The hospital corridor.
The lights were still cold and pale.
But this time—
Ethan Cole stood outside the operating room, no longer the helpless man he was before.
His phone was still in his hand.
The number on the screen had calmed him completely.
Balance: $1,080,037.62
One million.
Just an hour ago—
He couldn't even take out a hundred dollars.
Now—
He could decide the fate of others.
Including—
His mother's life.
The red light above the operating room was still on.
Burning, second by second, like time itself.
Ethan stood there.
Not sitting.
Not moving.
Just waiting.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly.
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes.
One hour.
His phone vibrated.
A bank notification.
He glanced at it.
No reaction.
This kind of number—
He was already getting used to it.
Just then—
Footsteps echoed from the other end of the corridor.
The sharp sound of high heels.
Clear.
Ethan didn't turn around.
But he knew who it was.
"Ethan."
The voice came.
A little unnatural.
He slowly turned.
As expected—
It was Chloe Carter.
She stood not far away.
Dressed elegantly.
Makeup flawless.
She looked even more beautiful than before.
But her eyes—
Were complicated.
"Why are you here?" Ethan asked.
His tone was calm.
Like speaking to a stranger.
Chloe froze slightly.
She clearly didn't expect this kind of reaction.
"I… heard your mom was hospitalized."
"So I came to check."
Ethan nodded.
"Done checking?"
The words landed—
Like a slap.
Light, but direct.
Chloe's expression changed slightly.
"Ethan, don't be like this."
"I just…"
Before she could finish—
Another figure appeared from the other end of the corridor.
A man.
Suit.
Watch.
A faint smile on his face.
Her current boyfriend.
And Ethan's boss.
The man walked over.
Naturally placing a hand on her shoulder.
As if claiming ownership.
Then looked at Ethan.
"You paid for the surgery?"
His tone was light.
But laced with mockery.
Ethan looked at him.
Said nothing.
The man smiled.
"How much did you borrow?"
"Want me to introduce you to better lenders?"
"Lower interest."
The air turned cold instantly.
Chloe felt uneasy.
"Stop it…"
But the man didn't stop.
He stepped closer instead.
"People like you—"
"Will do anything just to keep up appearances."
Ethan suddenly smiled.
Very faint.
But his eyes—
Were ice-cold.
"Finished talking?"
The man paused.
Clearly not expecting that response.
Ethan continued.
"If you're done—shut up."
The air froze completely.
Chloe stiffened.
She had never seen Ethan like this before.
The man's expression darkened.
"You—"
At that moment—
The operating room light—
Went out.
All sound vanished instantly.
The doctor walked out.
Removed his mask.
His gaze swept across the group.
"Who's the family?"
Ethan stepped forward immediately.
"I am."
The doctor looked at him.
Nodded.
This time, his tone carried a hint of seriousness.
"The surgery was successful."
"She's out of immediate danger."
At that moment—
Ethan felt like all strength left his body.
He stood there.
Silent.
Slowly closing his eyes.
The weight that had been crushing his chest—
Finally lifted.
He didn't cry.
He simply exhaled.
Long.
Light.
As if letting go of everything from before.
The doctor continued,
"She still needs follow-up treatment and observation."
"The cost won't be low."
Ethan nodded.
"Money is not a problem."
The moment he said that—
The two people beside him froze.
Especially Chloe.
She looked at him suddenly.
For the first time—
There was doubt in her eyes.
The doctor glanced at him again.
His tone shifted slightly.
"That's good."
"You can visit her soon."
He turned and left.
The corridor fell silent again.
Ethan didn't look at anyone.
He walked straight toward the ward.
As he passed Chloe—
She suddenly reached out.
"Ethan…"
He stopped for a second.
But didn't turn around.
"Can we… talk?"
Her voice was low.
Even carrying a hint of regret.
Ethan replied calmly,
"There's no need."
Then he kept walking.
Step by step.
No pause.
No turning back.
The man stood there.
His expression dark.
He stared at Ethan's back.
His gaze turning colder.
"Interesting."
He muttered.
Then took out his phone.
Sent a message.
"Look into him."
"I want to know where his money came from."
Meanwhile—
Outside the hospital.
That same dark alley.
The man from earlier stood in the rain.
A phone in his hand.
On the screen—
A photo.
Ethan at the payment counter.
He narrowed his eyes.
Exhaled smoke slowly.
"A poor guy…"
"Pulled out $200,000 in an hour?"
He smiled.
Cold.
"Interesting."