Back in the city, Alexander Wolfe's absence had begun to stir sharks in still waters.
At Wolfe Industries, rumors swirled through glossy glass halls. The media speculated everything from exhaustion to scandal. But inside the boardroom, one man sat too comfortably at the head of the table: JulianCrane, Alexander's longtime rival and the company's ambitious Chief Strategy Office
Julian was always watching, waiting. When Alexander collapsed, he hadn't just seen a health scare he saw an opening.
"Effective leadership," Julian said smoothly to the board, "requires visibility. And unfortunately, Mr. Wolfe has gone invisible."
Some nodded. Others hesitated.
Across the table, Alexander's assistant, Elena, remained composed. But her fingers were wrapped tight around her pen. She knew her boss wasn't one to disappear without purpose and if he wasn't back soon, the wolves would start circling.Back at the clinic, Alexander stood in the narrow hallway, watching as Liana checked Mia's vitals.
He still couldn't get the girl's bruises out of his mind.
Liana caught him staring. "You've seen corporate warfare. This is another battlefield."
"I've fought battles with money and lawyers. You fight them with your hands."
She shrugged. "You'd be surprised how many injuries are caused by men in suits who never lift a finger."
That hit a little too close to home.
"You mentioned someone before," he said. "The reason you left medicine. Was it someone high up?"
She hesitated. "Julian Crane. Chief of Surgery at Westbridge General. He... hurt more than just reputations."
Alexander stiffened. "Julian Crane?"
She nodded. "You know him?"
He looked away, jaw clenched. "He's not Chief of Surgery anymore. He's my Chief Strategy Officer."
Liana froze.
For a moment, the only sound was the ticking of a second-hand clock on the wall.
"I didn't know," Alexander said. "If I had "
"I believe you," she said quietly, though her hands were trembling. "But he's not the type to forget. If he finds out I'm back…"
"He won't," Alexander said firmly. "I'll make sure of it."
She met his eyes then, really looked at him and this time, she saw something different.
Not the CEO.
Not the patient.
But a man who could fight beside her.And yet... something flickered in her chest. Not fear something older. Recognition.
She turned away quickly, brushing hair from her face. "You remind me of someone," she murmured, almost to herself.
Alexander tilted his head. "Who?"
Liana didn't answer. Instead, her gaze moved to the bookshelf behind him. Buried among her medical texts was an old, faded photo two children sitting on a hospital bed. One was clearly her, younger, smiling withunguarded warmth. The other boy had dark hair and striking blue-gray eyes.
She hadn't looked at that photo in years.
But now... she was beginning to wonder if fate had brought that boy that memory back to her in the shape of a man she never expected.
She whispered under her breath, "It can't be…"