Chapter 241 

Adam stared at Irene’s message his thumb hovering over the screen 

“Your mom’s here. With another woman.” 

Something cold settled in his stomach. Sophia had moved faster than he’d anticipated. 

“Lee’s connected. Live in five,” Thomas called from the doorway. 

Adam set his phone down, the screen still glowing with Irene’s message. The billion–dollar crisis waiting on his screen suddenly felt like background noise compared to those six words from Irene. 

The wall screen flickered to life, revealing Lee’s stern face. No smile o pleasantries–just hard eyes tracking Adam’s every 

movement. 

“Haven.” The greeting landed like a stone. 

“Lee, Adam nodded, slipping into crisis mode. “I understand your concerns about the security breach.” 

“Second incident in three months,” Lee cut in. “My board is questioning our entire partnership.” 

Adam leaned forward, voice measured. “The components are back in our possession, undamaged. We’ve already upgraded security protocols-” 

His eyes darted to his silent phone. 

“–and production remains on schedule.” 

Lee’s frown deepened. “I need more than promises. I need vulnerability assessments, security improvement plans, and—” He stopped mid–sentence, studying Adam with unexpected intensity. 

“You’re not even listening.” 

Adam’s focus snapped back. “I apologize. Please continue.” 

But Lee didn’t resume his list of demands. His head tilted slightly, anger changing to something sharper. 

“This isn’t you. I’ve seen you talk through market crashes without losing focus.” A hint of a smile touched his lips. “Last month at the Hayes event, I caught you with that doctor. The one treating your legs.” 

Adam’s poker face slipped for half a second. 

“Lee, honestly, I’m facing a choice right now.” He ran a hand through his hair. “My mother brought a new doctor to see Irene. She’s 

clearly trying to replace her.” 

The words felt strange coming out of his mouth–Adam Haven didn’t discuss personal matters during business calls. 

Lee’s eyes crinkled knowingly. “So you’re sitting here talking business while your mind’s already gone home.” 

Adam didn’t deny it. His fingers tapped once against the armrest–a tell he rarely showed. 

Lee settled back, years dropping away from his face as his voice softened. “Thirty years ago, I had the same choice. Big contract signing or being there when someone I cared about needed me.” 

1/3 

Chapter 241 

Thomas shifted his weight by the door, surprised at this personal turn. 

I picked the contract, Lee continued, gaze drifting to something past Adam’s shoulder. “Company jumped three ranking spots that year. His voice tightened. “She ever forgave me for choosing business that day. Never gave me another chance.” 

The air in the room felt suddenly heavier. Adam found himself absorbing Lee’s words rather than planning his next business move. 

“Today?” Lee reconnected with Adam’s gaze. “I’d burn that contract and a dozen more for one more hour with her. 

Adam’s hand drifted toward his phone without conscious thought. 

“Business will wait till morning,” Lee said simply. “Some foments won’t.” 

Adam felt something shift inside him–priorities rearranging themselves with surprising clarity. 

“Thank you,” he said, the words uncharacteristically genuine, 

Lee nodded, that ghost of a smile returning. “Go.” 

The screen went dark. Adam immediately turned to Thomas. “Car. Now.” 

Thomas, who’d witnessed the entire surreal exchange, didn’t waste time with questions. “Already waiting, sir.” 

In the elevator, Adam typed quickly: “Ten minutes out. Wait for me.” 

As the car pulled away from the building, he stared through the window, mind racing. His mother had clearly decided to take matters into her own hands after dinner, bringing in a replacement doctor without even pretending to ask him first. 

The thought of Irene caught in the middle of his mother’s schemes made his jaw clench. 

Ten minutes earlier, Irene had followed Sophia into Adam’s living room, immediately sensing the trap closing around her. The polished young woman waiting inside–fancy clothes, perfect posture, practiced smile–wasn’t there by accident. Irene was struck by how, at first glance, the woman’s features oddly mirrored her own, like an expensive, carefully styled version of herself. 

“Dr. Sterling,” Sophia’s voice dripped with fake warmth, “this is Dr. Natalie Snow from FH Medical Academy. She’s also specialized in neurostimulation therapy.” 

Of course she is, Irene thought, keeping her face neutral. “Nice to meet you.” 

Sophia waved toward the seating area. “I’ve been thinking about Adam’s treatment schedule. Rushing over here every day must be such a burden with your… busy household.” 

The subtle emphasis on “busy household” wasn’t lost on Irene. 

“Perhaps,” Sophia continued smoothly, “you two could share responsibilities. Dr. Snow could handle some sessions, giving you more time with your children.” 

Natalie stepped forward, her smile practiced but empty. “I’ve studied your techniques, Dr. Sterling. Your approach is… interesting. I could easily integrate into the existing plan.” 

Irene caught the bint of condescension. This wasn’t about Adam’s treatment–this was about territory. She suddenly understood with perfect clarity: Sophia wasn’t just trying to replace her as Adams doctor; she was trying to remove her from Adam’s life completely. 

The realization hit harder than expected. When had Adam’s presence in her life become something she wasn’t willing to simply walk 

away from? 

2/3 

Chapter 241 

“I appreciate the concern,” she replied evenly, but I prefer seeing my treatments through. Keeping things consistent is important for 

nerve recovery.` 

Natalie’s smile tightened almos imperceptibly. Perhaps I could check his progress myself? A fresh perspective might be valuable. 

A fresh perspective, my ass, Irene thought, feeling her professional calm slipping. 

“His treatment is progressing exactly as expected,” she said, voice cooling several degrees. “But ultimately, it’s his choice if he wants to change doctors.” 

Triumph flashed in Sophia’s eyes. “I’m sure Adam will appreciate having options.” 

Irene stood, done with this farce. “I should get back. The kids will wonder where I am.” 

She turned to leave, refusing to fight over a patient–even if that patient had somehow become more than just a professional responsibility. 

The whirr of an electric wheelchair stopped her mid–step. The door swung open, and there was Adam, looking like he’d just raced 

across town. 

All three women froze as his gaze swept the room, taking everything in with unsettling speed–Sophia’s barely concealed satisfaction, Natalie’s eager smile, Irene’s escape attempt. 

His law tightened. Without hesitation, he wheeled forward, cutting off Irene’s exit path. Before anyone could react, his hand shot out and caught her wrist. 

The unexpected touch sent warmth racing up her arm. She stared down at his fingers, then up to his face, completely thrown off 

balance. 

“Stay,” he said quietly, the single word carrying more weight than a speech. 

He turned to his mother, his expression hardening into something Irene had never seen before. 

“I don’t need another doctor.” Each word landed with deliberate force. “Irene is all I need.” 

The simple declaration fell into the silence like a bomb. 

The world around them seemed to fade. Sophia’s shock, Natalie’s disbelief, Thomas’s quiet retreat–all of it blurred into the background. 

There was only Adam’s hand wrapped around her wrist, his grip warm and sure. 

There was only Irene, caught in his gaze, suddenly understanding that whatever line had existed between them–doctor and patient, neighbor and friend–had just been irrevocably crossed. 

For the first time since meeting him, she felt completely out of her depth. 

Chapter Comments 

LIKE 

г 

POST CO