After a seven-year relationship, Claire was cast aside by her boyfriend without warning. Yet instead of breaking down in tears or making a scene, she coolly shifted her attention to a new target: the uncle of her ex-boyfriend's fiancée. Bold and unflinching, she lowered her collar, climbed onto Miles's tall frame, and made her proposal: "Miles, marry me, and in return, I'll assist you with your human body research." Miles, however, gave her a frosty rejection: "Miss, please show some self-respect." Undeterred, Claire continued her playful pursuit, teasing and tempting him again and again. But Miles, ever composed and unmoved, remained impervious to her charms. Eventually, she decided to cut her losses and move on, preparing to set her sights on someone else. Then came the wedding day—not hers with Miles, but one she had planned with another man. That was when Miles burst into her dressing room, pinned her against the wall, and demanded through gritted teeth, "Do you really dare to marry someone else?" Claire shot back without flinching, "If you refuse to marry me, why can't I marry someone else?" Flushed with anger and barely containing his frustration, Miles ground out, "Fine. You want human body research? Let's do it right now." That very night, Miles held Claire by the waist and kissed her again and again, as if making up for all the time he had held back. Outsiders would later whisper that Claire had married Miles only because she had taken advantage of him. But only Miles himself knew the truth: that from start to finish, it was he who had pushed through every obstacle and, in the end, bowed his head for love.

Chapter 1“Jefferson, aren't you worried your fiancée will find out you had Claire Jenner make her wedding dress?”Standing outside the private room of the club, Claire's breath caught in her throat.Half a month ago, Jefferson Sterling asked her to design a traditional wedding dress, claiming it was for a friend, Yvonne Zimmerman.She stayed up for ten straight nights, meticulously stitching every classic wedding motif by hand.It turned out the friend he mentioned was actually his fiancée.From nineteen to twenty-four, she had been with Jefferson for six years, betting everything on him.She knew their backgrounds were worlds apart, so she patiently waited, never once bringing up the topic of marriage.She just wanted to build up her artisanal silk embroidery atelier so she could stand proudly by his side.It turned out Jefferson wasn't opposed to marriage.He just never considered marrying her.Claire forced a bitter, self-deprecating smile.If the love was gone, it was gone. She conceded defeat in this high-stakes gamble.She turned to leave, but Jefferson's voice drifted through the door.“She doesn't know a thing. And even if she did, what could she do?”“Her little atelier only survives because Sterling Holdings funds it. Plus, there's her mother. We've actually found two matching kidney donors, but I buried the paperwork. Unless I give the word, no surgeon in the city would dare operate.”The room erupted in roaring laughter.“Mr. Sterling really knows how to keep his pet on a tight leash. That's a brilliant move!”“Pulling something that ruthless and still making her grateful to you...”Claire froze, rooted to the spot.A year ago, when her mother was diagnosed with severe kidney failure, Claire tried to donate her own, but they weren't a match.She had collapsed in tears outside the hospital room, and Jefferson had held her close, whispering, “Don't worry, Claire. Money is no object. I'll do everything to find a donor. Susan will be fine.”She actually believed he was her savior. She waited in agony for a year, only to discover he was deliberately delaying the treatment.He was using her mother's life to control her. A suffocating wave of fury burned through her chest.Six years. She had been incredibly stupid.Her phone suddenly rang, the sharp sound shattering her thoughts.“General Hospital calling. Your mother, Susan Jenner, suffered a sudden blood clot during dialysis. It's an emergency!”Claire's mind went blank. With no time to storm in and confront Jefferson, she spun around and sprinted toward the elevator.Arriving at the hospital, she watched her mother being wheeled into the intervention room. A nurse rushed over with a clipboard.“Sign this critical condition notice. All our lead surgeons are in the OR right now, so no one is available to take her case yet.”“What do you mean no one is available?” Claire's voice trembled.“With severe kidney failure, this surgery is extremely complex. A regular doctor can't handle it...”Before the nurse could finish, the elevator doors slid open, and a tall, imposing figure strode out.The man stripped off his leather gloves as he walked, revealing long, elegant fingers.A group of doctors in white coats trailed closely behind him, nervously briefing him on the patient's vitals.