Vespera walked to the edge of the large bed, stopping about three feet away. With genuine concern, she asked, “Mr. Reid, how is your injury?” She used a respectful title to show her respect for Dominic, who had saved her life. However, after she asked, her savior didn’t even acknowledge her presence. Vespera froze. There was nothing she could do but wait for him to speak.

Dominic kept his eyes on the book he was reading, his eyelashes lowered. From the moment she knocked to now, standing at his bedside, he hadn’t even glanced at her. About a minute passed. With slow, deliberate movements, his slender fingers turned a page. The motion was graceful.

“Ms. Dildon, don’t you think your concern comes a little too late?” It was a voice—vuler, cold, and detached—that drifted through the quiet room. Vespera’s smile, which had already stiffened, became even more strained. In her mind, she thought, “This isn’t good.”

She quickly came up with an explanation. “Actually, I’ve wanted to visit you sooner, but there were so many people coming to see you at the hospital. I didn’t want to barge in and cause any tumors, so I waited until you were discharged to come see you.”

“Rumors?” Dominic raised his deep-set eyes and looked at her, a hint of amusement in his gaze. “What makes you think that as soon as you appear, people would assume our relationship is anything other than professional?”

Vespera stood frozen, her face becoming stiff. His words were indirect, but she understood. He was mocking her for thinking too highly of herself, for believing she was so irresistible. In reality, she was nothing to him. He was telling her no one would think that way because he was someone she could never reach. Their social status was too different, and she wasn’t worthy. This was the same attitude he had when he coldly humiliated her at the golf course, insulting her for dressing seductively and warning her not to think her looks would impress him.

A cold silence fell. Her cheeks burned with humiliation, turning a deep red as if they were being scorched. “I…,” she stammered, feeling increasingly embarrassed and unable to respond. Her throat tightened painfully. “Sorry, I overthought it. I won’t think that way again.”

“I’m sorry to disturb you while you’re reading. I’ll leave now,” she muttered quickly. Vespera rushed out of the room, nearly tripping over her own feet and almost crashing into the doorframe. Dominic, still looking cold, watched her leave.

After a long pause, he closed the book and threw it aside, leaning back against the bed. He rubbed his temples, feeling an unusual mix of frustration and self-mockery as he closed his eyes. He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at himself. “What a cladish situation.”

Vespera walked out of the bedroom and headed toward the entrance. “You’re leaving already?” Hayloond said, appearing from the living room, clearly surprised. “Mr. Reid is reading, and I didn’t want to disturb him. I’ll head out now, Mr. Chandler,” Vespera said quickly. She tried to smile, but it was more of a grimace than anything else. Raymond didn’t stop her, just told her to come by again whenever she had time. Vespera rushed out. Raymond sighed.

Later, when Doguinte came out for dinner, Raymond was serving his soup, muttering under his breath as he did, “Her eyes were red when she left. She’s probably going to cry quietly when she gets home.” Dominic paused. He looked down and asked, “Are you talking about me?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Raymond replied, setting the soup down beside him. “But I don’t understand it. Mr. Reid, you took the knife for her, but you still let her leave like that, making her upset and sending her off crying.” Dominic was momentarily speechless. He picked up his spoon again, brought food to his mouth, but then he hesitated. He did this a few more times before finally asking, “Did she really cry?”

Hayibond responded, “Why don’t you go downstairs and check?” Dominic’s face remained expressionless. He stood up, leaving his food untouched. As he walked toward the bedroom, he muttered, “What’s the point of all this nagging?” Raymond couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. He thought, “How did this turn into him blaming me?”

Mechile, espers, sat on the couch, hugging a cushion, staring off into space. Her thoughts were clouded with everything that had happened.