Chapter 1160:


    Elena’s next question was quiet but direct. “Tell me what really happened in the operating room two days ago.”


    His reply was t. “I don’t recall much.”


    But Elena noticed his fingers tightening around his shirt, and a flicker of self-loathing passed through his lowered eyes. Without warning, her voice turned firm. “Look up.”


    Lyle hesitated, frozen for a second, and then slowly lifted his head.


    Elena locked eyes with him, her words slow and measured. “I’ll ask you one more time. What happened that day? If you don’t want to be in cahoots with them, tell me the truth.”


    Lyle was momentarily stunned before he slipped right back into his usual pessimistic demeanor. Dropping his head, he gave a stiff, mechanical shake and murmured, “I don’t know anything.”


    In his mind, there was no point in revealing the truth to Elena. This ce was rotten to the core, and the force that ruled over it was far too strong for anyone to challenge.


    A quiet scoff stirred inside Lyle as he thought back to what Elena had said. Just moments ago, he had nearly let himself believe her, and now he couldn’t help but feel foolish for it. Until the Duke of ckwood’s power crumbled, Gleyross Hospital would remain untouchable, and Dewayne would never face consequences. Neither this institution nor this nation held any hope for change. Lyle braced himself for Elena to dismiss him, just as she had with the others before ending their conversation. Minutes ticked by, but Elena’s silence stretched on. She never gave him leave to go.


    Puzzled, Lyle hesitated, finally ncing up—and was met with Elena’s unwavering stare. The intensity left him momentarily stunned.


    A small, amused smile yed on Elena’s lips. “Finally decided to look up?”


    Caught off guard, Lyle didn’t reply right away. That look—what did she want from him? Irritation pinched his features as he asked, “Are you done with your questions? If so, I’ll take my leave.”


    Her reply was calm, almost too casual. “This is yourst opportunity to change things here. Are you truly prepared to walk away?”


    She could tell that Lyle was different from the others. Unlike them, greed didn’t drive him. He couldn’t stomach the corruption, and he certainly wouldn’t stoop to their level. But he didn’t trust her.


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    A long silence followed before he finally muttered, “You can’t change anything.”


    A knowing smirk tugged at Elena’s lips. “And what makes you so sure?”


    “You can’t challenge the Duke of ckwood…” Lyle said, frustration rising before he could stop himself. Just as quickly, the fight drained from his voice, and he fell silent.


    Where anger had red in his gaze, only emptiness remained. “It’s pointless to even discuss this,” he whispered, barely audible.


    Right as despair threatened to consume him, Elena’s steady voice cut through. “I can.”


    Those two words left Lyle momentarily speechless. He stared at her,pletely taken aback. “What did you just say?”


    Still as stone, Elena fixed Lyle with a serious look. “I can challenge Torin. No matter if it’s him or anyone in his shadow, they won’t stand in my way.” With steady hands, she produced an official investigation order. “As long as you reveal the truth to me, I’ll dig into every corner.”


    For several moments, Lyle said nothing. Years of resignation had settled into his bones, convincing him that nothing could change this filthy, corrupt system. Yet, hearing Elena’s promise—her courage to act if only he would speak—rekindled a faint ember of hope in his chest.


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