Ethan sped out of the hospital parking lot, his heart hammering against his ribs, focused only on reaching Eli.
Behind him, Lucas's driver had stopped the luxury sedan.
"Driver, follow that car," Lucas ordered instantly.
"Sir, I think we need to stop this now," Arlo pleaded from the passenger seat. "You did everything you wanted today. Let's go to the hotel. Otherwise, your mother will know what you are aiming for."
Lucas turned, his eyes cold and sharp. "Arlo,If he goes straight home, at least I get his address, right? And as for my mother, she knows nothing about Ethan except if you're told her. So, are you going to tell her what I aim to do?"
Arlo fell silent, defeated.
The car followed Ethan through the city streets. It was late afternoon; the sun had almost dipped below the horizon. They pulled up discreetly near a school just as Ethan parked.
"Papa! Papa!" Eli jumped with pure joy, running out from the school entrance toward Ethan's car.
Ethan hurried out, scooping the boy up in a quick, tight hug and giving him a kiss. "Eli, I'm so sorry, baby. I forgot to tell your teacher I'd be late today."
The teacher, a stern woman, approached them. "Dr. Stan, you must inform us first if you have any emergencies or delays. I had to stay late for Eli."
"My extreme apologies, Ma'am," Ethan stammered. "I had an unexpected meeting at the hospital. I thought it would end quickly, but unfortunately, something happened..." He cut himself off, rage bubbling under the surface. It's all because of that brat!
Lucas, watching from the luxury car parked down the street, dragged the window down just enough to see.
"It's alright," the teacher said. "Goodbye, Eli. Do your homework." She walked back inside.
"Haaaa, heyyy!" Ethan lovingly kissed Eli on the cheek and carried him to the car. "Let's go home!"
From his hiding spot, Lucas watched the tenderness, a wave of regret washing over him. He hasn't changed a bit. His care and love for someone he wants is extreme. I was unlucky that day.
"Should we go back, or should we follow the car until his apartment?" Arlo asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.
"Ah, okay. Let's go to the hotel. I need to rest." Lucas reluctantly gave the order, already having the general location he needed.
Back in his apartment, it's night already, Eli already sleeping in bed. Just as he sat down, his phone rang. It was Satraus.
"Hello? What's going on?" Ethan answered.
"Ah, nothing," Satraus said, sounding genuinely concerned. "I was worried by the way you ran to pick up Eli. I didn't call until I knew you were safe at home."
"Thanks. Yes, I was late. But he's fine and sleeping now," Ethan said.
"And you? Are you fine?" Satraus pressed. "After everything that happened today, I know you must be upset."
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's okay, sometimes things just happen." Ethan quickly steered the conversation away. "Is there anything else you wanted to tell me?"
"Actually, yes. I called to tell you what the hospital ward reported. As you suspected, the drug supply matter is serious. There's a Mafia gang involved. The key person is Sojuva. He's an influential, rich man's son, famous for running numerous bars and restaurants. He's also the new boss in the city underworld."
Ethan gasped. "Oh my god! Which means 45% of our medical drugs are being supplied through him—corruptly and mischievously! This is huge!"
"Yes," Satraus confirmed. "And more importantly, the corruption is happening with the support of someone who is a partner business owner of our hospital."
"I'm thinking the same thing," Ethan whispered, his mind racing through the list of powerful investors. "Our hospital has so many partners..."
"Ah, enough. I won't drag this on and let you sleep. You're definitely tired." Satraus said .
"Yeah. Goodbye. Sweet dreams," Ethan said, ending the call, too wired to sleep. The threat of Sojuva and the hidden partner was now merged with the threat of Lucas.
The next morning, Lele rushed into Selena's opulent room.
Selena was already plotting. "How can I lure Lucas back to me?"
"Ma'am, Ma'am! I got the information!" Lele announced breathlessly.
"What?! Really? How did you get it?" Lele asked.
"That day, Arlo was so focused she didn't take the original candidate files, only copies," Lele explained, puffing out her chest. "She asked for my help, and without her knowing, I took the other bundle of copies. Here!"
"You really are something, Lele!" Selena snatched the files, then frowned. "OMG. How can I search through all these candidates?"
"Don't worry, Ma'am. I already know who it is," Lele said proudly.
"Who? Who is it, and how do you know?" Selena demanded, curiosity overcoming worry.
"When I got the information, I figured it would be too hard to search, so I called the hospital's CMO," Lele admitted. "He said Lucas proposed to a guy who was one of the candidates, right there in front of everyone!"
"What!" Selena jumped up, shocked.
"Yes, Ma'am. After that, I got the file information about that guy. His name is Dr. Ethan Stan, a very famous Obstetrician-Gynecologist. And he's unmarried!" Lele said.
Selena's expression immediately shifted into a wicked, mischievous smile.
"And I have another big thing to tell you!" Lele continued.
"What is it? Tell me everything!" Selena asked.
"That day, when Lucas hugged the man in the shopping center... this is the same guy!" Lele revealed.
Selena was speechless, then slowly remembered Sefan's strange questions.
"Did you see him that day correctly?" Selena asked Lele.
"Yes, Ma'am!" Lele admitted.
"Did he have a baby?" Selena asked.
"Of course! Didn't you see him holding that baby so protectively?" Lele replied.
Selena slowly digested the information. Ahhh, okay. Mother and son are hooking the same target. The mother needs Dr. Ethan and his baby, while the son is mainly chasing Ethan. Something is terribly wrong.
But I'm going to interfere in this now! The real game starts now! Selena's thoughts turned violently competitive.
Across the city, Lucas was already at work, still in his wrinkled night clothes, staring intensely at a computer screen.
Arlo knocked and entered the room. "Sir, why the rush? You called me so early."
"Ah, yes, Arlo. Is our City Center Hospital involved in doing a medical camp?" Lucas asked.
"Yes, Sir, but that was two years ago. I know they need a donation to host one again." Arlo said.
"Okay, let me give them a free donation. Tell them to issue the funds today, and I am personally going to be involved with them!" Lucas stated.
"Is that... because of Ethan?" Arlo asked cautiously.
"What... ah, ahh, actually, I wanted to do something good for society, too," Lucas tried to cover, then grinned with confidence. "But yes, you're right. At least I'll get a chance to meet him on that journey. And at that time, I will definitely make him love me again!"
Arlo's worried expression deepened.
Meanwhile, back at Ethan's small apartment, he was rushing to make breakfast. His phone rang—an unknown number.
He picked up, annoyed. "Hello?"
"Hello, my son," a lady's voice came through, soft and caring.
"Aunt Arlo...!" Ethan said, surprised and happy.