The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 171

Lucille remained entirely oblivious to Leon's presence. Seeing that I had stopped, she continued her theatrical display of martyrdom, her voice choking with grievances. "Do you have any idea how hard your father and I worked to raise you? There's an easy path right in front of you. Why must you be so stubborn and choose to suffer?"

I didn't want Leon to witness this joke of a family drama. I immediately turned around, about to stop her, when Lucille launched into another tirade. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make the Sterlings owe us a favor. Why can't you just—"

"Stop it," I cut her off sharply. "My mind is made up."

Lucille's eyes widened. Driven into a state of absolute fury, she grabbed my wrist tightly. "No! Selena, you can't be this selfish. You're coming home with me right now. You are done working at this hospital!"

Before I could react, she yanked my arm, pulling me toward the exit. The movement was so sudden and violent that I stumbled forward, completely losing my balance.

"Careful!"

Leon rushed forward and caught me, smoothly positioning himself between me and Lucille.

Startled by his sudden appearance, Lucille began to stammer. "Dr... Dr. Lennox. What a surprise."

Leon looked down at me, his dark eyes brimming with concern. "What's going on here?"

I bit my lip and stayed silent, terrified that if I spoke, the tears would spill over. Lucille offered a vague, nervous excuse. "Oh, it's nothing. Just... dealing with some family matters..."

Leon clearly didn't buy it. His gaze dropped to the wrist Lucille had just been bruising. Changing the subject, he asked, "What brings you to the hospital at this hour, Dr. Hayes?"

That was when I remembered Dr. Logan had ordered me back to the department.

"It sounds urgent." Leon turned to Lucille, his voice perfectly polite. "Mrs. Hayes, Dr. Logan is famously strict. How about we let Dr. Hayes get back to her duties, and if there's an emergency, you can discuss it with me? How does that sound?"

His tone was gentle but firm, and his humble demeanor worked like a charm. Lucille's iron grip on my hand loosened slightly.

"You should go, Dr. Hayes," Leon prompted me again. "I'll stay here with your mother."

Here at Capital General, I had always been entirely on my own.

Even though my husband on paper, Ferris, was the hospital's shining star, I had never once enjoyed his protection. Instead, during a medical dispute, he was the one who threw me to the wolves to take the bullet.

It was tragically pathetic.

"Dr. Hayes."

A familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned around and immediately spotted Leon standing a few feet away.

I tried to force a polite smile, but my facial muscles simply wouldn't cooperate. Then I heard him say, "Your mother headed home. How are you holding up?"

It suddenly dawned on me that Lucille, who had stormed in here ready for war, had actually left before achieving her goal?