"Don't worry, sister. From now on, you won't have anything for me to take," Larica declared with a smug smirk. Lucille paid little attention to her words, recognizing that Larica was referring to the fact that Lucille would soon be leaving the house she had shared with Lucas after the divorce. It no longer mattered to Lucille what her sister thought she could gain.

Despite the anger that had welled inside her earlier, seeing Larica's victorious smile oddly gave Lucille a sense of relief. She had successfully fulfilled Larica's demands over the years, and now, she no longer felt obligated to her sister after all this time. The decision to divorce Lucas didn't frighten her. Lucille knew she could support herself.

The weight of the past incident still burdened her, but Lucille believed that she had paid enough for her failure to protect her sister. She looked directly at Larica, who had a cunning smirk and reminded her, "Don't forget what we agreed upon. I hope you follow through with your words." The folder and pen in Lucille's hands felt heavy, but she knew she had to go through with it.

With trembling fingers, Lucille signed her name on the divorce agreement. She didn't allow her sister to witness any weakness, swiftly throwing the documents toward Larica. Walking out of the room, Lucille held her head high, refusing to falter even when she faced her now ex-husband, Lucas. He seemed uneasy, and Lucille felt suffocated, but she maintained her composure.

"I have signed the agreement. I hope you treat my sister well in the future," Lucille stated coldly. "Don't betray her as you did to me," she added before walking past Lucas without looking back.

Lucille appeared unfazed by the turn of events. There were no tears or traces of sadness in her eyes. It made one wonder if her love and care for Lucas during their marriage had been genuine or if she had been putting on an act all along. Could it be that Lucille had only pretended to care?

Lucas felt a pang of bewilderment as he watched her departing figure. His mother had prepared the divorce agreement without including any provisions for Lucille's entitlement to their property. He had anticipated Lucille would cry and plead with him not to let her go, but he never expected her to give up so easily.

A sense of guilt crept into Lucas' conscience as he clenched his fists, struggling to find the right words. "Lu... Lucy," he stammered, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Lucille held back the tears that threatened to escape and took a deep breath. Slowly, she turned around, her expression devoid of any emotion. When their eyes met, Lucille addressed him with a neutral tone devoid of lingering sentiment.

"Is there anything else you need, Mr. Reed?" she asked, maintaining her composure even in the face of their crumbling relationship.

Lucas felt uneasy witnessing the rapid change in the person who had cared for him in the past three years. It was as if he was facing a completely different person. However, he couldn't find a reason to argue against it. After all, they were on the brink of divorce, and there seemed to be no room for negotiation.

As he averted his gaze, Lucas made an offer, his voice filled with hesitation. "How many properties do you want? I-I can give them to you privately...."

Lucille nearly burst into laughter at his stammering and the absurdity of his offer. How could a well-known filial son in Asheville provide her with anything? His mother managed his entire financial affairs, and he couldn't even give her a penny without seeking his mother's approval. In reality, Lucille had to provide for herself. Now he was asking what she wanted in terms of alimony. She couldn't help but wonder how he intended to fulfill that request.

Lucas may now be the President of Reed Corp, but his private funds couldn't possibly support a quarter of the city's economic growth.

"How much are you prepared to give me, Mr. Reed?" Lucille blurted out with a bright smile, stunning Lucas.

The genuine warmth in Lucille's expression intensified Lucas' guilt, causing him to inadvertently add more zeros to his offer than he had intended. Her face betrayed no trace of anger or sadness. It was as if she was merely conversing with a friend.

"Fifty million," he finally uttered.

Lucille was taken aback upon hearing his offer. She believed Lucas could provide her with around a million from his private funds. However, she never anticipated that he would go the extra mile and offer such a substantial amount of money.

Just a few steps away, Larica had emerged, wondering why Lucas was taking so long. Overhearing his offer, she grew infuriated. She glared at Lucille with crossed arms, although Lucas remained oblivious to her reaction.

Larica approached Lucas, sensually taking his hand in hers. "Let me handle this," she pleaded, pouting and feigning tears.

As Lucas nodded, Larica wiped away her imaginary tears and stepped towards Lucille. "Lucille, I know you've always considered money to be worth less than dirt, and accepting it would undoubtedly humiliate you, but...." she started, attempting to convince her sister to decline the offer.

Larica sobbed, her voice filled with desperation. "Please, accept this money. Lucas and I are truly sorry for what happened. If you take it, it will bring peace to our hearts."

