Chapter 1

Samantha Wyatt lay exhausted on the bed after the intense session, feeling as if all her energy had been drained. The rustling sounds of someone getting dressed pierced the still air.

Ignoring the discomfort that wracked her body, she forced herself to turn to the side and look at the man, who was already fully clothed, beside her.

"Joseph, Grandpa's birthday is next week. He wants us to go back together."

Upon hearing this, Joseph Lynch frowned slightly. A hint of impatience flashed in his eyes. He then fixed a cold, scrutinizing gaze on Samantha.

"I can go back with you and celebrate Grandpa's birthday," His eyes were filled with disdain as he spoke, "but you'd better behave yourself and stop trying to play any tricks."

If it hadn't been for that night three years ago when Samantha drugged his drink and slept with him, he wouldn't have broken up with Erica Fitch or married Samantha under Harold Lynch's pressure.

Samantha certainly played her cards well. After marrying into the family, she managed to win everyone over, especially Harold. Harold constantly found ways to lure him back and create opportunities for Samantha.

Joseph's lips curled into a mocking smile as he thought of this. He strode to the dresser, pulled open the top drawer, rummaged through it, and took out an unopened box of pills. Then, he tossed it to Samantha.

"Take them. I don't want any children." Besides, a scheming woman like her didn't deserve to bear his child.

The sharp corner of the box grazed Samantha's delicate skin and prickled it. She inhaled sharply before letting out a bitter laugh.

Gathering her courage, she met Joseph's gaze and said, "Do you really hate kids, or you just simply don't want me to bear your child? You know the truth."

Over the past three years, he instinctively smiled every time he returned to the Lynch residence and saw his sister's child. The envy and joy in his eyes were unmistakable to Samantha.

It wasn't that he didn't like kids. He simply didn't want to have them with her.

The smile on Samantha's face stiffened, and her eyes quickly dimmed. Joseph remained silent and simply stared at her. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and traced its edges as he spoke coldly.

"Think whatever you want. But that's no excuse for delaying taking the pills."

His eyes turned fierce again. He was worried that Samantha would refuse to take the pills and end up having a child to threaten him.

Gulping, Samantha felt a hint of bitterness welling up in her and lost the will to argue with him.

She dragged her exhausted body up and poured herself a glass of water. Then, she tore open the pill packet and swallowed the pills right in front of Joseph.

Seeing this, Joseph nodded in satisfaction. Without casting another glance at Samantha, he walked out and slammed the door behind him.

Samantha stared at his retreating figure with tears streaming down her face. They had been married for three years, and Joseph still didn't love her. She thought it was pointless to continue their relationship.

…

The next morning, Samantha woke up to find it was already 9:00 a.m. She hurriedly got herself ready, chose a car from the garage, and drove to the hospital.

She had half an hour before her shift started, and she would be late if she took the bus. Speeding as fast as she could, she made it to the hospital in 15 minutes.

After taking a deep breath of relief, she patted herself on the chest and quickly entered the building. As soon as she walked in, she heard a buzz of conversations and instinctively paused.

"Hey, did you hear? A big shot is visiting our hospital today!"

"Who is it? Stop keeping me in suspense. Tell me!"

"The CEO of Lynch Group, Joseph Lynch."

"What's he doing here?"

"I heard his girlfriend has some health issues and has trouble conceiving. So, he brought her here to see a doctor and get some treatment."

"Let me tell you, Mr. Lynch is a rare gem. The woman would have been kicked out long ago in other wealthy families."

"Wait, you still haven't told me who his girlfriend is!"

"It's Erica Fitch, the beautiful pianist."

"Oh. It's her."

Samantha stood frozen in the lobby and only came back to her senses after their voices faded away.

She pretended to stay calm and smoothed over the wrinkles on her pants. She clenched her fists as she walked silently to the gynecology department and began reviewing patient files.

After a while, a nurse said hesitantly, "Ms. Wyatt, Mr. Ferse injured his leg yesterday. So starting today, in addition to the regular ward, you'll also need to do rounds in the VIP ward. It's about time for the rounds now."

While speaking, the nurse handed another patient's file to Samantha. Samantha took the file without a word and glanced at it briefly. Her eyes trembled when she saw the patient's name.

It was Erica's file. The file noted that Erica had hormonal imbalances and ovulation issues and had undergone multiple unsuccessful treatments.

It was a conclusion that could only be drawn if the patient had been receiving treatment at the hospital for at least a year. This meant that Erica and Joseph had likely been involved for a long time.

