Chapter 18 A Walking Time Bomb
She gasped and stumbled back in surprise.
“How are you doing?” he asked, reaching out to grab the back of her neck and pulling her to himself. His eyes scanned her face and body. “What’s happening with the case?”
“You’re on the wrong floor, Mr. Moretti,” she muttered as she slid her hand to his wrist, trying to peel his fingers off her neck. “Esther’s on the fifth floor.”
But he didn’t budge. Instead, his grip tightened, firm and possessive, dragging her closer until there was barely any space left between them. Her breath hitched as her palms landed against his chest, instinctively steadying herself.
“I’m not here for Esther,” he growled, voice low and rough, thick with frustration. “I’m here for you. What’s going on with that attacker?”
She took a step back, slipping out of his grip, carefully avoiding his touch as if it burned. “It’s none of your business,” she said coldly.
“I asked you a question. Can’t you answer properly?” he snapped.
His fingers curled tightly at his sides, knuckles turning white as he stared at her—at the bare skin of her neck where his hand had just been. The warmth of her lingered in his palm. His fingers twitched, aching to pull her into his arms again.
But he didn’t move.
Instead, he clenched his fists harder—so tight that his nails bit into his palms until blood threatened to rise. He forced himself to stay still, to tame the urge clawing inside him.
There was a pause.
“You care about me now?” she asked, eyebrows raised.
Lorenzo scoffed, brushing her words off. “Don’t read into it. I just thought… if something happened to you, you wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
Krystal’s temper flared instantly.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Moretti,” she said, her voice tight with restrained fury. “Even if something did happen, I wouldn’t call you. You don’t need to be involved in my life.”
She turned sharply and began to walk away.
But before she could get far, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her back.
His hand slid to her throat—not to hurt, but to hold—as he pulled her flush against him. His other hand caught her wrist and twisted it gently behind her back, locking her in place, her body pinned to his. She gasped at the sudden contact, her heartbeat thudding wildly in her chest.
Her free hand pushed against his chest, trying to create even a sliver of space between them, but he didn’t move. He stood there like a wall—unmoved, eyes burning into hers.
His voice dropped to a growl. “After everything that just happened, you think you can walk away from me?” His eyes darkened. “Don’t forget who you are. What you say and do—it reflects on me.”
Krystal’s patience snapped.
Of course he only cared about himself. Why did she even expect anything else?
"As long as you don’t reveal it, no one will know," she snapped, eyes burning. "If you have this much free time, maybe you should start paying attention to your lover instead."
She pulled herself out of his grasp and stormed off without a backward glance.
Lorenzo stared after her, his jaw tightening. His hands ran over his face in frustration before he let out a deep, guttural growl. “I am out of my fucking mind!” he barked, voice echoing through the hallway. “I came all the way here, worried sick, for her —that crazy woman!”
He threw his hands up in the air, pacing in agitation. "She’s got her damn boyfriend right next to her! Why doesn’t she just let him take care of her? Why did I even fucking bother?!"
His voice dropped into a cold, bitter mutter. "There’s no need for me to care anymore."
***
"The internet is flooded with videos of you sticking your finger in a guy’s gut, honey," Darren muttered, flopping back on the couch with his tablet. He scrolled through the comments, his brow furrowing.
‘This woman is evil. Wasn’t stabbing the man enough? What kind of psychopath digs her fingers into a wound like that?’
‘Totally insane. She probably does this for fun. Arrest her already.’
‘She’s not even a doctor. Who let her stitch a guy up?’
‘That man could’ve died! Who does she think she is?’
‘What’s Bristen Hospital doing letting someone like that near patients? She and the hospital should be sued!’
Darren sat up and looked across the room at Krystal, who stood by the kitchen counter quietly, pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"They’re all condemning you," he said, voice softer. "They think you risked a man's life. And now Bristen Hospital’s under fire too—because you’re not officially employed there."
Krystal bit her lip, worry flickering across her face. She looked down at her cup, her fingers tightening around it.
"It would’ve been fine if it was just about me," she murmured. "But this... it’s affecting Damion. Bristen didn’t do anything wrong. Why are they getting dragged into it?"
Darren leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Who do you think ordered that guy to attack you? You think it was Esther?"
Krystal walked over and sat beside him, the coffee untouched in her hands.
“I suspected her. But I didn’t think she’d go this far,” she admitted, eyes fixed on her drink.
"You want me to handle her?" Darren offered, his tone cold, ready.
