Valery had no choice but to shut her mouth and step aside.


    “Ms. Sandoval, I know you resent us for what happened before, but the past is the past. I hope you won’t judge us with prejudice in the future.”


    “Which of your eyes saw me judging you with prejudice?” Romina turned her attention to Nadine. “You were the ones targeting me from the very beginning, even before I went to prison. Isn’t that right?”


    This time, it was Nadine who was left speechless.


    The coldness at the corners of Romina’s lips deepened. “If there’s nothing else, please leave. I’m sorry, but I can’t treat you.”


    Romina once again pointed toward the door.


    Nadine red at Romina, then quickly turned and left with Valery.


    Romina watched their retreating figures, her eyes growing darker than ever.


    The two women who walked out the door both wore grim expressions.


    When Nadine reached the car, she looked up at Valery. “Why hasn’t there been any progress on what I asked you to handle?”


    “It’s only the first day. It won’t happen that quickly. It’ll probably be the day after tomorrow before we can act.”


    Nadine frowned deeply. “Hurry up. I can’t stand seeing her so arrogant anymore!”


    Valery gave a mysterious smile. “Don’t worry, Nadine. She won’t be arrogant for much longer…”


    When Romina arrived home, it was alreadyte at night.


    She took out her phone and nced at the screen; it was already nine o’clock in the evening.


    Her gaze inadvertently fell on the secondary SIM card, which was still in airne mode.


    Ever since she turned off her phone in front of Erick that day, she hadn’t turned it on again. Mainly, she had been focusing on medical matterstely and rarely paid attention to anything rted to Quartz.


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    18:24


    She wondered if Joaquin had tried to call her again in the past few days.


    Romina pondered as she walked toward the entrance.


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    Her fingertip gently tapped the secondary SIM card, and just as she was about to disable airne mode, a deep voice came from the doorway: “You should watch where you’re going, or you’ll trip.”


    The familiar voice made Romina instinctively look up.


    Nervous, she identally turned airne mode back on, but quickly put down her phone and turned off the screen.


    The man, dressed in a suit, leaned against the stone pir at the entrance of Breeze Vista, a cigarette be- tween his fingers. Amidst the swirling smoke, his handsome face seemed to soften with an unusual gen- tleness.


    “Mr. Bowman, what brings you here so suddenly?”


    Joaquin flicked the ash from his cigarette and then stubbed it out. “I came to see the child. I didn’t ex- pect you hadn’t returned yet. It’s sote, she must be asleep by now, right?”


    “You should’ve let me know beforeing, so I could have my friend let you in. But Lina is probably already asleep; I make sure she goes to bed around eight forty every night…”


    “Friend?” Joaquin’s brows furrowed slightly. “Your friend lives here too?”


    “Yes, my best friend lives with me and usually helps take care of Lina,” Romina replied calmly. “She was the one who called mest time, and you met her at the hospital…”


    Joaquin nodded thoughtfully, but didn’t respond.


    Romina felt it was odd for them to keep standing at the door, so she asked, “Mr. Bowman, would you like toe in for some tea?”


    “No need, I should be heading back soon.”


    “Alright, take care on your way.”


    The man nodded gently, watching her as she went inside.


    After taking a few steps, Romina heard the man’s voice again from behind: “Did the opening go smoothly today?”


    Romina stopped abruptly. “Everything went well. Speaking of which, I just remembered—the flower baskets you sent were beautiful. I really liked them. Thank you, Mr. Bowman…”


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    18:24


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    “Those weren’t from me; they were from my friend.”


    The man’s voice was deep, his face showing little expression.


    Romina smiled lightly. “I’ve never met the owner, so how could he send me flower baskets? Anyway, no matter who sent them, thank you both.”


    Joaquin replied with a half–smile, “You’re wee.”


    Romina smiled radiantly under the dim streetlight, herughter especially bright and dazzling.


    For a moment, the man in front of her seemed lost in thought.


    Just as Romina was about to go inside, Joaquin spoke again: “If the wellness clinic ever needs help, you can contact me, or Erick.”


    Romina’s back suddenly stiffened.


    The implication was clear–he was offering her support.


    A sudden feeling of being unexpectedly favored welled up in her heart.


    Romina smiled and replied, “Alright.”


    The man gave her a faint nce, then got into his car.


    Romina didn’t look away until the car’s taillights disappeared from view.


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