So, Erica had been openly undergoing fertility treatments at Samantha's workplace for a year without her knowing until today.

A bitter smile tugged at Samantha's lips. She casually placed the file on the desk and turned to the nurse.

"Sorry, I'm not feeling well today either. Please inform the director that I need to take a day off." With that, Samantha sighed deeply and left the hospital with a cold and disheartened expression.

Half an hour later, Samantha parked her car right at the entrance of Halcyon Manor. She then headed upstairs with a newly printed divorce agreement in hand.

The smell of intimacy in the room from last night had almost entirely dissipated, replaced by a faint jasmine scent.

Samantha placed the divorce papers in the most conspicuous spot in the room to make sure Joseph wouldn't miss it. Then, she pulled out a suitcase from under the bed, opened the wardrobe, and began packing her things.

The wardrobe seemed full, but in reality, there were only a few of her clothes. Most of them belonged to Joseph. So, it only took her about 10 minutes to pack her belongings.

Dragging the suitcase downstairs, she loaded it into the trunk of her car. She took a final look at the elegant, yet empty, villa and felt a sudden sense of relief.

She had been trapped in this vast house for the past three years, waiting every day for Joseph to return. Yet, she failed to win his heart. Fortunately, she realized it wasn't too late.

Smiling in relief, Samantha looked away and drove off.

Chapter 2

When Joseph returned to Halcyon Manor, it was already 10:00 p.m. Somehow, word had reached his mother about his visit to the hospital with Erica earlier that day.

His mother, who had always favored Samantha, immediately called him, demanding him to come home and apologize to Samantha or face her wrath. Left with no choice, Joseph reluctantly complied.

Rubbing his temples in frustration, Joseph looked at the dark house before him. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.

No matter how late he returned in the past, Samantha would always leave a light on for him. However, that wasn't the case tonight. Nevertheless, he didn't dwell on the matter and simply brushed it off.

Feeling his way through the dark, he opened the door and flicked on the wall switch. The house lit up at once.

Joseph casually climbed the stairs to Samantha's room before knocking on the door firmly. "Samantha, open up."

He knocked for a while, but there was no response from inside. It finally dawned on Joseph that something was wrong. Samantha was a light sleeper, and even the slightest noise would wake her.

The current silence could only mean one thing.

Joseph pursed his lips. He quickly took a few steps back and kicked the door open with a resounding thud. Breathing a sigh of relief, he rushed inside and switched on the lights while calling out Samantha's name.

The room was empty. Not only was Samantha gone, but there was no trace of her ever having lived there. Joseph's temples throbbed, his expression darkening like a brewing storm.

He wondered what kind of trick was Samantha playing now.

Scowling, he scanned the room impatiently until his gaze landed on a white folder on the nightstand. Bending down, he picked it up and slowly opened it.

The first thing he saw were the words "Divorce Agreement". Joseph's lips curved into a mocking smile as he continued reading with growing interest. He wanted to see what Samantha was up to.

The divorce agreement was 13 pages long, and the more he read, the colder his smile became. His face grew darker by the minute.

When he reached the line stating the reason for the divorce, his deep eyes were filled with anger. He wished he could drag Samantha back right now and make her explain herself.

The reason was written clearly. "The husband cannot satisfy the wife's normal needs and has no intention of seeking treatment, resulting in the breakdown of the relationship. Divorce is requested."

Joseph let out a cold laugh. He gripped the page tightly and crumpled it up.

He then balled up the paper and tossed it into the nearby trash can. After that, he found Samantha's number and called her with a grim expression.

"Beep, beep…"

The phone rang endlessly in the empty room. Just as Joseph was about to give up, a lazy female voice answered.

"Who is it? Why are you calling so late?"

Upon hearing the unfamiliar voice, Joseph frowned in displeasure and ordered, "Ask Samantha to answer the phone."

The woman seemed to have guessed his identity. She mockingly replied, "Oh, so it's you, the infamous jerk. Why are you calling Sam at this hour? Aren't you supposed to be at the hospital with your little sweetheart? Why are you looking for Sam?"

This remark left Joseph momentarily speechless.

After a pause, he repeated coldly, "Miss, whatever between Samantha and me is none of your business. Put Samantha on the phone."

The woman scoffed. A few minutes later, Samantha's voice finally came through.

"Joseph, what do you want?" Samantha's voice was unusually cold. It was a stark contrast to the gentle tone he was used to hearing.

Joseph gritted his teeth and struggled to contain his anger. "What's with the divorce agreement at home?"

