Aydan's breathing came hard and uneven, his logic and ego clashing violently inside his head.

At last, he shut his eyes, and when they opened again, the fury had been dragged down by sheer force of will.

"Your terms." He forced the words out between clenched teeth. "What do you want in exchange for treating me and keeping this buried for good?"

The impatience on Ximena's face vanished, replaced by sudden brightness.

She looked at him as though he were no longer merely a patient, but something far more profitable.

She moved back to her chair at once, folding her hands atop the desk, slipping neatly into the posture of a negotiator. "First, my time is extraordinarily precious. Private sessions will eat into my research hours, so my charges won't be modest."

Aydan's expression didn't change. "Say the number."

"Second, because of who you are, safeguarding your privacy puts added pressure and risk on me, which calls for further compensation."

Aydan's mouth twisted into a cold, derisive smile. "Spare me the buildup."

"The thing is…" Ximena leaned in slightly, her gaze gleaming. "My research team is currently underfunded—we're short by roughly… eighty million."

For a moment, Aydan questioned whether his ears had betrayed him.

He had dealt with blackmailers and outrageous demands before, but never one delivered with such polish and solemnity.

"Eighty million? Dr. Hayes, you've got some audacity asking for that much."

"Mr. Dixon, you're mistaken." Ximena met his probing stare calmly. "That figure covers my research funding, every future private treatment you'll need, and my lifelong commitment to confidentiality. A single, all-inclusive arrangement, no follow-up charges down the line. From a business standpoint, you should recognize how favorable that is."

She looked up at him, and then continued, "Naturally, you're free to decline and visit Dr. Barnes tomorrow or consult someone else. But remember, the wider a secret spreads, the harder it is to contain. Your name—and Dixon Group's share value—are certainly worth more than eighty million."

Aydan stared at her, his eyes burning.

She had struck exactly where it hurt the most.

After a prolonged silence, he finally said a single word, "Agreed."

"But…" He stepped closer, his commanding presence closing in on her again, "if I discover even the smallest leak from you—"

"Mr. Dixon, you may doubt my personality, but not my professional integrity." Ximena cut him off, already pulling out her phone and opening her notes app. "To protect both sides, I'll prepare a medical service contract and research donation agreement right away. Please give me your email address and your lawyer's contact details, and I'll forward the draft."

Watching her switch entirely into business mode made irritation coil in Aydan's chest.

In the end, he recited an email address and phone number, his face dark.

"Perfect." Ximena wrote them down swiftly, and then lifted her head with a practiced smile. "Now, Mr. Dixon, you may open the door. I need to get home."

Her clear eagerness to leave tightened his chest all over again.

Without a word, he turned and pulled the door open.

Outside, Colby was pacing restlessly. The moment the door swung wide, he hurried over. "Mr. Dixon, you—"

He stopped short as his employer, scowling, brushed past him like a sudden storm, heading straight for the elevator without sparing a glance.

Colby stood rooted in place, peeking into the room.

The strikingly beautiful doctor was calmly packing up her belongings, a faint trace of satisfaction on her face.

Colby was utterly baffled.

What in the world had happened in that room during the last hour?

Ximena slung her bag over her shoulder and softly hummed to herself as she stepped out of the hospital, her whole body lighter than it had felt in ages.

Eighty million!

The funding nightmare that had plagued her and her mentor for more than half a year had finally been settled, and in the most unbelievable way possible.

Even though Aydan was notorious for his permanent scowl and volatile temper, he had become her benefactor, and at that moment she honestly thought he might as well have descended from heaven.

While she was mulling over how to break the great news to her mentor, her phone buzzed in her hand.

The instant she saw the caller ID, the smile on Ximena's lips stiffened and vanished.

She drew in a steadying breath, mentally preparing for a confrontation she knew would be unpleasant, and then accepted the call. "Hello, Grandma…"

"Ximena!" The voice on the other end crackled with sharp energy and fury. "Do you have any idea what time it is? How can a young woman like you be out so late every single night?! Come home immediately!"

Before Ximena could get a single word in, the line went dead.

She stared at the black screen and let out a weary sigh.

Tonight, it seemed, was destined to be another exhausting showdown.