Once again, Lucas fell for Larica's act of selling misery. He found it heartwarming to see Larica embracing Lucille, convinced that his beloved Rica genuinely felt remorse for her sister. Unbeknownst to him, Larica's expression turned ugly as she whispered under her breath, "Don't you dare accept that money, Lucy."

Lucille gently broke away from Larica's embrace and locked eyes with her sister. Larica sensed that Lucille had already decided and confidently expected her to decline the offer.

"Since accepting the money will bring peace to your heart, who am I to refuse?" Lucille said with a genuine smile, cupping Larica's cheek. She then turned her attention to Lucas. "Mr. Reed, would you prefer to transfer the money directly to my account or provide me with a check?"

Lucille couldn't hide her satisfaction upon seeing the bitter expression on Larica's face. Lucille stood her ground and resisted Larica's demands for the first time in ten years. Larica seethed and badly wanted to grab Lucille's hair and yank it until she went bald, but she knew she couldn't do it with Lucas around.

The thought of losing fifty million dollars made Larica feel sick. Her stomach cramped, and she fell forward.

"Rica!" Lucas exclaimed, concerned for her well-being.

Fortunately, Lucille caught Larica before she hit the floor, whispering in her ear, "I already told you I will never let you steal from me again."

Larica shot Lucille a murderous glare and clenched her arm tightly before losing consciousness.

"It seems more than just normal stomach pain. It could be gastroenteritis. It would be best if you took her to the hospital right away," Lucille urged with a hint of urgency. However, Lucas just stood there, seemingly at a loss.

"Aren't you a doctor? Why don't you examine her?" he asked.

Lucille rolled her eyes before responding, "I'm a surgeon, not a physician. As for the money, transfer it to my account when you can. I'll send you my card number."

She glanced at Larica once more and added, "Hurry up. If you delay, it could become life-threatening."

Larica's pale complexion finally convinced Lucas that Lucille wasn't exaggerating, and he immediately scooped Larica into his arms and rushed out, heading for the hospital.

Left alone at last, Lucille's carefully constructed facade crumbled, and she collapsed to her knees. Suppressing her emotions had taken an immense toll on her, but she couldn't let them see her pain. She had to pretend it didn't matter, so they wouldn't derive satisfaction from hurting her.

Deep down, Lucille had truly loved Lucas and had invested herself in their three-year marriage, striving for harmony. Yet, he betrayed her by sleeping with her sister behind her back. Worse, their marriage was a sham, and he called her a dirty slut.

Throughout her life, Lucille had grown accustomed to putting on a tough front, facing her battles alone without anyone extending a helping hand. Now, in the eerie silence of the corridor, she could hear her heart pounding painfully in her chest. The weight of it all suffocated her, and she wept in solitude.

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through the back of her head, reminding her of the earlier injury she had sustained. She reached up to touch the area and found blood on her fingertips, a physical manifestation of her defeat.

Just then, her phone rang from her pocket, and the timing couldn't have been worse.

"The most romantic thing I can think of is growing old with you…."

Was the universe taunting her with the lyrics from a random song, mocking her in this moment of despair?

Lucille knew she had to maintain her composure despite the flood of emotions. As a doctor, she had been trained to remain rational in the face of adversity. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her thoughts aside and swiped to answer the call.

"Oh, thank goodness you picked up, Doctor! Do you remember the patient you treated earlier? He's scheduled for surgery today, and he specifically requested your presence in the operating room," the caller rushed to explain before letting out a sigh.

"We informed him that you had taken leave, but he insisted—"

Lucille interrupted, her professional instincts kicking in. "It's alright. I'll be there soon!"

After ending the call, Lucille hurriedly straightened her clothes. Despite her chest's heaviness and swollen eyes from crying, she knew she had to push through. The operation would last several hours, and she hadn't had anything to eat. She quickly dialed the coffee shop next to the hospital where she worked, requesting a cheesecake and coffee to be prepared.

Getting into her car, Lucille drove towards the hospital, trying to clear her mind of the recent events. Upon arrival, she quickly stopped at the coffee shop, paying for her order before heading towards the hospital's basement parking lot.

With the cheesecake in hand and the warm coffee cup in the other, Lucille began munching on the sweet treat as she walked, her phone still clutched. Just as she was about twelve feet from the elevator, a tall man stepped inside and pressed the close button.

