Chapter 20: And You Still Dare Bully Hazel
Hazel kept her head down the entire time.
It wasn’t until a man’s cold fingertips lifted her chin that she resisted, stubbornly, but she wasn’t strong enough to stop him.
His thumb gently forced her chin up.
Her cheeks were already glistening with tears.
“What are you crying for?” Elias stared into her teary eyes, where a fragile light flickered behind the haze,
His voice, once cold as ice, now carried a trace of softness-like silk.
Hazel bit her lip hard, refusing to speak.
Elias said flatly, “Everyone, leave.”
Lily and the others exchanged a glance, then quietly set down their reports and exited the room.
“Talk. Who bullied you?”
His tone made it clear-if she didn’t tell him, he wouldn’t let it go.
Once everyone had left, the shame and pressure weighing on Hazel’s face seemed to lighten a little.
She shook her head and murmured hoarsely, “I just feel so useless.”
She regretted it deeply.
Regretted choosing the wrong marriage when she was young and full of potential-a marriage that left her heart and body in ruins.
She had neglected her career when she was still healthy.
Only now, when her body could no longer bear the weight of time slipping by, did she finally think of saving herself.
But was it too late?
Could she really outrun time?
Tears streamed from Hazel’s eyes, scalding as they dripped into Elias’s palm.
His gaze dimmed slightly, and his thumb instinctively brushed away the shimmering drops. “So your solution to all this… is to cry?”
Hazel shook her head. “No. I just lost control of my emotions for a moment.”
Even though she kept telling herself not to let things get to her…
Just the thought that Sebastian would have her apologize to another woman for the sake of Vivian’s medication made her chest ache with suffocating pain.
All those promises and sweet words he once whispered in love-they were nothing but soap bubbles, gone with a single poke.
Elias remembered that she had taken a call from her husband before she left earlier. What had he said to her that pushed her over the edge?
He suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled up her sleeve.
Her wrist was so slender, it seemed barely wrapped in flesh. The pale skin revealed veins underneath.
And on it, bruises.
Sol Chose a BILLIONAIRD
He stared at the marks and asked, lips tight, “What’s this?”
Hazel caught the assumption in his eyes and quickly denied it. “It’s not from him. These just started showing up”
Leukemia often came with bleeding symptoms-bruises, nosebleeds, bleeding gums. It was all normal
And this was only the early stage.
Later, it would only get worse.
Would she even still be able to stand here in the lab?
Would she live long enough to see a new drug developed…?
“Mr. Sterling, the guard just called. A woman named Danni is asking to see you.”
Lily’s voice came from outside the door.
The moment Hazel heard that name, she instantly understood-Danni had agreed to Sebastian’s request and come begging for medicine for Vivian.
But why?
Why should Vivian get something that Hazel had fought tooth and nail to obtain-so easily?
Hazel suddenly gripped Elias’s wrist tightly, her eyes still red, pleading. “Please don’t give it to her.”
Elias lowered his eyes to look at her hand gripping his.
Soft. Delicate. Warm.
It felt like it could melt every frozen shard inside him.
His throat bobbed, but he didn’t pull away.
He had a good guess who the medicine was for-but he still wanted to hear it from Hazel herself.
He wanted her to be the one to tell him everything.
Others wouldn’t care. But between them-there was something different.
“Then tell me everything.”
Hazel hesitated. To her, it all felt like family disgrace-telling him would only invite mockery.
But something in Elias’s eyes gave her a strange sense of trust. He could help her.
He wouldn’t mock her.
So she told him the story, start to finish.
When Elias heard it, his eyes filled with icy anger. “He actually told you to apologize?”
Hazel gave a bitter laugh.
See? Even an outsider thought it was absurd-yet Sebastian didn’t realize it at all. Instead, he blamed her for being heartless.
“Want to come with me?” Elias held her hand.
Hazel shook her head. “I’ll wait here.”
Before leaving, Elias lightly patted her head. “Watch how Mr. Sterling handles things.”
The words felt like a promise to shield her. It gave Hazel the illusion of being protected-and made her heart flutter with unease.
She still didn’t know what kind of relationship Danni had with Elias. Why had she come directly to him?
Would he give in?
-Conference Room.
Danni was led inside, confidence rising with every step. She knew it-there was no way Elias would be that heartless over a few pills, not when they were family.
When she heard footsteps at the door, she stood quickly and looked up-then couldn’t hide her amazement.
She’d heard from her social circle that Elias Sterling was the most handsome man in the Capital.
But having spent years abroad, she’d never seen him in person. Elias was famously low-profile, rarely appearing at public events.
She didn’t expect him to be this devastatingly good-looking.
Her voice softened instinctively. “Cousin, it’s me, Danni.”
Elias looked down at her coldly, his gaze laced with disdain.
“I already rejected you on the phone, and you still show up here uninvited. What’s next? Gonna hang yourself on my doorstep if I say no again?”
Danni’s face froze. She hadn’t expected such harsh words from someone with such a perfect face. “I… I really just need this medicine to save someone. You wouldn’t actually be cruel enough to watch me die, would you?”
Elias smirked, mockery dancing on his lips. “You’re welcome to try.”
Her face flushed red, then paled. She hadn’t expected such humiliation over a simple request.
Holding back her anger, she said, “Cousin, didn’t you develop this drug to save lives? Why won’t you give it out?”
Elias replied coolly, “It’s not impossible to get my agreement.”
Her eyes lit up again.
Elias continued, voice calm as ever, “I just happen to need clinical trial participants. She can come here, receive ongoing treatment, and try the drug-might not be a perfect match for her condition, but it’s a win-win.”
“Have her sign this contract.”
He handed her a document he’d already prepared.
Danni, clueless about the technical terms, only thought this made her job easier. A place that would take her in and give her the meds? Even better.
“Thank you, cousin! I’ll make sure she signs it!”
Elias nodded. “If you really want to help this patient, you should take care of everything yourself. Negotiate with her, seal the deal-then surprise her doctor with the good news.”
The moment she heard she could surprise Sebastian, Danni was elated.
She was completely immersed in her little fantasy of being praised for doing something right.
She didn’t stop to wonder how Elias knew so much.
She left beaming.
Completely missing the dark look on Elias’s face as he watched her leave. He let out a soft, cold laugh, his lips curling as he murmured. “Idiot.”
And with that kind of brain?
You still dare bully Hazel.
