"Darling!?"
The word snapped Ethan out of his shock. He recoiled, forcefully pulling out of Lucas's embrace and taking a sharp step backward. His eyes, wide and blazing, delivered a silent message to Lucas: We are surrounded. Control yourself!
Lucas, however, was in his element. He straightened his perfectly tailored suit, flashed a devastatingly charming smile, and addressed the room. "Oh, oh! Hiii, hello everyone," he drawled, the charm almost dripping onto the polished floor.
The CMO rushed forward, his face strained. "It's a pleasure, Sir. After your father's death, no one has returned here. Even your brother was supposed to be the one to head the company, but unfortunately, he's..." The CMO stopped, worried he had overstepped.
Lucas's expression flickered, worry giving way to a calculated hardness. "That's okay. If my brother were alive, maybe our company would approach partner business with more opportunity and seriousness. But it's been five years without him. I'll try my best to live up to what he started."
Ethan watched, his worried look deepening into suspicion.
Lucas instantly pivoted back from emotional sincerity to flirty arrogance. "And your name, ahhhhh..." He tapped his chin, pretending to search his memory, even though he knew it perfectly. "Dr. Ethan, right?" He shot a smirk directly at Ethan.
This guy hasn't changed a bit, Ethan thought, exasperated.
"Yes. Ethan Stan," he replied curtly, then dragged Cury and Satraus into the conversation to diffuse the tension. "I guess Sir will need the staff names. These are Dr. Cury and Dr. Satraus."
Lucas nodded vaguely, his gaze quickly blurring the others. The game was on.
Did you want to play? Ethan thought, a dangerous glint entering his eyes. Let me teach you how to play the real game.
The Other Side of the Conspiracy
Meanwhile, across the city, Sefan was in her luxury office, taking a call.
"Madam, I'm sorry...
is he still not dead yet? Oh my god! I think I need to sell my whole property just for his hospital bill!" She cut the phone connection with a snap.
Her eyes fell on a framed photo on her desk. It showed Clara standing next to an unknown man, holding a small, tiny baby photo. Sefan picked up the frame, her smile turning strangely violent.
"Clara... I thought Damien was strong enough to kill you easily," Sefan whispered, tracing the edge of the frame. "But you proved exactly why you were the national Judo team coach. Your one-handed fight put him in a five-year coma. He's still a dead body with a breath. Ahhh, you are something else, indeed."
The meeting had begun. Dr. Cury, Ethan, and the other hospital doctors sat listening as the MD and CMO detailed the hospital's business and revenue flow.
"Really? For what reason are we even here?" Cury murmured to Ethan. "They aren't discussing patient care or medicine, just money. Is this even necessary?"
Ethan rolled his eyes. "It's ridiculous..."
As he whispered, his gaze involuntarily lifted to the stage. Lucas was watching him. Again.
Lucas's entire attention was fixed on Ethan, a flirty, possessive look plastered on his face. Ethan desperately tried to look away, but the intensity of the CEO's stare made him raise his head.
Suddenly, Lucas winked—a slow, private, brazen wink.
Ethan tensed. Oh my god, what is he thinking?! This brat never leaves me alone for a single minute!
"Ahhh, Sir, what would you like to say about this project?" the MD asked Lucas, pulling him back to reality.
Lucas's focus snapped back, looking genuinely confused for a moment. "Ah, ahhh... for what?"
The staff gave a nervous, polite chuckle. Ethan, forgetting his tension for a second, let a tiny, teasing smile cross his face.
Lucas caught it. His eyes locked onto Ethan's amused expression.
"Hmm. Okay. I'll ensure your project," Lucas declared, eyes still fixed on Ethan.
"It's really great—while still looking at Ethan—really, really great. I'm so interested."
Arlo, Lucas's assistant, stretched her neck and throat, making a loud, warning sound.
"Ahhh, ahhh! I mean the project!" Lucas corrected himself quickly.
Everyone clapped. "Okay, meeting is over. Sir, are you ready? We can head to the hotel for lunch." MD asked Lucas.
Ethan, Cury, and the other doctors stood up, murmuring about the "dumb meeting.
" Lucas watched them. This is my final chance, he thought, panic rising. If he leaves now, it will be hard to corner him again!
"Ahhhhh... wait! Everybody!" Lucas shouted, making everyone freeze.
"Is there any problem, Sir?" the MD asked, worried.
Lucas said, "No..." and then continued, his voice echoing in the sudden silence.
"Ahhhhh, Dr. Ethan Stan, are you single?"
The entire room went silent, then exploded. The MD, the CMO, the staff, Cury—everyone was shocked. A few staff members cheered, "Ohhhh!"
Arlo rushed to Lucas's side. "Sir, did you know what you are doing?"
Lucas ignored her completely, his gaze locked on a horrified Ethan.
"A-aah, I guess I had a crush on you, Doctor..."
The crowd cheered again with sensational excitement. Ethan felt his face burn with shame and anger. Cury stared, mouth agape.
"Dr. Stan is single! He's unmarried!" one staff member shouted.
Ethan was furious. He pushed through the crowd and stormed away. Lucas ran after him. Ethan went straight into the staff restroom, and Lucas followed, slamming the door shut and locking it.
Arlo rushed to the door, pounding on it. "Sir, —"
Before Ethan could finish his enraged demand—"Lucas! What are you doing? What if someone sees us!"—Lucas grabbed his waist, hauling him tightly against his chest.
Their tension climaxed. Lucas pressed his mouth down onto Ethan's, silencing his protest with a fierce, intimate kiss.
Outside the door, Arlo became the unwilling watchwoman. Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Sefan.
"Hello? Madam,"
"Did Lucas meet Ethan in shopping yesterday?" Sefan demanded.