“Dr. Zimmerman?” The nurse blinked in surprise. “Didn't you just get off an international flight? Dr. Johnston said you should rest first.”He ignored the chatter, his voice clipped and authoritative. “Scans.”A resident quickly handed them over.Claire looked up in a daze, her gaze suddenly colliding with a pair of deep, commanding eyes.She recognized that face.Miles Zimmerman. The heir to the Zimmerman family and the uncle of Jefferson's fiancée, Yvonne.In the brief second their eyes met, Claire's chest tightened with a strange, inexplicable sense of familiarity.The man's gaze lingered on her face for a few beats.His eyes carried a sharp, predatory assessment and a flicker of something unreadable before he looked back down.He made a rapid judgment, tapping a specific spot on the scan.“Notify anesthesiology. We're doing a thrombectomy. Prep the OR in five minutes.”The nurse hesitated. “But the upfront surgical fee...”“Greenlight it. I'll sign as the guarantor.”A tremor ran through Claire's body. “Thank you...”The sterile scent of antiseptic in the hospital corridor stung her nose.Claire calculated in her head when the final payment for her atelier's latest batch of orders would arrive. She needed to scrape together thirty thousand dollars as soon as possible to pay back Dr. Zimmerman, a man she barely knew.Gritting her teeth, she called Jefferson. It rang for a long time before someone answered.But it was Yvonne's voice on the other end.“Jefferson, there's a call from an unsaved number...”“Yeah,” Jefferson's cold voice replied. “Ignore it.”Claire abandoned all expectations and simply hung up.She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forced herself to call her father, George Jenner.“Mom desperately needs thirty thousand dollars for her surgery fee. I can pay you back by Monday...”“Thirty thousand?” George snapped impatiently. “You've been with Jefferson Sterling for all these years, and you can't even cough up that much?”“When I told you to sweet-talk him into giving me a contract with Sterling Holdings, you acted so high and mighty. Now that you're broke, you finally remember your old man? Well, it's too late!”He aggressively ended the call.She massaged her temples, her eyes throbbing with a dull ache.The surgery lasted for two hours.Miles walked out of the operating room and pulled off his sterile cap. “The clot has been removed. She's out of immediate danger, but we need to find a matching kidney donor as soon as possible. Come to my office later to sign the paperwork.”“I understand... thank you, Dr. Zimmerman.”-Outside the ICU, Claire looked at her unconscious mother and remembered Jefferson's cruel words.The Sterling family was too powerful. If she wanted to break free and save her mother, she needed a stronger shield.Miles Zimmerman, the future head of the Zimmerman family and her mother's lead surgeon.If she could align herself with him, her mother would be saved, and Jefferson would be forced to back off to protect his arranged marriage.Dragging a man who had just saved her into this mess was a shameless, reckless, and dangerous idea, but it fiercely gripped Claire's rational mind.She had to grab onto something that could pull her out of this suffocating swamp, even if it meant dragging the Sterlings down with her.Claire went into the restroom, wiped away her dried tears, touched up her makeup, and headed straight for Miles's office.The man was sitting behind his desk, reviewing medical files.“Dr. Zimmerman, I apologize for interrupting. I need your help to apply for a kidney donor match for my mother,” she said, softening her voice.Miles looked up, his gaze landing on the red corners of her eyes. He paused for a moment. “Done.”“As for the surgery fee, let me get your contact info. The moment I have the funds, I'll transfer them to you.”“No need.” Miles pulled open a drawer, took out a bank card, and slid it toward the edge of his desk.“Deposit the money here.”“The PIN is my birthday.”Disappointed that she didn't get his number, Claire picked up the card.Holding the plastic edge, she asked softly, “And when is your birthday...?”Miles stared at her, his gaze visibly icing over as he enunciated every syllable.“July 28, 1999.”“I'll remember it, Dr. Zimmerman.”“Will you really?” Miles's tone grew freezing cold. “Because I think Ms. Jenner is actually quite forgetful.”Was there a trace of unspoken resentment in his voice? Maybe even a hint of hurt?Claire didn't understand and didn't dare ask. She grabbed a sticky note, quickly jotted down her phone number, and slipped it into his hand, letting her fingertips lightly brush against his warm palm.Miles's fingers instinctively curled inward.