Zahn to help out in the intensive care unit.The ICU was relentless, never suffering from a shortage of patients, and virtually every case that crossed its doors was both extraordinarily complex and critical. The staff lived in a state of perpetual emergency, moving between ventilator alarms and crashing vitals. Yet, despite the soul-crushing pressure, Theo handled the massive workload with ease. That was a quiet testament to the brilliant mind he had buried for over a decade in service of his family.After finishing a grueling fourteen-hour shift that evening, he walked back to his modest motel room, longing only for quiet isolation and some rest. But as he pushed the door open, he froze.Tracey was already waiting inside, sitting elegantly on the edge of the cheap mattress like a queen occupying a ruined throne.His expression immediately darkened into an icy glare."Tracey, why do you keep showing up here and waiting for me
CHAPTER 19
At noon the next day, Theo arrived at a quiet downtown bistro and found Jason Cavill waiting. He heaved a sigh of frustration upon sighting the lawyer once again. As he approached, he noticed Jason had already ordered a dark roast coffee and a sizzled steak lunch—precisely the cut Theo preferred. They had known each other for years, so Jason remembered his tastes.Theo pulled out a chair, but remained standing, a deep frown etched on his face."Jason, you've come to see me several times already," Theo said, his voice calm, yet holding his annoyance with every word. "We've pretty much said everything there is to say. If you're sitting here hoping to persuade me to stay with Tracey, save your breath. There's no need for me to eat this meal."Jason smiled diplomatically, gesturing toward the seat. "Of course not, Theo. Actually, this is about your work. A relative of mine has been diagnosed with a complicated neurological condition and needs to be transferred to Oakridge General. I was h
CHAPTER 18
Tracey stood staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows of her plush penthouse office as she held her smartphone to her ear. On the other end of the line, her father, Glen Teague, spoke with a voice dripping with venom, informing her that he intended to sue Theo Hanks for felony extortion and had already handed the preliminary legal filings over to her chief corporate counsel, Jason Cavill.Tracey was completely stunned, her breath catching in her throat. "What?" She mumbled once and kept on listening.She had shared the distressing news of Theo’s sudden departure with her daughters and her parents in the desperate hope that they could leverage sixteen years of warm, domestic family ties to soften Theo's defensive posture and persuade him to bring his heart back home. She had envisioned tearful reconciliations, soft reprimands, and a gentle restoration of the status quo.She had never expected her prideful father to march straight into Oakridge General Hospital, make a grotesque public
CHAPTER 17
The conversation between Theo Hanks and his father-in-law ended badly, leaving a thick, suffocating tension hanging in the air of the consultation room.After leaving Theo, Glen Teague marched straight up to the executive suite to see Martin Zahn, slamming the door shut behind him."The ungrateful bastard thinks he's grown wings now," Glen said angrily, pacing across the room with heavy, furious strides. "He actually dares to go against me. I need to make him understand that around here, no one crosses me and gets away with it."He stopped at the mahogany desk and looked directly at Martin, his eyes cold and unyielding."Fire him. Make sure he can't work as a doctor here anymore. Then I'll make a few calls to my friends across the medical board and see which hospital or clinic would still dare hire him."Glen gave a cold, cruel snort, adjusting his cuffs. "I'd like to see how long he can survive in this city after that.""Come on, Glen, isn't that going a little too far?" Martin said,
You may also like
Return Of The Dragon Lord
Snowwriter 141.3K viewsFrom Prison To Power
Rex Magnus81.4K viewsRise Of The Student Billionaire
Dragon Sly238.0K viewsMy Sudden Rich System
M_jief125.9K viewsPower Runs in My Blood
B Johnson195 viewsSILENT REAPER
Chidezny128 viewsOscar Kingston Is God!
Linda Light122 viewsThe Women Next Door
Misato's Pen138 views