Chapter 156
Paisley ignored Max's pained expression, her focus solely on the needle piercing his calf. "How'd your leg end up like this?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
A faint prick, a welcome change from the usual bone-deep ache, registered. "Chilled it years ago," he said lightly, watching her work. A strange sense of trust bloomed unexpectedly.
Paisley scoffed. "Chilled? This isn't a simple chill; it's severe damage. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold, maybe immersion in ice water." She considered an underlying condition, but dismissed it; she wasn't examining strangers.
Rolling up his other pant leg, she saw a pinky-finger-thick scar running from knee to calf. Her eyes widened. "You've been injured?" His earlier limp made sense now; this leg was far worse. "You've been hurt!"
His pain eased, sweat beading on his forehead. "Small injury, years ago." Paisley didn't press. He seemed far older than his years.
Finishing, Paisley stood, stamping her numb feet. "This is serious. Stay still for forty minutes." Relief washed over her; her car hadn't hit him.
"Thank you," he said calmly.
A commotion erupted. Urgent ringing, shouts of "Max! Are you in there?!"
Maria rushed in, Serena cradled in her arms. "Paisley, who's that?"
"My men," Max said calmly.
Paisley wasn't scared; this was a lawful society. Still, caution dictated sending Maria and Serena inside. She opened the gate to several men in suits, umbrellas held professionally.
As they entered, Max stopped them. "Leo, come in. The others wait outside." To Paisley, he apologized, "Sorry, they worry."
Leo, discarding his umbrella, rushed to Max. "Max, are you alright?"
Max shook his head. "I'm fine. This lady helped me, treated my leg." Leo saw the needles. His face hardened. "Max! You let a stranger treat you? Famous doctors couldn't help, and she's just—"
He glared at Paisley. "Who sent you to harm Max?" He'd seen the park surveillance; her car hitting Max, her taking him home. The thought of what might have happened had he been later chilled him.