Clearly, the threat from the other side had taken effect. Scott Richard took a deep breath and finally said, “Fine! Let’s meet tomorrow.”
He hung up the phone and turned abruptly to leave. Sophia, caught off guard and with nowhere to hide, panicked.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the storage room. A man pressed her body against the wall, leaving her unable to move.
Sophia froze. Outside, Scott Richard seemed to have heard the noise and called out coldly, “Who’s there?”
For a moment, Sophia could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.
Scott’s footsteps drew closer, and just as his hand reached for the door handle, a voice called out, “Sir, Madam is asking for you.”
Richard frowned, flung the door open, and looked into the storage room under the stairs. Aside from clutter and a layer of dust that indicated the space was rarely used, there was nothing unusual. He coughed from the dust, then turned back and said, “I’ll be there shortly!”
Sophia finally exhaled, relieved that she had been hidden behind a rack and escaped detection.
Turning her head, she looked up at the person who had pulled her into the room. The faint scent of herbal medicine gave away his identity before she even saw his face.
Sure enough, Scott Livinus’s sharply defined features loomed close to hers in the dimly lit storage room.
This wasn’t the first time she had been in such close proximity to him, but every encounter seemed to carry an air of ambiguity.
Determined to keep her distance, Sophia said irritably, “Let me go. I want to leave!”
“I’d advise you to stay put,” Livinus said calmly. “Scott Richard is highly suspicious and meticulous. Based on what I know of him, he’ll return soon to double-check. If you go out now, he’ll catch you for sure.”
Sophia frowned, skeptical. But just as he finished speaking, the sound of footsteps returned. Scott Richard lingered near the area for a moment before leaving again.
“Can I leave now?”
“It’s still risky. Scott Richard is well aware that a home can be more dangerous than the outside. If any secrets are uncovered in this house, it’s extremely dangerous. He won’t lower his guard. His earlier exit was likely a trap. If you step out now, he’ll catch you red-handed.”
Sophia hesitated, starting to believe him.
She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy.
Living in a household where even family members schemed against each other—constantly on edge and unable to relax—how exhausting must that be?
Sophia stayed where she was, silent. The two stood quietly, facing each other.
Suddenly, Scott broke the silence. “Who introduced you to Logan?”
Sophia frowned. “Chloe. Why?”
“Logan isn’t suitable for you.”
“How do you know?”
Sophia, though indifferent to Logan, found Livinus’s remark irksome. Who did he think he was, commenting on her life choices? They weren’t close enough for him to dictate her decisions.
“I’ve worked with him before. He’s cunning and unpredictable. Someone like you, straightforward and honest, wouldn’t even realize you’d been sold out by him.”
Sophia frowned deeply before responding. “Scott, I’m a doctor.”
“Regardless of your profession, my point stands—he’s not right for you.”
“That’s none of your business. Worry about your own Miss Kim instead!”
Livinus suddenly stepped closer.
Being taller, he loomed over her, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Unyielding, he cornered her against the wall, resting a hand against it as he leaned in to meet her gaze. “Sophia, saying things like that makes me think you’re jealous.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. There’s nothing between us,” Sophia replied coldly.
“Who says?” Scott’s face inched closer, a low chuckle escaping his lips. “Our relationship is far from ordinary.”
“Livinus!” Sophia snapped.
“Strange,” he mused, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile. “When you say my name, it has a peculiar charm, almost like…” His gaze darkened. “Like that night when you were beneath me, calling out in single syllables. Truly unforgettable.”
Sophia froze, the implication hitting her like a wave of heat. She glared at him, both embarrassed and furious. “Livinus, didn’t we agree not to bring up that night?”
“Whether it’s mentioned or not isn’t up to you.”
“What do you mean by all this?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Scott’s unwavering gaze bore into her, filled with raw desire and intent. His blatant expression of longing was unsettling—so bold it left no room for misinterpretation.
Sophia’s body betrayed her, reacting despite her attempts to dismiss him.
“Livinus,” she said, frowning. “Don’t tell me you’re secretly in love with me.”
“Secretly?” The word seemed to hit a nerve, and Livinus’s expression darkened further.
The air in the cramped storage room grew thin, and his intense stare left her nowhere to hide.
“Sophia, you’re something else,” Scott said before storming out, slamming the door behind him with a resounding thud.
—
Since that day, Sophia and Livinus rarely spoke.
Both immersed themselves in their respective lives, their interactions minimal.
Sophia had someone tail Scott Richard but found nothing substantial, as he easily evaded surveillance. Yet, the phone call she overheard planted a seed of doubt. She couldn’t shake the feeling that if she followed this trail, it would lead to something significant.
So, she continued monitoring him, waiting for any news.
By late October, her school held an event requiring all gstudents to attend and complete a survey.
As graduation approached, opportunities for gatherings became rare. The medical students, having spent more years together than most, shared a deep bond. The intense focus on their studies had kept drama at bay, fostering a harmonious atmosphere in the class.
