Chapter 15: A Woman Who Changed Faces Faster Than Turning a Page

Sia Thubron pulled a mask over her face, kept her head down, and strode straight out of the office. She took the stairs down without slowing. The moment she stepped out of the hospital, Timothy Quiney was already waiting. "Miss Thubron," Timothy said, "Boss is in the car, waiting for you." "I don't have time." Sia kept walking, her pace sharp. "Tell the President to stop waiting." She refused to see that… Liam Hawksford. Not for anything. She had to find a hospital. If that Young Mr. Yoxal showed up again tonight, or if she missed the window for the Repair Surgery, how was she supposed to face him seven days from now? If he found out she wasn't… intact, the fallout would be unbearable. Last night, Sia had felt it clearly. That so-called useless Young Mr. Yoxal might have had trouble with his legs, but his stamina and certain other things had been no less than any normal man's. And that was what terrified her. She put on a show of being in a rush, as if she had somewhere urgent to be. Even though Liam scared her, she wanted nothing more than to shake off this King of Hell. Sia politely said goodbye to Timothy, repeating that she was busy. She might have feared Liam, but she feared Young Mr. Yoxal more. No. She had to get the surgery today. Her expression hardened. She clenched her fists and stormed out of the hospital, flagged down a taxi, and headed for another hospital to register. Timothy blinked, stunned. This Young Mistress really was impossible to read. "Boss," he reported as he climbed into the car and turned to the man in the back seat, "Young Mistress… left." "Mhm." Liam sounded as if he had expected it. "Pass it down," Liam said, lounging in his seat with lazy arrogance. The corner of his thin lips lifted into a cold smile. "No hospital is allowed to accept her registration." "Yes." Timothy immediately made the call and relayed the order. Sia felt like she'd run into a ghost. She practically sprinted through hospitals big and small, but every single one refused to take her registration. The excuses were so absurd they sounded made up. The doctor who did Repair Surgery was on leave. Back in a week. You had to queue. Or worse, they flat-out claimed they didn't even offer the procedure. A week? By then, it would be far too late. At first she didn't believe it. Then reality crushed her, one rejection after another. When she finally stumbled out of yet another hospital, she hugged her bag to her chest and dropped onto the edge of a flowerbed. Her small face scrunched up, every nerve in her body bristling with anger. "What's wrong?" a languid voice drawled. "No one willing to patch you up?" Sia snapped her head up. Her fair face had flushed bright red with fury, cheeks puffed, teeth clenched. "President, are you so full of yourself that you've got nothing better to do?" she burst out. She was certain this was Liam's doing. But what could she do about it? She was a nobody at the bottom of the ladder. Liam was the kind of man who could make one phone call and have every hospital in the city treat her like she didn't exist. Liam looked down at the little woman sitting there, fuming. Last night she had trembled like a rabbit. This morning, she had found her backbone. "Mhm. Very bored," he replied, fully aware of what she was angry about, and clearly enjoying how close she was to exploding. Sia turned her face away and huffed. Her eyes even reddened with frustration. "What's the point of fixing it?" she muttered. "It's not like it was in the first place. Why should I take my pants off and let someone stare? Isn't that disgusting?" "What does it have to do with you?" Of course it had something to do with him. She was his woman. He didn't want anyone looking at her, not even a female doctor. "If you're in such a good mood," Liam said, "we should discuss my Golden Prosperous Sovereign Age Famille Rose Pierced Revolving Vase." "…!" He stood right in front of her. The noon sun blazed overhead, but his body blocked the harsh warmth, casting her in shade. His handsome brows and eyes settled on her still-pouting face, studying her with open interest. His suit was immaculate. Sia sat there with bright, delicate features, the look of a young girl in full bloom. The contrast between them was almost visual. One was commanding and steady. The other looked pure and lively. Sia's heart thudded. God… had she lost her mind? How did she dare snap at him? She recovered instantly, lifted her eyes, and flashed a sweet smile. "President, what can I do for you? Just tell me." Her obedient act switched on in an instant, as if someone had flipped a lever. She looked innocent and a little dazed, her smile even brighter than the sunlight. Liam didn't speak for a beat. "Have lunch with me," he said at last, his cold voice casual. But the tone left no room for refusal. Lunch? "I…" Sia wondered if his head had been slammed in a door. She really was hungry. She had run to seven or eight hospitals and stood in line until her legs ached. But she was more worried about her not-being-a-virgin situation. She needed the Repair Surgery. She didn't have time to eat with him. "Mhm?" His long eyes narrowed slightly. Under the fierce sunlight, his stern features looked carved and razor-sharp in the backlight. Sia wanted to refuse but couldn't find a good excuse. Then her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, and the anger in her chest iced over. It was Eva Thubron. Sia flicked a look at Liam. She couldn't take the call in front of him. No one could know she had married in Eva's place. She took her phone and walked a few steps away before answering. "Sia Thubron, it's Saturday," Eva snapped. "Mom and Dad want you home for dinner. Since you've already gone back to your husband's family, don't come back empty-handed. Whatever good stuff the Yoxal family has, bring it all back for me. Did you hear me?" The entitlement in her voice was effortless, like Sia was nothing more than a maid who existed to carry out orders. Sia's brows knitted tightly. "If you don't come," Eva continued, "you can forget about seeing Grandma again." She didn't leave Sia any room to refuse. "I'll be home for dinner," Sia said coldly. She ended the call, cutting off Eva's demands in one clean tap. When Sia turned back, the heat of her earlier fury had vanished. She spoke to Liam with a tone full of regret. "Sorry, Young Mr. Yoxal. I can't have lunch with you. I have something to take care of at home." Her voice sounded apologetic, but the bright gleam in her sly eyes gave her away completely. She was pleased with herself. "Mhm." Liam didn't get angry. He only answered with a faint, indifferent sound. "Then goodbye, President." Sia even bowed politely. But the moment she turned around, her steps turned light, like she might start skipping. Liam: "…" Sia quickly hailed a taxi and headed for Thubron Villa. Once she got in, her small face went serious again.