Chapter 19

Pain bloomed across Khloe's cheek, and her hand flew up to shield it.

Her wide eyes swung toward Miguel, disbelief pouring into her voice. "Dad... you'd actually hit me over some street beggar?"

Before the words even faded, another slap cracked against her skin-harder, sharper, leaving the sting burning deeper.

A flush rose on both cheeks, the swelling already visible.

"Beggar? She's an honored doctor! Mind your tongue!" Jeffry's tone cut like ice.

Tears pricked Khloe's eyes, and she spun on her heel,fury pushing her toward the door.

Ruby's voice chased after her. "Khloe! Where do you think you're going?"

"Leave her. She'll come back," Jeffry said, catching Ruby's arm before she could follow, instead giving her a pointed glance toward Eliana.

Reluctantly, Ruby turned back. The only choice left was to mend the damage.

Forcing her composure, she stepped toward Eliana,lowering her head. "I truly apologize. I failed as a mother, and my daughter's behavior has caused you offense..."

Eliana lifted her hand, cutting off the rest of Ruby's words. "I keep my word. You've given her the slap-consider it done."

Relief softened both Jeffry and Ruby's expressions,knowing she wouldn't press the matter any further.

"Then at least join us for a meal. Wle'd like to thank you properly," Jeffry said, his tone almost eager.

A quick glance at her phone had Eliana shaking her head."Thanks, but I can't. There's something urgent I need to deal with. But I'll leave you a new prescription. Once the current meds run out, follow it every day. That should keep the patient stable for now."

Miguel latched onto those last two words, his brow tightening. "How long... exactly, do I have?"

"A year," Eliana answered plainly.

The room shifted, most faces brightening at the news-none more so than Jeffry's.

For him, a year was more than enough time for Miguel to secure his path forward. After that,whether the old man lived or not was of little concern.

Miguel alone felt the weight of the news. To him, a single year was far too short. Still, it wasn't hard to understand. Those who brushed against death often clung tighter to life, not less.

"Would it be possible to come to you again after that year is up?" Miguel asked, unable to hide the hope in his voice.

Eliana was never one to offer promises she couldn't keep. "If my schedule allows, I can visit and check on you," she said evenly. "But I can't promise the same outcome.Some treatments lose their strength after the first round."

Even that much left Miguel quietly relieved. He looked at her with new hope in his eyes. "No matter what, I owe you my life. If you ever need something from the Clarke family, name it-we'll move mountains if we have to."

Eliana let the offer stand. Deep down, she knew there might come a day when she'd call it in.

"Bring me some paper and a pen," Eliana said.

Jeffry didn't hesitate, hurrying off to fetch them.

Once she began writing, graceful strokes flowed across the page, each line carrying a practiced elegance.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tristan caught a glimpse. For a heartbeat, he paused-was he imagining things, or had he seen that handwriting before?

Before he could get a better look, Jeffry folded the prescription and tucked it away.

"Thank you, truly. Since you've got urgent business today, I won't hold you up. Allow me to walk you out,"Jeffry said, his gratitude plain.

"There's no need. I prefer to leave quietly," Eliana replied, her tone light but final.

"But-" Jeffry insisted.

"Let her go if that's what she wants," Miguel interjected, knowing she had no patience for over-attentive hosts.

People like her were never easy to accommodate.

If extending his life meant giving in to her wishes,Miguel was willing to do so without hesitation.

With that consent hanging in the air, Jeffry had little choice but to follow through. "Please, take care," he said.

Eliana gave a short nod, accepted the neatly wrapped Goosegrass Ruby had bought, and headed for the door.

Her work here was finished.

The matter of payment was Seth's responsibility, not hers. All she had to do was get the job done.

Once she stepped out, the only guest left in the room was Tristan.

Jeffry's smile shifted into something overly polite."Mr. Pearson, why don't we talk over some drinks?With all the worry over my father's condition, I'm afraid we may not have treated you as well as we should have."

"No need to apologize. Seeing Mr. Clarke in good health is reason enough for me to be pleased,"Tristan replied.

Even as he spoke, a flicker of amusement crossed his mind. Since taking the helm of the Pearson Group, he had never once been upstaged-until today, by a young woman who had effortlessly stolen the spotlight.

If circumstances allowed, he would have gladly caught up with Eliana for a proper conversation.

Still, his visit today had a clear purpose-checking on Miguel's condition and handling business matters with Jeffry-so walking out just to follow Eliana wasn't an option. Something told him, though,that their paths would cross again soon.

Outside the estate, Neal and Leyla's eyes met in a shared,uneasy silence.

Leyla had been escorted out by Hector earlier. He'd asked her to leave first, and she'd agreed, but instead of going far, she lingered near the entrance,secretly hoping Eliana would fail in treating Miguel so she could salvage her own reputation.

Neal, on the other hand, had been planted there under Khloe's orders, unwilling to step inside without her approval.

The awkwardness between them was evident-both were outsiders in the Clarke family's eyes.

A sleek red sports car suddenly rolled past the gates.

The tinted window slid down, revealing Khloe behind the wheel.

"Khloe? What are you doing here?I thought you said once you delivered the Goosegrass, you'd use the chance to get your parents to meet me," Neal said,surprise lacing his voice.

Khloe's face clouded instantly. There had been a time when she adored him without question. Now,looking at him, that same rush of feeling was gone.

Maybe it was the lingering fury from her run-in with Eliana and Jeffry. Or maybe it was the memory of Tristan-his striking face and commanding presence refusing to leave her mind.

Few people knew much about Tristan yet. For years,h e'd been an illegitimate son, but once he fully stepped into power, his name would spread.

And when that happened, plenty of women would be chasing him.

Still, Khloe prided herself on her loyalty. Pushing down those stray thoughts, she said flatly, "Get in.Today isn't the right time to introduce you to my parents."

Neal started to question her, but his eyes caught on the angry red marks across her cheeks-two of them.

His expression hardened. "Khloe... who hit you?"

"Because of that bitch!" she spat, her voice thick with resentment.

"Bitch?" Neal frowned, confused.

"Yes! The one from the herbal pharmacy," Khloe scoffed.

"She's here? I'll take care of her right now!" Neal growled, rolling up his sleeves as if ready to storm in.

Khloe caught his arm before he could take another step. "Hop in. I'll fill you in later."

With no other choice, Neal pulled open the door and slid into the passenger seat.

From the curb,Leyla watched them drive off, a flicker of envy tightening in her chest.

She'd been standing there for nearly thirty minutes,and Hector still hadn't contacted her.

A knot of unease twisted in her stomach.

Back in the Murray household, she'd been surrounded by doting parents and six brothers. But now, with her ties to them severed, Hector was all she had left.

Every decision he made rippled through her life,shaping her future. That was why she couldn't afford to lose her place in his heart. Without him, there would be nowhere for her to go.

The thought only deepened her bitterness toward Eliana. If not for that woman, she wouldn't have been humiliated and cast out of the Clarkes' estate today.

A sudden movement drew her attention-a sleek black Porsche rolled to a stop in front of her.

One glance at the license plate made her eyes narrow. She knew that car. It belonged to Sean.