Chloe burst out laughing and gave Ethan a playful punch.
“Ethan, I just realized how annoying you really are!”
Ethan chuckled.
“Everyone at school says I’m the honest, quiet type.”
“Yeah, right. You look all innocent, but you’re anything but.” Chloe was still laughing.
“I swear, you’re just hiding how sneaky you are!”
The two of them chatted and laughed the whole way to Cloudshore City.
They made good time and reached City Central Hospital in under two hours.
As they pulled in, Chloe suddenly remembered that Donna was a bit of a neat freak.
So before heading in, she dragged Ethan to a nearby boutique to get him a new outfit and shoes.
About half an hour later, Ethan stepped onto the street looking like a new man.
Already good-looking, now in a sleek black Jordan summer outfit, he could’ve passed for a male model.
But Ethan winced a little—two full sets of clothes, shoes, and a shower at the store?
That had cost them over 8,000.
Chloe looked at him admiringly.
Her gaze was getting softer by the second.
Holding on to his arm, she walked with him down the street—like a picture-perfect couple.
Heads turned as they passed.
Then she led him to a flower shop, bought a big bouquet of fresh carnations, and finally headed for the hospital.
City Central Hospital was the largest in Cloudshore, one of the biggest in the country.
It was Ethan’s first time here, and as they stepped through the gates, he looked up at the towering buildings and the steady stream of doctors in white coats.
His heart raced.
This was his battlefield.
A student at Cloudshore Medical University, he’d always dreamed of becoming a legendary doctor.
And now, standing in front of this giant hospital, he felt like a hungry wolf getting ready to strike—or a warrior stepping onto the frontline.
His blood was pumping.
I want to be a healer.
I want to stand at the top of the medical world!
It was a dream he’d never dared say out loud.
Until now.
“I’m gonna become a top doctor. Someone who makes waves in this hospital.”
Chloe looked at him, surprised by how intensely his eyes seemed to shine—like he had twin flashlights for pupils.
Whoa.
He’s serious.
Seeing the determination in his expression, she gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.
“Ethan, I believe in you.
I mean, in a good way!”
“…Thanks?” Ethan felt a little exasperated but slung his arm around her shoulders as they headed toward Building 3.
…
Inside a private room.
Donna was lounging elegantly on the bed, while Olivia stood tall and straight at her side, deep in conversation with a young female doctor.
The doctor, probably in her early thirties, moved with a natural, confident grace.
She was clearly experienced.
“So you’re telling me someone stuck acupuncture needles in my chin, and it’s no big deal?” Donna asked, eyes locked on the doctor.
The doctor nodded.
“It just caused a temporary knockout.
You woke up on your own, remember?
Those needles could’ve been removed quite easily.”
“So…
cardiac resuscitation wasn’t even necessary?” Olivia frowned.
The doctor gave a soft laugh.
“Of course not. If a guy did it… well, I’d say he just wanted an excuse to get handsy.”
Both Donna and Olivia froze, their expressions hardening instantly at the memory of Ethan.
He was the one who gave Donna CPR and claimed her life was at risk.
“We totally fell for his act,” Donna hissed, clenching her jaw as she looked over at Olivia.Olivia caught Donna’s look and nodded.
Just thinking about how Ethan had pounced on Donna like a frog made her blood boil.
Her eyes turned cold.
“If I see him again, I’m not letting him off—every time I see him, he’ll get what’s coming.”
Right on cue, a knock sounded at the door.
Donna glanced over.
“Olivia, Chloe was supposed to visit me today. Maybe it’s her.”
Olivia walked to the door.
Sure enough, it was Chloe in the hallway, all sunshine and smiles.
She laughed and gave Olivia a hug.
“Wow, you got here fast!”
“Duh, I’m all about speed, remember?” Chloe chuckled, hugging her back.
Then she turned and introduced the young man holding a bouquet of carnations behind her.
“Olivia, this is Ethan, a good friend of mine who came along.”
She looked at Ethan.
“Ethan, meet Olivia, Cloudshore’s famous bodyguard and goddess. Just call her Olivia.”
Olivia gave a polite smile, then glanced at Ethan—and froze.
Her eyes widened.
“You?!”
Ethan had been checking out the nurses by the station, totally unaware.
Only after hearing Chloe’s intro did he pay attention to the gorgeous woman in front of him.
“Oh…
what are the odds?”
“You two know each other?” Chloe raised her brows and looked between them.
“Oh, I know him, alright,” Olivia growled.
“I’d recognize him even if he turned to ash!” She clenched her fists and suddenly lunged at him with a punch.
No holding back.
Ethan saw it coming and quickly ducked behind Chloe, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Chloe, your friend’s trying to kill me!”
“What the heck are you doing?” Chloe rushed to grab Olivia.
“Calm down!”
“I’m gonna beat the life out of him!” Olivia shoved Chloe aside and went at Ethan again.
Chloe panicked and held her back.
“Olivia, chill! If you don’t explain, I’m the one getting mad now!”
Olivia finally paused, still fuming.
“Last night, Donna passed out at the hotel. This idiot happened to be there and claimed it was critical—started doing CPR and used it as an excuse to grope her. And as if that wasn’t enough, he touched me too! You tell me, should I let him slide?”
Chloe’s face darkened.
She turned to Ethan.
“Ethan, what really happened?”
Ethan’s tone turned serious.
“Donna was in serious danger.
If I hadn’t acted fast with CPR, she could’ve ended up in the ICU.”
“Bullshit!” Olivia snapped.
“Donna’s attending doctor is inside.
You got the guts to face her?”
“Why not?” Ethan said flatly.
“Bring her out.
Let’s clear this up.”
“Yeah, let’s get this straight today!” Chloe backed him up, even more fired up.
She hadn’t known Ethan that long, but she trusted him.
Olivia stormed back into the room and called out to the doctor.
“Dr. Howell, could you step out for a second? That guy who ‘helped’ Donna yesterday is here now!”
Dr.
Grace Howell came out with a cold smile, ready to speak—when an elderly lady walked up, hunched and clearly nervous, eyes pleading.
“Dr.
Howell, my son’s stomach really hurts.
Would you please check on him?
He’s in Room 039.”
“I’m busy, can’t you see?” Grace snapped, scowling.
“Wait till I’m done.”
The old woman nodded slowly, forced a weak smile, and turned away with tears in her eyes.
Ethan noticed her rough, worn clothes—she looked like she came from the countryside.
He glanced toward Room 039 and quickly stepped forward.
“Ma’am, hold on a second.”
“Not so fast!” Olivia grabbed his shoulder and narrowed her eyes.
“Nice try. Trying to sneak off, huh?”