Chapter <b>560 </b>


    <b>Not </b>to mention, Keh had only just returned from abroad.


    Even if he had heard of these people, he wouldn’t be able to match names to faces.


    He couldn’t tell who was who.


    Lucas didn’t bother acknowledging them.


    To him, they were just a bunch of clowns–let them say whatever they wanted.


    Among all of them, the only one truly here to see Aurora was the executive.


    He looked at the once–radiant woman now lying pale and silent in the hospital bed, and a wave of difort twisted in his chest.


    He had never seen Aurora like this before.


    Even her makeup on a regr day had always been bold and striking, never the delicate, demure type.


    One nce was all it took to recognize the force she carried.


    She was the kind of woman who walked into a room like she owned it, not some fragile wallflower clinging to others for strength.


    But now, this washed–out version of her made the heart ache.


    Lucas remained at her bedside, silently watching as the doctor continued treatment.


    He didn’t know when Aurora would wake up.


    But even in the worst–case scenario that she’d never opened her eyes again, he was willing to stay by her


    side for the rest of his life.


    Life would simply lose some of its color.


    That thought sent a sharp, unbearable ache through his chest.


    Even after days of sitting here, he still hadn’t adjusted to the emptiness.


    It was like living beside a shell, and nothing more.


    He missed the sound of her voice, the way she moved, the way she filled a space.


    And if she ever did wake up again, even if she argued with him or pushed him wha


    gratefully.


    That thought–rooted him even deeper in ce, eyes fixed on the


    The room had grown ufortably silent.


    away, he’d wee it all


    5’s every move.


    With Lucas‘ intimidating presence filling the space, and how the thick, wordless tension, the doctor grew visibly uneasy.


    He cleared his throat softly.


    43


    Lucas<b>‘ </b><b>voice </b>broke the silence. “What is it?”


    Watching how tense Lucas looked, Wendy felt jealousy se so sharply it was almost suffocating.


    Why? Why did Lucas care so much about that woman?


    She was nothing. And yet he treated her like she meant everything.


    She and Lucas had known each other far longer.


    But now, everything had changed.


    Time, history, all of it meant nothing anymore.


    All that remained between them was bitterness.


    Even her brother’s rtionship with Lucas seemed to have lost its warmth.


    And it was all because of the woman lying in that bed.


    The thought made Wendy’s gaze darken with resentment as she stared at Aurora.


    The hatred in her eyes was nearly tangible, spilling out uncontrobly.


    The doctor, meanwhile, was growing increasingly uneasy under Lucas‘ unwavering focus.


    He’d been warned before arriving: do not upset this man


    His influence overseas was well–known, even feared.


    Lucas‘ name might pass quietly under the radar in this country, but abroad, the Carter family’s “Grim Reaper” had a reputation that preceded him.


    And that nickname belonged to none other than Lucas.


    Now, seeing how protective Lucas was over this woman, the doctor grew even more anxious.


    One wrong word couldnd him in real trouble.


    He wiped the sweat from his forehead, heart pounding.


    “This…”


    He faltered, unsure how to continue.


    The fear of saying something Lucas wouldn’t like was real.


    Would he even make it out of this room if he said the wrong thing?


    He swallowed hard, hesitating for a long, tense moment