?Chapter 435:


    Finally, the door opened, and the doctor stepped out.


    Ste rushed forward. “Doctor—how is he?”


    The doctor nced at Ste and spoke in a calm tone, “His abdominal wound reopened. We’ve restitched it, but his clothes arepletely soaked. I’ll bring a dry hospital gown—he shouldn’t stay in wet clothes any longer. It’ll only make things worse.”


    Ste thanked him and then pushed open the door to the room. Williamy on the hospital bed, his face pale, lips bloodless, and breath shallow.


    “You…” she began, but the words caught in her throat.


    She had entered, ready to scold him for being reckless again—ripping his stitches just to save her. But now, seeing him like this—weak and worn out—everything she’d nned to say felt hollow.


    She thought about asking if he was okay, but the answer was painfully obvious—he looked like hell.


    For a moment, she just stood there, unsure of what to say.


    As if reading her mind, William let out a faint chuckle—but theugh tugged at his wound, making him grimace.


    “Lie down and stop moving!” she snapped, flustered.


    William’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Are you worried about me?”


    Ste stood by the bed, thrown off by his question. “You jumped into a pool with a fresh wound to save me. Shouldn’t I be?”


    “You care, huh?” His gaze flickered to hers. “So… do you think I’m better than Shaun now?”


    Ste blinked. Why was he bringing up Shaun again?


    She didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, “Why would you risk your life like that for me?”


    She didn’t think they were close enough for him to put himself in such danger for her.


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    He looked her straight in the eye. “You’re my employee. If something happened to you, I’d be responsible.”


    Ste’s expression shifted. “Who says you have to be responsible?” She wasn’t letting this slide.


    He had hundreds of employees—what made her so different?


    William looked away, clearly avoiding the subject. “Are you interrogating the guy who just saved your life? Maybe you should start with a ‘thank you’ first.”


    Ste exhaled, annoyed, but decided to let it go. He was clearly deflecting.


    Still, something felt off.


    If it was just a boss-employee dynamic, why had he never asked for his ck card back? Why was he always there, always showing up?


    Lost in thought, she was jolted back by William’s voice. “I need to use the bathroom.”


    He was clearly too weak to move on his own, and it was obvious he needed help.


    But seeing him still soaked, Ste hesitated. “Wait for the doctor to bring dry clothes. Just hang on a bit longer, okay?”


    William didn’t respond. A few momentster, the doctor walked in, handing Ste a fresh set of hospital clothes. “Help him change.”


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