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Novel Catalog
Chapter 36
Lucian’s grip on Roxanne’s wrist tightened as he turned her around to face him. His eyes, dark and piercing, fixed on her for a moment before he turned his gaze to Frieda. His voice was low and commanding.
“Apologize.”
Frieda froze, her mouth hanging open in shock. “W-What did you say, Lucian?”
Lucian’s stare was icy, his posture imposing as he addressed her with a cold authority. “Old Mr. Queen’s condition is critical. If anyone could have saved him, they would have appeared by now. After all, you’ve brought in every renowned doctor from all over the world. But no one has been able to help him.”
The weight of his words hit Frieda like a slap. She lowered her head, her eyes flickering nervously.
Lucian didn’t give her a chance to respond. His voice carried even more authority as he continued, his gaze sweeping over the room. “Ms. Jarvis has no connection to the Queen family. She’s here solely to treat your grandfather. You don’t have to believe in her abilities, but there’s no reason to mistreat her. Did the Queen family never teach you any manners? Apologize now.”
Jonathan, equally stunned, stared at Lucian. He had never seen his brother-in-law so forceful, especially on behalf of a stranger.
Lucian’s defending a woman he barely knows? Jonathan thought, his mind whirling. But he’s right. Frieda has been overbearing, even aggressive. She crossed the line today.
Swallowing his shock, Jonathan added his voice to Lucian’s. “Lucian’s right, Frieda. You owe Dr. Jarvis an apology. As worried as you are about Grandpa, you shouldn’t have acted that way. It was rash and unfair.”
Frieda’s fists clenched at her sides. Her frustration boiled over as she shot a glare at everyone in the room. Lucian’s protecting this woman. My brother’s siding with her. Even Estella’s asking me to apologize… What am I supposed to do now?
She hesitated, the words burning in her throat, before reluctantly lowering her head. “I’m sorry, Dr. Jarvis. I was… too rash. I shouldn’t have hit you.”
Her apology was stiff, lacking any sincerity. It was clear to everyone that she was doing it only under duress, her pride wounded.
Roxanne, still seething from the earlier confrontation, didn’t immediately respond. Instead, her eyes lingered on Lucian, lost in thought.
Why is he helping me? Her mind raced, a mix of confusion and curiosity swirling within her. Earlier, he tried to stop me from treating Old Mr. Queen, and now… he’s defending me? His intentions are so unclear.
Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, Jonathan’s voice cut through the silence. “Frieda has admitted her mistake. I don’t expect you to forgive her right away, Dr. Jarvis, but as you said, my grandpa’s condition is deteriorating rapidly. Please, can you continue the treatment first? We can discuss how to make up for my sister’s actions later.”
Roxanne’s irritation simmered beneath the surface, but when she thought about the research institute and the opportunity she had to help Old Mr. Queen, she forced herself to regain composure.
Jonathan was right. Alfred needed treatment now—he was the one truly innocent in this situation.
With a deep breath, Roxanne glanced at the others in the room, her gaze turning cold and commanding. “If you’re not directly involved with the treatment, I ask that you leave now.”
Frieda, clearly about to protest, opened her mouth, but Roxanne cut her off. “That includes you, Ms. Queen.”
Frieda’s face tightened, but she didn’t argue further. Jonathan gave her a pointed look, and with a heavy sigh, he gestured for everyone to leave. The medical staff quickly filed out, leaving only Jonathan, Lucian, and Estella behind.
The room grew quieter, the tension still palpable. Roxanne took her seat next to the bed, her demeanor focused and resolute. She opened her medical kit, preparing to continue the treatment, though her mind was still in turmoil.
Lucian, standing nearby, watched her closely, his expression unreadable. Estella, ever the observant one, stuck close to her father, though her wide eyes occasionally flicked toward Roxanne, sensing the unresolved tension.
The room was charged with anticipation. Roxanne knew she had to push aside everything else—her frustrations, her doubts—and focus entirely on the task at hand. Old Mr. Queen’s life was in her hands now.
