Late Afternoon at the Hospital

    That afternoon, Aliana visited the hospital apanied by Elena. The hospital was crowded with journalists eagerly seeking updates on Bianca’s condition.

    The Velor family car pulled up right in front of the main entrance. As soon as Aliana stepped out, camera shes immediately surrounded her. Fortunately, the Velor family’s personal bodyguards quickly formed a protective line, creating a safe path for Aliana and Elena to walk calmly into the hospital lobby.

    11

    Inside, Aliana quickly noticed several prominent figures sitting on luxurious sofas in the lobby, their faces showing both worry and irritation.

    Just a few steps into the building, Charlotte Dcroix spotted her and immediately approached with a faint smile.

    “Hello, Mrs. Velor. So you came too,” Charlotte greeted with a soft voiceced with sarcasm.

    Aliana returned the look with a calm expression.

    “Hello, Mrs. Charlotte. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

    Charlotte slowly raised an eyebrow, her eyes ncing toward the other waiting guests.

    “Everyone’s here to check on Bianca. But unfortunately, none of us are allowed inside. Andrian has forbidden any visitors

    for now.”

    Aliana gave a faint smile. “It seems Bianca is very well–loved, receiving this much attention.”

    Charlotte stared deeply at Aliana, then offered a tight–lipped smile.

    “Are you jealous, Mrs. Velor? I must admit I’m surprised to see you here. I thought your rtionship with Bianca wasn’t exactly… friendly?”

    Aliana’s eyes gleamed sharply, but her voice remained steady and expressionless,

    “I’m not here for Bianca. I’m here for Andrian.”

    Charlotte smiled again, this time with a trace of pity in her eyes.

    “My condolences. It must be quite pitiful when a wife has to visit another woman just to gain her husband’s attention.”

    Aliana maintained herposure and replied coldly,

    “You don’t need to concern yourself with that, Mrs. Charlotte. We each have our own problems to deal with. I’m sure you have more than enough that need your attention.”

    Charlotte gave another tight smile and took a step back.

    “Very well then. I hope Andrian agrees to see you.”

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    Aliana didn’t respond further. She simply watched as Charlotte turned and walked back to the sofa to wait with the others.

    Elena, who had been quietly standing behind Aliana, leaned in and whispered, “Miss, we should head upstairs.”

    Aliana nodded slightly and calmly walked toward the elevator, ignoring the curious stares of the guests still waiting in the

    lobby.

    On the Upper Floor – Bianca’s Recovery Room

    Andrian stood outside Bianca’s room, listening to Elric’s report about the arriving guests. His expression turned sour upon

    hearing Aliana and Charlotte’s namesb. /b

    “Miss Aliana and Miss Charlotte are currently waiting in the lobby,” Elric reported carefully.

    Andrian scoffed in irritation. “I’ve already turned everyone away, and now Aliana shows up too? Did shee with Charlotte on purpose?”

    “No, Sir,” Elric responded quickly. “They arrived separately–just happened toe around the same time.”

    Andrian rubbed his face, clearly frustrated.

    “The media’s going to twist this. They’ll say my wife showed up with Charlotte because she felt threatened by all the attention Bianca’s getting.”

    Elric looked worried, noting Andrian’s pale face and weakened condition.

    “What should we do now, Sir?”

    “I’ll go down and meet them,” Andrian said weakly but with resolve.

    Elric quickly tried to stop him. “Sir, you’re not in any condition for that. You should rest and let me speak to them instead.”

    “No.” Andrian shook his head slowly. “I have to see them myself. If I don’t, the rumors will only get worse–especially with Aliana downstairs.”

    Elric no longer protested and stood upright, ready to apany him.

    Before leaving, Andrian nced back at Bianca, still unconscious in the hospital bed since the night before. He sighed deeply and then left the room with slightly unsteady stepsb. /b

    Andrian Arrives at the Lobby

    Andrian arrived at the lobby. The elevator doors slid open, and he stepped out with a serious expression, though the fatigue on his face was clearly visible. As bsoon /bas he appeared, every eye in the room turned to him–including bAliana/b, who stood beside the elevator doors with Elena.

    “You should’ve stayed home.”

    Andrian’s gaze locked with Aliana’s. They stared at each other briefly before he walked toward her.

    21:03 Fri, 29 Augu

    “You shouldn’t havee here,” Andrian said quietly, his voice t but firm.

    Aliana looked back at him without flinching, replying in a soft yet cutting tone.

    “I came to see you. You look terrible, Andrian.”

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    Andrian paused, his jaw tightening. He knew Aliana was being sarcastic. But he couldn’t respond–too many people were watching them, their eyes filled with curiosity.

    “Wait here then. We’ll talk after I send them all away.”

    Andrian turned and walked toward the group of visitors who hade to see Bianca. Outside, journalists snapped photos from behind the hospital’s ss windows.

    The people in the lobby immediately stood up as Andrian approached. Several senior executives and board members from Titan Group quickly put on sad expressions–clearly forced and insincere.

    “Mr. Andrian, how is Miss Bianca? We’re deeply worried,” one executive said with a feigned look of concern.

    “Yes, we’re all hoping for her swift recovery,” another chimed in, their sympathy clearly artificial.

    Andrian had no interest in indulging their pretense. His gaze was cold and piercing. He responded with a firm tone,

    “Bianca is still unconscious. I appreciate your concern, but there’s no need for you to wait here. There are far more important matters at thepany that deserve your attention more than wasting time here.”

    The atmosphere instantly grew tense. The executives and board members exchanged nces, visibly offended by Andrian’s blunt words. But none of them dared voice their resentment in front of him.

    Without waiting for a response, Andrian turned and walked away, heading back toward the elevator. He stopped directly

    in front of Aliana.

    Hisplexion was visibly pale–far paler than before. Aliana, who had some medical knowledge, instantly sensed that something was seriously wrong. But she chose to remain silent and asked nothing.

    “You’reing with me,” Andrian said coldly. He intended to step into the elevator first, but suddenly staggered, losing his

    bnce.

    Instinctively, Andrian reached for Aliana to steady himself. He gripped her tightly, leaning his weight against her to keep from copsingb. /b

    Aliana flinched at the sudden contact, shocked by Andrian’s movement as he leaned into her. She heard him mutter under his breath–just loud enough for her to hear,

    “Damn it,” Andrian whispered hoarsely

    His breathing was uneven. He was frustrated with his own weakness.

    Aliana became even more certain something serious was wrong. She quickly nced at Elric, who was standing not far

    away.

    Elric met her gaze with a pleading, anxious look, silently urging her to get Andrian out of there quickly. He didn’t dare approach he didn’t want anyone in the lobby to realize that Andrian was unwett

    Understanding the silent plea, Aliana swiftly wrapped her arm around Andrian’s and gently guided him into the elevator. She made the movement appear natural, as though they were a harmonious couple reunited–protective and affectionate.

    Everyone in the lobby looked on with a mixture of surprise and admiration. None of them had ever seen Andrian act s tenderly toward his wife before. Whispered spections and curious murmurs began spreading through the crowd.

    Outside the building, reporters didn’t miss the rare moment. They busily snapped photos of Aliana gently supporting Andrian into the elevator. Some even smiled with satisfaction, sensing they had struck media gold.

    Charlotte, who stood not far away, looked visibly shocked at the scene. Her eyes widened in disbelief before she murmured with a bitter, sarcastic tone,

    “So she really dide for Andrian, after all.”