A Diamond in Her Own Right

Jason and Candice

When I made my rounds the next day, there was a group of people in Dean's room.

Other than Laura, there were several bodyguards dressed in black suits in the room. There was also a reporter holding his camera up.

"That's her!"

Laura immediately shouted and pointed at me upon my entry. "This is the quack who messed around during the surgery, causing nerve damage to my fiancé's leg! Quick! Take photos of her now! Expose this evil hospital!"

The journalist began snapping away, blinding me with the flash.

Dean was glowering at me as he leaned against the headboard. "I gave you a chance, Evelyn. If you now admit to your mistake, apologize to Laura on your knees, and swear to never work as a doctor again… I can refrain from suing you."

He looked so confident that he could win.

He acted as if he had already discovered my fatal weakness.

As I watched the entire spectacle, I could only think of how absurd it all was.

"Nerve damage?" I grabbed his patient file and slammed it down before him. "Here are the EMG and MRI scans. Everything is normal. Dean, you should find a proper reason if you wish to sue me."

"Reports can be falsified!" Laura shrieked. "You're the hospital director. You can change them however you like! Either way, Dean's leg is now numb. This is all your fault! We won't be leaving until you compensate us!

"I'll even make sure everyone on the internet knows you're a wicked woman who would murder for money!"

Ah, they wanted to completely ruin my reputation.

I glanced at the twisted look on Laura's face before turning to Dean, who was just silently watching everything with implicit approval.

The last shreds of my patience finally vanished.

"Very well. If you wish to cause a ruckus, I'll play along until the very end."

I pulled out my phone to call security.

Just then, Dean spoke up.

"Eve, don't waste your energy. I am acquainted with the hospital's investors. All I have to do is say the word, and your role as the hospital director will be gone."

There was a hint of magnanimity shining in his eyes.

"I'll say this one last time. Come here, grovel, and apologize. Return to my side and behave as my lover. This is your only way out."

He held a hand out, waiting for me to subserviently place my hand in his as I used to.

His bodyguards surrounded me, blocking my escape.

Laura was grinning smugly, waiting to watch my humiliation.

It was then that the door was slammed open.

A young but loud voice called out, "Don't bully my mom!" Candice held her arms out and glared hard at Dean, who was still in his bed. "Stay away from my mom, you meanie!"

A slender but muscular arm reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Jason stood tall in his tailored gray coat; his usually warm eyes had frosted over as he watched this farce unfold.

He walked further in and casually wrapped an arm around my waist. "Apologies for being late."