Chapter 7
Mabel said, "Matthew has already delivered the complete medical files. The patient who needs the cardiac operation is Zoe. Kristina, will you accept this case?"
Five million? A faint, mocking smile crept across Kristina's lips. Matthew certainly wasn't stingy with the payment.
Before she could settle on an answer, she noticed Matthew stepping out of the chief cardiologist's office with Zoe cradled in his arms, worry written plainly across his face.
The way he supported her so carefully, along with the soft concern lingering in his eyes, caused the chill in Kristina's gaze to deepen.
If his devotion to Zoe ran that deep, then fifty million was clearly nowhere near enough.
"Tell him to increase the offer. I'd like to see just how far he's willing to go."
After speaking, Kristina turned around and started walking away.
Matthew had already noticed her. His expression darkened at once. "Kristina, haven't you stirred up enough problems already? You injured Zoe's uncle last night, and her heart condition has flared up because of it. Yet you still have the nerve to chase me all the way here. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
Kristina had already removed her doctor's coat. With one hand tucked casually into her pocket, she regarded him with a cool, indifferent look. "You think too highly of yourself. I already asked for a divorce, yet you're still coming after me like this. Anyone watching would assume you're hopelessly obsessed with me."
Matthew had never imagined that the quiet and obedient woman he remembered would suddenly speak with such biting sharpness.
Taken by surprise, he found himself unable to respond for a moment. His expression hardened.
When he looked at her again, not the slightest hint of warmth or affection remained in her eyes. In its place was a cold, unyielding hostility.
The longer he watched her, the more guarded and confrontational she appeared.
That change only fueled his irritation further, and without realizing it, his hold tightened.
Zoe grimaced in pain and sensed that something was wrong.
Her gaze toward Kristina turned noticeably colder, and she let out a faint cough.
"Kristina, I know my presence makes you uncomfortable, but if you're angry, you should take it out on me. Why did you have to injure my uncle so severely? The doctors have already finished the medical injury evaluation. If my uncle chooses to file charges, you could end up in prison. I truly don't want this incident to damage Cooper Group's or Matthew's reputation. If you apologize to my uncle and ask him to forgive you, I'll put in a good word for you for Matthew's sake."
Every word she spoke sounded as though it was entirely for Matthew's benefit. With her gentle and considerate demeanor, she quickly eased his anger and made him feel even more convinced that Kristina had crossed the line.
"You should thank Zoe right now for being so magnanimous," he demanded.
Mabel could no longer remain silent. "Matthew, have you lost your mind? It was clearly Alec who shamelessly harassed Kristina, yet you're still defending him?"
Recognizing who Mabel was, Matthew chose not to argue with her.
Instead, he looked at Kristina with growing displeasure. Distrust clouded his eyes, and nothing in his posture hinted that he meant to shield her.
"If you had stayed at home, none of this would have happened. You wore such a revealing skirt and walked into a bar. Zoe's uncle had no idea who you were. Naturally, he would assume you were some kind of call girl. If trouble came from it, that responsibility lies with the way you presented yourself, so stop pushing the blame onto others."
Mabel's fury boiled over until her breathing turned ragged. "Kristina, let me teach him a lesson."
But Kristina was faster. She spun around and lifted her hand. Two crisp smacks rang out one after the other, striking left and right with swift, merciless force.
Matthew never even managed to move aside. Both hits landed squarely on his face, and the skin there instantly flushed a swollen shade of red.
He pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, disbelief written all over him. "Have you completely lost your senses?"
Zoe hurried forward, anxiously inspecting his face with obvious concern. "Kristina, how could you strike someone in public like this?"
What Kristina despised most was that delicate, pitiful performance Zoe always put on to gather sympathy. Her eyes sharpened as they fell on her. "Say another word, and I'll slap you too."
Zoe flinched as if frightened and quickly shifted closer to Matthew, clinging tightly to him.
He stared at the woman who had once devoted herself to him in every conceivable way, yet had just struck him twice without a shred of hesitation.
The thought simply refused to sink in.
A chill crept over his features, his expression hardening into something far more menacing. He was on the verge of confronting her when the phone in his pocket abruptly began to ring.
The call was coming from the Cooper family.
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