“Dr. Zimmerman, this is my number. You can reach me anytime.”The door clicked shut, and Miles picked up the sticky note.He already knew that string of numbers by heart.The frost in his eyes deepened. He relaxed his grip, dropping the note straight into the trash can.In the early hours of the morning, Claire returned to the Southside Apartments.A pair of leather dress shoes sat in the entryway. Jefferson was back.The living room smelled of alcohol. Jefferson lounged on the sofa, his tie loosened, exposing his sharp collarbone.Seeing her walk in, he smirked. “It's my birthday today. Where have you been running wild?”He reached out, pulling her into his lap, and leaned in for an alcohol-laced kiss.Looking at his face, Claire felt a wave of nausea. She frowned and dodged, but he pinched her chin and forced her back.“You heartless little thing, you can't even say happy birthday?”His large hand slid up her smooth, flawless thigh.“Do I have to prepare a gift for you on my own birthday?”Jefferson loved her beautiful exterior; otherwise, they wouldn't have been together for six years.Especially those captivating eyes.Her sweet, compliant nature always gave him a profound sense of satisfaction.“Jefferson,” Claire said, the thought of her mother and Yvonne making his touch feel repulsive.“Let go. You're hurting my arm.”He pressed her down dominantly, his tone coaxing. “Be a good girl. Why are you so upset today?”“Jefferson,” her voice came out slightly hoarse. “When will you find a kidney donor for my mom?”“Claire, I'm trying. Susan's condition is complicated, you know that.”He murmured softly, pressing his lips to her neck again, his voice muffled.“Be good. I'll have the specialists do another consultation tomorrow.”Claire closed her eyes, letting out a cold, silent laugh in her heart.She asked her second question.“So, when do you plan on marrying me?”He paused.“Why bring this up all of a sudden?”He slowly ran his thumb over her lips, like he was petting an animal.“You can have anything you want, but I can't give you the title of Mrs. Sterling.”Jefferson had a strikingly handsome face, all sharp angles and refined features. With those alluring eyes, he could look at a stray dog with deep affection.But the words slipping from those thin lips were incredibly heartless.“Jefferson, if you can't marry me, then we're done. And the partnership between Luna Atelier and Sterling Holdings is over.”The air in the room instantly froze.The amusement vanished from his eyes, replaced by a dark, predatory gloom.“Marriage is just a piece of paper. Do you really care about it that much?”“I love you, and I only have you. Isn't that enough?”Love?His love was lying to her about the kidney donor. His love was demanding her mother's life. His love was marrying another woman behind her back.Claire found it absurd. The man in front of her felt completely foreign and utterly disgusting.“Since you can't give me a marriage, let's just go our separate ways.”Jefferson suddenly grabbed her shoulders and pinned her hard against the sofa.“Separate ways? Have you thought about the consequences for your mother and your atelier?”He patted her cheek—not hard, but the gesture was steeped in humiliation.“I know you want the title, but don't use a breakup to threaten me...”His phone buzzed. The screen flashed with Yvonne's name.He let go of Claire, his voice instantly softening. “Alright, Yvonne, I'll be right there.”Before walking out the door, Jefferson tossed back a final remark. “If you're feeling neglected, go buy yourself something nice. I don't have the patience to coddle you right now.”The front door slammed shut.Claire laid on the couch for a long time until the dull pain in her back faded into numbness.She slowly sat up, pulled at her torn dress, and walked expressionlessly into the bathroom.Cold water washed over her. The woman in the mirror was pale, but her eyes were piercingly lucid.She dried off and walked into the walk-in closet.It was filled with high-end designer items—gifts Jefferson had thrown her way whenever he was in a good mood. She used to be reluctant to wear them, but now, they would serve a purpose.Claire took photos and sent them to a luxury reseller.[Everything. Give me your best price.]That very night, Claire erased every trace of herself from the apartment, handed the keys to the security guard, and dragged her suitcase to stay at her best friend Chloe Chambers's place.Chapter 2“Jefferson, aren't you worried your fiancée will find out you had Claire Jenner make her wedding dress?”Standing outside the private room of the club, Claire's breath caught in her throat.Half a month ago, Jefferson Sterling asked her to design a traditional wedding dress, claiming it was for a friend, Yvonne Zimmerman.She stayed up for ten straight nights, meticulously stitching every classic wedding motif by hand.It turned out the friend he mentioned was actually his fiancée.From nineteen to twenty-four, she had been with Jefferson for six years, betting everything on him.She knew their backgrounds were worlds apart, so she patiently waited, never once bringing up the topic of marriage.She just wanted to build up her artisanal silk embroidery atelier so she could stand proudly by his side.It turned out Jefferson wasn't opposed to marriage.He just never considered marrying her.Claire forced a bitter, self-deprecating smile.If the love was gone, it was gone. She conceded defeat in this high-stakes gamble.She turned to leave, but Jefferson's voice drifted through the door.