After speaking, Vanessa grabbed the breathing mask and forced it onto my face. I twisted my head frantically, trying to delay it as long as I could.
My resistance clearly infuriated her. Just as she cursed and reached to yank my hair, the operating room door was suddenly kicked open from outside. The impact echoed as the door slammed against the wall and quivered.
“...Who are you?! What are you doing?! This is a sterile area—no unauthorized personnel allowed! Get out!”
I couldn’t see who it was, only heard Vanessa’s shrill, trembling voice.
It was the first time I’d ever heard real panic and fear in her tone.
The intruder said nothing—only the sound of a gun cocking filled the air.
“No! Don’t shoot! What do you want? I—I’ll give it to you!”
Terrified by the pistol aimed at her head, Vanessa collapsed onto her knees, threw down her bag and phone, and raised her hands in desperate surrender. Her smeared makeup turned her into a pitiful mess.
But the man with the gun remained unmoved. His face was stone-cold, and his finger slowly tightened on the trigger.
“She!” Vanessa screamed, pointing at me in a frenzy. “She’s Ethan’s wife! He’s loaded! Kidnap her—there’s a fortune in it for you!”
“Ms. Morgan, is that you?”
A familiar voice rang out—it was the gentleman!
Joy surged through me like a tidal wave, and tears sprang to my eyes.
“Sir... I’m here!” I rasped, lifting my head with effort. My voice was hoarse and frail, like a dying old woman.
“Please don’t move, Ms. Morgan. You’ll hurt yourself.”
He rushed to my side. I noticed he was younger than I’d imagined. The sight of my bruised body clearly stunned him, and he hesitated before his men rushed to untie me.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Morgan. I was late.”
He gently wrapped his coat around me and carried me off the operating table with care.
“...You... Who are you?! What’s your relationship with Tessa?!”
Only now did Vanessa realize the intruder wasn’t a robber—he had come to save me.
“You don’t need to know who I am.”
The gentleman’s voice turned icy. To the men still aiming at Vanessa, he said with contempt, “Get this vile woman out of my sight. Don’t let her stain Ms. Morgan’s eyes.”
“Let Vanessa go now, or don’t blame me for what happens next!”
As the gentleman carried me out, Ethan’s voice rang out—sharp, flustered. Two of his bodyguards behind him were sweating nervously, their hands on their guns trembling.
Vanessa lay nearby, clearly passed out from fear.
“I’ve already called the cops. They’ll be here soon. Leave now while you can—I’ll let this slide.”
Before he could finish his warning, Ethan noticed me in the gentleman’s arms. His face twisted in rage as he shouted,
“Hah! Tessa, you’re shameless! Didn’t you deny it before? Now you can’t hide it! That man—he’s your secret lover, isn’t he?!”
“Ethan, stop it! He’s not involved with me!” I cried, desperate to shield the gentleman from slander.
“Not involved? Then why would he send a small army to rescue you? You think I’m stupid, Tessa?”
Ethan scoffed, clearly unconvinced. “Even prison can’t stop you from seducing men—you really are disgusting.”
“Ms. Morgan, is this your husband?” The gentleman asked, his tone composed and dignified. “Pardon me, but your taste in men is appalling.”
“What did you say?!” Ethan exploded like a rabid dog, lashing out wildly.
Sirens wailed outside, growing louder. I panicked immediately.
But Ethan’s anxiety vanished in an instant. His face filled with smugness—after all, he had close ties to the police chief, and had used that connection before to jail innocent rivals.
“Sir, you must leave—I don’t want you dragged into this.” I tried to pull away, but the gentleman only held me tighter.
“Ms. Morgan, I promised to take you away. Trust me.”
“Didn’t expect you to be such a romantic,” Ethan sneered at the gentleman. “I just hope you won’t regret this for the rest of your life—in prison.”
Just as he finished speaking, the police chief entered with a large team behind him.
“Chief, these are the ones! I suspect they’re terrorists!”
Ethan rushed up, twisting facts without shame. “They tried to kidnap my wife, fired guns at my... friends, and planned to use this hospital as a base to revolt against the government. Arrest them now!”
“Terrorists? Revolt against the government? Are you insane? This is Mr. Carter!”
The police chief looked like he wanted to slap Ethan himself. He shot him a furious glare, then turned to the gentleman and saluted respectfully.
“Mr. Carter, I had no idea you were here today. Please forgive me. Whatever you need, just say the word—my men and I are at your service!”