Samantha smiled faintly and replied indifferently, "What do you think it means?"

Joseph thought Samantha was just throwing a tantrum and threatening to divorce him. But upon hearing her confirmation now, he let out a cold laugh.

No longer restraining his temper, he mocked, "Samantha, do you really think you're in any position to make demands of me? You want 30 percent of my assets? What makes you think you can handle it?"

His words cut deep, but Samantha refused to back down. "I'm certainly ready to receive it. There's no need for you to worry about that, Mr. Lynch."

She emphasized the words "Mr. Lynch", making her disdain clear.

Joseph found her tone grating. His fists clenched at his sides, and his voice rose. "Samantha, shouldn't you explain the reason you gave for the divorce? Are you implying I haven't satisfied you?"

Samantha couldn't help but laugh at his audacity. "Mr. Lynch, you're quite confident, aren't you? If you can't accept the truth right now, I can give you more time to adjust."

With that, she hung up, not giving him a chance to respond.

Joseph listened to the phone beeping after the call ended. His veins bulged on his forehead. In his fury, he shredded the divorce papers to pieces.

"Samantha, don't even think about divorce! I will never agree!" he thought to himself.

...

After hanging up, Samantha sat on the couch feeling lost. She continued watching the variety show on the TV.

She felt like an emotionless robot for the past three years, dutifully playing the role of the gentle and virtuous wife in the Lynch family. She had almost forgotten her real self.

Noticing Samantha's despondent face, Mina shoved a handful of chips into her mouth and grumbled. "Sam, that jerk is not only a scumbag but also has a terrible temper. You've really suffered these past three years.

"But at least you're about to break free from this nightmare. You won't be tied to him anymore. As your best friend, I'm genuinely happy for you. How about we go out and celebrate?"

Mina had disliked Joseph since the beginning of their relationship. She felt he wasn't the right man for Samantha.

It turned out that she was right. Joseph was terrible. Not only did he neglect Sam, but he also blatantly cheated on her with Erica, that cunning bitch.

Now that Samantha had finally woken up and decided to divorce him, she thought they should celebrate the joyful event.

Chapter 3

Samantha didn't want to dampen Mina's mood. So, she smiled and asked, "Where should we go?"

Without missing a beat, Mina replied, "Of course, we're going to Phantom! I'm a VIP there."

Phantom was the most upscale bar in Valmon. Only those with substantial wealth and status frequented it. Before Samantha married Joseph, she and Mina were regulars at Phantom.

Remembering those days, Samantha nostalgically said, "The last time we went to Phantom was four years ago."

Mina rolled her eyes. "If you hadn't fallen for Joseph, and if Mr. Lynch Senior hadn't insisted on you marrying him, we would've met up a long time ago. As compensation, you owe me some serious quality time!"

Samantha nodded repeatedly. "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Mina looked Samantha up and down and furrowed her brows slightly. "Before we hit the bar, you need a change of clothes. This elegant white dress totally wastes your stunning looks."

With that, Mina took Samantha's hand and led her upstairs to the wardrobe.

Mina was a renowned makeup artist and stylist. She had her own studio in Valmon, catering to celebrities in the entertainment industry.

With Samantha's natural beauty, a quick makeover from Mina was all she needed before they headed out to Phantom.

...

Half an hour later, a flashy red Maserati pulled up in front of Phantom.

Mina was the first to step out. She adjusted her oversized, black sunglasses with a faint smile on her lips before casually tossing the car keys to a nearby valet.

"Take care of this for me, thanks." She then turned to Samantha, who had just stepped out of the car, and nodded approvingly. "I have to say, you look much better like this."

Samantha hesitantly linked arms with Mina. Lowering her head, she glanced nervously at her outfit. Clearly, she felt out of place. "Minnie, don't you think this skirt is a bit too revealing?"

Mina waved her hands and pulled Samantha through the door, heading straight for their regular private room. "Sam, you look hot and amazing in that! Plus, I've got a surprise for you. Stop worrying and come on."

Soon, they reached the door of the private room. Mina put a finger to her lips and signaled for Samantha to keep silent. With a mischievous smile, she pushed the door open and gestured for Samantha to go in.

"Sam, take a look."

Samantha didn't know what Mina was up to. Curious, she stepped forward. Inside, about a dozen well-built and handsome men stood up in unison, flashing her polite smiles.

"Good evening. We're the male escorts this lady arranged for you and are here to serve you tonight. Is there anything you need?"