“She doesn't know a thing. And even if she did, what could she do?”“Her little atelier only survives because Sterling Holdings funds it. Plus, there's her mother. We've actually found two matching kidney donors, but I buried the paperwork. Unless I give the word, no surgeon in the city would dare operate.”The room erupted in roaring laughter.“Mr. Sterling really knows how to keep his pet on a tight leash. That's a brilliant move!”“Pulling something that ruthless and still making her grateful to you...”Claire froze, rooted to the spot.A year ago, when her mother was diagnosed with severe kidney failure, Claire tried to donate her own, but they weren't a match.She had collapsed in tears outside the hospital room, and Jefferson had held her close, whispering, “Don't worry, Claire. Money is no object. I'll do everything to find a donor. Susan will be fine.”She actually believed he was her savior. She waited in agony for a year, only to discover he was deliberately delaying the treatment.He was using her mother's life to control her. A suffocating wave of fury burned through her chest.Six years. She had been incredibly stupid.Her phone suddenly rang, the sharp sound shattering her thoughts.“General Hospital calling. Your mother, Susan Jenner, suffered a sudden blood clot during dialysis. It's an emergency!”Claire's mind went blank. With no time to storm in and confront Jefferson, she spun around and sprinted toward the elevator.Arriving at the hospital, she watched her mother being wheeled into the intervention room. A nurse rushed over with a clipboard.“Sign this critical condition notice. All our lead surgeons are in the OR right now, so no one is available to take her case yet.”“What do you mean no one is available?” Claire's voice trembled.“With severe kidney failure, this surgery is extremely complex. A regular doctor can't handle it...”Before the nurse could finish, the elevator doors slid open, and a tall, imposing figure strode out.The man stripped off his leather gloves as he walked, revealing long, elegant fingers.A group of doctors in white coats trailed closely behind him, nervously briefing him on the patient's vitals.“Dr. Zimmerman?” The nurse blinked in surprise. “Didn't you just get off an international flight? Dr. Johnston said you should rest first.”He ignored the chatter, his voice clipped and authoritative. “Scans.”A resident quickly handed them over.Claire looked up in a daze, her gaze suddenly colliding with a pair of deep, commanding eyes.She recognized that face.Miles Zimmerman. The heir to the Zimmerman family and the uncle of Jefferson's fiancée, Yvonne.In the brief second their eyes met, Claire's chest tightened with a strange, inexplicable sense of familiarity.The man's gaze lingered on her face for a few beats.His eyes carried a sharp, predatory assessment and a flicker of something unreadable before he looked back down.He made a rapid judgment, tapping a specific spot on the scan.“Notify anesthesiology. We're doing a thrombectomy. Prep the OR in five minutes.”The nurse hesitated. “But the upfront surgical fee...”“Greenlight it. I'll sign as the guarantor.”A tremor ran through Claire's body. “Thank you...”The sterile scent of antiseptic in the hospital corridor stung her nose.Claire calculated in her head when the final payment for her atelier's latest batch of orders would arrive. She needed to scrape together thirty thousand dollars as soon as possible to pay back Dr. Zimmerman, a man she barely knew.Gritting her teeth, she called Jefferson. It rang for a long time before someone answered.But it was Yvonne's voice on the other end.“Jefferson, there's a call from an unsaved number...”“Yeah,” Jefferson's cold voice replied. “Ignore it.”Claire abandoned all expectations and simply hung up.She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forced herself to call her father, George Jenner.“Mom desperately needs thirty thousand dollars for her surgery fee. I can pay you back by Monday...”“Thirty thousand?” George snapped impatiently. “You've been with Jefferson Sterling for all these years, and you can't even cough up that much?”