“I just wanna say something to the old lady!” Ethan glanced at Olivia, then turned to the elderly woman and raised his voice, “Ma’am, your son’s stomach cramps?
Just his abs acting up.
A little rub and he’ll be fine.”
“Don’t pretend you know what you’re talking about,” Olivia sneered, yanking Ethan’s arm and pointing toward Grace.
“Go argue with Dr. Howell if you’re so sure!”
Ethan looked Grace up and down—average looks, but acting like she owned the place.
His eyes briefly paused on her overly confident posture before saying coldly, “Oh, so you’re Dr. Howell. I was the one treating Donna last night. What exactly did I do wrong?”
Grace smirked, arms crossed.
“Donna was pricked with a silver needle at a spot below the throat. It just causes brief unconsciousness, no real danger, and definitely no need for chest compressions. She could’ve removed the needle herself once she woke up. Honestly, I think someone just wanted an excuse to get handsy.”
Ethan chuckled quietly.
He reached for his right wrist, where a sleek black wristband, about five centimeters long, clung tightly.
On closer inspection, it was made of tiny wooden tubes, each holding a silver needle.
Just like that gadget from “Kiss of the Dragon.”
He pulled out one of the needles and handed it to Grace.
“Alright then, why don’t you poke your own pressure point? After you pass out, feel free to pull it out yourself when you wake up.”
Grace froze.
“Yeah, since it’s ‘no big deal’, show us how it’s done,” Chloe chimed in, a playful smirk creeping onto her face.
“I… I…” Grace faltered, then scoffed.
“I’m still a doctor, okay? Am I supposed to faint in the middle of the hallway?”
Chloe pointed to an empty ward.
“There’s a bed right there.
You can pass out in comfort.”
“Exactly, Dr.
Howell,” Olivia jabbed, pushing the same message.
“Prove Ethan’s full of it!”
“I…
I…” Grace glared at Ethan and snapped, “Like I’d waste time proving anything to some random young guy?
Please.”
And with that, she spun on her heels and made for the exit.
“Where are you going?” Chloe caught her arm fast.
“You’re not leaving until we sort this out.”
Grace yanked herself free.
“Who even are you? Move. I have work to do.”
Chloe grabbed her again.
“Oh, please. Don’t act like you’re innocent. Trying to frame my friend? Not happening.”
Grace’s stare sharpened.
“Let go, or I’m calling security.”
“Chloe, hold her steady,” Ethan said matter-of-factly, holding the needle up, pretending he was about to jab it.
“Let’s test her theory.”
“Ahh!” Grace shrieked, slapping her chin as she bolted—faster than anyone expected, her body jiggling comically with each step.
Watching her flee like a scared rabbit, Ethan burst into laughter.
“Total quack,” Chloe snorted, laughing along.
Off to the side, Olivia stood silently, her face stormy, not saying a word.
“I… I didn’t really know what she was like…” Olivia sighed, tugging on Chloe’s hand.
“Come on, Donna’s probably tired of waiting.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly.
“So my friend can go see her now?”
Olivia scoffed and shot Ethan a chilly look.
“I’m warning you, Chloe—be careful who you trust. If you hang around people like him, you’re just asking for trouble.”
She jabbed a finger in Ethan’s direction.
“You and I are going inside. He stays out here.”
Ethan casually stepped back, eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced at Olivia’s figure.
She had the proportions of a Western model—broad hips, a curvy lower body that definitely caught attention.
But Ethan wasn’t admiring her—he’d noticed something else.Olivia glared at Ethan, her tone sharp, “Where exactly were you staring?
Wanna get punched again?”
“Olivia, seriously?
Isn’t this getting old?” Chloe frowned, voice turning cold.
“He doesn’t deserve to be your friend!” Olivia snapped.
“You should’ve kicked him out.
Did you see where his eyes went just now?”
“Olivia, don’t get it twisted,” Ethan said, his tone serious.
“I was looking because you’ve got a health issue—your lower back isn’t right.”
“You jerk!” Olivia growled and lunged at him.
“You’re hitting my friend again now?” Chloe scoffed.
She turned and grabbed Ethan’s arm.
“Coming here was a mistake.
Let’s go.”
“Chloe, wait!” Olivia panicked and reached out to stop her.
“I’m just worried about your safety, that’s all!”
“If you really cared, you’d respect my friends too,” Chloe said coldly.
“Otherwise, forget it.”
Olivia sighed heavily and shot Ethan a fierce glare.
“Fine, fine. For Chloe’s sake, I’ll let it go.”
She pulled Chloe into the hospital room.
Ethan followed behind, his voice low.
“But seriously, there’s a real issue with your lower back.”
Olivia stopped dead in her tracks and turned to Chloe.
“You heard that, right? He’s talking about my body again. I’m about to flatten him—should I?”
Chloe sighed and looked at Ethan helplessly.
“Ethan…
Olivia doesn’t take insults lightly.
Why are you poking at the same thing over and over?”
“Because it’s real,” Ethan pointed at Olivia’s waist.
“Right side’s broken out, yeah? Had a few bumps for a while now? If this keeps up, it’s gonna turn into bedsores.”
Olivia blinked, stunned.
Then her eyes widened.
“How do you even know that?”
With a serious look, Ethan met her gaze.
“Did I lie? If you don’t believe me, let Chloe take a look for confirmation.”
Because he was right.
She’d had that problem for over three months.
Tried everything, nothing worked.
After a pause, she exhaled, a little defeated.
“You’re right.
But seriously…
how’d you figure it out?”
“Yeah, how?” Chloe asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
“You didn’t exactly strip her down. So?”
Ethan gave a sly smile.
“Because I’m a doctor.
I catch what other people miss.”
“Confident much.
So, got any cure up your sleeve?” Olivia asked.
That stubborn skin problem had been driving her nuts.
“Of course. One week, max. Gone for good,” Ethan shrugged.
“But it really depends on your attitude.”
That made Olivia freeze.
Apologize?
She’d just cussed him out.
But if she didn’t?
Those rashes might really get worse.
If they turned into sores, she was done.
Donna had zero tolerance for uncleanliness—there was no way she’d keep her on as a bodyguard.
After thinking for a second, Olivia looked at Chloe with a pleading gaze.
Chloe only huffed and turned away.
Olivia winced, then forced a stiff smile toward Ethan.
“Ethan… okay, maybe I was a bit much earlier. Don’t hold it against me, alright?”
She’d put plenty of people in their place before—some of them even left in casts—and never once apologized.
Now, doing it felt like fire on her face; she was red to the ears, beyond embarrassed.
Ethan noticed and had to suppress a laugh.
He cleared his throat and tapped the left side of his face.
Olivia froze, those big eyes going wide again.
Wait—was he asking for a kiss?