Samantha's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "Minnie, what is this?"

Mina proudly pointed at the male escorts. "Sam, I picked these guys based on your taste. It took a lot of effort. So, do you like them?"

As she spoke, Mina pulled Samantha to sit on the sofa in the center of the room. The male escorts keenly gathered around them and offered them fruits from the platters on the table.

Feeling awkward, Samantha shrugged off the escorts' attention and politely declined the fruit they offered her.

"Minnie, tell them to leave. I'm not interested in male escorts."

Upon hearing this, Mina immediately understood what Samantha meant.

She exchanged a glance with one of the escorts and said, "Alright, guys, you know the drill. Head out, and we'll settle up later."

After receiving Mina's instructions, the male escorts wasted no time and quickly exited the room.

Once they were gone, Mina looked at Samantha, feeling somewhat guilty. "Sorry, Sam. I didn't mean to mess things up. I forgot you don't like strangers touching you.

"Since they're gone, how about we go downstairs and dance?" Mina suggested.

Samantha loved dancing during her university days. She had even been the president of the dance club back then.

She didn't reject Mina's offer. "Sure, let's go. It's a good chance to practice."

Mina felt relieved that Samantha wasn't upset. She led the way and held the door open for her friend. "After you, Sam."

...

The club was filled with people, and the heavy metal music was deafening. Multicolored neon lights flashed as men and women swayed and moved in the center of the dance floor, losing themselves in the fun of the night.

As soon as Samantha stepped onto the dance floor, she became the center of attention.

Her black and pink skirt highlighted her curvaceous figure, while her long and wavy hair bounced freely with her movements.

The combination of her exquisite makeup and her naturally cool demeanor made her look both alluring and untouchable.

The crowd gasped, drawing the spotlight to Samantha at the center of the dance floor. The commotion downstairs quickly caught the attention of two men seated in a corner on the upper level.

A strikingly handsome man took a sip of his drink casually and glanced down at Samantha before saying, "That girl is hot. She's definitely my type. I wonder if she's single."

This piqued the interest of the man sitting opposite him. "What kind of woman could catch the eye of a playboy like you?"

With that, he followed the spotlight's direction. When he saw Samantha, his expression darkened. He wondered what Samantha was doing here. He couldn't believe the revealing outfit she had on.

She just asked for a divorce this morning, and now she was out dancing in a place like this. Joseph thought she was really starting to disregard him.

A hint of coldness flashed across his face. "She's not single. Don't even think about it," he said through gritted teeth.

The other man noticed the displeasure in Joseph's tone. He lightly swirled the wine in his glass. "Oh? Do you know her? I have to say, she has an amazing body and got quite the looks, too. She's a rare gem in Valmon, much better than Erica."

Hearing that, Joseph let out a cold laugh. His eyes were clouded with complex emotions. "I don't know her, but I'd advise you to stay away from her unless you want trouble. She's not as easy as she looks."

Chapter 4

The man's interest grew. His face lit up with curiosity as he looked at Joseph. "Well, what makes you say that?"

Joseph's tone dripped with disdain. "She's not only skilled at seducing people but also adept at winning them over. Do you really think you can handle a woman like that?"

The man seemed unbothered. "I'm just looking for some fun. I'd welcome her into my bed anytime. Besides, women like her are just after money, right? You know very well that if there's one thing I have plenty of, it's money. I can always give her more."

A flicker of annoyance flashed through Joseph's eyes. "She's married."

The man waved his hand dismissively and responded teasingly, "So what? Married women can still get divorced. Who knows, maybe I'm her true destiny."

Joseph's expression turned as dark as a storm cloud when he heard that. He stood up immediately and walked towards the stairs. Upon seeing this, the man followed closely behind.

...

As the song ended, sweat beaded on Samantha's forehead. She casually wiped her face and couldn't help smiling.

It had been ages since she last danced, and her stamina wasn't as strong as back then. Still, she felt exhilarated.

Samantha was already strikingly beautiful. Coupled with her sexy outfit tonight, she looked like a cool woman who exuded an alluring aura and captivated everyone around her. Even a simple gesture from her sparked a wave of cheers and whistles from the people.

Just as Joseph descended the stairs, he caught sight of this scene. His frown grew deeper, and he gestured to the man behind him. "Clear the area, except for the two women in the center of the dance floor."

Puzzled, the man looked at Joseph in disbelief. "Why? Are you interested in that woman too? I saw her first. First come, first served. Besides, don't you have a thing for Erica? Why the sudden change of heart?"