“When I told you to sweet-talk him into giving me a contract with Sterling Holdings, you acted so high and mighty. Now that you're broke, you finally remember your old man? Well, it's too late!”He aggressively ended the call.She massaged her temples, her eyes throbbing with a dull ache.The surgery lasted for two hours.Miles walked out of the operating room and pulled off his sterile cap. “The clot has been removed. She's out of immediate danger, but we need to find a matching kidney donor as soon as possible. Come to my office later to sign the paperwork.”“I understand... thank you, Dr. Zimmerman.”-Outside the ICU, Claire looked at her unconscious mother and remembered Jefferson's cruel words.The Sterling family was too powerful. If she wanted to break free and save her mother, she needed a stronger shield.Miles Zimmerman, the future head of the Zimmerman family and her mother's lead surgeon.If she could align herself with him, her mother would be saved, and Jefferson would be forced to back off to protect his arranged marriage.Dragging a man who had just saved her into this mess was a shameless, reckless, and dangerous idea, but it fiercely gripped Claire's rational mind.She had to grab onto something that could pull her out of this suffocating swamp, even if it meant dragging the Sterlings down with her.Claire went into the restroom, wiped away her dried tears, touched up her makeup, and headed straight for Miles's office.The man was sitting behind his desk, reviewing medical files.“Dr. Zimmerman, I apologize for interrupting. I need your help to apply for a kidney donor match for my mother,” she said, softening her voice.Miles looked up, his gaze landing on the red corners of her eyes. He paused for a moment. “Done.”“As for the surgery fee, let me get your contact info. The moment I have the funds, I'll transfer them to you.”“No need.” Miles pulled open a drawer, took out a bank card, and slid it toward the edge of his desk.“Deposit the money here.”“The PIN is my birthday.”Disappointed that she didn't get his number, Claire picked up the card.Holding the plastic edge, she asked softly, “And when is your birthday...?”Miles stared at her, his gaze visibly icing over as he enunciated every syllable.“July 28, 1999.”“I'll remember it, Dr. Zimmerman.”“Will you really?” Miles's tone grew freezing cold. “Because I think Ms. Jenner is actually quite forgetful.”Was there a trace of unspoken resentment in his voice? Maybe even a hint of hurt?Claire didn't understand and didn't dare ask. She grabbed a sticky note, quickly jotted down her phone number, and slipped it into his hand, letting her fingertips lightly brush against his warm palm.Miles's fingers instinctively curled inward.“Dr. Zimmerman, this is my number. You can reach me anytime.”The door clicked shut, and Miles picked up the sticky note.He already knew that string of numbers by heart.The frost in his eyes deepened. He relaxed his grip, dropping the note straight into the trash can.In the early hours of the morning, Claire returned to the Southside Apartments.A pair of leather dress shoes sat in the entryway. Jefferson was back.The living room smelled of alcohol. Jefferson lounged on the sofa, his tie loosened, exposing his sharp collarbone.Seeing her walk in, he smirked. “It's my birthday today. Where have you been running wild?”He reached out, pulling her into his lap, and leaned in for an alcohol-laced kiss.Looking at his face, Claire felt a wave of nausea. She frowned and dodged, but he pinched her chin and forced her back.“You heartless little thing, you can't even say happy birthday?”His large hand slid up her smooth, flawless thigh.“Do I have to prepare a gift for you on my own birthday?”Jefferson loved her beautiful exterior; otherwise, they wouldn't have been together for six years.Especially those captivating eyes.Her sweet, compliant nature always gave him a profound sense of satisfaction.“Jefferson,” Claire said, the thought of her mother and Yvonne making his touch feel repulsive.“Let go. You're hurting my arm.”He pressed her down dominantly, his tone coaxing. “Be a good girl. Why are you so upset today?”“Jefferson,” her voice came out slightly hoarse. “When will you find a kidney donor for my mom?”“Claire, I'm trying. Susan's condition is complicated, you know that.”He murmured softly, pressing his lips to her neck again, his voice muffled.“Be good. I'll have the specialists do another consultation tomorrow.”Claire closed her eyes, letting out a cold, silent laugh in her heart.She asked her second question.“So, when do you plan on marrying me?”He paused.“Why bring this up all of a sudden?”He slowly ran his thumb over her lips, like he was petting an animal.“You can have anything you want, but I can't give you the title of Mrs. Sterling.”Jefferson had a strikingly handsome face, all sharp angles and refined features. With those alluring eyes, he could look at a stray dog with deep affection.But the words slipping from those thin lips were incredibly heartless.