The night at the Velor family’s main mansion was eerily quiet, far quieter than usual. No servants roamed itsvish halls, no footsteps echoed across its marble floors, and no activity animated the grand home.

In the hallway leading to Andrian’s room, Bianca Lorraine hurriedly supported Andrian Velor, aided by Viktor.

Andrian’s face was pale, cold sweat trickling down his temples. His oncemanding and dignified posture now seemed frail and unsteady, barely able to hold himself upright.

15

It turned out that Elena had misjudged. Andrian Velor was not drunk as she had assumed. Viktor helped him out of the car not because he was intoxicated but because his body was weak, and his steps were faltering. Andrian did embrace Bianca, but not out of affection–it was merely an attempt to find stability in his debilitated state.

lle

Few knew the great secret of Andrian Velor–the man renowned for his resilience and unyielding strength was, in truth, suffering from a rare illness he had worked tirelessly to hide from the world. An illness that not only drained his physical strength but also burdened him with an invisible weight he bore alone.

When Viktor informed Bianca about Andrian’s worsening condition, she immediately took charge. She knew how stubborn Andrian was

he would never allow his weakness to be exposed, not even to the servants in the mansion.

Fortunately, the main mansion wasn’t inhabited by other members of the Velor family. Andrian’s grandmother had moved abroad long ago, as had his mother and stepbrother, who chose to live overseas after the death of Lucian Velor. Meanwhile, Andrian’s younger brother, Nathan Velor, preferred living in his private vi on the other side of the city, far from family affairs

With the mansion entirely empty, Bianca ensured there were no prying eyes or bears /bto witness Andrian’s vulnerability that night.

E

“Miss, Mr. Andrian needs rest,” Viktor said after settling Andrian onto the bed. He looked anxious. “Today’s meeting was too much for him.”

Bianca nodded silently. Viktor moved to call a doctor, but Andrian weakly raised his hand.

“Leave,” Andrianmanded in a soft but firm voice. “Bianca can handle thisb./bb” /b

Viktor hesitated but knew Andrian’s orders were absolute. Bowing respectfully, he left the mansion, leaving Andrian and Bianca alone in the quiet, cavernous house.

After Viktor’s departure, Bianca helped Andrian lean against the headboard. She retrieved a damp cloth and a ss of water from a nearby table, offering them to him. But the man shook his head faintly.

“You can’t keep doing this, Andrian,” Bianca said, her voiceden with worry. “This pressure will kill you faster.”

Andrian red at her, his sharp gaze belying his pallor. “I don’t need your advice,” he replied coldly.

Bianca sighed, undeterred by his response. She understood that his frosty demeanor was merely a facade to shield his vulnerability. “You’re as stubborn as ever. But you know, without me, you wouldn’t have made it this far.”

Andrian closed his eyes briefly, attempting to steady hisbored breathing. He couldn’t deny that what Bianca said was true.

His rare illness was astic anemia–a condition where his bone marrow failed to produce enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and telets Coupled with his rare AB- blood type, finding a matching donor was nearly impossible, save for Bianca Lorraine. Bianca shared the same blood type, and for years, she had been his sole source for blood transfusions.

When Andrian was diagnosed at 18, doctors warned that he might not live past 25 without regr transfusions. Bianca’s presence in his life had extended his years, quietly supporting the strength he projected to the world.

Few people knew this secret. Even the board of directors bat /bTitan Group was unaware that their assertive, fearless CEO was waging a daily battle aganist death. Besides Bianca, Viktor, and the family’s private doctor, only thete Lucian Velor. Andrian’s father, had known

the truth

Bianca sat beside Andrian, studying his face with an expression that was hard to decipher–a mixture of worry and satisfaction. She was anxious about his worsening condition after the immense pressure of today’s board meeting. Yet, at the same time, she felt her position in his life bing more solidified.

Andrian, usually cold and self–reliant, now depended on her. Though he never verbalized it, Bianca knew it to be btrue/b.

“I’ll call the doctor for a transfusion.” Bianca finally said, her voice soft but firm

3:45 PM bP /b

Andrian opened his eyes, ring at her. “No. I’m fine.”

9

Bianca sighed deeply. “Andrian, you don’t always have to appear strong. You need the transfusion, or you won’t be able to get up tomorrow morning.”

He remained silent, but his increasinglybored breathing betrayed his internal struggle.

+15

Without waiting for his consent, Bianca picked up her phone and contacted the Velor family’s private doctor. In a short time, the doctor arrived at the mansion with the necessary medical equipment.

Bianca quietly sat on the sofa, allowing the doctor to draw blood from her arm for the transfusion. Meanwhile, Andriany on another sofa, his face still pale, his eyes closed. The doctor set up an IV and began transferring Bianca’s blood into Andrian’s body.

The process was silent, punctuated only by the doctor’s asional footsteps as he retrieved equipment. Bianca didn’tin, even as she felt lightheaded from the blood loss.

When the transfusion wasplete, the doctor packed his tools and gave Bianca strict instructions.

“He needsplete rest,” the doctor said sternly, looking directly at Bianca, “And he must avoid stress. If he keeps pushing himself like this, transfusions won’t be enough to save him.”

Bianca nodded, though she knew that telling Andrian such things was as effective as talking to a brick wall. He would never stop pushing himself, no matter how severe his condition became

After the doctor left, Bianca returned to sit beside Andrian. He remained lying down, his eyes still closed, though his breathing had steadied.

She gazed at his stoic, hardened face, noticing for the first time that night a faint vulnerability that softened his features.

“You’re so stubborn,” Bianca murmured, almost as if speaking to herself.i” /i

that’s why I’m still here. You need me.”

A faint smile touched her lips as she acknowledged her growing hold on him. No matter who Andrian married or who tried to take her ce, Bianca was certain of one thing: as long as Andrian needed her blood, no one could rece her.

Behind that smile, Bianca knew Andrian might never love her, but she didn’t care. For her, staying by his side was a victory far greater than love.