Realizing she was in a hurry for the operation, Lucille called out desperately, "Sir! Excuse me. Please wait a minute!"

Thankfully, the elevator doors reopened before fully closing, and Lucille sighed as she hurriedly stepped inside. However, in her haste, her foot caught on the entrance, causing her to stumble forward.

Time seemed to slow down as Lucille desperately tried to regain her balance. The coffee cup in her hand floated in the air, its contents spilling onto the man's crotch.

Gasping in horror, Lucille instinctively acted, reaching for a tissue from the bakery bag to wipe the affected area. She was grateful that the coffee hadn't been scalding hot, but the embarrassment and guilt flooded over her.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" Lucille repeatedly apologized, her voice filled with genuine remorse as she continued to dab at the stains.

The repetitive act of apologizing disgusted her at that moment. Throughout her life, she always immediately apologized for any wrongdoing, fearing severe consequences. Perhaps this ingrained habit allowed people, especially her own family, to trample over her. Lucille resolved to change this pattern for her well-being.

Meanwhile, consumed by her task of drying the stains, Lucille failed to notice the man's intense gaze. When she finally looked up to meet his eyes, time seemed to freeze. His strikingly handsome features swept her off her feet for the second time that day. She was rendered speechless, captivated by the depth of his gaze.

Since meeting Lucas, Lucille had believed he was the most handsome man she would ever encounter in her lifetime. But standing before her now, this man eclipsed Lucas entirely.

Radiating an air of cold confidence and arrogance, he possessed the visage of a Greek sculpture crafted by the gods. His deep, dark eyes, calm and mysterious, held a dangerous and untamed allure, stirring a feeling within Lucille that defied description.

'Sexy,' she thought, her mind momentarily consumed by her undeniable attraction towards this enigmatic stranger.

Lucille's prolonged gaze into his eyes had caused her to forget their compromising position inside the elevator. She was all too aware of the potential scandal it would become if any of her colleagues caught wind of the situation. She couldn't afford such notoriety as a respected surgeon at the hospital.

Reality abruptly jolted her back to the present, and she realized the awkwardness of their circumstances. Embarrassment flooded her, not just for the inconvenience she had caused but for preserving her dignity.

Clearing her throat, Lucille mustered the courage to speak. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to cause any harm. I was in a hurry and..." Her attempt to explain was cut short as she slipped on the still-wet floor, ending up back on her knees before the mysterious man. In her unsteady state, her arms unintentionally reached out, clinging to his thigh, while her head ended up perilously close to a rather compromising area.

At that precise moment, the elevator doors opened, and a man walked in. It was Kevin, a colleague of Lucille's.

"Sir Moore, Miss Ward, she..." Kevin's voice trailed off as his eyes widened, taking in the scene before him. His mouth gaped open in surprise, his gaze shifting from the woman on the floor to the stain on his boss's trousers and finally settling on his boss's face.

Sir Henry Moore, typically noble, solemn, and seemingly untouchable, now appeared furious, as if Kevin had interrupted something of great significance. Or at least, that was how Kevin imagined it.

"Oh! I didn't see anything. You can continue!" Kevin blurted out, quickly turning around to hide his concealed delight.

Coughing awkwardly, he pretended to have seen nothing, eager to give his boss some privacy.

His boss, Henry Moore, had always been a paragon of virtue, rarely seen in the company of women. Now, it seemed he had finally discovered some form of enlightenment. Who was Kevin to deny him that?

'But isn't it a bit too wild to engage in such activities in the hospital elevator?' Kevin pondered, stroking his chin thoughtfully, his mind swirling with curiosity.

His boss turned out to have the sultry and vulgar type. Kevin wondered how his boss managed to hide his preferences from him despite being together most of the time.

Meanwhile, Lucille desperately wished for the elevator floor to magically give way and whisk her out of the awkward situation. Gathering her composure, she quickly rose to her feet and nervously handed Kevin her business card.

"I assumed you were his secretary. Here's my card. I'm Lucille Powell, and I work here. I'm on my way to the operating room, so I'm in quite a hurry. I would be more than willing to cover the cost of the damage. Please leave your bank card number at the information desk, and I will wire you the money once I'm free," she blurted out, the words tumbling out in a rush as the elevator doors opened, revealing her floor just in the nick of time.