“Jefferson, if you can't marry me, then we're done. And the partnership between Luna Atelier and Sterling Holdings is over.”The air in the room instantly froze.The amusement vanished from his eyes, replaced by a dark, predatory gloom.“Marriage is just a piece of paper. Do you really care about it that much?”“I love you, and I only have you. Isn't that enough?”Love?His love was lying to her about the kidney donor. His love was demanding her mother's life. His love was marrying another woman behind her back.Claire found it absurd. The man in front of her felt completely foreign and utterly disgusting.“Since you can't give me a marriage, let's just go our separate ways.”Jefferson suddenly grabbed her shoulders and pinned her hard against the sofa.“Separate ways? Have you thought about the consequences for your mother and your atelier?”He patted her cheek—not hard, but the gesture was steeped in humiliation.“I know you want the title, but don't use a breakup to threaten me...”His phone buzzed. The screen flashed with Yvonne's name.He let go of Claire, his voice instantly softening. “Alright, Yvonne, I'll be right there.”Before walking out the door, Jefferson tossed back a final remark. “If you're feeling neglected, go buy yourself something nice. I don't have the patience to coddle you right now.”The front door slammed shut.Claire laid on the couch for a long time until the dull pain in her back faded into numbness.She slowly sat up, pulled at her torn dress, and walked expressionlessly into the bathroom.Cold water washed over her. The woman in the mirror was pale, but her eyes were piercingly lucid.She dried off and walked into the walk-in closet.It was filled with high-end designer items—gifts Jefferson had thrown her way whenever he was in a good mood. She used to be reluctant to wear them, but now, they would serve a purpose.Claire took photos and sent them to a luxury reseller.[Everything. Give me your best price.]That very night, Claire erased every trace of herself from the apartment, handed the keys to the security guard, and dragged her suitcase to stay at her best friend Chloe Chambers's place.Chapter 3“Jefferson, aren't you worried your fiancée will find out you had Claire Jenner make her wedding dress?”Standing outside the private room of the club, Claire's breath caught in her throat.Half a month ago, Jefferson Sterling asked her to design a traditional wedding dress, claiming it was for a friend, Yvonne Zimmerman.She stayed up for ten straight nights, meticulously stitching every classic wedding motif by hand.It turned out the friend he mentioned was actually his fiancée.From nineteen to twenty-four, she had been with Jefferson for six years, betting everything on him.She knew their backgrounds were worlds apart, so she patiently waited, never once bringing up the topic of marriage.She just wanted to build up her artisanal silk embroidery atelier so she could stand proudly by his side.It turned out Jefferson wasn't opposed to marriage.He just never considered marrying her.Claire forced a bitter, self-deprecating smile.If the love was gone, it was gone. She conceded defeat in this high-stakes gamble.She turned to leave, but Jefferson's voice drifted through the door.“She doesn't know a thing. And even if she did, what could she do?”“Her little atelier only survives because Sterling Holdings funds it. Plus, there's her mother. We've actually found two matching kidney donors, but I buried the paperwork. Unless I give the word, no surgeon in the city would dare operate.”The room erupted in roaring laughter.“Mr. Sterling really knows how to keep his pet on a tight leash. That's a brilliant move!”“Pulling something that ruthless and still making her grateful to you...”Claire froze, rooted to the spot.A year ago, when her mother was diagnosed with severe kidney failure, Claire tried to donate her own, but they weren't a match.She had collapsed in tears outside the hospital room, and Jefferson had held her close, whispering, “Don't worry, Claire. Money is no object. I'll do everything to find a donor. Susan will be fine.”She actually believed he was her savior. She waited in agony for a year, only to discover he was deliberately delaying the treatment.He was using her mother's life to control her. A suffocating wave of fury burned through her chest.Six years. She had been incredibly stupid.Her phone suddenly rang, the sharp sound shattering her thoughts.“General Hospital calling. Your mother, Susan Jenner, suffered a sudden blood clot during dialysis. It's an emergency!”Claire's mind went blank. With no time to storm in and confront Jefferson, she spun around and sprinted toward the elevator.Arriving at the hospital, she watched her mother being wheeled into the intervention room. A nurse rushed over with a clipboard.