Thirty minutes later, the taxi pulled up in front of the Hayes Mansion, nestled in Osebury's well-known old-town enclave for the wealthy.

Ximena passed through the iron gates, crossed the manicured lawn, and walked straight toward the brilliantly illuminated main house.

The moment she stepped inside, an oppressive tension settled over her.

Directly opposite the entrance, an elderly woman sat upright in a chair, her presence imposing.

Her snow-white hair was arranged with flawless precision; she was Laura Hayes, the unquestioned ruler of the Hayes household.

"Grandma, I'm home." Ximena walked over with a gentle, ingratiating smile.

Laura didn't bother to raise her eyes, only letting out a low snort as she struck the floor with her cane.

"Stand properly."

The smile on Ximena's face faltered, yet she straightened and remained where she was.

"Do you have even a shred of respect left for me as your grandmother? Do you still remember the decorum expected of a member of the Hayes family?" Laura asked, her tone even but heavy with authority.

"Grandma, I was filling in for a coworker today, so I—"

"I'm not interested in your excuses!" Laura cut in coldly. "Answer me this instead—do you even know how old you are now?"

"I'm twenty-five."

"Twenty-five! You're no longer a child, yet you spend your days dodging respectable pursuits and keeping company with men. Have you ever spared a thought for the Hayes family's reputation?" Laura's irritation mounted with every word. "Our family has run businesses for generations, and I already indulged your father when he insisted on becoming a doctor. But you? You didn't just follow his path, you went further, choosing to specialize in… andrology! Are you determined to turn us into a public joke?"

Laura launched into it yet again.

Ximena lowered her head, silently rolling her eyes.

She had listened to this exact lecture countless times ever since she declared her major in med school.

She was just about to say something soothing and steer things away as she always did, when, unexpectedly, her parents—who had been sitting quietly on the sofa nearby—spoke up.

"Ximena, your grandmother is only thinking of what's best for you." It was her mother, Eva Hayes, who spoke.

She gazed at her daughter with evident concern. "You really are getting older; it's time you started thinking about dating."

Ximena stared at her mother, stunned.

These were the same parents who had once stood against the entire family to pursue medicine and marry for love.

Their example had been the very reason Ximena chose this path for herself.

Normally, whenever her grandmother exploded, they would back her up in one way or another.

So what had changed today?

She shifted her gaze to her father, Zachary Hayes, silently pleading.

Zachary met her eyes for a brief moment before looking away, clearing his throat as he agreed, "Your mother has a point. Starting a family should come before building a career."

Ximena's heart plummeted straight to the depths.

Something about her parents' behavior felt wrong, and she knew Laura must have cornered them again—cornered them badly enough that they were willing to offer up their own daughter to protect themselves.

"I've already asked an old acquaintance to help arrange a suitable match for you," Laura declared, clearly pleased now that Zachary and Eva were backing her. "The man's background and character are impeccable. He's a few years older than you and a little quiet, but steadiness is a virtue in a man. You will go on a date this week! If you dare try any tricks again, I'll cut off your medical career entirely!"

Taking away her right to practice medicine?

That threat struck exactly where it hurt most.

Ximena lifted her head, meeting her grandmother's unwavering gaze and her parents' averted eyes, fully aware that there was no way out this time.

In the end, she chose to give in.

"Fine. I'll go."

Laura blinked, clearly surprised by how easily Ximena agreed.

"But let me say this first," Ximena went on. "I'll meet him, but whether anything comes of it is up to fate. You can't force him to fall for me, can you?"

Laura flicked her hand impatiently. "Very well. Remember your words; I'll have the butler send you the details."

"Understood!" Ximena turned and hurried back to her room.

On Sunday morning, right on the dot at ten, Ximena showed up at the most exclusive club in all of Osebury—the Pinnacle Lounge.

For this so-called matchmaking affair, she had gone out of her way to dress "appropriately."

Using the room number the butler had provided, she made her way down the corridor.

Two stone-faced men in black suits guarded the entrance, far more frightening than any ordinary club security.

Ximena couldn't help scoffing inwardly—this was just a blind date, yet they were treating it like a high-level summit.

Just as she lifted her hand to open the door, it swung inward from the other side.

A poised, well-kept woman in her middle years appeared before her.

