Chapter 173

Luna paused, hand outstretched to grab her report, feeling an unsettling sense of intrusion. “He’s just a doctor. Why does he have to meddle so much?” she thought. She kept the remark to herself, knowing it would only spark another argument.

Charles, meanwhile, was busy typing on his keyboard, and he spoke without looking up. “I’m prescribing you a new medication. Take it on schedule, and stick to the usual regular sleep, a proper diet, or else…” He paused, turned back to look at her, and continued, “Or else you’ll need surgery. Your choice.”

Charles wasn’t about to hide the truth from Luna. She had the right to know the stakes.

Luna, however, remained nonchalant. Handing the report to Jessica, she replied with feigned compliance, “Alright, I’ll be sure to follow through.” “Every day I’m alive is a day gained. If not, then death it is. No big deal,” she thought. Death didn’t faze her in the slightest. If it weren’t for Jessica’s insistence, Luna wouldn’t have come to the hospital at all.

Charles could immediately detect Luna’s lack of interest, and he felt a bit angry. Stopping his work, he turned his gaze on her. “If you keep this attitude, then I’ll have to reach out to Ms. Stout and ask her to keep you in check.” Charles knew they were best friends. Recently, he’d also discovered that Isabella was Dr. Lovett. However, from the way Luna was acting, it was clear she hadn’t told Isabella about her condition. If she hadn’t shared it with Isabella, there was only one explanation. She didn’t want Isabella to know. Since that was the case, Charles had no choice but to use it as leverage.

Luna, who’d been scrolling on her phone, froze. She shot him a piercing look. “I dare you to try saying a single word to her?” Charles might be her doctor, and she was willing to accept his advice, but she wasn’t about to tolerate threats. The anger was rising in her eyes, and she would be seconds away from springing out of her chair to confront him if Charles said even the wrong…

Sensing the brewing storm, Jessica quickly stepped forward, laughing nervously to defuse the situation. “Thank you, Dr. Kessler. Luna will absolutely follow your instructions.” Something’s more important than your health. If you… Jessica tugged on Luna’s sleeve, her face contorting in desperation, and whispered, “Luna, please, don’t keep this up, Mr. Yarnell might actually order you to stop working and rest at home.”

Luna hesitated. Jared Yarnell was one of the few people who could rein her in. If he decided to put her on forced leave, she’d lose even the smallest chance of distracting herself with work.

Charles glared at her. “This is ridiculous.” He’d never encountered anyone as stubborn as her. “If she doesn’t even care about her own life, why should I?” Charles thought to himself. But the sight of her throwing her health away infuriated him.

Luna took a couple of deep breaths, coaching herself. “Stay calm… stay calm. I won’t let Charles get to me,” she wondered. Swallowing her frustration, she softened her tone. “Dr. Kessler, could you please just give me the medical instructions? I’ll follow them.”

Charles was also simmering but said nothing more as he finalized her medical orders. When Charles set the printed instructions in front of her, Luna snatched them up, standing to face him one last time. “Goodbye, and I mean it, hopefully for good this time.”

Chapter 173

If there ever was a next time, Luna was determined to give Charles a piece of her mind. With a defiant flick of her sunglasses, Luna strode out, blocking out anyone and anything. By then, security had cleared Luna’s frenzied fans from the patient entrance, leaving only a few patients in the waiting area. Only then did Luna feel a slight sense of relief.

Jessica watched as Luna stormed off in a huff, then turned back to Charles, giving him an apologetic look. “Dr. Kessler, Luna is really kindhearted. She’s just in a bad mood today. Please don’t take it personally?”

Jessica was genuinely worried Luna had crossed the line with Charles. After all, he was one of the top cardiac surgeons, and Luna’s health still depended on him.

Charles waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. Go take care of her, and make sure her meals are a bit lighter.”

Jessica bowed deeply. “Thank you, Dr. Kessler.” With that, Jessica turned and went after Luna.

Ten minutes later, in the hospital parking garage, Luna and Jessica had just stepped out of the elevator when they spotted a small crowd gathered by their car in the distance. “Oh my god,” Luna wondered. “No wonder no one was outside the clinic. They are all waiting here!”

Almost in sync, the two turned right back into the elevator, with Luna frantically pressing the “Close Door” button. As the doors finally shut, leaving the fans none the wiser, both women let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Jessica turned to Luna, concern in her eyes. “Luna, what are we going to do? The main entrance is probably packed too. It looked like it was going to be hard to leave the hospital today.” Before Luna could respond, Jessica added, “It’s almost Dr. Kessler’s off-hours. Maybe I could call him and ask if he’d give us a lift?”

It seemed like the only practical solution. But after their earlier spat, Jessica couldn’t help but feel a little hesitant. Luna’s face darkened as she flatly refused. “No way,” she said firmly. “We have just clashed, and now I would be asking him for a favor! No! It’s too embarrassing,” Luna wondered.

Just then, the elevator reached the ground floor, and the doors opened again. A few fans, spotting them from a distance, started yelling. “There she is! It’s Luna!” Within seconds, a small group was rushing toward them.

Luna quickly hit the Close Door button again, barely shutting the doors in time as a crowd of fans rushed over. Luna clutched her chest, feeling her heart racing. One more scare like that and she’d be done for.

Jessica, however, was smirking at her, amused. “So, are we calling Dr. Kessler?” she teased.

Luna took a deep breath and, through gritted teeth, said, “Yes.” “Fine. Desperate times call for desperate measures,” she thought to herself, letting go of her pride.

Jessica chuckled. “On it.” She whipped out her phone and dialed without hesitation.

Chapter 178

Luna cleared her throat softly. Charles paused, but then replied, “Yes, just about to finish up.” At that moment, the elevator stopped at the fourth floor. Worried that it might open again on the first floor, Luna tugged Jessica out of the elevator, leading them to the restroom nearby. Jessica explained their predicament to Charles. “Dr. Kessler, our car is swarmed by fans, and we’re stuck. Would it be possible for you to give us a lift out of here!”

Charles didn’t need much imagination to picture the look on Luna’s face at that moment. A smirk spread across his lips as he replied with a mischievous lilt, “Of course. Where are you? I’ll be right over.” He was curious to see how that once proud woman…

Jessica told him their location, then hung up. Charles pocketed his phone and strode toward them with quick, purposeful steps. To the left of the restroom door was an area leading to the hallway, with a floor-to-ceiling window where Luna and Jessica were standing. Charles, now in a casual suit, stood in front of Luna, arms crossed, with a cheeky smile as he looked at her and said, “Were we supposed to never meet again? I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”