“Sign this critical condition notice. All our lead surgeons are in the OR right now, so no one is available to take her case yet.”“What do you mean no one is available?” Claire's voice trembled.“With severe kidney failure, this surgery is extremely complex. A regular doctor can't handle it...”Before the nurse could finish, the elevator doors slid open, and a tall, imposing figure strode out.The man stripped off his leather gloves as he walked, revealing long, elegant fingers.A group of doctors in white coats trailed closely behind him, nervously briefing him on the patient's vitals.“Dr. Zimmerman?” The nurse blinked in surprise. “Didn't you just get off an international flight? Dr. Johnston said you should rest first.”He ignored the chatter, his voice clipped and authoritative. “Scans.”A resident quickly handed them over.Claire looked up in a daze, her gaze suddenly colliding with a pair of deep, commanding eyes.She recognized that face.Miles Zimmerman. The heir to the Zimmerman family and the uncle of Jefferson's fiancée, Yvonne.In the brief second their eyes met, Claire's chest tightened with a strange, inexplicable sense of familiarity.The man's gaze lingered on her face for a few beats.His eyes carried a sharp, predatory assessment and a flicker of something unreadable before he looked back down.He made a rapid judgment, tapping a specific spot on the scan.“Notify anesthesiology. We're doing a thrombectomy. Prep the OR in five minutes.”The nurse hesitated. “But the upfront surgical fee...”“Greenlight it. I'll sign as the guarantor.”A tremor ran through Claire's body. “Thank you...”The sterile scent of antiseptic in the hospital corridor stung her nose.Claire calculated in her head when the final payment for her atelier's latest batch of orders would arrive. She needed to scrape together thirty thousand dollars as soon as possible to pay back Dr. Zimmerman, a man she barely knew.Gritting her teeth, she called Jefferson. It rang for a long time before someone answered.But it was Yvonne's voice on the other end.“Jefferson, there's a call from an unsaved number...”“Yeah,” Jefferson's cold voice replied. “Ignore it.”Claire abandoned all expectations and simply hung up.She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forced herself to call her father, George Jenner.“Mom desperately needs thirty thousand dollars for her surgery fee. I can pay you back by Monday...”“Thirty thousand?” George snapped impatiently. “You've been with Jefferson Sterling for all these years, and you can't even cough up that much?”“When I told you to sweet-talk him into giving me a contract with Sterling Holdings, you acted so high and mighty. Now that you're broke, you finally remember your old man? Well, it's too late!”He aggressively ended the call.She massaged her temples, her eyes throbbing with a dull ache.The surgery lasted for two hours.Miles walked out of the operating room and pulled off his sterile cap. “The clot has been removed. She's out of immediate danger, but we need to find a matching kidney donor as soon as possible. Come to my office later to sign the paperwork.”“I understand... thank you, Dr. Zimmerman.”-Outside the ICU, Claire looked at her unconscious mother and remembered Jefferson's cruel words.The Sterling family was too powerful. If she wanted to break free and save her mother, she needed a stronger shield.Miles Zimmerman, the future head of the Zimmerman family and her mother's lead surgeon.If she could align herself with him, her mother would be saved, and Jefferson would be forced to back off to protect his arranged marriage.Dragging a man who had just saved her into this mess was a shameless, reckless, and dangerous idea, but it fiercely gripped Claire's rational mind.She had to grab onto something that could pull her out of this suffocating swamp, even if it meant dragging the Sterlings down with her.Claire went into the restroom, wiped away her dried tears, touched up her makeup, and headed straight for Miles's office.The man was sitting behind his desk, reviewing medical files.“Dr. Zimmerman, I apologize for interrupting. I need your help to apply for a kidney donor match for my mother,” she said, softening her voice.Miles looked up, his gaze landing on the red corners of her eyes. He paused for a moment. “Done.”“As for the surgery fee, let me get your contact info. The moment I have the funds, I'll transfer them to you.”“No need.” Miles pulled open a drawer, took out a bank card, and slid it toward the edge of his desk.“Deposit the money here.”“The PIN is my birthday.”Disappointed that she didn't get his number, Claire picked up the card.Holding the plastic edge, she asked softly, “And when is your birthday...?”Miles stared at her, his gaze visibly icing over as he enunciated every syllable.“July 28, 1999.”“I'll remember it, Dr. Zimmerman.”