The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 175

I guessed Ferris had overheard my conversation with Leon.

Terrified of him getting the wrong idea, I quickly explained, "It's about work. Ter—"

"What kind of hospital work requires an anesthesiology intern to rush out at the crack of dawn to meet a neurosurgeon?" Ferris cut me off ruthlessly, his tone dripping with venom. "If you're going to lie to me, at least come up with something believable."

I stared at him, momentarily stunned. After a heartbeat, I shot back, "Then what do you think the reason is, Dr. Sterling?"

Ferris was briefly rendered speechless. He just glared at me, refusing to answer.

He was still wearing the same white dress shirt from last night. The top two buttons were undone, and his tie hung loosely around his neck. He looked rugged and uncharacteristically disheveled.

But his eyes were sharper and more hostile than ever.

Thinking of Leon waiting for me, I had no patience to entertain Ferris's toxic jealousy. I silently glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Seems you're in quite a rush, Dr. Hayes?" Ferris sneered, fully reading my anxiety.

I didn't bother beating around the bush. "If there's nothing else, Dr. Sterling, I need to leave."

I barely took a step before Ferris completely blocked my path. The lingering scent of alcohol clung to him, aggressively invading my senses.

"You're not going anywhere."

The absolute command vibrated against my ear. I looked up at him in shock, only for him to add coldly, "I told you, Leon is off-limits."

"And I told you, it's just work." A spark of defiance flared in my chest. I curled my hands into tight fists and forced myself to remain calm.

Ferris stared down at me, his dominance suffocating. "Even if it's work, he's off-limits."

I stared at the familiar lines of his face, my mind spinning with disbelief.

Ferris was being utterly irrational.

Today, I was done enduring.

I took a deep breath, threw my head back, and met his piercing stare flawlessly. "I have a clear conscience about everything I'm doing. If you want to pick a fight out of thin air... suit yourself."

With that, I brushed past him and walked out the door without looking back.

Half an hour later, I met up with Leon at an estate on the outskirts of the city. We were led into a side courtyard, and upon looking up, we saw Beatrice's memorial.

Terrence was slumped heavily by the side of the casket.

In just one day, the massive, imposing man had withered into a broken shell. He knelt there listlessly, his face covered in rough stubble, dark circles bruising his eyes. He looked as though his very soul had been ripped out of his body, moving with agonizing slowness.

Leon and I exchanged a quick look and stepped forward, only to be immediately blocked by two security guards at the entrance.

"We are friends of Mr. Thorne."