Gtea''s medical malpractice case had be a public sensation, and even being one of ric''s people, Galen couldn''t protect her. He docked Gtea''s entire annual bonus, issued a hospital-wide reprimand, and offered to pay half of thepensation out of his pocket to the patient''s family.


    "I''m sorry, Galen Archer. It was my fault that the hospital got into this mess," Gtea Hartley said after she dried her tears. She refused to sumb to despair, seeking out Galen Archer in the hospital instead.


    Galen''s face was etched with concern. Ever since Gtea had arrived at the hospital, it seemed like they had been in a never-ending chaos.


    "You must be aware of the hospital''s decision regarding the sanctions. I understand that you acted out of professional duty, but the hospital has its regtions," he said solemnly.


    "I know, and I''m ready to face any consequences. I will find a way to repay the settlement to the hospital as soon as possible."


    Eventually, it was decided that thepensation would be a staggering million dors. If Gtea was to shoulder half of it, that meant five hundred thousand dors-an overwhelming debt for her, but she had no choice but to ept the burden.


    "The settlement has already been fully paid by Mr. Knight."


    ''ric? Was he always this generous?''


    "With everything that''s happened, I''m sure you''re distressed. Take a few days off. Once you''ve settled down, you cane back to work."


    "Okay, thank you, Galen."


    Gtea Hartley left the hospital with a sunken heart, baffled by ric''s unexpected kindness in handling the settlement.


    However, she had her doubts about his goodwill and decided to seek rity. Leaving the hospital, she went straight to hispany.


    Upon arrival, she was informed that he was busy with important clients, leaving her no choice but to wait in the reception room the entire morning.


    Finally, running out of patience, she nned to step out and inquire with his assistant, Ss Moon. Just as she reached the office door, without having the chance to speak, it suddenly swung open.


    ric was the first to walk out with the so-called important clients. Spotting him, Ss greeted him deferentially, "Mr. Knight, Mr. Cassius."


    The name ''Ss Moon'' drew the attention of others in the room, and suddenly all eyes were on Gtea. She found herself in an awkward position.


    "Mr. Knight, is this lovelydy also with yourpany?" asked Mr. Cassius with curiosity. The women at Nexus Innovations were always in business attire, and Gtea was visibly not. ric replied with ease, "No, she''s my fiancée, Gtea."


    "The future Mrs. Knight indeed possesses a unique grace and beauty,"plimented Mr. Cassius.


    Gtea offered a modest, thankful smile. "You''re too generous, Mr. Cassius."


    "Well, now that Mr. Knight''s charming partner has graced us with her presence, I''ll take my leave," Mr. Cassius said diplomatically.


    Ss, knowing his cue, promptly guided Mr. Cassius out. Once they were gone, ric turned to Gtea, who diverted her eyes and spoke, "I hope my sudden visit hasn''t interrupted your work." ric let out a scoff, his toneced with his usual sarcasm, "What happened to the feisty woman I encountered just the other day?"


    Having spoken his bit, ric turned and retreated into his office. Gtea, trailing behind him, cursed ric under her breath.


    If it weren''t for the fifty thousand that he had loaned her, she wouldn''t be humbling herself this way!


    "Did you tell Galen that you''ve already taken care of thepensation for me?" she blurted out before he could say anything else and quickly added, "Don''t worry, I''ll repay you." ric remained silent, just leaning against the window, casually sipping his coffee while observing her.


    Frustrated, Gtea had no choice but to approach his desk and, using his pen, wrote an IOU on a sticky note.


    "I hereby borrow $50,000 from Mr. ric with the promise to repay the full amount with interest. Borrower, Gtea."


    ric read the note and then looked up at her, "No mention of a deadline?"


    ''A deadline? Back when she was Sten''s, fifty grand was just pocket change to her, but now, with her modest sry and two kids plus Mia to support, it''s a whole different ballgame.'' "Can we agree on a three-year payback period?" Gtea offered reluctantly, barely believing her own words.


    "What if you can''t pay it back in three years?"


    Feeling trapped and all too familiar with the shame of debt, Gtea retorted, "Then what are you suggesting?"


    No sooner had the words left her mouth than ric tore the promissory note in half, prompting the startled Gtea to ask, "What are you doing?"


    "You don''t have to pay me back," he said.


    ''What? Don''t pay it back?''


    Gtea took a wary step backward, hastily asserting, "What are you up to? Remember, we''re just pretending to be a couple!" ric couldn''t help butugh, though there was a hint of mockery in his mirth. "Do you really think I''m interested in your body?" "So, what do you want, exactly?" she questioned.


    ric moved away from the window and settled onto the couch. He spoke slowly, "Not many know about my health. I''ve reviewed your resume. Your medical skills are more thanpetent. You can continue your work at Serenity Heights Medical Center, or you can quit. Whatever you decide, you will be my personal physician, on-call 24/7."


    "If I be your private doctor, the debt is forgiven?" she asked while doubting him.


    "Exactly."


    This seemed like a reasonable trade to Gtea, who was, after all, a doctor.


    "Agreed," Gtea replied. "But since I''ll be your personal physician, I have the right to know the full extent of your condition. What are you suffering from? You must tell me the truth."


    "I''m not sick," ric confessed. "I''m an ex-soldier. I was severely wounded in an anti-terrorism mission. Surviving was a miracle, ording to the doctors. However, what the world doesn''t know is that I''m left with severe side effects. When I have an episode, it''s like what you saw the other time."


    The realization that he''d been seriously injured during a military missionmanded Gtea''s respect. It meant he had nearly made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Truly, the valor of soldiers was immense.


    "How often do the episodes ur?" she inquired.


    "They used to be pretty frequent when it all started, and I was constantly on medication. But it has improved a lot in the past couple of years," ric responded.


    "Can I take a look at your previous medical records?"


    "Sure," ric replied, "I''ll have Ss Moon send them over to you."


    As ric reached for his coffee again, Gtea quickly intervened, advising, "Someone with a psychiatric condition would do well to avoid coffee."


    "Psychiatric condition?" ric was irked.


    "The aftereffects on you aren''t just physical. They''ve had a significant impact on your mental state as well," Gtea exined, pouring out his coffee. "Since you''ve hired me as your private physician, it''s my duty to take care of your health. Starting today, no coffee for you. I''ll create a n to manage your health."