Chapter 81
Margaret walked over and bent down to pick the photo up first.
“It’s late now. Go get some sleep.”
She lay down and slipped the photo under her pillow.
Valeria noticed something off in her expression, but she didn’t ask. After all, Grace had disappeared 27 years ago without a single word. Seeing that photo must’ve stirred up a lot of pain.
The sight of Margaret’s thinning white hair made her pause.
She stayed the night.
The next morning, just as she was about to leave, Margaret handed her a bank card and said, I’ve been saving the money you sent me these past few years. Use it for Selena’s surgery. I still
have some left.”
When Valeria tried to refuse, Margaret sighed. “If you don’t take it, Jennifer’s just gonna come and ask for it.”
So, Valeria accepted it. She stopped by the bank on her way home. Almost every transfer she’d made over the past seven years was still there-untouched.
If her year-end bonus turned out as expected, she could afford the surgery and even bring Margaret to live with them. She was her only family.
At 10:00 am in Amstead, the cardiothoracic team was about to perform a major surgery. Leading the operation was Marcus Moore, Amstead’s most respected heart surgeon. The procedure was live-streamed by several media outlets. After seven long hours, it ended safely and successfully.
Outside the OR, Marcus gave a brief five-minute interview before stepping aside. He caught sight of Sebastian standing nearby and smiled.
“Greetings, Dr. Moore.”
“Come by for dinner tonight. My wife is waiting for you. And Hannah as well. She’s been asking about you,” Marcus said.
The Moores from Amstead were a medical family. The patriarch of the Moore family, Kingsley Moore, used to be an army doctor and had known Sebastian’s maternal grandfather for years.
Every year, Sebastian went to visit them. And lately, with Kingsley’s health declining and his
Chapter 81
90th birthday approaching, Sebastian had brought a special gift.
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Marcus’ youngest daughter, Hannah Moore, was 25. Graceful and demure by nature, her cheeks flushed the moment she saw Sebastian at the Moore residence that night. She quickly trotted over to greet him.
“Hey, Sebastian.”
Sebastian felt a headache coming on. Of course, he knew how she felt. It wasn’t a secret. And between Hannah and Sabrina, he was frankly exhausted.
He’d asked Martha to turn the Lawsons down. But she told him to give it more time.
He even sent Sabrina a polite birthday message a few days ago. But the truth was, marriage wasn’t on his radar, and he was ready to end the matchmaking circus.
Apparently, Jessica had gone to Martha, which meant Sebastian had been getting calls about it every day lately.
Back at the Moore residence, Sebastian greeted Hannah with the same calm indifference he always did.
Seeing the indifferent look on his face, Hannah bit her lip, a hint of disappointment flickering in her eyes.She glanced over at her mother, Julie Horton, who, feeling a pang of sympathy for Hannah, also looked a little worried.
Julie knew Hannah had liked Sebastian for years. And now, Julie was hoping to play
matchmaker. So, she gave Marcus a look.
Marcus had just sat down after a long day in the OR. He sighed. They only had one daughter. He then looked at Sebastian.
Whether it was his looks, his family background, or even from a professional standpoint, Sebastian was exceptional in every way.
“Sebastian, why don’t you stay in Amstead for a few more days this time? You’re always in and out so quickly. Tomorrow’s a day off. Why not let Hannah show you around? There are some new trendy spots in town that young people are really into. It will be fun.”
“It’s fine,” Sebastian replied. “I’ve already made plans for tomorrow morning. Prof. Ainsworth is giving a guest lecture at Amstead University. I haven’t seen him in a while, so I’ll be heading there with a friend.”
Hannah looked toward Marcus, who responded to Sebastian with a nod. “That’s a good idea. I haven’t seen Prof. Ainsworth in ages either. He came to our hospital for a check-up just last month. Still going strong for his age-aside from slightly elevated cholesterol, everything looked stable.”
Sebastian stayed for dinner at the Moore residence that evening.
Kingsley and his wife, Madeline Plein, were away for a brief retreat at Starlight Hollow, so Sebastian decided he’d visit them another day.
The following day, he had a birthday gift delivered for Kingsley. It was a painting named ” Pinecrest Crane”, a genuine piece from the “Rivergate Era”.
Sebastian had pulled some strings with a friend and won it at a private auction held in an underground estate sale in Inkko, paying two million Inkko dollars for it.
He ended up staying in Amstead for ten days in total. During his time there, Hannah invited him out several times, but Sebastian politely declined her every time, citing work
commitments.
One day, Marcus hosted a small formal gathering-mostly doctors from Slate City Medical Center who had come to Amstead for advanced training. These were the kind of events where attendance was expected. Sebastian joined and, for once, drank more than usual.
As the evening wrapped up, he swayed slightly on his feet. He held his coat in one hand, his steps slightly unsteady.
“Sebastian,” a soft voice called out as a sweet scent drifted past him. Someone caught hold of his arm to steady him.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, trying to get a clearer look at the person in front of him. His expression was dazed, voice low and hoarse. He stared at the pale, porcelain-like face in front of him. The woman wore a light blue knit dress. Her smile was gentle, with just a hint of
softness and charm.
He squinted, then suddenly let out a quiet laugh. “Aren’t you supposed to be in Slate City?”
“You’ve had too much to drink. Let me take you back to your hotel,” she said softly.
There was a hint of concern in Hannah’s eyes as she held onto Sebastian’s arm. Looking at his handsome face, her own cheeks started to flush with heat.
What surprised her most was that Sebastian hadn’t pulled his arm away. Instead, his hazy and unfocused gaze lingered on her face as he quietly followed her out of the club.
Back at the hotel where he was staying, Sebastian’s mind was foggy, his steps unsteady.
The black jacket draped over his arm slipped to the floor.
Hannah helped him over to the bed and eased him down. “Sebastian,” she said gently. His cheeks were flushed, his breath tinged with alcohol-nothing like the cold, distant man she’d seen at the family dinner days ago.
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Staring at his chiseled features, she hesitated for a moment, then, heart pounding, leaned in
closer.
“Sebastian, can I stay with you tonight?” she asked softly.