Despite saying that, the man complied with Joseph's orders and had his people clear the bar. In no time, the once-crowded space was nearly empty. Samantha and Mina were left alone.

Joseph approached them with a smirk playing on his lips. He scrutinized Samantha's outfit with evident displeasure.

"Samantha, who permitted you to dress like this? Have you forgotten all the rules you learned at the Lynchs? Or are you here to seduce someone?"

The thought of so many people having seen her in such an outfit made Joseph's blood boil. He wanted to drag her back home and teach her a lesson about proper conduct.

Samantha was puzzled by the sudden departure of everyone around her. But upon seeing Joseph, she quickly pieced it together. She was about to retort when Mina spoke up first.

"Hey, we're no longer in the 20th century. Ever heard of freedom to dress? You must have a few screws loose."

The man behind Joseph couldn't help but laugh at Mina's bluntness. He then cast an amused glance at Joseph. It was his first time seeing someone talking back to Joseph like that.

Curious, he stepped forward to get a better look at this outspoken woman, only to find himself locking eyes with Mina. They both instantly recognized each other.

Mina eyed him warily. "Mr. Wembley, you know this jerk?"

Xander Wembley was the most accomplished heir of the Wembleys and the current CEO of Wembley Group. He was notorious for his playboy reputation and happened to be the owner of this bar.

Mina had crossed paths with him a few times at Phantom.

Upon hearing that, Xander nodded. He then shifted his attention to Samantha and asked teasingly, "I heard from my staff that you ordered 18 male escorts as a surprise for your friend. Is this your friend?"

As soon as Xander finished his sentence, the atmosphere in the room turned tense.

Joseph's face darkened further, his gaze cold and piercing as he stared at Samantha. It was as if he was trying to bore a hole through her.

"Samantha, don't you have any shame? Are you that desperate for attention?"

They weren't even divorced yet, and here she was, hiring male escorts. Not to mention there were 18 of them. How bold of her to do that!

Samantha let out a derisive laugh. Ignoring Xander's presence, she retorted sharply, "Joseph, we're almost divorced. My business is none of your concern."

Then, as if she just remembered something, she added with a sly smile, "Oh, and by the way, those male escorts are better than you."

Joseph gritted his teeth in fury. "Samantha, you…"

The word "divorce" caught Xander's attention, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. They all knew Joseph had been pressured into marriage by Harold Lynch, his grandfather, but none of them knew anything about his mysterious wife.

Now, this stunning woman in front of him was Joseph's wife. This woman was a knockout, far surpassing Erica in both looks and figure. He thought Joseph was a fool to prefer Erica over her.

Xander smiled at Samantha and gave her a slight bow. "Samantha, I'm Xander Wembley, Joseph's childhood friend. Since you're divorcing him, why not consider me? I promise I'm better and more attentive than him. Unlike him, I have eyes only for you.

"If you choose to date me, I promise to treat you right. How about you let me give you a ride home later?"

Xander's expression was serious, his tone devoid of any hint of a joke.

Knowing Xander's close relationship with Joseph, Samantha was about to refuse. However, the ringing of Joseph's phone cut through the tension.

Glancing at the caller ID, Joseph frowned slightly.

He then shot Samantha an ambiguous look and said indifferently, "Samantha, you'd better behave yourself and not pull any stunts like this again. I've got some business to attend to at the company."

The last part was directed at Xander. With that, Joseph turned and left in a hurry.

As Samantha watched Joseph's retreating figure, a sarcastic smile curved her lips. She knew only Erica could make Joseph this anxious.

Chapter 5

Samantha chuckled to herself. She had expected Joseph to stay and argue with her, but it seemed she had overestimated her importance. Compared to Erica, she was just a nobody in his life.

Samantha lowered her eyes to mask the flicker of disappointment in them. She pursed her lips and turned to Xander, saying, "Mr. Wembley, it's quite late, and it's not safe for us to go back alone. We'd appreciate it if you could give us a ride."

Both Mina and Xander were taken aback. They couldn't believe their ears. It was clear that Samantha had been momentarily shaken by Joseph's departure. It meant that he still held some sway over her emotions.

Mina was aware of Samantha's feelings for Joseph. She wanted Samantha to move on and find someone more suitable, but Xander was definitely not that person.

After all, Xander was known for his frivolous relationships. He wasn't someone who could genuinely care for Samantha.

"Sam..." Mina's voice was filled with worry as she gently tugged on Samantha's hand.

