Chapter 15

Hours passed before Williams realized it was nearly closing time. She had been so buried in work that hunger had long since turned into dizziness. Usually, one of the staff brought her lunch, but she had instructed them not to disturb her during breaks. Today, her own discipline was punishing her.

She finally picked up the phone and asked for something to eat. The staff hurried to obey. While waiting, she called Romaric. He arrived within minutes, standing straight at the door.

“Yes, madam,” he said respectfully.

“You’ll drive me somewhere tonight,” Williams ordered. “But I want you to choose a discreet car.”

Romaric hesitated. “The same one we use to go to the residence?” he asked, referring to her visits to the psychiatrist.

“No,” she replied, her tone low and controlled. “We’re going somewhere else.”

Romaric waited for more details, but her silence told him there would be none. “All right, ma’am. I’ll get ready.”

“And please,” she added before he could leave, “put one of the company cars at my assistant’s disposal, Malaya. She’ll need to get home early, then attend the charity gala with Emilio. She has my speech.”

“Should I send a driver for Mr. Emilio, too?”

“No need,” she said flatly. “He knows how to be on time. He’s used to it.”

Romaric nodded and turned to leave, brushing shoulders with the staff member who entered carrying her meal tray.

Out in the corridor, his steps aligned with Emilio’s, who was heading toward Malaya’s office. She had returned to her duties but still looked distant, her expression hollow from exhaustion.

“Malaya,” Emilio called softly. Romaric stayed at a distance, letting the doctor speak first.

She glanced up, silent.

“Dr. Williams asked me to collect the invitation card,” Emilio said.

“Here it is.” She handed him the card and turned back to her work without looking at him.

“Will we go together? With my car, it’ll be faster,” he offered gently.

“No need. Thanks.”

“But—”

Before he could finish, Romaric interjected, his tone neutral. “Miss Malaya,” he said, “Madam has ordered that a driver be placed at your disposal for tonight.”

Malaya blinked, confused. “What? For me?”

Emilio frowned. “So… we’ll go with the company’s car?”

Romaric shook his head. “No, sir. Only Miss Malaya. The car is reserved for her alone.” He smiled politely, avoiding further comment.

Emilio was speechless. Dr. Williams had never extended such privileges to anyone, especially not to a secretary. Without a word, he turned away, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

Malaya looked at Romaric, still holding the invitation. “Why would she do that?”

Romaric sighed. “I can’t say, miss. Here’s the driver’s number. When you’re ready, call him and he’ll come for you.”

“Thank you,” Malaya murmured, taking the card.

As Romaric left, Rosa approached and touched Malaya’s shoulder. “Hey… are you okay?” she asked, noticing her colleague’s drained expression.

“Yes,” Malaya replied quickly, slightly pulling away from her touch. The gesture unsettled Rosa, who could only watch as Malaya quietly left the office.

Meanwhile, Dr. Williams finished her meal and prepared to leave. Romaric was already waiting by the car. She slipped out before the staff could crowd her with polite greetings. Through the glass doors, Malaya caught sight of her moving quickly, her expression unreadable.

Romaric opened the car door. “Dr. Williams, are you sure about this?” he asked carefully.

“Don’t worry,” she said, giving his shoulder a light tap. “I won’t make a scene.”

Romaric nodded but said nothing more, he knew a discreet car only meant on thing, problems. He had been her mother’s bodyguard before she inherited the hospital. His loyalty was to the Kai family. Miss Kai had trusted him to protect her daughter at all costs. Yet lately, even he struggled to understand the doctor’s intentions.

While others saw a brilliant surgeon, Romaric saw a woman who never allowed herself to lose, even when the game turned dark.

As the car rolled through the city lights, Williams’s thoughts sharpened. She had quietly used her network to trace the address of Evelyn—the woman carrying the misplaced embryo. Tonight, she intended to visit her.

She was not going to let Emilio keep his promise this time. She had made a vow long ago: Never be a loser, no matter what it takes.

If the couple had decided to reconcile, she would help them turn the page her own way.

Williams looked out the window as the hospital lights faded behind her. The city blurred into streaks of gold and black. Her reflection in the glass smiled faintly, eyes calm, almost tender.

But beneath that calm was irritation. She wanted to face the woman who had dared to make Niran Williams move from one end of the city to another.

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