Chapter 187

Half an hour later, Lucie rushed into the hospital with her assistant and a team of bodyguards.

Inside the hospital room, Madison and Rose had already packed up all of her grandfather's things.

"All set?" Lucie asked as she stepped in.

"Yes, miss, everything's ready. We just need your signature to finish up," Madison replied.

Lucie nodded. "Alright."

She gathered the discharge papers and the liability waiver, then headed to the doctor's office.

The attending physician flipped through the stack, stamping each page as he spoke. "This waiver still needs the hospital director's signature. Honestly, the patient's condition is a little unstable right now. We wouldn't recommend transferring him. But since you're insisting, we'll cooperate. I just need to make sure you understand some precautions."

"I understand," Lucie said.

The doctor stood up. "Ms. Anderson, please come with me."

"Okay."

He led her out of the office, papers in hand, and down the hallway toward another part of the hospital.

Lucie glanced over, a little confused. "Doctor, where are we going?"

"We need to find the director and get his signature."

"Isn't his office on this floor?"

The doctor shook his head. “He's doing rounds in the inpatient building. If we wait here, it could take forever. It's easier if we go to him."

Lucie frowned, a bit uneasy, but followed him anyway.

The doctor noticed her hesitation and offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. As soon as the director signs, your grandfather can be discharged right away."

"Alright, let's go."

They took the elevator to the next building and rode up to the ninth floor. The doctor led her down a quiet hallway and stopped in front of a private room.

He opened the door. "Ms. Anderson, after you."

Lucie hesitated, her nerves on edge.

"Go ahead. The director is inside."

Lucie motioned to her bodyguards to come with her, but the doctor quickly stopped them. "Sorry, there's a patient inside. We wouldn't want to disturb anyone. Ms. Anderson can go in alone. The rest of you can wait outside."

She shot her bodyguards a look. "It's fine. If anything happens, you'll hear me."

She stepped inside and was surprised to find the room was huge, a mix between a fancy office and a high-end VIP hospital suite.

She looked around. "Where's the director?"

The doctor smiled politely. "Please have a seat. He'll be right with you."

Lucie sat down and started flipping through the paperwork, waiting quietly.

Three minutes later, the door opened.

Steven stepped in, dressed in a sharp black suit. He walked slowly, favoring his foot, and his nose was still swollen and bruised.

Lucie's eyes widened. "Steven? What are you doing here?"

He closed the door behind him, lips curled into a sly grin. "Why can't it be me?"

Lucie's heart thudded in her chest. She jumped to her feet. "You tricked me. What do you want?"

Steven leaned back against the door,

looking way too pleased with

himself. "Relax. I'm just worried

about your grandfather. He's really

sick. He needs proper care.

"All the best doctors in New Amberton are right here in this hospital. Are you sure you want to transfer him?"

Lucie shot back, her tone icy.. "That's not really your business, is it?"

She turned toward the door, but he blocked her way. "Fine, I'll keep out of it. But I'm not here for your grandfather. I'm here for you."

Lucie's pulse hammered. She took a step back. "What are you doing? Stay away from me."

Steven's eyes narrowed. He moved closer, step by step, a crooked smile on his face. "What's wrong? Afraid I'll get even?"

"What do you want?"

He cocked his head. "Why don't you take a guess?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she snapped.

Steven let out a dark laugh, eyes blazing. "Yesterday, you beat me up. Did you

really think I wouldn't do something about it?"

"So what are you going to do, Steven?"

He looked her up and down. "No one in New Amberton ever dares to lay a finger

on me. But you did. So now it's my turn."

He reached for her like a hawk swooping down on its prey.

"Let go of me!" Lucie yelled, struggling as his hands closed around her wrists.

He easily caught her struggling arms and pushed her back against the desk. She tried to kick him, but this time, Steven was ready. He stepped in, trapping her legs and pinned her down with barely any effort.

།

Half of Lucie's body hung off the edge of the desk. She clung to with one hand and started swing the stack of paperwork at his head With the other.

"Steven, you jerk! Let go of me!"

He didn't budge. "If you keep hitting me, Lucie, I won't be so nice."

"Let me go!" she shouted.

He leaned in closer, his breath hot on her face. "I could hurt you, but you act like

you want to kill me. Is that it?"

"Look at what you did to me! Don't you feel guilty at all?"

Lucie felt her anger boil over. "Shut up! I don't want to hear your voice, and don't

you dare touch me!"