When her eyes landed on Ximena, the woman's smile stiffened for a split second before smoothing out again. "So you're Ximena, yes? Come along, everyone's been waiting."

Before Ximena could process what was happening, she was warmly ushered inside.

The moment she stepped in, she froze in disbelief.

A large group of people crowded around a massive circular table.

Seated at the center was her grandmother, Laura, sitting upright and composed, while her parents fidgeted uneasily to her left.

On Laura's right sat a refined middle-aged couple and next to them—someone all too familiar, someone who made Ximena instinctively want to bolt.

Aydan!

What on earth was he doing here?!

When Aydan took in what she was wearing, a flash of surprise crossed his face before sinking into unmistakable contempt.

Ximena's emotions twisted into a chaotic knot.

She had imagined every possible outcome, but never once had she expected her grandmother's carefully selected match to be Aydan of all people.

"Ximena, why are you just standing there? Come over and say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Dixon." Laura spoke through clenched teeth, her eyes carrying a thinly veiled warning.

Ximena inhaled slowly, forcing a smile to her lips.

At this point, she had no choice but to steady herself and go along with the charade.

She strutted forward, intentionally exaggerating the sway of her hips as she slipped into the vacant chair beside Aydan, a suffocating cloud of cheap perfume instantly spreading around them.

"Good morning, Mr. Dixon, Mrs. Dixon," she purred sweetly, even throwing Aydan an overdone wink. "My, this gentleman looks awfully familiar—haven't we crossed paths somewhere before?"

Aydan didn't so much as lift his lashes, and the air around him seemed to drop several degrees.

The elegant woman who had greeted Ximena earlier—Aydan's mother, Sylvia Dixon—barely managed to keep her smile intact.

Her gaze darted from Ximena to her impassive son before she sent a silent, imploring look toward Laura.

Laura's expression darkened, clearly wishing she could haul her unruly granddaughter away for a thorough reprimand.

Yet with the Dixon family present, she swallowed her anger and explained stiffly, "Ximena… has been indulged by us. She's rather spirited and enjoys… playing roles from time to time."

Ximena's parents, Eva and Zachary, looked like they wanted to sink straight through the floor.

There was no salvaging this; the arrangement was finished before it began.

A thick, uncomfortable quiet settled over the room.

It was Aydan's father, Alexander Dixon, who finally spoke up.

He let out a booming laugh and said, "Young people should have character. Aydan is far too serious—these two might actually balance each other quite well."

Upon hearing that, a jolt of panic shot through Ximena.

Alexander didn't seem… displeased by her outrageous getup?

That made no sense at all.

After that, the discussion lurched clumsily from the weather to economic trends, and then from family anecdotes to future business plans, as both sides strained to ease the tension.

Ximena kept her head lowered, scrolling on her phone and occasionally giggling at nothing.

She was determined to sell the image of a carefree, defiant girl hopelessly glued to social media.

From the corner of her eye, she sneaked glances at Aydan, only to find him rigid and unmoving.

Aside from lifting his cup for the occasional sip of water, he didn't make a single unnecessary movement.

Perfect.

Schemes spun wildly through Ximena's mind.

With her current getup and Aydan's frosty attitude, this match was guaranteed to collapse.

At last, after a painful stretch of polite chatter, attention returned to the two young people at the center of it all.

Laura cleared her throat and asked carefully, with both expectation and scrutiny, "Aydan, what's your impression of our Ximena? Are you satisfied with her?"

Every gaze immediately snapped to Aydan.

Ximena stopped tapping at her phone and lifted her head, her expression openly eager for the spectacle.

She could practically script what was about to happen.

Aydan would coolly voice his displeasure, rise from his seat, and walk out without a backward glance.

After all, only days earlier, she'd crossed him badly—and even managed to squeeze a hefty sum out of him.

There was no way he could possibly be pleased with her.

He would reject her outright, she would offer a token apology, and they would part ways cleanly.

Instead, reality struck her hard and fast.

Aydan slowly set his glass down, his eyes locking onto Ximena.

There was amusement in his gaze—and something sharp, like the promise of payback.

Then his lips parted, and he said, "I was smitten with Dr. Hayes the second I saw her."