Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Roman’s POV

I felt too damaged to pursue anything else. The last thing I wanted was to ruin Anna’s life.

Then what’s happening with you both?” Zenco pressed, refusing to let it go. “And don’t tell me it’s nothing. I know it’s more

He pointed at me. “The way you spoke about protecting her. The way you just held her, touched her, looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered. This is something deep, and you can’t run from it.”

He was right. It was deeper than anything I had felt before, more intense than anything I had ever experienced in my life. I was still trying to figure out how to navigate it, but I could not say that to Zenco.

“What we have is complicated.”

Zenco laughed. “Complicated? That is code for you not wanting to leave your trauma behind and embrace what is in front of

you.”

“You’re one to talk,” I shot back. “Womanizing all over the continent, do not come at me. At least the women who agree to my terms know exactly what they are signing up for. No promises, no broken hearts.”

Zenco raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, I was not judging. You did not have to go there.”

He grinned. “I am a man who, unlike you, is not opposed to love. I just have not found the right woman yet.”

“And how would you?” I teased. “When you sleep with every walking…”

‘Alright, alright.” Zenco gave up, laughing. “You win.”

I let out a breath, ready to shift gears. “Let’s talk about strategy.”

Zenco’s expression turned serious.

‘I will call Pierre’s bluff.” I crossed my arms. “Tell him we caught him on camera spiking Anna’s drink and trying to hurt her.”

‘He knows there are no cameras in the VVIP room.” Zenco frowned. “Do you think he will take the bait?”

I am positive he will.” Confidence spread through my chest. “He is arrogant and panicked. He will slip up.”

I continued. “I will tell my guys to find every piece of dirt on him. Get security to pull every recording of his past behavior Any girl who has reported him for being inappropriate, any complaint we have brushed aside. Let us reach out to them

Zenco nodded, understanding where I was going.

“He wants to play?” I leaned forward. “Then I will show him that nobody threatens me and gets away with it We will bury him so deep he will wish he never woke up from that coma.”

“Do we really need to be here?” Anna asked as we walked through the hospital corridors “I told you I am fine

I tightened my grip on her hand, threading my fingers through hers. The gesture was meant to offer comfort and reassurance, but I needed it just as much as she did.

“We need to be certain. My voice came out rougher than I intended. “Whatever Pierre gave you needs to be out of your

14

Chapter PN

system I need to know medically that you are okay.”

She sighed but did not argue further.

I hated hospitals. They reminded me of too many nights spent in waiting rooms, watching my father fade away visit by visit

Finding out about my mother’s affair, then watching her divorce him and marry the man she had been cheating with just months later, had driven my father to the bottle. Alcohol became his escape and his poison. It destroyed his kidneys and nearly killed him. Those final months, watching him connected to dialysis machines, powerless to save him, never left me.

But I chose St. Catherine’s for two reasons.

First, I was a donor here. The dialysis unit on the second floor bore a plaque with my name on it. Every month, money went into their research programs and equipment upgrades. It was the least I could do. My father had spent his final months connected to machines, and I had been powerless to save him. Maybe I could not bring him back, but I could help others fighting the same battle.

Second, Dave had confirmed it that morning. Pierre was here.

The receptionist looked up as we approached, her face brightening with recognition. “Mr. Blackwood, Doctor Raine is ready for you in her office.”

Thank you.”

Anna turned toward me, surprise written across her face. She glanced between the receptionist and me as we walked toward

he elevator.

They know you here?”

‘I have made donations.” I pressed the button for the third floor.

What I did not tell her was that Pierre was one floor above us. That after I made sure she was safe, I would be paying him a visit he would not forget.

The elevator doors opened on the third floor. I knew exactly where Doctor Raine’s office was. I had been here enough times. for donor meetings and hospital functions.

We turned left down the corridor, past patient rooms and nursing stations, until we reached the administrative wing.

I knocked once before pushing the door open.

Doctor Raine stood from behind her desk, a warm smile on her face. She was in her late forties, her hair slightly greying at the temples, likely from the stress of her position.

‘Doctor Raine,” I said, stepping inside. “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”

“Roman, you are always welcome here.” She came around the desk to shake my hand. “You are part of this hospital You are a priority, always.”

I turned to Anna and gestured toward her. “This is Anna Winters.”

“Ms. Winters.” Doctor Raine extended her hand to Anna, then gestured to the chairs across trom her desk Please sit

We sat. I could feel the tension radiating off Anna

“Mr. Blackwood explained the situation over the phone, Doctor Raine said gently “I am very sorry about what happened to you. We will run some tests just to be sure everything is fine”

2.4

12:22 pm

Anna shifted in her seat I feel okay A little off, but nothing serious.”

“That is good to hear Doctor Raine nodded. “But we will not know for certain until we run your blood work. Some substances leave the system quickly, but we need to check for any lingering effects.”

I leaned forward ‘What are we looking for exactly?”

“Common sedatives used in these situations metabolize quickly, which is why timing is crucial. The sooner we test, the better chance we have of detecting anything.”

“And if you find something?” I asked, my hands gripping the armrests.

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