Scott Livinus was wearing a tracksuit—the same one Sophia had chosen for him at the store last time.
It suited him perfectly. The fit made him look like a sportswear model, giving him a youthful vibe that softened the distant aura typically associated with his business attire. Instead, he exuded an air of casual vitality.
“Morning,” he greeted first.
“Morning.”
Scott Livinus was very tall. Even when he was merely jogging and remained silent, he emitted an invisible sense of pressure.
For some reason, Sophia was always reluctant to spend too much time with him.
She couldn’t help but feel that this man was simply too intimidating!
It was as if no prey could escape him, no matter how elusive.
And she couldn’t shake the illusion that she might end up being one of his targets.
Sophia was sweating profusely. She wiped her face with a towel and bent over to rest for a moment.
Scott Livinus glanced at her from behind.
Her slender yet toned calves, every muscle seemingly brimming with upward energy; her slim waist; and from behind, her hips—round and perky, exuding a raw, primal beauty. It was an unintentional allure that left him itching uncontrollably.
The hips are a woman’s second “business card.”
Unconsciously, they radiate the innate beauty of femininity.
It’s irresistible.
For a moment, his mind was filled with nothing but primal instincts.
After resting, Sophia straightened up, took a sip of water, and glanced back at him. “Why aren’t you running?”
“You go ahead,” he replied.
Scott Livinus sighed. He absolutely couldn’t admit that just one glance at her hips had left him shamefully aroused.
Even after drinking water, he couldn’t suppress the restlessness inside. For someone as composed as him, this rare wave of irritation was unsettling.
There was a wild fire raging within him.
If he hadn’t already tasted her, it might have been tolerable. But having once experienced her, the thought of letting her go was unbearable.
Scott Livinus took out his phone.
“Livinus?” Aaron, who was still groggy from sleep, rubbed his eyes and glanced at the time. “What’s so urgent this early in the morning?”
“Aaron,” Scott Livinus’s voice was cold. “How’s Sophia’s divorce case progressing?”
Aaron froze. “It’s ongoing. I’ve been in constant contact with the Scott family’s legal team. But honestly, your family’s lawyers are utterly shameless. And that sister-in-law of yours—she’s clearly prepared. Before the marriage, she’d already transferred all of Scott Henry’s assets. If the divorce goes through, Sophia will leave with nothing! But regarding the issue with the medical formula, as you know, we’re working on securing an appropriate compensation amount.”
Scott Livinus’s tone turned impatient. “Is that all you’ve got?”
Aaron paused before snapping, “What do you mean, ‘all I’ve got’? It’s your shameless Scott family, your scummy lawyers! I’m just one person going up against ten of them—what do you expect me to do, grow extra arms?”
But Scott Livinus wasn’t interested in excuses. He replied indifferently, “It seems your skills are lacking. No wonder you’re only ranked second in divorce litigation. Clearly, you’re still a ways off from the top.”
This struck a nerve with Aaron. He had long been considered the top in his field, until some upstart with a pretty face recently bumped him down to second place. Hearing Scott Livinus’s comment only fueled his fury.
“Who says so! Damn it, I’ll show you now! I’ll sue the Scott family to death!”
With a loud slam, the call ended.
Only then did Aaron realize that he’d fallen for Scott Livinus’s provocation.
He cursed angrily, “What kind of lunatic calls at 6:20 in the morning! I only went to bed at 3! Men in love are terrifying—absolutely insane!”
Back on the jogging track, Scott Livinus realized running with Sophia had been a mistake.
Because every glance he stole at her made his agitation worse—and the painful throbbing below unbearable.
—
The next day at noon, a woman arrived at the clinic with her child. She stared in disbelief at the long queue outside.
“Are all of you here to see the doctor?” she asked.
“Yes, are you here by referral too?” someone replied.
“Yes. I wanted to ask if this doctor can treat chronic nephritis?”
“Chronic nephritis? Is it for you or your child?”
The woman smiled bitterly. “It’s for my child. He’s had chronic nephritis for nine years.”
“Nine years?” Her words caught everyone’s attention, and they all turned to look at the child.
The boy appeared to be around 12 or 13, short and overweight. He looked lethargic and lacked the energy typical of children his age. If he’d been sick for nine years, that meant he’d been suffering since the age of three. Chronic nephritis was notoriously hard to treat, often requiring medication with steroids, which came with severe side effects and frequent relapses. The thought of how much pain the child must have endured over the years evoked sympathy from the crowd.
“Dr. Smith can treat anything! Don’t be fooled by this small clinic—it may not be well-known, but her medical skills are extraordinary! She can cure almost any illness. Unfortunately, today’s registration slots are all taken!”
“Really?” The woman’s anxiety grew. “Is there no way to get one more slot? I’ve traveled a long way to get here.”
The crowd exchanged glances. To be honest, no one was eager to give up their spot. However, the woman’s expression, marked by subtle despair and the weariness of a long struggle, moved them. It was evident that years of caring for a sick child had worn her down. The ups and downs of the illness—moments of hope followed by crushing setbacks—would have drained anyone’s spirit.
Suddenly, the man at the front of the line answered a call. After a moment of listening, he nodded repeatedly.
Ending the call, he waved her over. “Miss, you can have my spot. My wife got into a car accident on her way here and won’t make it today.”
The woman was overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking him profusely. The others didn’t complain about her cutting the line, showing understanding of her situation.
She took her child to the front.
Dr. Smith flipped open a new patient record book and asked, “The child’s name?”.”
Jayden
“Age?”
“Thirteen.”
After jotting it down, she asked, “What’s the issue with your child?”
The woman hesitated before replying, “Chronic nephritis. It’s been over nine years now. He’s been on medication and steroids, but the condition keeps relapsing.”
Dr. Smith remained silent as she checked the child’s pulse. Then she asked:
