The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 165

At the sound of that voice, Claire violently ripped her wrist out of Jefferson's frantic grip.

Miles stood at the entrance to the stairwell, an imposing figure in his crisp white lab coat. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, his face an impenetrable mask as his frigid gaze locked onto them.

As he stepped into the stairwell, Claire's heart hammered against her ribs. She desperately wanted to explain, but her throat clamped shut.

Miles looked at Jefferson, his tone entirely detached and strictly professional.

"Keep it down. This is an inpatient ward. The patients need their rest."

Jefferson clearly hadn't expected to run into Miles. He flinched slightly, but swiftly recovered his composure.

He gave a polite, measured nod. "Miles. I'm just here to speak with Claire. There's been a crisis at the company, and I was hoping she'd consider returning to help."

Miles shifted his gaze to her.

It was a brief, razor-sharp glance. Claire couldn't even begin to decipher the dark storm swirling in his eyes.

She knew Jefferson would never voluntarily mention their past relationship in front of Miles—after all, he was engaged to Yvonne now.

Her true terror was whether Miles had overheard their conversation before he interrupted.

"Take your corporate issues outside," Miles commanded, his voice quiet but brooking absolutely zero argument.

Jefferson nodded stiffly. "Claire, think it over. I'll come back and visit Susan another time."

He cast one last, lingering, desperate look at Claire before turning on his heel and leaving.

Claire nervously moistened her lips, testing the waters. "Are you done with your rounds, Dr. Zimmerman? Would you like to get some dinner?"

Miles gave a low hum of acknowledgment, his eyes dropping straight to the bouquet of yellow roses clutched to her chest.

"Your favorite flowers," the man noted, his gaze turning decidedly somber. "He certainly put in the effort to drag you back to fix Sterling's mess."

Claire was stunned. She had never once mentioned her preferences to him, yet he somehow knew she adored yellow roses.

And his tone was practically vibrating with possessive jealousy.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Claire's mouth. She walked straight over to the nearest trash can and dumped the entire bouquet inside without a second thought.

She marched right back to Miles, looping her arms affectionately around his and gazing up at him.

"I don't like them anymore. From now on, the only flowers I like are the ones Dr. Zimmerman buys for me."

"That bitch Claire Jenner! Why doesn't she just die!"

Jefferson stopped dead in his tracks. He turned slowly, his voice chillingly calm but laced with a lethal warning.

"Yvonne, do not forget that this is a business arrangement. We made it explicitly clear before the engagement: you do not interfere in my personal affairs."

Yvonne was practically panting with rage, her eyes burning with pure, unadulterated venom.

"It's been six months! I've been the one by your side this entire time, and we've slept together!"

"If you hadn't spiked my drink, do you honestly think I would ever lay a finger on you?" Jefferson's brutal dismissal hung in the air. He didn't stop.

"And for the record, I went to see her because of Sterling Designs! Because of this catastrophic mess you created, and now I have to clean it up!"

Jefferson aggressively slammed a thick stack of the plagiarized design comparisons onto her desk.

Yvonne recoiled, stammering. "Jefferson, I'm sorry. I was just desperate for a win."

"I know how to fix the plagiarism scandal. Once we finalize the acquisition of OCHH Luxury and bring designer Nati onto our team, Sterling Designs will bounce back completely."