"She''s quite capable, and now, as the president of a subsidiary under my name, her reputation is tightly linked with thepany''s interests. So when you publicly attack her, how can I not protect her?"


    M felt a storm brewing within her chest.


    She suppressed the nausea that arose, her face tilted slightly upward, maintaining a calm demeanor with even a hint of a smile. "Fine, you''ve been friends for over a decade, and I won''t argue with you about it-there''s no point. Lysander, as long as you sign the divorce papers, I won''t care who you marry or whom you choose to be by your side in the future."


    Lysander''s expression turned dark, his fox-like eyes brooding and intense. "M, must you make a scene?"


    With those words, M felt utterly drained.


    This was always the way with Lysander. No matter how hard she tried tomunicate, all she ever got was, ''Stop making a fuss.''


    She was truly fed up.


    "Lysander, it''s you who needs to stop making a fuss!"


    M spoke with a nk expression, her voice calm. "All I''m asking for is what I deserve; you''ll get the person you truly want. Once the divorce papers are signed, everyone can be happy. What else is there to be dissatisfied with?"


    Lysander felt a wave of irritation and barked, "That''s impossible!"


    "M, you were the one who wanted this position as my wife, and I agreed. Now, unless I consent, you''ll remain in this role until the end of your days!"


    He wanted to keep the security of a stable home while enjoying freedom outside. Disgusting!


    M was fuming, about to retort, when her lips were suddenly silenced by his forceful kiss. His hand slipped under her sweater, making a mess of things,pletely disregarding their location in a hospital.


    As her breath was stolen, M''s resistance weakened. Her mind couldn''t process his cutting words anymore, overwhelmed by the scent of his embrace, which oddly calmed him.


    He preferred her this way-obedient andpliant.


    With her softness in his arms, Lysander''s thoughts started to wander. It had


    indeed been too long since they were close, and his desires red up, making him forget their surroundings.


    Just then, the door to the stairwell creaked open.


    "Brother, sister-inw, are you in here?"


    A young, frail voice grew clearer as the door slowly swung open.


    Thispromising position couldn''t be seen by others. In a moment of panic, M


    struggled fiercely and kicked Lysander hard.


    Taking advantage of his momentary pain, she quickly freed herself, hastily adjusting her disheveled clothes.


    The stairwell door opened.


    A young boy, his dark eyes observing the dimly lit stairwell, saw Lysander clutching the wall, his clothes slightly askew, and M looking flustered. He broke into an innocent smile.


    "I noticed you hadn''t returned and thought something might have happened, so I came to check. Turns out you were here."


    The boy tilted his head slightly, feigning innocence. "Did I interrupt something?"


    "If you know you''re interrupting, then get lost!"


    Lysander straightened, his expression sour as he yanked M back, unwilling to let her go. He had no kind words for Eugene.


    Eugene was ustomed to his brother''s reprimands. He simply smiled, uttered a soft ''oh,'' and was about to leave when, after just a few steps, he staggered and copsed.


    Blood seeped through his hospital gown from a reopened surgical wound on his lower right abdomen, leaving a shocking stain.