Liz turned to him. “No, not really. I was just worried I might be taking up your time. I remember you’re a surgeon. Aren’t you sometimes tied up with surgeries? I’m surprised you can always make it here right on time.”


    “I don’t have any surgeries scheduled right now. Things will probably get busy again next month.”


    Liz nodded and let the matter drop.


    The rest of the drive passed in silence. When they reached her building, she stepped out of the car and waved. “Goodbye, Mr. Sanders.”


    “Goodbye.”


    She watched his car disappear before turning toward her building.


    Once inside, she made a quick bowl of pasta, washed the dishes, and had just settled onto the couch when her phone rang. It was Jane.


    “Liz, I’ve got good news!” Jane’s voice brimmed with excitement, and Liz could easily picture her friend’s animated expression.


    “What good news?”


    “It’s about Zac. Guess what?”


    Liz’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. “What could possibly be good news about him?”


    “I heard he got beaten up today. Word is his face is so swollen it looks like he went ten rounds with


    a boxer. Serves him right! He must have ticked off the wrong person.”


    Liz lowered her gaze, her grip on the phone tightening.


    Zac had punched William just yesterday, and now today someone had beaten him up.


    She wondered if it was just a coincidence, or if William had been behind it.


    Sensing her silence, Jane quickly asked, “Liz, why aren’t you saying anything? You’re not actually feeling sorry for that jerk, are you?”


    “No. I’m just thinking about something.”


    If William really had done it and Zac found out, he would never let it go. William was only a doctor, and he would be no match for Zac.


    Liz did not notice that she had started worrying about a man she had only known for a few days.


    “Oh, by the way, are you free this weekend? We should go shopping.”


    “I’ll let you know. I’ve got a few things to take care of<b>, </b>so I’ll talk to youter.”


    After hanging up, Liz opened her chat with William. She hesitated for a moment before typing a


    message.


    “Mr. Sanders, Zac was beaten up tonight. Do you know anything about it?”


    There was no reply. More than thirty minutes passed before William finally responded.


    “My phone died. Just got home. Mr. Lincoln was beaten up?”


    His message came with a sticker of a cartoon rabbit with a question mark over its head, looking adorably clueless.


    Judging by his reaction, it probably had nothing to do with him. Liz felt a small wave of relief and began typing again.


    “Good. As long as it has nothing to do with you.”


    The reply came almost immediately. “Ms. Smith, are you worried about me?”


    Liz gripped her phone but chose not to respond.


    Meanwhile, across the city, Zac sat on his couch with his face bruised and swollen, ring at Chase, who stood in front of him.


    “You have three days to find out who did this,” Zac said coldly. “Whoever dared to beat me like this will pay.”


    Chase kept his head lowered, not daring to meet Zac’s eyes. “Yes, Mr. Lincoln. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”


    Zac remained silent, and Chase quickly turned to leave.


    Beside him, Xena looked at him with concern. “Zac turn your head. I’ll clean the wounds for you.”


    “No need. Go home. I want to be alone for a while.”


    The thought of being ambushed in an alley by a group of street punks only made Zac’s anger burn hotter.