Monday, 9:15 A.M.
Steel Medical Center had never looked so alive.
Children's laughter echoed through the brightly decorated corridors.
Volunteers in colorful shirts guided young patients from one activity to another.
Television cameras were set up near the main hall.
Reporters interviewed donors.
Hospital staff moved swiftly, making sure everything ran smoothly.
For one day...
The hospital felt less like a place of pain...
And more like a place of hope.
Celina stood near the entrance of the pediatric ward, helping a little boy fasten the cape of his superhero costume.
"There."
She smiled, adjusting the tiny mask over his eyes.
"Now you look ready to save the world."
The little boy puffed out his chest proudly.
"I'll save my mommy first."
Celina's smile softened.
"I think she'd like that very much."
The boy ran off laughing.
Nearby, Nurse Emily watched with admiration.
"I don't know where you get all this patience."
Celina laughed quietly.
"I don't think about it."
"I just imagine how frightened I'd be if I were in their place."
Emily shook her head.
"You're too good for this world."
Before Celina could reply—
"Mr. Steel has arrived!"
The announcement spread through the hallway.
Within seconds, doctors straightened their coats.
Administrators adjusted their ties.
Even the reporters turned toward the entrance.
Aaron Steel entered with Ethan Brooks walking a respectful step behind him.
His charcoal-gray suit was impeccably tailored.
His expression remained as unreadable as ever.
The room seemed to grow quieter as he walked through it.
Everyone greeted him.
"Good morning, Mr. Steel."
"Welcome, Mr. Steel."
He acknowledged them with a slight nod but didn't slow his pace.
His attention was on the event.
Not the people.
At least...
That was true until his eyes landed on someone kneeling beside a wheelchair.
Celina.
She was helping a little girl tie colorful ribbons around her wrist.
She smiled as if there were no cameras...
No wealthy donors...
No billionaire standing a few feet away.
Only a child who deserved to feel special.
Aaron watched silently.
There was something strangely effortless about her kindness.
She never looked like she was trying.
She simply... cared.
The hospital director stepped forward.
"Mr. Steel, thank you for coming."
Aaron looked away from Celina.
"How are preparations?"
"Everything is going according to plan."
James smiled confidently.
"The children are excited."
"I'm glad."
Just then—
A frightened scream echoed through the hallway.
Everyone turned.
A little boy stood frozen near the small stage where the children were supposed to perform.
His breathing became rapid.
"I... I can't do it!"
The volunteers rushed over.
"It's okay."
"You'll be fine."
But the boy only cried harder.
Reporters instinctively lifted their cameras.
Parents exchanged worried looks.
The atmosphere grew tense.
James frowned.
"We can't begin the program like this."
One volunteer knelt beside the boy.
Another tried to comfort him.
Nothing worked.
Then...
Someone quietly walked forward.
Celina.
She didn't speak immediately.
She simply knelt until she was at eye level with the child.
"Hi."
The boy sniffled.
"I'm Celina."
No response.
She glanced at the paper crown in his hands.
"Oh..."
"I think I know the problem."
The boy looked at her through watery eyes.
She leaned closer and whispered dramatically.
"I don't think this crown belongs to you."
His eyebrows knitted together.
"It doesn't?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"I think it's the crown of the bravest little prince in the hospital."
He blinked.
"But... I'm scared."
Celina smiled gently.
"The bravest people usually are."
A small silence settled between them.
Then she extended her hand.
"So..."
"Will you help me find the real prince?"
The little boy hesitated.
Slowly...
He slipped his tiny hand into hers.
The hallway erupted in quiet applause.
Parents wiped away tears.
Even the reporters lowered their cameras for a moment, touched by the scene.
Aaron remained still.
His gaze never left Celina.
For the first time in years...
He found himself admiring someone who possessed neither wealth nor influence.
Only compassion.
And somehow...
It felt far more powerful.
Ethan noticed the unusual silence.
"Sir?"
Aaron didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he watched as Celina walked onto the stage beside the little boy.
She never stood in front of him.
She stayed beside him.
Encouraging.
Protecting.
Making sure every bit of attention belonged to the child.
Not to herself.
A faint crease appeared between Aaron's brows.
He had met women who chased cameras.
Women who chased power.
Women who chased his name.
Yet this young cleaner...
Didn't seem interested in any of those things.
She disappeared into the background...
So others could shine.
It was...
Unusual.
As the applause filled the hall, one photographer raised his camera.
Click.
The lens captured a single moment.
Celina smiling warmly at the little boy...
While, several feet away...
Aaron Steel was looking directly at her.
Neither of them noticed.
But by tomorrow morning...
That photograph would be on its way to becoming the talk of Rosewood.