oe'

e cancer research gala evening wore on. For now, I needed to focus on making the right im

m Chen, my best friend and colleague from the hospital lab. He was politely laughing at

I saw the tension creeping into his expression as he took in my designer gown, glittering jewels, a

and came straight to me, his

chase as usual. His eyes flickered with a strange blend of concern and disapp

gagement ring on my finger. I fough

Good old Liam - always keeping me grounded, even when

I felt a stab of guilt for not having given him a

usly. "Not only did you neglect to mention y

ression one of solemn disappointmen

satory. "Agreeing to marry a wealthy businessman just for his money and resources?

would jump to that conclusion - who wouldn't? From an outside

t his money or resources at all. This is strictly a...professional arrangem

look of disgust, as if I were excusing myself to him. "

th to protest, to defend myself and my agonizing decision to Elij

ed ballroom called. "No shop talk tonight, I in

over to the group of rich older men and influencers

as we reluctantly joined the group. I forced a polite smile to

proclaimed proudly. "And of course, we all know of Dr. Adams' exceptiona

sly look between Elijah and me. My cheeks burned as I realized

and forcing myself to speak to him normally despite my flustered state.

stinctly troubled. The incident left me feeling stunned and vaguely ashamed

iolated my ethics and personal code. If even Liam couldn't understand the extreme but noble

sense of displacement. I found myself yearning to retreat back to the refuge of

r to call for my cab, a voice ca

Ada

g toward me purposefully from the shadows of the hotel hallway. I sti

eedy tone as he came to a halt before me. "My name is Dr. Marcu

in his pale blue eyes. There was something predator

perimental therapies," Dr. Thorn went on smoothly. "Th

, making me uncomfortable. I scolded myself for letting

. Thorn's thin lips curved into a cold smile

acquainted, Dr. Adams," he pronounced with

ed and walked back into the crowd. I stood the

h an inexplicable unease? I looked down at my trembling hands, suddenly no lon

wing darkness, I felt a bone chilling fear of what