Chapter 13

The meeting had concluded, and the executives were preparing to leave when suddenly—bang! The door flew open with a forceful shove from the outside. Calvin's expression turned frosty, his sharp, displeased gaze snapping toward the source of the disturbance. Every head in the room swiveled in unison. Standing in the doorway was Alexia. Her hair was disheveled, and her face pale. "I'm sorry—I'm late." "Late, indeed," Calvin replied icily. His piercing eyes were colder than ice. "Yesterday's agreement is canceled. Leave now, and take that cleaner who tried to jump with you." "Mr. Reed, I didn't mean to!" Alexia blurted out, trying to explain. "Get out!" Calvin interrupted, his patience snapping as his voice echoed in the room. Alexia's jaw tightened, her stubbornness flaring. She refused to move. Her body was weak, her limbs aching, and she was so dizzy that every step felt like a monumental effort. Yet, she stood firm, drawing on sheer determination to keep herself upright. "I gave you a chance, and you wasted it," Calvin said, his sneer cutting deep. "I don't give second chances. No amount of begging will change that." Alexia's heart twisted with regret, she wanted to slap herself for her mistakes. When she still didn't move, Calvin's face remained cold and unyielding. "Take her out." Adrian hesitated for a moment but then stepped forward. "Ms. Vega, I'm sorry," he grabbed Alexia's arm and began leading her toward the door. A cold sweat broke out on Alexia's forehead as despair wrapped around her like a suffocating blanket. Just as she was about to be dragged out, her gaze flicked upward and landed on Hailey, who was watching with a triumphant smile. In that instant, something shifted in Alexia's mind. She shouted, "Wait!" Calvin's gaze shifted back to her. Alexia coughed but forced herself to speak. "The person I need to apologize to is Hailey. Mr. Reed, with all due respect, I don't think it's appropriate for you to mediate a conflict between two women." Calvin's tone was clipped. "And?" "So, I think this matter should be left for Hailey to decide," Alexia continued. "If she wants me to apologize, I'll apologize. But if she doesn't want my kneeling apology, I promise you, Mr. Reed, I'll leave the company immediately. No further fuss." Calvin's sharp eyes narrowed, his gaze drilling into her. What a calculating woman. The intensity of his scrutiny sent a shiver down Alexia's spine. She took a deep breath and steeled herself against the overwhelming pressure of his piercing stare. She was gambling. Gambling that Hailey wouldn't let her off easily. After all, the chance to publicly humiliate her was just too tempting to pass up. Calvin turned to Hailey. "What do you think?" Hailey froze, clearly not expecting him to ask for her opinion. "I… I…" Calvin's tone remained cool. "Since this involves you, it's only fair that you decide." Hailey hesitated, biting her lip as her mind raced. If Alexia were kicked out of the company, it might seem like an easy punishment. But if she forced Alexia to kneel and apologize, she could savor every moment of her humiliation. The very thought filled Hailey with a cruel sense of satisfaction. "Mr. Reed, since she's so desperate to stay, let her stay. I wouldn't feel right forcing her to leave. Let's just go with the apology," Hailey said sweetly. Hearing this, Alexia exhaled quietly, relief washing over her. She had won the gamble. Calvin leaned back in his chair as he gave a mocking snort. "Then what are you waiting for?" Hailey, emboldened, straightened her posture and let a smug smile spread across her face. She even pulled out her phone, poised to capture Alexia's impending humiliation. "Fine," Alexia, murmured. Supporting her trembling, weakened body, she began to move forward. Each step felt like a battle against her failing strength. "It's just an apology," she told herself bitterly. If she had to kneel, so be it. She could endure this—it was no different than being bitten by a dog. But as she reached the center of the room, a sudden wave of dizziness overtook her. The edges of her vision blurred, and the world spun violently. Before she could steady herself, her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, unconscious. A stunned silence fell over the room. Calvin frowned and strode over as he nudged her leg with the tip of his shoe. "Get up." Alexia didn't respond. Kneeling, he noticed how flushed her face was and how unnaturally hot her skin felt. He showed no concern and immediately left Alexia to Adrian. Without sparing Alexia another glance, Calvin walked out of the conference room. Yet as he left, an image of Alexia surfaced in his mind—standing on the rooftop, risking everything to save Melody. Fragile but determined, afraid yet