?Chapter 436:


    Ste blinked. “Wait—what?”


    She wanted to protest—she was a woman, and he was a man.


    His entire outfit, underwear included, was drenched. How was she supposed to handle that?


    The doctor, misreading her hesitation, said casually, “Aren’t you his girlfriend? What’s there to be shy about?”


    Ste opened her mouth to exin, but before she could get a word out, the doctor added, “I’ve got a surgerying up. I have to go.”


    Panicked, she called after him, “What about a nurse?”


    But the doctor was already halfway out the door. “The nurse is a woman too. It’s just changing clothes—no big deal.”


    William, naturally, chimed in without missing a beat. “I get it. Come on then, my dear girlfriend.”


    Ste froze. Her ears burned.


    “What nonsense are you saying now?” she snapped, her face flushed.


    It was bad enough that the doctor had mistaken her for his girlfriend—but why on earth was William ying along? Wasn’t he worried his actual fiancée would blow a gasket?


    Now that it was just Ste and William in the treatment room, a brief silence hung in the air.


    Unsure of what to say, Ste gently moved closer and supported William as he sat up from the hospital bed. His head leaned against her shoulder, the closeness making her heart skip a beat.


    “Are you seriously saying you can’t sit up by yourself?” she asked, trying to mask her flustered tone.


    William nodded slightly, his voice casual. “Yeah, my back’s still sore. Can’t move much on my own.”


    Ste didn’t respond right away, silently questioning whether he was exaggerating.


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    Taking a deep breath, she unfastened his shirt. The moment his toned chest and defined abs came into view, hershes fluttered nervously.


    Before she couldpose herself, his teasing voice cut in. “You’re not using this as an excuse to admire me, are you?”


    Ste froze, clenched her jaw, and snapped back, “Keep dreaming.”


    As if she was that desperate. Just because he had muscles didn’t mean she’d melt on the spot.


    He arched a brow smugly. “You don’t think I’m in good shape?”


    His string of questions started getting on her nerves. “Why does your body even matter here? Keep talking, and I’ll leave you to get dressed on your own,” she warned.


    Taking care of someone like him, with that smirk and nonstop teasing, wasn’t just exhausting. It was infuriating.


    He let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying her difort.


    It only made her feel more awkward.


    She wasn’t dumb. She knew he was doing this intentionally, using every word to rattle her.


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