“Will you really?” Miles's tone grew freezing cold. “Because I think Ms. Jenner is actually quite forgetful.”Was there a trace of unspoken resentment in his voice? Maybe even a hint of hurt?Claire didn't understand and didn't dare ask. She grabbed a sticky note, quickly jotted down her phone number, and slipped it into his hand, letting her fingertips lightly brush against his warm palm.Miles's fingers instinctively curled inward.“Dr. Zimmerman, this is my number. You can reach me anytime.”The door clicked shut, and Miles picked up the sticky note.He already knew that string of numbers by heart.The frost in his eyes deepened. He relaxed his grip, dropping the note straight into the trash can.In the early hours of the morning, Claire returned to the Southside Apartments.A pair of leather dress shoes sat in the entryway. Jefferson was back.The living room smelled of alcohol. Jefferson lounged on the sofa, his tie loosened, exposing his sharp collarbone.Seeing her walk in, he smirked. “It's my birthday today. Where have you been running wild?”He reached out, pulling her into his lap, and leaned in for an alcohol-laced kiss.Looking at his face, Claire felt a wave of nausea. She frowned and dodged, but he pinched her chin and forced her back.“You heartless little thing, you can't even say happy birthday?”His large hand slid up her smooth, flawless thigh.“Do I have to prepare a gift for you on my own birthday?”Jefferson loved her beautiful exterior; otherwise, they wouldn't have been together for six years.Especially those captivating eyes.Her sweet, compliant nature always gave him a profound sense of satisfaction.“Jefferson,” Claire said, the thought of her mother and Yvonne making his touch feel repulsive.“Let go. You're hurting my arm.”He pressed her down dominantly, his tone coaxing. “Be a good girl. Why are you so upset today?”“Jefferson,” her voice came out slightly hoarse. “When will you find a kidney donor for my mom?”“Claire, I'm trying. Susan's condition is complicated, you know that.”He murmured softly, pressing his lips to her neck again, his voice muffled.“Be good. I'll have the specialists do another consultation tomorrow.”Claire closed her eyes, letting out a cold, silent laugh in her heart.She asked her second question.“So, when do you plan on marrying me?”He paused.“Why bring this up all of a sudden?”He slowly ran his thumb over her lips, like he was petting an animal.“You can have anything you want, but I can't give you the title of Mrs. Sterling.”Jefferson had a strikingly handsome face, all sharp angles and refined features. With those alluring eyes, he could look at a stray dog with deep affection.But the words slipping from those thin lips were incredibly heartless.“Jefferson, if you can't marry me, then we're done. And the partnership between Luna Atelier and Sterling Holdings is over.”The air in the room instantly froze.The amusement vanished from his eyes, replaced by a dark, predatory gloom.“Marriage is just a piece of paper. Do you really care about it that much?”“I love you, and I only have you. Isn't that enough?”Love?His love was lying to her about the kidney donor. His love was demanding her mother's life. His love was marrying another woman behind her back.Claire found it absurd. The man in front of her felt completely foreign and utterly disgusting.“Since you can't give me a marriage, let's just go our separate ways.”Jefferson suddenly grabbed her shoulders and pinned her hard against the sofa.“Separate ways? Have you thought about the consequences for your mother and your atelier?”He patted her cheek—not hard, but the gesture was steeped in humiliation.“I know you want the title, but don't use a breakup to threaten me...”His phone buzzed. The screen flashed with Yvonne's name.He let go of Claire, his voice instantly softening. “Alright, Yvonne, I'll be right there.”Before walking out the door, Jefferson tossed back a final remark. “If you're feeling neglected, go buy yourself something nice. I don't have the patience to coddle you right now.”The front door slammed shut.Claire laid on the couch for a long time until the dull pain in her back faded into numbness.She slowly sat up, pulled at her torn dress, and walked expressionlessly into the bathroom.Cold water washed over her. The woman in the mirror was pale, but her eyes were piercingly lucid.She dried off and walked into the walk-in closet.It was filled with high-end designer items—gifts Jefferson had thrown her way whenever he was in a good mood. She used to be reluctant to wear them, but now, they would serve a purpose.Claire took photos and sent them to a luxury reseller.[Everything. Give me your best price.]That very night, Claire erased every trace of herself from the apartment, handed the keys to the security guard, and dragged her suitcase to stay at her best friend Chloe Chambers's place.