Without waiting for a response or daring to glance back, Lucille nodded hastily and briskly walked out of the elevator. She knew the man's eyes were fixed upon her, but time was of the essence, and she had no room for further embarrassment.

'What has gotten into you today?' she scolded herself inwardly, criticizing her clumsiness.

Kevin stole a glance at his boss, taking note of the intensity with which Henry stared at Lucille. There was something undeniably amusing about the entire situation. Suppressing a chuckle, Kevin couldn't help but find humor in the way Henry looked at that moment.

"Sir, should I arrange for a spare..." Kevin began, only to be swiftly interrupted by Henry Moore.

"I'm fine. Go and gather information about that woman," Henry instructed, glancing down at the coffee stains on his trousers.

Kevin's excitement grew as they exited the elevator and made their way to the VIP ward.

Rumors of Henry's sexuality had circulated for years, and seeing him in the presence of a woman now piqued Kevin's curiosity to new heights.

Could it be that his boss had finally been interested in the fairer sex?

The mere thought brought Kevin a mischievous smile, earning him a puzzled squint from Henry as they walked on.

Meanwhile, Lucille sighed in relief, grateful that the mysterious man from the elevator hadn't followed her. Collecting herself, she took a deep breath and swiftly changed into scrubs and a white coat in the changing room. Stepping out, she inadvertently collided with Nurse Cindy, who seemed quite flustered.

"What's going on? Are you in a rush?" Lucille furrowed her brow, observing Cindy's anxious expression.

"I'm so glad you're here!" Cindy exclaimed, clutching her clipboard tightly. "If you hadn't shown up, that patient would have caused a scene on the operating table, no doubt." She rolled her eyes, clearly frustrated by the situation.

Offering a reassuring pat on Cindy's shoulder, Lucille smiled and headed toward the patient's ward. She could hear the patient's distressed cries as soon as she entered. Cindy had been right—this patient was proving to be quite difficult for the nursing staff. Letting out a soft sigh, Lucille approached with a gentle demeanor. She greeted the patient and tenderly wiped away his tears.

A smile immediately brightened the elderly patient's face upon seeing Lucille, but he voiced his complaint, "I don't want an injection."

"Don't worry. The anesthesia will help you not to feel any pain. Please cooperate with us, okay?" Lucille coaxed him. Her voice filled with reassurance. After some time and a patient explanation, he finally relented, and the nurses quickly prepared to transport him to the operating room.

Ethan, the doctor overseeing the operation, approached Lucille with a warm smile, praising her skills. "You're truly exceptional at dealing with patients."

Shaking her head modestly, Lucille waved her hand dismissively. "I'm not that extraordinary. It's just that patients trust me."

"Let's begin the operation, shall we?" she said, her smile unwavering as she followed the team. With everyone prepared and adequately sanitized, they administered anesthesia to the patient and initiated the surgical procedure. Lucille took charge of the surgical tray, ensuring the instruments were for Ethan.

Although Lucille had already become a skilled surgeon, she recognized the importance of continuously learning from her experienced colleagues. While she had performed numerous minor surgeries, leading a complex brain surgery was still a challenge she aspired to attain. During her residency at the hospital, she frequently collaborated with Ethan, a renowned neurosurgeon and the head doctor. Their professional relationship had developed into a seamless understanding, making their collaboration effortless.

Observing Lucille's pale complexion, Ethan couldn't help but furrow his brows, concern evident in his eyes. "Are you feeling unwell? Your face appears pale. Since the patient is under anesthesia, you can take a break and rest."

Caught off guard, Lucille stared blankly for a moment before responding, "No, I'm fine. Let's proceed."

Meanwhile, inside the VIP ward, a beautiful patient sat on the hospital bed, her brows furrowed in frustration. With a furious glare, she ignored the food served to her by the man standing before her.

"Do you think I won't inform Henry that you're neglecting your duties, Kevin? You have no concern for me, do you?" Iris shouted, but Kevin remained silent.

"Why hasn't Henry arrived yet? Answer me!" She seethed, but her words were brushed aside as Kevin maintained his silence. Taking a deep breath, she growled, "Once I marry Henry, firing you will be the first thing I do!"

"Miss-" Kevin attempted to respond, but his words were stifled when someone interrupted him.

"Whom do you wish to terminate?" A cold voice resonated, causing both Kevin and Iris to freeze in their positions. They turned their heads to find Henry entering the ward.

