Chapter 3

Early the next morning, Mark called me.

His voice was panicked: "Evelyn, a pipe burst in the master bathroom! The place is flooded—it’s completely unlivable."

"I already called a repair crew. I’ll stay here to supervise the work for a couple of days. Why don't you check into a hotel near the hospital?"

Holding the phone, I glanced at my iPad screen. The live security camera showed our pristine, bone-dry hardwood floors.

"Sure. I have several major surgeries lined up anyway, so a hotel nearby works out great," I answered smoothly.

After hanging up, I immediately called a private security specialist.

During the window when Mark left to pick up Chloe, I had four pinhole cameras installed in the penthouse.

Full coverage. Zero blind spots.

That night, from my hotel bed, I watched the live feed on my iPad.

Chloe was strutting around my living room wearing my pure silk robe.

She dipped into my jars of La Mer and sprayed my expensive niche perfume all over the room like air freshener.

"This old woman's stuff is just overpriced. Nothing special about it."

Mark emerged from the bathroom, grabbed her from behind, and they tumbled onto my imported Italian leather couch.

"Forget about her, baby. Once I secure her patents and bank accounts, this whole penthouse is yours."

I watched the screen coldly, capturing high-resolution clips of the key moments.

Enjoy it while it lasts. The higher you fly, the harder you'll hit the pavement.

The next day, back at the hospital.

I walked into the staff locker room to put on my white coat.

Chloe was standing by the mirror touching up her makeup, her locker door wide open.

Hanging inside were several skimpy pieces of lingerie—sheer lace, provocative cuts, black and red straps.

They looked outrageously out of place in a sterile hospital locker room.

Seeing me come in, she didn’t even bother to close the locker. Instead, she pushed her chest out.

"Dr. Cross, you’re always so stiff and boring."

Applying lipstick, she smirked at my reflection in the mirror. "Men like women who are soft and pliable. No wonder Mark told me sleeping with you feels like lying next to a corpse."

"He said being with you does absolutely nothing for him."

She let out a cruel little laugh, her eyes dripping with malice.

I happened to be holding a freshly bought iced Americano.

Extra ice, no sugar.

I walked right up to her, staring down at her smug little face.

Then, I flicked my wrist.

The entire cup of freezing black coffee splashed straight over her brand-new white lace dress.

Dark brown liquid soaked through her chest, dripping down her collarbone as ice cubes pelted her skin.

"Aaaahhh!"

Chloe shrieked like a slaughtered pig, jumping back in horror.

"Evelyn! Have you lost your mind?!"

I tossed the empty cup into the trash bin and pulled out a wet wipe to clean my hands.

"So, are you awake now?"

"This is a hospital. We save lives here. It’s not a brothel for you to parade your cheap tricks."

"If you want to sell yourself, go back to the red-light district where you belong."

Chloe shook with pure rage, tears instantly welling in her eyes.

"How dare you insult me! I’m reporting you for harassment!"

The commotion drew a crowd of medical staff to the doorway.

Just then, Mark happened to be dropping off vendor contracts. Hearing the scream, he barged in.

Seeing Chloe drenched and weeping like a broken doll, fury blinded him.

"Evelyn! What the hell are you doing?!"

Without asking a single question, he charged forward and shoved me hard.

I didn't expect him to attack me in public. My heel slipped, and my lower back slammed violently against the metal locker edge.

A sharp, blinding pain shot up my spine, making me gasp for breath.

Mark pointed a shaking finger at my face, shouting, "Are you going through menopause or something?! Picking on a young intern?!"

"Chloe is delicate! How could you be so cruel?!"

He ripped off his coat, draped it over Chloe's shivering shoulders, and wrapped her in his arms.

Whispers broke out among the surrounding colleagues.

"Dr. Cross is usually so composed... why would she get physical?"

"Yeah, that poor girl looks terrified."

Chloe buried her face in Mark’s chest, sobbing harder. "I just wanted to say good morning to Dr. Cross... and then she..."

Public opinion was already tilting against me.

Gripping the locker handle, I forced myself upright despite the throbbing pain in my spine. I stared down at the two miserable snakes.

Mark, that push just destroyed your last chance at survival.