unyielding. Something tugged at Calvin's heart. He stopped abruptly in his tracks. Hailey, following close behind, froze in confusion. She was about to ask what was wrong when she saw him turn and stride back into the conference room, then lifted Alexia off the floor. Jealousy twisted Hailey's features. "Mr. Reed, don't carry her!" Calvin's tone was calm. "She's still Mrs. Reed in the name. She can't die in the company." "Mr. Reed, don't fall for it! She's obviously faking it!" Hailey snapped, her voice shrill with baseless accusations. Calvin's lips curved into a smirk. "If she's faking, the hospital will confirm it. Adrian, get the car ready." "Yes, sir." Hailey's frustration flared, but Calvin had already started walking out of the room. Realizing she had no other choice, Hailey hurried after him. "Mr. Reed, I'll come with you!" Calvin didn't object. The car arrived at the hospital soon, and Adrian respectfully opened the back door, stepping forward to help carry Alexia. Calvin's low voice cut through the air. "Move. I'll do it." Adrian stepped aside immediately. Inside the hospital, a doctor was already waiting in the consultation room. After examining Alexia, the doctor spoke with calmness. "She has nasal congestion, a runny nose, and a persistent cough—likely symptoms of a respiratory infection caused by a severe cold. We'll need a blood test to confirm. In the meantime, she needs rest and hydration. Warm water will help." After the doctor drew blood and provided further instructions, he left the room. Calvin, his expression as cold and composed as ever, picked up a glass of water and approached Alexia's bedside. She remained unconscious, her face flushed even redder than before. No woman could tolerate seeing the man she loved caring for another woman, and Hailey was no exception. She stepped forward. "Mr. Reed, let me do it." "Mm," Calvin hummed indifferently. Hailey brought the cup to Alexia's lips, but no matter how hard she tried, Alexia didn't respond or open her mouth. After several failed attempts, Hailey ended up spilling the water—not into Alexia's mouth, but all over herself. Frustration flared in her eyes. She pinched Alexia's arm sharply in a spiteful, petty act. Alexia stirred weakly, letting out a faint cough that made Calvin's brows furrow deeply. "Give it to me," he said. Reluctantly, Hailey handed over the glass. Calvin, uncharacteristically patient, tilted Alexia's chin slightly and, with practiced ease, managed to get her to drink the water. He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Not bad. At least she wasn't resisting. Setting the glass down, Calvin turned to leave. But before he could take a step, Alexia's arms suddenly wrapped around him. Hailey, standing nearby, was on the verge of exploding with rage. This shameless little wretch! Alexia, completely delirious from the fever, mumbled weakly, "Mom… Don't leave…" Calvin frowned, his tone firm. "Snap out of it. Look at me and see who I am." "Don't yell. My head hurts… I feel awful…" Alexia groaned. She buried her face against his waist, rubbing slightly in discomfort. Her fevered breath seeped through his shirt, warm and soft, brushing against his chest. Calvin's Adam's apple bobbed, and his entire body tensed as a strange heat coursed through him. Hailey, unable to hold herself back any longer, stormed over and began prying Alexia's fingers off him one by one. "Mr. Reed, let me handle this instead." "Mm." Calvin's response was curt and indifferent. Tugging at his tie to loosen it, he turned and stepped out of the room. He lit a cigarette, trying to suppress the strange restlessness churning within him. Inside the room, Hailey's gaze darkened as she glared at Alexia. Her jealousy was like a storm, raging uncontrollably. How dare she cling to Calvin in front of her? The audacity of this woman! Unable to contain herself, Hailey leaned down and pinched Alexia's arm sharply, venting her frustration. Alexia's eyelashes fluttered slightly, as though she were about to wake, but Hailey didn't notice. Just as Hailey raised her hand to pinch her a second time, the door opened, and the doctor walked in. Hailey quickly forced her hands away. "The patient has the flu and will need an IV drip," the doctor informed her. Hailey replied with a flat, "Oh." But inside, she was seething. "Why not let the fever finish her off?" The doctor continued, "There's one more thing. The patient is pregnant. Some pregnant women prefer to avoid IV drips and opt for oral medication to minimize the risks to the baby, but an IV is perfectly safe as long as the medication is carefully chosen. I'll need her or a family member's consent to proceed." Hailey's expression twists in shock and disbelief. "What did you just say? She's pregnant? That's impossible!"