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‘This woman is evil. Wasn’t stabbing the man enough? What kind of psychopath digs her fingers into a wound like that?’

‘Totally insane. She probably does this for fun. Arrest her already.’

‘She’s not even a doctor. Who let her stitch a guy up?’

‘That man could’ve died! Who does she think she is?’

‘What’s Bristen Hospital doing letting someone like that near patients? She and the hospital should be sued!’

Darren sat up and looked across the room at Krystal, who stood by the kitchen counter quietly, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"They’re all condemning you," he said, voice softer. "They think you risked a man's life. And now Bristen Hospital’s under fire too—because you’re not officially employed there."

Krystal bit her lip, worry flickering across her face. She looked down at her cup, her fingers tightening around it.

"It would’ve been fine if it was just about me," she murmured. "But this... it’s affecting Damion. Bristen didn’t do anything wrong. Why are they getting dragged into it?"

Darren leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Who do you think ordered that guy to attack you? You think it was Esther?"

Krystal walked over and sat beside him, the coffee untouched in her hands.

“I suspected her. But I didn’t think she’d go this far,” she admitted, eyes fixed on her drink.

"You want me to handle her?" Darren offered, his tone cold, ready.

Krystal shook her head. “There’s no solid proof. But she’s made her move now. It won’t be long before the truth comes out.”

***

"Mr. Moretti!"

Xander burst into the office. Lorenzo looked up from his desk, his jaw immediately tightening.

"It’s all over the internet, sir. About Mrs. Moretti."

Lorenzo’s eyes darkened. He shut the file in front of him with a loudsnap.

"Why the hell hasn’t this been dealt with yet? What’s that goddamn hospital doing letting people go after Krystal?”

Xander hesitated. “Some bystanders filmed the scene and posted it. And since you had the media blocked, people are saying she’s being protected because of her ‘powerful connections.’ They’re spinning it as a rich woman attacking an innocent man and getting away with it. The story’s going viral.”

Lorenzo slammed the file against the desk, rising to his full height with fury radiating off him. “So now they’re accusing her of everything under the sun?”

“Why don’t you go to the hospital?” Xander suggested gently. “Help Mrs. Moretti. She must be overwhelmed right now. She doesn’t have anyone standing by her.”

Lorenzo froze for a beat. His voice was low with anger. "If I go now, she’ll accuse me of meddling in her business again."

Xander nodded solemnly, but stayed put, arms crossed in front of him. Looking at the ceiling, he started counting in his head.

One… two… three…

Right on cue, Lorenzo shot back his chair and stood up, storming toward the door.

Xander grinned and followed without missing a beat.

The car raced through the streets toward Bristen Hospital. Half an hour later, it skidded to a stop outside the main entrance of Bristen Hospital.

Xander jumped out from the driver’s seat and quickly circled around to open the door for Lorenzo, but he was already stepping out. Lorenzo pulled his phone from his coat pocket and immediately dialled Krystal’s number.