Krystal shook her head. “There’s no solid proof. But she’s made her move now. It won’t be long before the truth comes out.”
***
"Mr. Moretti!"
Xander burst into the office. Lorenzo looked up from his desk, his jaw immediately tightening.
"It’s all over the internet, sir. About Mrs. Moretti."
Lorenzo’s eyes darkened. He shut the file in front of him with a loud snap .
"Why the hell hasn’t this been dealt with yet? What’s that goddamn hospital doing letting people go after Krystal?”
Xander hesitated. “Some bystanders filmed the scene and posted it. And since you had the media blocked, people are saying she’s being protected because of her ‘powerful connections.’ They’re spinning it as a rich woman attacking an innocent man and getting away with it. The story’s going viral.”
Lorenzo slammed the file against the desk, rising to his full height with fury radiating off him. “So now they’re accusing her of everything under the sun?”
“Why don’t you go to the hospital?” Xander suggested gently. “Help Mrs. Moretti. She must be overwhelmed right now. She doesn’t have anyone standing by her.”
Lorenzo froze for a beat. His voice was low with anger. "If I go now, she’ll accuse me of meddling in her business again."
Xander nodded solemnly, but stayed put, arms crossed in front of him. Looking at the ceiling, he started counting in his head.
One… two… three…
Right on cue, Lorenzo shot back his chair and stood up, storming toward the door.
Xander grinned and followed without missing a beat.
The car raced through the streets toward Bristen Hospital. Half an hour later, it skidded to a stop outside the main entrance of Bristen Hospital.
Xander jumped out from the driver’s seat and quickly circled around to open the door for Lorenzo, but he was already stepping out. Lorenzo pulled his phone from his coat pocket and immediately dialled Krystal’s number.
Nothing. Just a long engaged tone.
He called again. And again. Same result.
His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing.
"Where the hell is this woman?" he barked. "Did she throw her phone into the goddamn ocean?"
He glanced at Xander. "Why isn’t she answering? What’s going on?"
A second later, Lorenzo cursed under his breath. “Screw this.” He stalked toward the hospital entrance.
He started striding toward the hospital entrance.
Xander caught up quickly, grabbing his arm to stop him.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Lorenzo growled, yanking his arm free.
“Mr. Moretti, now’s not the time to jump in,” Xander said calmly, his tone smooth with just a hint of smugness. “Let the situation build. The pressure’s rising. Wait a little longer… then step in and ‘save’ her. The timing will work in your favor.”
Lorenzo narrowed his eyes at Xander, weighing his words. Then, after a beat, a small smirk touched his lips.
He nodded slowly, leaning against the car, though impatience radiated off him.
"She’s just an employee here," he muttered under his breath. "Let’s see how long that damn boyfriend of hers can protect her."
Then more to himself: "Before I walk in and take her back."
***
"These people online are vicious," Kara snapped, pacing the living room. Her fists were clenched at her sides. “They’re acting like she’s the devil herself.”
“You haven’t even seen the memes yet,” Darren added with a grimace. “It’s bad. Like, really bad.”
“There’s so much hate,” Kara muttered. “How can people say such horrible things when they don’t even know the full story?”
Darren let out a dry laugh. “Imagine what they’ll say when they find out she’s not just some rich housewife—but someone who’s got more medical knowledge than any other doctor in this entire country."
Krystal sat on the couch, looking sullen. As she listened, her expression grew even more frustrated.
Standing abruptly, she muttered to Darren, “Please stop talking about it. I’ll just wait for it all to be over.”
Without another word, she turned and went inside the bedroom. The door clicked shut behind her. She crawled under the bedsheet, curling into herself, eyes shut tight.
Kara and Darren exchanged a worried glance.
Kara’s lips curled in distaste as she snapped, “Are you just gonna sit there and watch?”
Darren shrugged, muttering under his breath, “What else can I do?”
“Anything! Fight back for her. They need to be stopped,” Kara barked.
Darren sat still for a second, jaw clenched. Then his expression hardened. He gave a sharp nod.
***
Lorenzo paced in front of Bristen Hospital, jaw tight, tension etched into his features.
It had been almost an hour since he arrived, and still no sign of her. No calls. No messages. Nothing.
“This woman,” he growled through clenched teeth, frustration rising. “Doesn’t even know how to ask for help…”
He redialed her number. Straight to voicemail again.
“Mr. Moretti?” Xander’s voice broke through, tight and cautious. “You might want to check your phone.”