chapter244

Suzanne attempted to stride past Oliver, but his hand shot out, seizing her arm and yanking her back toward him. The sudden force sparked a flash of irritation in her eyes. "What are you doing? Let go of me!" she demanded, trying to shake off his grip.

Oliver didn’t relent. Instead, he stepped into her space, his expression shifting into a mask of feigned affection. His voice was smooth, calculated to unsettle her. "My dear Suzanne, why such a rush? We have so much to discuss."

Despite her racing heart, Suzanne forced herself to remain composed. She narrowed her eyes, focusing on his hand with a sharp glare. "If you have something to say, say it. But keep your hands to yourself. We have nothing left to share."

Oliver leaned in further, a patronizing smile playing on his lips. He began to weave a narrative of their past intimacy, speaking with an audacity that might have worked if Suzanne didn't already know the truth. Thanks to her recent medical check-up, she knew his claims of a deep, physical history were nothing but a web of lies designed to manipulate her.

"You're full of it, Oliver," she snapped, yanking her arm forcefully. "Let go!"

His grip only tightened, his other arm encircling her waist to trap her. He whispered a threat into her ear, his entitlement showing no bounds. Trembling with a mix of fear and fury, Suzanne opened her mouth to call for help, but she didn't need to.

A tall figure charged toward them with the speed of a predator. Before Oliver could react, Nathan was there. With a precise, lightning-fast movement, he twisted Oliver’s arm away from Suzanne. A sharp sound echoed in the corridor, followed immediately by Oliver’s cry of pain.

The next moment, Suzanne was pulled into a sturdy, warm embrace. The familiar scent of woodsmoke and rain immediately soothed her frayed nerves. Looking up, she met Nathan’s gaze. Though his eyes were filled with a cold, simmering fury directed at Oliver, his hold on her was incredibly gentle.

"Nate!" Suzanne breathed, her voice filled with relief. She hadn't expected him to be here, knowing the weight of the duties he was currently juggling.

Oliver gritted his teeth, cradling his injured arm as he glared at Nathan. "Do you really think your rank gives you the right to act with such impunity?"

Nathan’s response was ice-cold, his voice vibrating with authority. "In defense of my wife? Absolutely."

"You attacked me!" Oliver shouted, his voice booming through the hospital wing. "I let the last time slide, but this? You deliberately caused harm. I won't let this go."

Nathan sneered, his expression one of pure scorn. "Harassing a woman in public—harassing my wife? I’m well within my legal rights to ensure you are no longer a threat. Consider yourself lucky I value the peace of this hospital."

Oliver paled, the defiant fire in his eyes flickering out. Standing before Nathan, he looked less like a rival and more like a nuisance. Realizing he was utterly outmatched by the General’s imposing presence, he muttered a hollow threat before turning on his heel and retreating toward the orthopedic ward, seething with resentment.

Suzanne remained in Nathan’s arms, her gaze lingering on the strong contours of his face. The fear was gone, replaced by a deep sense of security. She watched the way his expression softened the moment he looked back down at her.

Meeting her entranced gaze, Nathan’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. His voice returned to its gentle, airy tone, reserved only for her. "Chubs," he murmured with a faint, knowing smile. "That's enough staring for one day. Let's get you home."