Chapter 19: Is There Even a Line You Won’t Cross for Vivian?
Hazel couldn’t help but laugh when Sebastian once again dragged Elias Sterling into the conversation as an excuse.
Her lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. “Sebastian, you don’t have to keep using Elias as a scapegoat. There’s nothing between us.”
“But you,” she jabbed a finger into his chest, her voice sharp, “do you even have a bottom line when it comes to Vivian?”
Sebastian frowned. “You know I’m always responsible for my patients, Hazel. Are you saying a life doesn’t matter to you?”
Hazel let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “Oh, so you’re some saint now? Saving lives while stabbing your own wife in the back?”
“I really misjudged you.”
Her every word was like a dagger to the heart.
Sebastian’s face turned pale, stricken by the disappointment and disgust in her eyes-it cut deeper than any wound.
Did she… already know?
Did she know everything?
No.
Sebastian took a deep breath. Until the very last moment, he couldn’t afford to crack.
His affair with Vivian was like a shameful curtain he could never lift. He indulged in it, but it terrified him.
If Hazel found out, he knew it would be the end of everything. And that was something he couldn’t handle.
“Hazel…” he swallowed hard, voice hoarse. “You’re under some other man’s spell. Is that really how you see me now?”
Hazel found it ridiculous-how he refused to admit anything yet kept trying to shift the blame to her, like it would somehow make his guilt easier to
bear.
So this was what he wanted?
Her to mess up, so he could feel less guilty?
“Sebastian, think whatever you want,” she said coldly, done arguing.
She’d rather spend what time she had left buried in her research, even if it meant dying at her lab bench.
She wasn’t going to waste another breath debating with a man like him.
He would never admit he was wrong.
Almost there.
The divorce was coming.
Hazel turned and walked away, silently reminding herself to hold on just a little longer.
“Vivian?” Danni had caught enough of the argument to pick up on the name. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Sebastian, suspicion creeping in. “You’re getting this drug-for another woman?”
Sebastian quickly reined in his emotions. The anger and panic from just moments ago vanished behind a mask of calm and poise.
“Yes,” he said evenly. “But she’s just a patient. Nothing more. I’m responsible for her life-and I intend to save it.”
Danni stared at him, captivated by how serious and composed he was.
So different from the inen in her social circle-always drinking, partying, and chasing women.
That’s exactly why she’d fallen for Sebastian.
He was a rarity. He’d gone against his family to pursue medicine instead of politics or business.
He had even fought for the right to marry Hazel.
That kind of loyalty-what woman wouldn’t want it?
Sebastian maintained his usual cool demeanor, his tone softening just slightly. “My patient’s condition is urgent. If you truly want to do something meaningful, I need your help.”
Danni’s heart skipped.
“You mean.. I can work with you?” she asked, breathless.
Sebastian knew she wouldn’t agree unless he gave her something in return.
He knew exactly what she wanted.
Adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses with a gentle push, he nodded. “Of course. I’ll need your input as we monitor the drug’s effects and assess further research potential. I’ll be in touch often.”
He reached for his phone.
Leaning slightly toward her, his voice low and magnetic: “Let’s add each other on WeChat.”
Danni blushed with excitement and quickly scanned his code. “I’ll contact my cousin right away.”
Sebastian smiled politely. “Appreciate it. Let’s have dinner once this is done.”
As she watched him walk away, Danni clutched her phone, inhaled deeply, and summoned the courage to finally dial the number she’d never dared to
call.
Ring-ring-ring.
The call connected. Her heart jumped.
“Hello? This is Danni,” she said nervously.
“I don’t know you.” The man’s voice was cold and clipped, like a glacier cracking in winter.
He was about to hang up.
Danni quickly said, “We’re from the same Chen family, remember? My dad is your father’s cousin.”
Silence.
Then, “What do you want?
“I heard you’re with Hawking Institute. I need a dose of Asidant. Can you get it for me?”
“Are you sick?”
Danni’s face froze. “No… it’s not for me. I’m trying to help someone else.”
“No.”
He hung up without hesitation.
No sentiment, no courtesy-just ice.
Danni stared at her phone, stunned.
She’d heard the heir to the Hawking empire was cold and antisocial. But she never expected this.
She had thought that a bit of family connection might earn her some leeway. She was wrong.
And she’d made promises.
If she couldn’t get that drug, she’d become a complete joke in front of Sebastian.
No. She wouldn’t let that happen.
Danni made up her mind.
She was going to the lab in person.
There was no way the cousin of a Hawking wouldn’t be able to get her hands on a drug.
Hawking Institute.
Hazel drove back to the lab, changed clothes, and went straight into the research facility.
“Hazel, you’re back?” Lily looked up and greeted her.
Hazel nodded faintly.
She kept her head down, flipping through a flow cytometry report, then turned to retrieve equipment-completely missing the look on Lily’s face.
Lily stole a glance toward Elias Sterling, who was silently staring at Hazel, his gaze unbroken.
His lips were tightly pressed together-clearly unhappy about being ignored.
Lily knew this heir’s temper well. She gave a few polite coughs to warn Hazel.
But Hazel didn’t look up.
She picked up an instrument-but suddenly, the world went dark. Her hands trembled.
Crash-
The equipment fell, liquid spilling everywhere.
Hazel’s face drained of color. Her voice trembled, barely audible. “I’m sorry…”
She stood frozen, head bowed like a scolded child.
That quiet, lonely posture-utterly heartbreaking.
Lily rushed over. “It’s okay! It’s really okay. You’re not feeling well-it’s fine. Come, I’ll help you sit down.”
Hazel didn’t move.
She just stared at the broken glass on the floor, dazed.
ThenA tall figure stepped in front of her, blocking the light, and her entire field of view.
She saw only his shadow.
And the faint scent of snow lotus that lingered on him.
