Several others followed Troy out; they were his shady friends from recent years. They trapped Ste and red at her coldly. They deliberately judged her loudly.

“Whoa, who’s this? Ms. Ste Hayes! She was so high and mighty back then. Look at her now.”

“After sleeping with all those losers, you think you can still be proud?”

“Bet she’s had a few kids in these three years.”

“She doesn’t even know who the dads are!”

Troy turned and shushed everyone. He smirked, head still bandaged, body covered in bruises, but he stood right in front of her.

Troy stepped toward Ste. She backed away, bumping into another man. The man groped her and shoved her at Troy.

Ste tried to pull free, but Troy just held her tightly.

The man who touched Ste looked at his hand. “Ste, you’re all used up, huh? Feels nothing at all.”

Ste stood there, frozen, shame burning inside her like wildfire.

Troy chimed in, touching her too, “Yeah? I remember you being way curvier.”

Old memories flooded back. Ste pushed hard to get away, but her body felt like cotton, all weak and useless. “Troy, let me go.”

”

Troy snapped, “Ste, don’t be ungrateful. With all the guys you’ve slept with, I don’t care, but you dare push me?”

Ste’s face twisted in anger. Her body shook all over.

Troy smirked. “Did you forgetst night, crawling like a loser, begging me to forgive you?”

The group roared withughter. One shouted, “Mr. Carver, we’ve got the video.”

“Yeah, think anyone wants to see Ms. Ste Hayes of the Hayes family begging like crazy?”

Ste couldn’t believe it.

Troy sneered, “Ste, when I wanted you before, you said no. Now, how many guys have you been with? Tell me, do you regret it… Ah!”

The next second, Troy yelled, “Get her off me!”

Only then did everyone notice something was off.

Ste had bitten Troy’s neck hard. They pulled her off and tossed her against a car. Hurt and confused, she didn’t know what to do.

They were all freaked out about Troy. Seeing a chunk of his neck missing, everyone panicked.

“Mr. Carver, we need to get to a hospital, fast.”

“Mr. Carver, hurry!”

Troy grabbed someone’s phone and saw the bite mark. Without thinking, he charged at Ste and kicked her in the chest. “Damn you!” More curses followed.

Ste was already in agony; that kick almost finished her off.

“If you’re gonna die, don’t do it in front of my car,” another guy said, kicking her away.

They drove off. Cars zoomed past, inches from her head.

Stey there, in pain. Bank staff tried to help her up, but someone else stepped in.

A man said, “I know her. Let me handle it.”

When they saw it was Lionel, everyone backed off. Lionel was the famous doctor at the General Hospital. His actions spoke for the hospital; everyone knew him.

The reason Lionel wasn’t asked by the Hayes family to check on Ste was Anna. Actually, after Ste came back, the Hayes kept Lionel away from her on purpose.

Lionel tried to lift Ste. She pushed him away with all her weak strength. “Stay back. I don’t need your help.”

Lionel looked sad. “Ste, why push yourself so hard? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“I’d rather die than take your help.”

“Now’s not the time to fight me,” Lionel said. He picked Ste up and took her straight to the General Hospital.

It wasn’t Lionel’s first time bringing a woman to the hospital. It was always Anna before. Now it was Ste, who was skinny. Her eyes could freeze anyone who looked at her.

The hospital staff didn’t know Ste. Seeing Lionel was so worried, they all guessed they might be friends.

Lionel gave Ste a full check-up, something he’d wanted to do for a long time. Seeing her in the hospital bed and the test results made him feel deep pain.

“She’s super young, right? How’d her health get this messed up? If she wasn’t tough, she’d be gone already,” another doctor said, ncing at the chart.

Lionel had no clue Ste’s health was this bad. He had seen Martin check her at home before. But he didn’t think that was something serious. Seeing the test results himself, he couldn’t figure out how she’dsted all these years.

“We can fix it, but she won’t be the same,” the doctor said, patting Lionel’s shoulder.

Lionel knew that all too well.

As Ste got up to leave, Lionel hurried over. “Ste, where are you going? You can’t leave; your health’s really bad and needs urgent care.”

After resting, Ste felt better. She got off the bed, ready to head home. Seeing Lionel acting all concerned like before made her feel bitter. “Nah, I’m outta here.”

“You can’t go.”

Ste gave him a cold stare. “Lionel, since you’re marrying Anna, don’t mess with me.”

For a second, Lionel’s eyes went dull.

This time, Ste had a bit more strength. She pushed him aside and walked out.

Lionel knew Ste well. He knew she wouldn’t agree if he pushed. So he took off his white coat. “I’ll drive you back.”

At the door, Ste stopped him. “Mr. Quinn, if my family sees you, it’ll just cause me trouble.” Then she left.

Watching her walk weirdly, Lionel felt terrible. She hated him and would never forgive him. But he knew he was in the

wrong.

Suddenly, he remembered the girl who was like a little bird, always flying over to his ce. “Lionel, I made your favorite cakes.”