"Mr. Rockefeller, this investment means everything to us," the chairman said.
"Good," I pushed the documents toward him. "But I have one condition."
"Please."
"The nephrology department needs personnel optimization and process reengineering," I said, Joe's frightened expressionflashing through my mind. "Especially the intern rotation system. I expect to see a more professional, more efficient team."
The chairman looked at me, a knowing smile in his eyes. After all his years in this circle, of course he understood my meaning.
"Of course, Mr. Rockefeller. We'll handle it immediately."
"Personnel adjustment noticefor Nephrology Department: Dr. Joe Morrison has been transferred from Maya Bruce's medical team to the Emergency Department rotation. This is part of standard training protocol designed to familiarize interns with operations across all departments."
I received this text from hospital administration while on my routine evening walk with Ella.
I stared at the screen, smiling with satisfaction. Standard training protocol. Perfect phrasing. No one would question it. To become an excellent doctor, you had to be tested in every department. Emergency was particularly character-building—every day a race against death, no time to think about anything else.
If he refused, his internship would be reevaluated.
So he wouldn't refuse. He was too young, needed this experience too badly. He'd go to Emergency, get so busy sleep became a luxury, and slowly forget about that blonde woman in the nephrology ward.
Honestly, not every intern got this opportunity. From a certain angle, I was even helping him. A reward for helping Ella. Emergency experience would look great on his résumé. Years from now, when he became an attending somewhere, he might even be grateful for this transfer.
I told myself this wasn't revenge. This was resource reallocation. A decision that benefited everyone.
I almost believed it.
"What's wrong?" Ella's voice pulled me back.
I looked up. Streetlight stretched her shadow long across the ground, overlapping with mine. Night wind lifted her hair, golden strands drifting across her cheek. She tucked them back—that gesture made her look beautiful.
"Nothing," I pocketed my phone. "Spam text."
She glanced at me, those almond eyes full of simple trust. She believed me that easily. Then she turned toward the discount supermarket, face showing childlike anticipation, like entering a cave full of treasure.
I followed behind, pushing that squeaky-wheeled shopping cart.
I wasn't sure if Joe's departure would redirect more of Ella's attention to me. But even if there was the slightest chance, I'd give everything to claim it. I didn't want to leave her, didn't want any man near her. I'd become her shadow, her guardian, forever marking her within my territory.
Wherever she went became my territory.
I'd keep standing within her reach, like an iceberg slowly melting the grudge she held against me.
Until she willingly returned to the manor with me.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ella
Ever since I married Lucas, he'd suggested getting Maya on a kidney transplant list early. Back then, Maya's condition wasn't as critical as it was now. She'd refused his offer. She'd brought up our father—how he shouldn't have died from kidney failure, but someone had stolen his place in line.
"I've hated the bastard who stole Dad's kidney for my entire life," Maya had said firmly. "Ella, promise me. Even if I fall into a coma someday, you won't steal someone else's chance at life. I don't want to die and go to Heaven without being able to face Dad."
And now Maya really was in a coma. I'd never imagined I'd actually have to decide whether she lived or died.
"A kidney donor? For Maya? But she's been transferred out of the regular ward..."
The director smiled and nodded. He was in his fifties, hair already graying, eyes behind his glasses full of warmth.
