Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I intentionally tried to lighten the mood, hoping it would help lower Max's guard so I could check his wound. After all, he was known for his stubborn streak, having performed surgeries despite being injured himself more than once. "No need." He gripped my hand a bit firmly. I just smiled, knowing by his earnest expression that it probably wasn't anything serious.

As I was about to stand up, a series of loud bangs on Max's door halted me. "Open up. I know you're in there."

The rough voice made me instinctively shrink into Max's embrace.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, soothingly whispering, "Don't be scared."

I clung to his arm as he tried to get me to sit on the couch while reaching for his phone. "Don't go."

The pounding at the door persisted.

Max comforted me. "I'm calling the building security to come over."

I stood up with him, not letting go of his arm, as the relentless knocking continued. We could even hear the sound of the electronic lock smashed.

"Someone is breaking into a door on the 12th floor of Building 3. Can't your cameras catch that?"

"Broken? What a coincidence."

It was the first time I saw a fierce look in Max's eyes. Yet, when he glanced down at me, his tone softened to the gentle indifference. "It's going to be okay." He chuckled coldly and sent a text message.

In just a few minutes, the noise outside had ceased.

"Is the bad guy gone?" I asked, my eyes brimming with tears from fear.

He walked me over to the couch, sat down beside me, and said, "It must have been Ronald's guys who showed up."

As soon as he finished speaking, his phone rang.

It was Ronald Yet, I clung to Max, refusing to let him leave my side as he answered the call. "The lock's broken? The locksmith can't open it? I'll open it from inside." He stood up, and followed to open the door.

When Ronald stepped in, he was surprised. "Did I just witness the start of a beautiful relationship here?"

Only then did I remember I was still holding onto Max's arm. With Ronald there, I finally let go.

ele

"The guy was just a burglar, already taken to the station. Both your locks need changing. I've always said, MS Floyd, your lock was a security risk. And Max, why not install an electronic lock with surveillance? You could've seen exactly what trouble was at your door

Max nodded. "Will do, but it's not safe to stay here tonight. Let's head back to the hospital."

The hospital? That was where I told Kate where Daniel was. She might send someone to finish Daniel off, and the hospital was no safer.

"Can I sleep on your office couch?" I pleaded with Max, who pinched the bridge of his nose before conceding, "Okay."

Then Ronald asked, "Shouldn't we get a new lock first?"

I quickly offered, "I'll pay for it. It's my fault that Dr. Hilton got dragged into this."

Max glanced at his watch. "It's too late now. I'll have someone bring one over."

"How much do I owe you?" I asked, reaching for my phone to transfer the money, only to remember he hadn't taken back the last payment of $50,000 he sent me.

"Forget it," Ronald interrupted. "The

kind of locks Max orders? He

wouldn't even consider anything less than $100,000. The one outside is military-grade. That burglar couldn't smash it with an axe, and the locksmith couldn't crack it. Only the outer glass was damaged."

$100,000? It was out of my league, especially now that Claude had frozen my cards.