CHAPTER 77: UNWELCOME ATTENTION

Lewis noticed the discomfort on her face, so he silently gestured for her to take a seat a little farther from Dante.

But that didn’t stop Dante from constantly stealing glances at her.

She tried not to look in his direction, but when their eyes accidentally met, she managed a faint smile and then quickly looked away.

The meeting went smoothly, and they ended it with Dante confirming that he would provide the funding to the hospital.

After the meeting, she was about to head back to her post, but the director asked her to join them in showing the guests around the hospital grounds.

Lyra followed the group in silence as they toured the hospital. It was dull for her, trailing behind them like that, and she wasn’t even the one who had to speak during the visit.

But the director misunderstood her bored expression.

He thought she was just a little tired from walking around the hospital.

"Dr. Ashford, is everything alright? You look like you need a break."

Lyra, whose shoulders had been slumped, straightened her posture the moment the director addressed her.

She grunted under her breath, embarrassed when everyone turned toward her because the director drew unnecessary attention to her.

"I’m good. Just continue," she said, forcing a stiff smile.

She hoped this round would end quickly.

But Dante seized the moment.

"It’s okay. We can take a break and continue the discussion over a meal," he suggested.

Lyra was caught off guard by his offer, and the surprise only made her more frustrated.

She wanted nothing more than to slip away from the group and get back to her work.

Just then, her phone buzzed. She slipped a hand into her pocket, and Roger’s name lit up on the screen. Her brows knitted in worry.

Roger only called when Mrs. Brown had an emergency.

"I’m sorry, I need to take this call."

Lyra didn’t wait for Dante or the director to respond. She gave a slight bow, stepped away from them, and answered immediately.

"Hello, Roger. Did something happen?"

"Ah, Doctor, thank goodness," Roger sighed, sounding relieved that she picked up.

"Sorry to interrupt you. It’s about Mrs. Brown’s medication. It expired, and she lost the latest prescription you gave her. How can I get it quickly? Can you issue a new one? I’ll come and pick it up."

"Of course. When will you be here?" Lyra glanced at her watch, it was already lunchtime.

"Hm... I’ll come now, but I might be a little late. My car broke down, so I’ll take the bus."

At that moment, Lyra thought it would be better for her to deliver the medication herself rather than stay with the group.

"It’s okay. Just wait there. I’ll bring you the medication after lunch."

"Huh? Really? I’m glad if it doesn’t trouble you."

"Yes, don’t worry."

They hung up.

When she turned around, the group was still standing there, discussing something.

Lyra raised a brow because they hadn’t left yet, almost as if they were waiting for her.

She walked back to the group, offered them a polite smile, and then turned to the director.

"Dr. Carvin, I’m so sorry. I have to leave right now. There’s an emergency I need to attend to."

Dante frowned when he heard Lyra was about to leave. He gave his man a silent signal to follow her.

After Carvin gave Lyra permission to leave, Dante glanced at his watch.

"Dr. Carvin, let’s continue this in the next meeting. I have another appointment."

He left the director without waiting for a reply, using the excuse as his escape.

He took wide strides as he rushed toward the entrance. A black luxury car waited for him, and Stott hurried forward to open the door for his boss.

"You got her?" Dante asked as he slid into the car.

"Yes, I put a tracker on the cab."

Stott quickly moved to the front passenger seat, and the car shot forward.

It didn’t take long for their car to catch up with the cab. They saw Lyra get out in front of an old apartment block. She headed toward one of the buildings and vanished inside.

Stott glanced at the back and asked, "What now, boss?"

"Just wait. We’re not rushing."

Dante seemed relaxed while he unbuttoned his suit, lit a cigarette, and drew in a slow puff.

Stott hesitated. He had something important to say, but he wasn’t sure if this was the right moment.

"Why are you staring? Spit it out."

He wasn’t a fool. He saw the uneasiness in Stott’s eyes instantly.

"Your father called. He wants to see you. I told him you were all the way in Mistvale, but he didn’t care. He wants you on the next flight back."

Dante hissed under his breath and rubbed his temple.

If his father was calling with such urgency, it was probably because he wanted to introduce him to whatever woman had been picked out as a future daughter-in-law.

No—this wasn’t his father’s move.

It was that damn mistress—always meddling where she didn’t belong, desperate to push him toward some girl she approved of.

His mother was the legal wife, still alive and well, yet Kiera was already acting like she was the rightful Madam Volkhan, as if the title belonged to her.

"That woman is a damn parasite!" he muttered.

Dante drew in a deep drag and released a thick cloud of smoke, as if letting his stress dissolve into the air.

"It’s fine. If he keeps nagging about wanting a grandchild... I’ll give him one. With the woman I choose myself."

It was his life, and his right to choose who would be his partner and the mother of his child.

His gaze drifted back to the old apartment block Lyra had entered earlier.

Dante wasn’t interested in waiting anymore. He intended to take her now and bring her back to Ashvale.

"There she is," Stott murmured, spotting their target as she stepped out of the building.

"I know. Let’s move." he said coldly.

The car lurched forward, heading straight for her.

The sun was scorching, and Lyra had forgotten her sunglasses.

She stood by the roadside, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the harsh sunlight as she scanned for any cab that might be free, ready to flag one down the moment she spotted it.

And at that moment, a sports car glided toward her and slowly came to a stop right in front of her.