Chris was secretly elated.
It felt like being a hopeless loser who had long pined for an unattainable goddess. Just when he was ready to give up, she unexpectedly descended from her pedestal and began to pursue him instead.
Naturally, Chris was proud of himself.
But just as he was basking in that sense of triumph, Ada leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Mr. White, I think there's something fishy going on."
"What do you mean?" Chris asked, frowning.
"Think about it," Ada murmured. "Tracy's been gone from New York Hospital for years. Who knows how many boyfriends she's had in that time? Back then she was cold and distant, but now, all of a sudden, she's warm and eager to talk to you. Doesn't that seem odd?"
"Just get to the point," Chris snapped, losing patience.
Ada's eyes glimmered. "If you ask me, she's here to find a back-up man."
"A back-up man?!"
Chris's face darkened instantly. Fury flared in his eyes. "Damn it, Tracy! You dare try to use me as your backup? Do you think I'm some easy target?!"
His rage boiled over.
He had thought her return was fate, a second chance. But no — she had the nerve to treat him like some placeholder? Someone to keep around while she searched for better options?
Unforgivable.
Everyone else in the room had been watching the interaction with mild curiosity, but Chris's outburst immediately sharpened their focus.
Of course!
Tracy must have had her fun out in the world, but now that things weren't going so well, she had the audacity to return — hoping Mr. White would still be waiting, like some fool.
Shameless!
The room's atmosphere turned icy. The contempt in the air was almost tangible.
Several of the younger nurses who were friendly with Chris rolled their eyes and snorted with derision.
Seriously? If you're going to find a back-up man, at least pick someone gullible — not Mr. White. Did she really think she could get away with this?
"What nonsense!" Tracy cried, her voice quivering. "I haven't even had a boyfriend, much less tried to use someone like that!"
Ada let out a cold chuckle. "Really? Then who was the guy in the luxury car yesterday?"
"I told you — he's my brother!"
Ada's smirk widened. "Oh, please. That's rich. You expect us to believe that? He looked like your boyfriend. Probably dumped you after he was done, and now you've come crawling back to Mr. White."
"I didn't—!"
"Then explain why you're here today!"
Under Ada's relentless accusations, Tracy's composure faltered. Her eyes reddened with suppressed emotion. She finally snapped, her voice rising in desperation.
"I just wanted to ease tensions between Mr. White and me — so that my brother could have a chance to work at New York Hospital in the future. That's all! I wasn't trying to find a back-up man!"
The room went quiet.
Was that the real reason?
Chris's mouth twisted. The explanation made sense... but it didn't sit well with him.
So she's not even here for me. Just asking for a favor — for her brother.
That was even more insulting.
She doesn't even consider me good enough to be a back-up man?
That stung more than he expected.
Tracy was undeniably beautiful, with curves that turned heads and a face that haunted dreams. Chris had fantasized about her for years. If she wanted to get back together, he wouldn't have minded — he'd have his fun, then toss her aside just like that rich bastard probably did.
But no.
She wasn't even offering that. She only wanted his help.
Unacceptable.
"No—"
Just then, Ada pounced again, eyes gleaming with malicious delight.
"Wait a minute. Didn't you just say that guy yesterday was your brother? If he's so rich, why would he want to work at New York Hospital?"
"Well…" Tracy faltered.
It was a good question.
If her brother was that wealthy, why was she pleading for a hospital job on his behalf?
The lie was unraveling fast.
Chris's expression shifted — oddly, he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe he was still the back-up man after all. That possibility pleased him, though he kept it hidden behind a mask of disdain.
"I don't care what your real purpose is," he said coldly. "If you want to mend fences, fine. But you're going to have to earn it."
He paused, then turned to a colleague.
"Set up the Drinking Game."
"On it."
Within moments, glasses of liquor were arranged neatly on the ground, a sinister gleam in each one.
Chris sneered. "Miss Linch, don't say I'm being unfair. If you can finish the game, everything is negotiable."
Tracy's face drained of color.
There were more than ten full glasses of strong liquor. For someone who had never drunk alcohol before, it was a form of torture.
Seeing her hesitate, Ada scoffed, "So this is the sincerity you bring when asking for help?"
Tracy's lips trembled. She turned helplessly toward a middle-aged man sitting nearby — Julian White, Chris's father and the head of the Department of Acupuncture.
He had remained silent through it all, choosing not to involve himself in what he saw as the affairs of the younger generation.
Tracy looked at him imploringly. They had once been friendly colleagues. Surely he would help.
But Julian averted his gaze, unmoved.
Tracy's hope withered.
At that moment, her phone rang.
"Sis, why isn't Feazer Medical Clinic open today? Where are you?" came John's voice.
He had rushed over to help her earlier but found the clinic closed — and now he was worried.
"I… I'm at Hundred Flavors Restaurant. Something came up. I'll call you back."
She ended the call quickly, not wanting to worry him.
But John's expression had already turned cold.
She hadn't said much, but her trembling voice said enough.
And through the phone, he heard a jeering voice sneer, "You dare answer your phone while drinking? Is this how you ask for help?"
That was all he needed to hear.
Someone was forcing his sister to drink.
John's eyes darkened to a shade of deadly calm.
"If anything happens to my sister… I don't care who you are. You'll die today."
With that, a roar burst from his chest. His figure exploded into motion, leaving behind a streak of blinding light as he launched himself straight toward Hundred Flavors Restaurant.