CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER 11: MAKE HER GIVE HIM AN EXPLANATION!

His hand shot out, pinching her soft waist with deliberate force. As if punishing her for leaving without a word.

Chloe Preston felt a twinge of pain. Her pretty face scrunched up as she pushed at him. "That hurts. Let go..." Honestly, this man... why pinch her when they could just talk?

Donovan Xavier heard her but didn’t release his grip. He leaned in, pressing his question, "Chloe Preston, I asked you something. Answer me."

"Did you miss me?"

His attitude was utterly domineering, leaving no room for resistance.

Chloe’s face flushed slightly. She turned her head, avoiding his intense gaze. "I... I did..."

Donovan raised an eyebrow ever so slightly.

He finally let her go, his mood instantly and significantly improving.

"Do you want some water?" He stood up and walked to the table to pour her a cup of warm water.

Chloe watched him, unable to stop herself from asking, "Um... how did you know I was here?"

"You’re a doctor," Donovan stated simply. "There are only so many hospitals in Kryton. It was just a matter of checking them one by one until I found you."

It was nothing like four years ago, when he had searched all of Kryton and even traveled abroad, yet found not a single trace of her. To this day, he still didn’t know where she had hidden herself.

Hearing this, Chloe pursed her lips. "Why were you looking for me?"

Donovan walked back to her. He lifted a hand to her lower back and pulled her flush against him. "Why do you think I was looking for you?"

She had left without a word. He had every right to demand an explanation.

Chloe averted her gaze and remained silent. How was she supposed to know why he was looking for her? He was always so unpredictable. One day he would be tender, and the next he might grow cold, constantly toying with her emotions and leaving her in a state of anxious uncertainty. She could never figure him out.

Donovan gazed down at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a half-smile. He lowered his head until the tip of his nose brushed against hers.

His presence was hot and invasive. For a moment, Chloe couldn’t handle it. She pressed her lips together and let out a small cough. "You’re... you’re too close."

"Is being close a bad thing?"

"It’s... hot..."

Donovan said nothing, his dark eyes fixed on her. The next second, he let her go.

Chloe exhaled, a wave of relief washing over her. That was terrifying. From the look in his eyes, I really thought he had something improper in mind.

Donovan walked over and leaned back lazily on the sofa. He crossed his legs, exuding a cold, aristocratic air. He carried himself with the posture of a man in charge.

"Dr. Quinn, let’s begin."

Begin what? Chloe looked at him, confused.

"What?" Donovan asked. "Didn’t the nurse tell you? You’re here to examine me."

Chloe’s eyebrow twitched. "You’re... sick?" He seems perfectly fine! Although, a week ago, he had been injured in Southel. She wondered how his recovery was going.

Chloe stepped forward, walking to his side. "Where do you feel uncomfortable?"

Donovan pretended to think. "My head hurts... no, wait, my leg hurts..."

"No, that’s not it. My stomach hurts!"

Chloe let out a soft, helpless sigh. "Where does it actually hurt?" Is this man faking an illness?

Donovan gave a light cough. "My... my heart hurts."

Chloe didn’t speak, her crystal-clear eyes staring at him skeptically. A moment later, she pulled a stethoscope from her right pocket. "Lie down on the bed."

Donovan raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing as he replied in a playful tone, "The bed? Are you serious?"

Chloe met his gaze, her face reddening. She shot him a glare. "Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m just giving you a check-up!"

"Well, are you going or not?"

"Alright, as you wish," Donovan said. He rose from the sofa and lay down on the hospital bed.

Chloe walked over. "Unbutton your shirt." Her tone was all business, devoid of any personal feeling.

Donovan paused for a few seconds, then looked at her and gave a lazy smile. "Dr. Quinn, my hand suddenly hurts. I can’t move it."

"I’m afraid I can’t unbutton this myself. What do you suggest we do?"

"How should I know?"

"Don’t tell me I have to personally unbutton it for you?"

Donovan nodded. "That sounds like a good plan. I’ll be in your hands, Dr. Quinn."

Chloe was speechless. This man is definitely doing this on purpose!

After a few seconds, Chloe sat down on the edge of the bed. She reached out with her delicate hands and began unbuttoning his suit jacket. She bit her lip, trying her best to appear calm and treat him like any other patient.

Donovan watched her quietly, a hint of amusement playing in his eyes. To be honest, this was the first time he had seen her in a white coat, and it had a unique charm. She looked so cool and professional, but only he knew how easily flustered she got.

Chloe undid the suit jacket, pulled off his tie, and then started on the buttons of his black shirt underneath. Her breathing grew slightly unsteady, but she fought to keep her composure.

As the shirt opened, it revealed a hard chest and sharply defined abs. Honestly, it was a real turn-on. So it’s true. Women can’t take their eyes off a well-built man, either.

Donovan’s eyelids were half-lowered as he watched her. He chuckled softly. "Dr. Quinn, you seem nervous."

"I am not!" Chloe denied instantly. It’s just unbuttoning a shirt. I’m not nervous. Not one bit!

"Oh, really? Then why are your hands trembling, Dr. Quinn?"

"You talk too much!"

The next second, Donovan suddenly sat up, grabbing her and pulling her into his lap as he deliberately teased her.

"Dr. Quinn, how about a round right here? Hmm?"

Thinking he was serious, Chloe froze in terror.

Donovan leaned in close, a grin spreading across his lips as he murmured, "Chloe Preston, you’re blushing..."

Chloe bit her lip lightly. "It’s just hot in here!" she said, squirming out of his grasp. She picked up the stethoscope and put the earpieces in.

"Lie down properly!"

Donovan nodded and lay back down obediently, making no further moves.

The metal diaphragm of the stethoscope was cool against his skin, making him flinch slightly.

Chloe listened intently, her expression calm. At that moment, her mind was completely professional. She regarded him with a gaze so firm and devoid of emotion, it was as if she were taking a solemn oath.

「A minute later...」

"How is it?" Donovan asked.

Chloe removed the stethoscope. "Besides your heart beating a little fast, everything is normal," she announced calmly.

"And here you are, perfectly healthy but pretending to have heart pain!" And I was worried for nothing.

A smile touched Donovan’s lips. He was about to speak when a knock sounded at the door.

Chloe glanced at him. "Someone’s here. Put your shirt back on."

Donovan, his chest still exposed, hooked the nearby tie with a long finger and raised an eyebrow. "You took it off. Aren’t you responsible for putting it back on?"

Just then, another knock echoed.

Chloe gave a short, derisive laugh. "In your dreams. If you don’t put it on, then just let whoever it is come in and see you like this."

"You’d let them?"

Ignoring him, Chloe looked toward the door and called out, "Come in!"

The door swung open, and the hospital director and the department chief walked in one after the other.

The director smiled deferentially. "Mr. Xavier, Dr. Quinn has finished your examination. I trust everything is in order?"

Donovan remained silent for a moment. He got off the bed and slowly, methodically began buttoning his shirt. His expression was cool and unreadable.

Seeing Donovan’s state of undress, the department chief glared at Chloe. "Chloe, did your clumsiness upset Mr. Xavier?"

"I did not!" After so many years as a doctor, no one had ever called her clumsy.

"Still talking back!" the chief snapped, before turning to Donovan. "Mr. Xavier, this girl can be a bit reckless. I’ll be sure to reprimand her later!"

Chloe turned to look at the man in question.

Donovan met her gaze for a split second before turning his attention back to adjusting his tie.

Has he gone mute? Just moments ago, he was teasing me until I blushed, and now he won’t say a single word to defend me!

A flicker of anger ignited in Chloe’s heart, and she stormed out of the room.