Samantha turned to her and offered her a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Minnie." With that, she smiled at Xander and gestured toward the exit. "Let's go, Mr. Wembley."

Xander snapped to his senses. "It's my pleasure to drive you ladies home. My car is just outside. Please, follow me."

He took the lead, guiding them out of the club. Of course, Xander knew it was improper to pursue a friend's wife.

But Joseph wasn't attracted to Samantha, and they were about to get a divorce. He thought it wasn't a big deal to try and win Samantha's favor.

Xander's car was a sleek and understated, yet luxurious, black Porsche.

Ever the gentleman, he stood by the door and held it open for Samantha and Mina. Once they were seated, he circled to the driver's side and got in.

The car was filled with a strong cedar scent from the air freshener.

Samantha was sensitive to strong smells. So, she wrinkled her nose and waved her hand in front of her face after just a few minutes in the back seat. She wasn't fond of woody fragrances.

Upon noticing this, Xander rolled down her window to let in some fresh air and disperse the scent.

"You don't like the smell?" he asked curiously. He remembered that Joseph had the same freshener in his car.

Samantha nodded. Her face was pale as she explained, "I'm quite sensitive to odors. This woody fragrance is too strong, and it makes me uncomfortable. So I don't really like it."

Xander gripped the steering wheel and started the car. "I never heard Joseph mention that. My apologies. I should have been more considerate."

He then asked Mina for their address, set the GPS, and drove off toward their destination.

...

Meanwhile, Joseph arrived at Yorkshire Residence. Erica was in the living room, knitting a scarf. The sound of his footsteps rang out behind her.

She instinctively tossed the yarn aside and turned around. Her face lit up with surprise as she stared at Joseph.

"Joe, you're finally here!"

Joseph's expression remained indifferent as he scrutinized her. He asked flatly, "You said on the phone that you weren't feeling well. What's wrong?"

Upon hearing Joseph's cold tone, Erica smiled awkwardly. The excitement on her face faded away.

"Joe, I'm fine. Maybe the food at lunch didn't sit well with me. It made me feel nauseous, but I'm feeling much better now. I initially thought I might be pregnant, so that's why I was so eager to call you back.

"I made a mistake. I'm sorry, Joe."

Erica lowered her head apologetically, and her eyes gradually turned red. She looked as pitiful as ever.

A trace of indistinct emotion flickered across Joseph's face. "As long as you're okay, everything is fine. If you didn't like the food prepared by this chef, I'll have Xavier arrange for another chef to come tomorrow. How did your check-up go this morning?"

At the mention of this, Erica's mood instantly fell. "The doctor said my condition is still the same as before. There are no significant changes. I don't know when I'll be able to recover.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so focused on my career before, I wouldn't have ruined my body," she lamented softly while sobbing.

Upon hearing this, Joseph sat down beside Erica and patted her back soothingly.

"You've been getting treatment at this hospital for over a year, and there's no improvement. It's probably not your fault.

"Maybe the doctor isn't skilled enough. I'll have Xavier instruct them to change your attending physician and see if that helps. If it still doesn't work, we'll switch hospitals. We'll find a way to get you better."

Joseph's voice remained as cold as ever, but his words greatly comforted Erica's emotions.

She hugged him excitedly and rested her head on his shoulder. "Joe, I knew you always cared about me the most."

Joseph's body turned stiff for a second. After coming to his senses, he slowly extended his arm and gently stroked Erica's back. "It's just what I should do."

Erica reluctantly released her embrace after holding onto Joseph for a while.

She wiped away the tears on her face, revealing a smile, and hurriedly stood up. "Joe, it's so late, and you haven't eaten, have you? Just wait for a while. I'll make you something."

Before Joseph could refuse, Erica went straight to the kitchen. Upon seeing this, Joseph didn't say much. Instead, he walked to the balcony.

Feeling agitated, he took out a cigarette from his pocket, held it between his fingers, and quickly dialed Xavier's number.

"Ring, ring…"

The call was quickly answered.

"Hello, Mr. Lynch. What can I do for you?" Xavier asked respectfully.

Joseph took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Investigate Erica's attending physician at the hospital. See if he's skilled enough to be a good doctor. Otherwise, just replace him and find a more competent doctor for Erica.

"He can't even treat such a minor illness after a year. I guess he's not that great, after all."

Xavier fell silent briefly before cautiously responding, "But, Mr. Lynch, Mrs. Lynch is currently Ms. Fitch's attending physician. Are you sure you want to replace her?"