Hazel Lane stepped behind Elara Venn, leaned in, her voice silk-smooth and bone-cold:"You walk upstairs now, and I'll make sure you never come back down."
Elara flinched. "Ms. Lane, I…"
Hazel straightened, tone deceptively casual. "What, you'd rather stay for his last meal?"
No answer was needed. Elara knew the calculus of risk.
Still, she couldn't stop herself from whispering, "I'm Nathan's doctor."
Hazel nodded. "Exactly. Just a doctor."
The chill radiating from Hazel was visibly unsettling Nathan. Elara dared not push further, afraid he'd spiral. She promised she'd come up later to draw with him. It took a long silence before he reluctantly nodded.
Elara couldn't escort him herself—her every step would jingle from the chain on her ankle. Mrs. Lee had to take over.
Elara gave a litany of instructions as if Nathan were off on a quest, not just headed upstairs.
He kept glancing back, reluctant, almost betrayed. But Elara could only smile tightly under Hazel's gaze.
The food on the table was cold. Her appetite, colder. She murmured, "What exactly do you want from me, Ms. Lane?"
Hazel motioned for Mrs. Lee to reheat the dishes. Leaning back, she replied, "You."
Elara's voice was hollow. "Then you already got what you wanted. Isn't it time to let me go?"
She paused, then added, "I won't tell a soul."
Hazel's expression darkened. "Elara Venn. When will you start listening to me the way you do with Nathan? Remembering my words?"
How could I remember anything when my brain was drowning in… sensation?
"I don't mean to overstate my worth or belittle myself," Elara said, forcing a smile, "but hasn't the past ten days been enough? I've cooperated. Isn't that worth something?"
Hazel stood, approached, and tilted Elara's chin up. Their eyes locked.
"I don't want your body," she said, voice firm and deliberate. "I want you. I will not keep it quiet. I will let the third, the fourth, the world know—you're mine. No one else's. Not even Nathan's."
Elara stared in shock.
"I've already started looking for a new doctor for him," Hazel added. "Prepare to hand over the case."
What?! No!
I'll give you another three hundred rounds if I can just stay on his case!
The system, aghast: Do you have any shame?
Elara, dreamily: Being ravished by a domineering CEO in exchange for protecting my patient? Iconic.
Hazel, however, didn't hand her a humiliating contract. Instead, she said simply, "Elara Venn, I love you."
No "but." No conditions. Just those words.
The food was reheated. Hazel gestured to the table. "Eat. You must be starving."
Elara wouldn't ruin her image gnawing on bones in front of someone who'd… seen her from all angles. Especially when Hazel might lose interest recalling her greasy face mid-act.
But Hazel, having seen that unfiltered carnage before, frowned at Elara's dainty appetite.
"What's wrong?"
Elara poked at her rice. "Not hungry."
In truth, she was planning to raid the fridge the moment Hazel left.
Hazel picked a sweet-and-sour rib and placed it in Elara's bowl. She toyed with it.
Hazel's voice hardened. "Tell me what you do want to eat. Mrs. Lee can make it."
Elara shook her head. "No need. This is fine."
Hazel's tone dropped. "Elara Venn."
Elara managed a strained smile. "I don't eat much, really."
Hazel didn't buy it.
"You can't eat in front of me? Or are you worried about Nathan?"
Elara blinked, confused. "What?"
Hazel glanced at her nearly untouched bowl. Her brows knitted.
"So he gets your concern. I get what? Scraps?"
Misunderstood. And now she was jealous?
Before Elara could explain, Hazel murmured, "If you're this close, you must share a palate. If you don't want to eat, I doubt he does either. Why waste food? Tomorrow, I'll have Mrs. Lee downgrade meals for both of you—"
Elara lunged. Grabbed the rib. Bit down like a woman starved.
She chewed viciously. Crunch. Rip. Swallow. One after another.
Mrs. Lee's braised pork was truly divine—rich but tender. It went down too fast. Grease slid down her lips; she licked instinctively, wiped with a napkin just in time to meet Hazel's narrowed gaze.
Now what? Don't eat, she's mad. Eat, she's still mad. These CEOs are impossible.
She couldn't stop herself now. Bite after bite—until her stomach rebelled. Mid-mouthful, her body jerked forward, and she vomited everything out.
There wasn't much. But it was messy. Acid burned her throat. Elara reached for tissues—and froze. Hazel's expression was thunderous.
"I—I'll clean it up—"
Hazel scoffed. "So disgusting you throw it back up?"
Wait, what are you imagining—?
"It's not like that!" Elara gasped. "I just—"
"Shut up."
She obeyed instantly.
Hazel's eyes were ice. "You expect me to believe you actually care about Nathan? What could possibly make you debase yourself like this—for him?"
Valid question. Elara hadn't once tried to leave. All her bargaining was for Nathan.
"I'm his doctor. I promised I'd stay," she said steadily. "And as for… you, Ms. Lane—"
She hesitated. Then forced herself to continue, cheeks flushed. "You acted on impulse. I won't pursue it."
"Good. Good," Hazel interrupted, voice taut.
She reached out, caressed Elara's cheek—not tenderly, but with a twisted dominance.
Elara shut her eyes.
"No matter how I say it, you refuse to believe me, is that it?" Hazel's voice cracked, for once uncertain.
In her world, everyone wanted her. But Elara?
Hazel didn't want a fling. She wanted forever. From the moment she chose Elara, she meant it seriously.
But Elara never believed her.
Hazel gripped Elara's face, sharp and deliberate. "So. You'll sleep with me, but not marry me?"
Wait—what?
Did I miss a chapter?
Elara blinked, stunned. "Do I… have a choice?"
Hazel laughed bitterly. "Of course not. Because I'm the villain, right?"
"Then look at me, Elara. Look carefully. Watch how I force you."
Elara turned away, ashamed. Hazel's next words froze her blood.
"If you don't look—next time you do, it'll be via video. From across the ocean. Watching Nathan."
Elara stiffened. Hazel had hit her weak spot.
She turned back, eyes trembling, mouth open in silent desperation.
Hazel leaned close.
"Not here," Elara pleaded. "Please, not here."
Hazel melted slightly. That face—so red, so desperate—made her want to hand Elara the moon.
But Elara wouldn't take it. Not willingly.
Hazel pressed her lips to hers anyway. "Beg me."
Elara said nothing.
Hazel scoffed. "Is this about power or profit to you? Either way, I never lose. So if you want something—what can you give me in return?"
The word satisfy lingered in the air.
Elara paled.
She wanted to climb into Hazel's arms. Wrap around her like a koala on a tree. Travel. Thrive. Touch. Be touched.
But she couldn't look eager. Couldn't even look willing.
Her lashes trembled. "If someone sees… it wouldn't be good for your reputation."
Hazel said calmly, "You don't think I love you. But ask yourself—will they believe I fell for you? Or that you seduced me?"
Elara: "…"
No response needed. The truth was obvious.
Hazel lifted her effortlessly.
And took her upstairs.