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Novel Catalog
Chapter 35
Before Roxanne could fully comprehend what was happening, Lucian’s hand was suddenly at her waist, stabilizing her body.
Startled, she raised her head and met his dark eyes. The intensity in his gaze made her heart skip a beat, and she quickly looked away, pushing herself up by propping her hand on the bed for support.
He had grabbed her in a reflex when she fell. But when their eyes met, her discomfort was unmistakable. He could see how she avoided him, as if he were a stranger, and something in his chest tightened. With a flash of irritation, he quickly withdrew his hand from her waist.
Frieda, oblivious to the silent tension between them, was still fuming at Roxanne. “How dare you claim you researched complicated diseases! Is this the result of your so-called research? I think those credentials of yours were bought!”
Roxanne, recovering from the sudden jolt, snapped back. “No wonder Old Mr. Queen’s condition worsened. Looks like someone’s been meddling with his treatment.” She tossed a mocking glance in Frieda’s direction. “Since you’re so convinced I’m a fraud, I’ll leave right now.”
With that, she started packing her needles back into her medical kit, making it clear she wasn’t about to stay and be insulted.
Jonathan, who had been frozen by the turn of events, was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Roxanne to back off so easily after showing such determination. But then, he snapped out of his daze, his voice apologetic. “I’m sorry, Dr. Jarvis. Our family has a lot of doctors, so we know a bit about acupuncture. My sister was only concerned for Grandpa. She didn’t mean to offend you. Please, don’t leave.”
Roxanne didn’t look up as she continued to pack her things. “I don’t need to stay and be scolded by someone who doesn’t even understand what I’m doing. I came here to help Old Mr. Queen, but since Ms. Queen doesn’t believe in me, forget it.”
She turned sharply toward the door, her voice cool as she finished, “I’ll leave now.”
Jonathan rushed to put Alfred back down gently before hurrying after her. “Please, Dr. Jarvis, just give us a chance to talk. My sister was out of line. She’s already apologized to you. Please, continue the treatment. Grandpa needs you.”
Roxanne paused, her back still turned to him. Her tone remained cold as she answered, “I can’t accept Ms. Queen’s apology.”
Lucian, standing by the bed with his arms crossed, furrowed his brows as he watched the exchange. His gaze followed Roxanne’s every movement, his expression unreadable, but his eyes held a certain weight. She was angry, and he could see it clearly now.
Estella, watching from the side, also noticed Roxanne’s fury. Her eyes filled with concern, and her lips parted as though she wanted to say something. But before she could, her own frustration bubbled up. Determined to do something, Estella walked over to Frieda, holding up her notebook with a single word scrawled across the page: Apologize!
The room fell into silence, all eyes now on the little girl, whose sincerity was as evident as her frustration. She stared at Frieda with big, pleading eyes.
Frieda, clearly uncomfortable and caught off guard, shifted her gaze away, pretending not to see Estella’s note. Her attention then turned to Jonathan. “If this doesn’t work out, we can just find another doctor. I don’t trust her,” she said with a dismissive tone, still stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the situation.
Roxanne’s expression hardened further. “I hope you find someone better before Old Mr. Queen takes his last breath, Ms. Queen,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and disdain.
She turned sharply toward the door, determined to leave, but before she could take another step, someone grabbed her wrist.
Her brows furrowed in irritation as she spun around to face whoever dared to stop her.
Lucian stood before her, his face impassive as always, but the tension in his eyes was unmistakable.
Roxanne’s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing. What is he doing? Her pulse quickened as she stared at him, unsure of his intentions. Why is he stopping me?
