bChapter /bb218 /b

    The bodyguards who had been secretly protecting Ste appeared in a sh. “Drop the knife.”

    Hasan red at them. “Move or I’ll kill her right here.”

    The bodyguards looked at each other and were about to charge at Hasan, but he suddenly cut Ste’s neck with the knife.

    It hurt, but Ste bit back the pain and forced herself to stay calm. “Just let me talk to him alone.”

    They hesitated. “But-”

    “It’s fine.” Ste looked at them, signaling them to rx.

    They all backed off at hermand. Ste said to Hasan, “Let’s talk over there.”

    As Hasan took Ste away, he kept ncing back at those bodyguards, wary that they might follow. iOnce /iin the corner, he still held her firmly and said bluntly, “Do you know about Lionel’s situation?”

    “I do,” Ste replied.

    Hasan said, “You used to like my son a lot, right? Doesn’t it hurt seeing him end up like this?”

    Ste said, “I never pushed him to gamble or hurt me. This is all his own doing. I have nothing to do with it.”

    “Are you sure? You saw him head straight into trouble. He begged you, but you didn’t help. Isn’t that your fault?” Hasan said.

    Ste chuckled at his words. “What are you getting at? You didn’t help when the Hayes family was in trouble either. Isn’t Lionel close to Max? Go ask him for help.”

    Hasan said, “You know what Max was going through back then.”

    “Max has woken up now, and he’s working at mypany. You can still go to him for help,” Ste said.

    “I know he’s broke now. You’re the only one who can help Lionel,” Hasan said.

    “This isn’t fair.” Ste wasn’t scared despite the threat. After surviving so many close calls, she understood she had a long fight ahead.

    She said, “Hasan, I know you’ve hit a dead end, and that’s why you’re here, but why should I help you? If I do, I risk sacrificing the entire Hayes Group. Why do you think I’d be willing to do that?”

    Hasan said, “I saw you chatting with Mr. Griffin and signing a contract. He must have invested a lot. Give me that money.”

    “Why would I? Hasan, if you want me to help, you need to ask properly. Don’t you find your bossy attitude toward me ridiculous?” she said.

    Hasan was stunned.

    Ste felt the knife ease up and quietly moved away

    Seeing her move, Hasan lunged toward her with the knife, but Ste was already prepared.

    Just then, however, someone suddenly pulled her away and caught the knife with his hand. The next second, the de pierced bthrough /bbhis /bbpalm/b.

    Ste saw everything and shouted, “Jordan.b” /b

    Jordan kicked Hasan bto /bthe bground/bb, /bgrabbed Ste with his uninjured handb, /band left.

    bThe /bbbodyguards /bhurried after them, worried. b“/bbMr. /bbErwin/bb, /bbyou /bbstill /bbhave /bba /bknife bstuck /bbin /byour bhand/bb./bb” /b

    b25 /b

    10:17 Mon, b18 /bbAug /bbo /b

    Ste’s voice shook with worry. “We’re going to the hospital right now.”

    Jordan nced at his hand. Though his face twisted in pain, he managed a smile. “Ste, I’m fine.”

    Ste couldn’t bear to imagine the pain of the knife piercing through, or the pain waiting at the hospital when it was pulled out. “Shut up. I’ve been through more than you, and I know exactly how much it hurts.”

    “You’re worried about me,” Jordan said, smiling.

    “Of course, I am.” Ste shot back.

    “Well, I feel much better now,” Jordan replied.

    Ste didn’t want to argue and quickly took him to the hospital.

    Just as Ste expected, the doctor decided to remove the knife immediately upon seeing the situation.

    “Can you give him anesthetics?” Ste asked.

    “Sure,” the doctor replied.

    “Please hurry,” Ste urged.

    Jordan saw how worried Ste was and rubbed her cheek with his left hand. “I’m really fine.”

    “Just stop talking. Leave it to the doctor,” said she.

    “Okay,” Jordan said. He looked at the doctor as the anesthesia was administered.

    Ste had never experienced anesthesia before and wasn’t sure what it felt like, but it definitely looked painful.

    Jordan nced at her again. “Just wait outside.”

    “No, I’m not leaving. I want to stay with you,” Ste said.

    Jordan saw the tears welling in Ste’s eyes, though she held them back. It made him both happy and heartbroken. He said, “This is nothingpared to what you’ve been through.”

    Ste said, “I know. And that’s exactly why I feel the pain so deeply.” She couldn’t hold back her tears anymore.

    Jordan said, “Listen. I’m a man, and this is”

    Before he could finish, Ste interrupted, “It’s not about gender, Everyone needs care when they’re hurt. Jordan, I’m right here. Grab my hand, and if it hurts, just tell me.”

    Ste’s words just melted Jordan’s heart. Since the death of his parents, he had forced himself to be strong, to never cry or show pain, telling himself to

    endure no matter what.

    For the first time, someone told him it was okay to break down and let his guard down.

    When the doctor said it was time to remove the knife, Jordan looked at Ste and said, “May I kiss youb?/bb” /b

    Without hesitation, Ste gently cupped his face and kissed him.

    When bthe /bknife came out, Ste felt his body tremble, but the doctors held him downb, /bso he didn’t fight it.

    However, Ste didn’t let go. She kept kissing him. She didn’t know what the bdoctors /bwere doing, only that she wanted bto /bease bJordan’s /bbpain/b.

    The kiss bwent /bon for quite a whileb, /buntil Jordan fell into her arms.

    b2/3 /b

    b10:17 /bMon, b18 /bAugu

    Ste suddenly tensed up and cried out, “What’s wrong with him? Why did he faint? Jordan, wake up. Stay with me.”

    C