The hospital buzzed with routine. Lily was on her way out of the staff room when a junior intern rushed up to her, eyes wide.
"Miss Hemmings! Director Arthur wants to see you in his office. Like, right now."
Lily blinked. "Huh? Why?"
The girl shrugged. "He just said it's urgent. Go!"
Lily tossed her apple back onto the table and headed for the director's office with a pit in her stomach. Am I in trouble? Was this about the accident at the estate? But Arthur already told her not to say a word—and she hadn't.
She knocked gently, then entered.
Arthur wasn't behind the desk.
Someone else was.
Raphael Del Mundo sat there like he owned the oxygen in the room. Black coat draped over the chair, gloved hands resting on his lap, gaze sharp.
Lily froze in the doorway. Her breath hitched.
He didn't say anything at first. Just nodded slightly toward the chair across from him.
"Sit."
His voice held no warmth. No anger either. Just… a command. The kind that made you obey without thinking.
She sat, stiff and unsure.
He didn't waste time.
"You're a medical intern at this hospital."
Lily swallowed. "Y-yes."
"Good. Saves me time." He leaned forward slightly. "I want to talk. And you're going to listen."
She nodded.
"Great. There's a coffee shop across the street. We're going there."
Lily blinked. "What—now?"
He was already standing.
The silence between them was sharp enough to slice through bone. Raphael sipped his Americano like it personally offended him. Lily stirred her drink just to avoid looking at him directly.
"So…" she began. "About that day—"
"Don't," he cut in. "We're not here to rehash what you did."
She looked up, startled.
He tilted his head slightly. "Although… since we're being honest, you owe me."
Lily frowned. "Owe you?"
"You destroyed ten years of my life."
"Oh, come on. It was a card tower—"
"A card castle," he corrected, eyes narrowing.
She sighed. "Still. It was an accident. I was trying to explain—"
Raphael leaned in. "I don't care. Intent doesn't erase damage."
Lily looked away.
"So," he continued, "here's what we'll do. You'll repay your debt. Not with money—I have more than enough. But time."
"Time?"
"You'll assist me when I call. For whatever I need. Consider it... a punishment. Or an opportunity, depending on how you look at it."
Lily blinked. "You're blackmailing me into being your... assistant-slash-servant?"
He smirked. "Big word. But yes."
She narrowed her eyes. "And if I say no?"
He shrugged. "Then I tell Director Arthur you trespassed. And that you touched me, nearly triggered a fatal reaction, and almost cost me my life, Again."
Her jaw dropped. "You wouldn't."
His smirk grew. "Try me."
Lily slammed her cup down. "You're such a—"
"Careful," he warned, amused. "Your internship evaluation isn't out yet, right?"
Lily clenched her fists, eyes burning with fury. But she knew he wasn't bluffing. He was rich, powerful, connected. And she was... a broke intern who destroyed a ten-year card castle.
"Fine," she hissed.
"Lovely," Raphael said, rising. "I'll be in touch."
As he turned to leave, Lily called out, "Why are you doing this?"
He paused, looked over his shoulder. "Because you looked me in the eye. And didn't flinch."
She blinked.
He said nothing else and walked out.
Meanwhile, chaos brewed at DM Group. Board members whispered in corners, eyes full of distrust. Dante Del Mundo watched the news roll in—stocks fluctuating, investors uneasy.
"Still playing king, cousin?" he muttered, watching a live feed of Raphael entering the hospital.
Behind him, his father's voice rang out.
"Find out why he's there. And who he's meeting."
Dante nodded.
"Yes, father."