Henry strode in, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He exuded casual elegance, wearing a white shirt and black pants. Unlike his usual imposing presence, he seemed unthreatening, yet every movement carried an undercurrent of awe-inspiring majesty.

His eyes, devoid of emotional fluctuations, held a depth as impenetrable as the ocean's abyss. No one could decipher what thoughts resided within him.

"Who offended you, Miss Ward?" Henry raised an eyebrow.

"Henry!" Iris cooed, her initial anger dissolving into a bashful smile upon seeing him. "With your protection, no one dares to cross me."

As Iris spoke, she cast dagger-like glares at Kevin, but her expression softened when she faced Henry. "I'm still unfamiliar with the script I received, so I'm practicing my lines."

"I warned you that acting is challenging, but you didn't listen. Now, you've injured your legs because of it. If your grandparents find out, I'm sure they'll forbid you from pursuing acting again," Henry stated flatly, his words striking a chord of fear within Iris.

Anxiously, she reached for his hand and squeezed it. "No, please! Don't let them know. I love acting, and I don't know what I would do if I had to quit. It's the only passion I have..."

Iris thrived on attention, and acting was her avenue to showcase her beauty. Moreover, being supported by the influential Moore family provided her with a shield against any trouble in the entertainment industry. Although she entered through privileged means, she took pride in her craft. Within two years, she had risen from an inexperienced newcomer to an A-list celebrity, leveraging her connections. Still in the prime of her life, the thought of retiring prematurely felt like a waste of all her efforts.

As an actress, Iris could effortlessly conjure tears. She gazed at Henry with a tearful expression, blinking her sorrowful eyes.

Observing her display, Henry sighed, gently retracting his hand and offering reassurance. "Don't worry. I won't tell them. Come on, have something to eat."

A sense of loss began to creep over Iris as she realized Henry was setting a boundary. She bit her lip, suppressing her emotions. After all her efforts, she couldn't afford to let that line come between them. A coy smile flickered across her lips, and she murmured, "I know you always treat me the best!"

Yet, her attempts to sway him always fell flat. Henry didn't respond and simply gestured for her to eat. Once they finished their meal, he glanced at his watch and prepared to leave.

Just as he was about to depart, Iris grabbed his hand. "Can you stay with me tonight? It's dreadful to be alone here, and I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep."

"I still have something to attend to," Henry promptly refused without a second thought.

Upon hearing his words, tears welled up in Iris' eyes. She gazed at him with wide, teary eyes, her trembling lashes giving away her emotions.

Impatience crept into Henry's heart, yet he managed to maintain composure and nodded. He settled himself on the couch, eliciting a sense of happiness from Iris. She reclined back and closed her eyes, eventually succumbing to a deep sleep.

The moment Iris drifted off, Henry stood up and glanced at Kevin before striding out of the ward. Kevin stole a final look at Iris before following in his footsteps.

Meanwhile, a grueling four-hour surgery had finally concluded inside the operating room.

"The operation was a success," Ethan announced with a relieved smile that reverberated throughout the medical team. They carefully transferred the patient to a stretcher bed, and the nurses swiftly wheeled him out of the operating room en route to his designated ward.

Taking a deep breath, Lucille gingerly massaged her head. Dizziness overwhelmed her, and her temples throbbed with piercing pain. Someone beat her to it just as she was about to remove her surgical cap.

"What happened, Lucy? Did someone harm you?" Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he noticed the dried bloodstain on the back of her neck, large enough to indicate a significant wound.

His question brought back the events from earlier, and a mixture of complex emotions flickered in Lucille's eyes, which glistened momentarily with unshed tears. However, she swiftly regained her composure.

Smiling calmly, she replied placidly, "No one has hit me, Ethan. It was just an accidental injury."

As a colleague who had worked alongside Lucille for many years, Ethan couldn't help but sense that something was amiss. Yet, he wouldn't push her to share it if she didn't wish to.

Taking a deep breath, he expressed his helplessness, "I'll help you clean and disinfect it."

Lucille nodded, and together they made their way to the nurse station. Ethan carefully cleaned and bandaged her wound. Just as they were about to leave the station, their path was blocked by four men donning police uniforms.

"Excuse me, we're looking for Ms. Lucille Powell. Does she work here?" one of them inquired.

Lucille froze, confused and nervous, enveloping her upon hearing her name. A sense of foreboding settled in as if she could anticipate the intent behind their presence.