Chapter 73"Antonio, my relationship with her is not what you think it is!" Sydney exclaimed. "We just go out occasionally, have lunch together and talk about work. That's all. My relationship with you is still the best, just so you know. And I don't mean to hurt you or anything like that. This... this whole thing is just a misunderstanding.""There's no work to talk about in a hotel room, just by yourself, Sydney."After Antonio emphasized every word that came out of his mouth, Sydney couldn't say anything else. She even stuttered when she was about to make another excuse. The cold stare that she had never seen from Antonio made her nerves shrink instantly. Until the only thing Sydney could do at that time was to cry."I don't want to be made a choice, Sydney. If you love me, then leave him right now. But if you can't do it, that means you don't love me. I won't force you to stay with me anymore. I'll let you be. So, make your choice now.""I can't leave you, Antonio!""Why can't you
Chapter 74The loud ringing of the phone managed to disturb Nathan's few hours of sleep. His eyes were still heavy, finding the time on the wall clock pointing to six. He'd only slept for three hours because he'd struggled to close his eyes last night. The heroin he'd bought from someone called Jessie was really making him curious. But the cell phone's constant buzzing couldn't make Nathan go back to sleep, especially after his hazel eyes saw Antonio's name on the screen."Why is the boss calling me this early?"Despite his grumbling, Nathan tried to remain professional and loyal in serving his master. The man blinked his eyes, trying to gather the remnants of life that were still sleeping with him, before finally moving to sit up and pick up the call from his boss."Yes, boss? What's wrong, how come you're calling me so early?"Antonio cleared his throat, "You just woke up?""Sure. I couldn't sleep last night."The voice on the other side was silent for a while, making Nathan even mo
Chapter 75- Previous Chapter -"Do you know anything, Nathan?"And the man wearing a black T-shirt wrapped in a matching leather jacket just shook his head weakly. He pursed his lips and muttered. "But I regret leaving her there alone."Antonio nodded his head, signaling that he understood the situation and didn't mean to make his right-hand man feel guilty. "I understand.""Can we check on him? We need to see him even though he's... dead."Antonio looked at Nathan, then considered his words about seeing Carl.After all, they were teammates until last night. Antonio suddenly got a message from a mysterious number showing Carl's latest condition. His body was covered in blood while his face looked bruised and blue. Carl had been murdered by someone. His body had been left on a seedy street not too far from Jean's nightclub. Antonio had called the woman, but her number was disconnected. Suddenly, their communication was cut off and Antonio was struggling to get information. Antonio tho
Chapter 76-Previous chapter-Nathan immediately looked at Antonio. "What's wrong?""Calm yourself down first. You look shocked."The man sitting beside Antonio just turned his face out the window again. He let out a long sigh and the two ended up trapped in an awkward atmosphere for some time afterwards.---Rose couldn't stop her legs from trembling as her mother prepared for her surgery. She sat outside the room as the doctors came in with their suits covered. Complete with mouth masks and gloves, Williams was the last doctor to join her mother in the operating room.The woman accompanied Jasmine's journey from the hospital room to the operating room with anxious expectation. Williams didn't promise much for either her or Jasmine. Rose had to be prepared for the worst-or the most miraculous-at once.But it wasn't just her mother that was now occupying Rose's head, it was the double line that appeared on her testpack. Still staring at the little thing, Rose's mind wandered far and w
Chapter 77Chapter 77Antonio nodded his head. He understood the meaning of Nathan's question, but a moment later continued, "As you said ... she had a relationship with another man.""She confessed?""I suppose so."Nathan's face turned awkward. He widened his eyes in disbelief, but then turned his face as flat as he could. In an artificially cool manner, Nathan asked another question. "You're not angry?""Obviously, I'm angry.""But your face doesn't show it," Nathan said, looking at Antonio quizzically. "You're not disappointed in him?""Obviously, I was disappointed.""You... but you don't look it, Antonio!" Nathan raised his voice, but it didn't sound angry.And Antonio just shut his mouth tight."Wait, if she's been in a relationship with another man, how can you be so sure that the child she's carrying is yours, Antonio? Have you confirmed it?""No, I didn't. But she recognized the pregnancy as mine," Antonio said frankly. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, then lifted his
Chapter 78Meningitis is an inflammation that occurs in the meningen, or the protective layer that covers the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can sometimes be difficult to recognize, as the disease has initial symptoms similar to the flu, such as fever and headache.Meningitis can also be caused by bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections. Certain conditions, such as a weakened immune system, can also trigger meningitis. But in Jasmine's case, Williams wasn't just explaining things to Rose. He told her that she had a tumor that could aggravate her current condition, so surgery was necessary.After signing some paperwork, including completing the hospital administration, Jasmine was able to enter the operating table with Williams as the doctor in charge.Rose waited for about three hours in front of the operating room. Williams had already told her that the surgery would be performed under general anesthesia. The operation would begin by opening the skull bone (craniotomy) fo
Chapter 79Rose looked around, after Williams had left her. The hospital corridors were still very busy even though it was soon time for some doctors to go home. Rose's blue eyes found nurses chatting as they walked, small children crying as they were about to be examined by the doctor or even parents who looked confused looking for loans over the phone to meet the hospital fees. But through it all, Rose still felt sorry for herself with all this fate.The woman then made her way to the cafeteria located on the west side of the hospital. Her stomach felt very empty and her throat was dry. And when she got there, Rose immediately cast her eyes around."Is there anything I can help you with, Miss?" asked the vendor standing behind the counter.Rose looked at the large menu board hanging behind the man. There was a wide variety of menus available at various prices. But in the end, Rose remembered how much money she had left and decided to economize. She swallowed hard before finally sayi
Chapter 80Antonio's brown eyes rounded instantly. "This... what the hell?!"The scene in front of him was a sight to behold. An enthusiastic and excited Nathan continued to explain about the items he had found at Jean's nightclub during the trip. But as soon as they arrived and Nathan took Antonio to his room, which was right next to the living room, Antonio was shocked.Items like pillows, bolsters, blankets were scattered all over the floor. Not to mention a few items on the nightstand. Oh, and don't forget the mirror!All the items lying in front of him now seemed to make Nathan's room look like a crashing airplane. Antonio turned to Nathan with a confused expression, his face saying you-must-explain-everything-now.Instead of cleaning up his mess, Nathan forgot that his room had become an outlet for his frustration. He snorted in amusement and scratched the nape of his neck as he returned Antonio's gaze. The man who had covered his body with an old leather jacket from last night