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She ducked back inside and slammed the door shut.

“Oh, hell no! What the hell is that human Cactus doing here?!” she hissed, her voice a panicked whisper.

Her heart pounded. Panic surged in her chest.

Lorenzo stood there, intimidating as ever. Xander stepped beside him, walking up to their car.

“Hello,” Xander said politely. “Let me introduce someone. This is Mr. Lorenzo Moretti. And if we’re not mistaken—you’re Dr. Astra?”

Krystal froze.

The windows were tinted dark. There was no way they could see her. But hearingthat namecome out ofhismouth made her blood run cold.

Xander continued, polite but firm. “We’d like to request your expertise. A treatment, for someone important.”

Lorenzo slid his hands into his pockets, cool and composed, yet carrying that natural authority he was known for.

“Name your price. We’ll double it. If you have other demands, we’ll meet them. Whatever it takes.” He said.

Inside the car, Krystal let go of the door handle slowly, taking a deep breath. Relief washed over her.

“He doesn’t know I’m Astra,” she whispered to Darren in disbelief. “He just thinks I’m some surgeon. Not his ex-wife.”

Darren let out a low laugh. “So what now? We definitely don’t want to get entangled with him. This could blow up your cover.”

Krystal bit her lip, eyes narrowing as thoughts swirled. But then… a slow smirk appeared on her lips.

“Wait,” she said.

She slowly rolled down the car window just enough to let her voice out, but not enough for them to see her face.

Xander rushed toward Lorenzo, excitement shining in his eyes.

“Mr. Moretti! Dr. Astra’s extremely reserved. She doesn't acknowledge anyone she doesn’t want to treat—but look!” he pointed toward the car. “She rolled down her window for you. That means she wants to talk.”

Lorenzo shot him a side glance, unimpressed. Without a word, he turned toward the car. After a beat, he walked over, leaned down, and moved closer to the open window.

The moment his face neared it, she lifted her middle finger, and slammed the window shut right in his face.

Lorenzo jerked back slightly, his jaw tightening.

A split second later, Darren hit the gas and the car peeled off down the street.

Inside the car, both Krystal and Darren were laughing like maniacs at the stunned look on Lorenzo’s face.

Lorenzo straightened slowly, face like thunder, fury simmering in his dark eyes. He had never been humiliated like this before. The way she toyed with him made his blood boil.

Xander stood frozen, pale with fear.

“Was that... real?” he muttered under his breath, eyes wide in horror. “This is the first time Mr. Moretti’s ever been treated like that by anyone. Let alone a woman.”

Lorenzo’s burning gaze stayed locked on the road where the car had disappeared. His chest rose with a slow, furious breath.

“So that’s how you want to play it?” he muttered darkly.

He spun around, eyes blazing, making even the grown man in front of him take a step back.

“Dig her out. I don’t care if you have to pull her out of the goddamn underground,” he growled. “Find that fucking woman.”