bAfter /bbTricia /bfainted, Evander stayed by her side in the hospital broom /bbuntil /bbshe /bfinally woke.

“Evander…b” /b

He responded softly. “You’re awake?”

Just then, Director Fontaine stepped into the room, beaming as he approached Evander. “Mr. Howard, you’re here too.”

Evander nodded, making little effort at small talk. “Why did she faint?”

Director Fontaine exchanged a quick nce with Tricia before answering carefullyb, /b“This is an old issue from when Director Winthrop was recovering after her pregnancy. She never had proper rest during her confinement, so she’s been left with lingering health problems. With some time to recuperate, she’ll be fine.”

“Evander, I really am all right. I’m sorry I made you worry,” Tricia said, her face as pale as porcin, her frame so slight she looked as if a breeze could carry her

away.

Evander visibly rxed, relief softening his features. “What matters is that you’re safe. Hans is still so young–he needs you.” He turned to Director Fontaine. “Arrange for her to have a private suite, the best one. Make sure she gets the best

care.”

Director Fontaine nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, sir. I’ll see to every detail

myself!”

He left the room with a smile.

Tricia lowered her gaze, masking a faint smile. “Evander, but… I don’t have any family here, and I hate troubling you all the time. So… could you let Dr. Sterling look after me?”

As Evander’s eyes darkened, she quickly added, “I don’t mean anything by it. I just want to get closer to Dr. Sterling. She’s a good doctor–I trust her skills.”

He fell silent.

“Evander, don’t you trust me?” Tears welled in Tricia’s eyes. “I’m not naive–i know Dr. Sterling doesn’t like me. But I don’t want everyone at the hospital to think I’m unapproachable just because I transferred in from abroad.”

“Since I returned home, apart from my child, you’re the only friend I have left. I can’t

09:38

bbe /bbat /bbodds /bbwith /bbeveryone/bb. /b

bShe /bbsounded /bbopen /bband /bbgenuine/b, bas /bthough bshe /bbtruly /bbcared /bbabout /bbher /brtionships bat /bbwork/b–band /bgenuinely wanted to make bpeace /bbwith /bbCharlotte/b.

bIn /bthe past, Evander had always agreed to whatever she asked, bno /bbmatter /bbhow /bunreasonable her requests.

But this time, he hesitated.

A wave of unease swept over Tricia. In her mind, she couldn’t help but bpicture /bEvander and Charlotte in those ambiguous, intimate moments–her banxiety /bbonly /bdeepened.

“That woman’s not exactly suited to take care of you, but…” Evander paused, bhis /btone softening, “I can assign her to report directly to you, at least for now. bYou’ll /bbbe /bher supervisor. She won’t dare go against your wishes.”

He was well aware that Charlotte cared about her career and resented Tricia’s sudden arrival. But perhaps it was time to teach both women a lesson in humility.

Surprise flickered in Tricia’s eyes before she broke into a bright smile, thest of her gloom and frustration vanishing. “All right!”

She admitted Charlotte was a threat, but not enough to shake her ce in Evander’s

heart–not yet.

After all, when she’d faked her fainting spell, she’d felt Evander’s concern, clear as

day.

That thought finally eased her worries, and she couldn’t help but feel a secret satisfaction.

The next day, Evander’swyer–through some means–convinced the Fontaines to ept a settlement and drop all charges against Hiram.

When Hiram was released from the police station, the Sterlings weed him home with open arms. Charlotte’s mother, Rachel, finally let out the breath she’d been holding. “Hiram, you’ve lost weight. You really suffered in there.”

“Enough, Hiram’s fine now. No sense talking about it anymore,” Xavier said, pping Hiram on the shoulder. “Your brother–inw really pulled some strings fo you bthis /btime. Make sure you show your gratitude.”

At the mention of his brother–inw, Hiram finally asked, “Where’s my sisterb?/bb” /b

09.38

bXavier’s /bbface /bbdarkened/bb. /bb“/bbThat /bbungrateful /bgirl–bdon’t /bbbring /bher bup/b. Not only did bnothing /bbto help /bbyou/bb, /bshe made bthings /bbworse/bb!/bb” /b

“When byou /bbget /bthe chance, talk some sense into byour /bsister. Tell bher /bbto /bbdrop /bthis nonsense about divorcing her husband.”