Eden Grace
Eden's eyes burned with determination, her voice steady and fierce. "Grandpa, I know with your power and influence you can get me into Saratoga hospital easily. I want to make a comeback, so I humbly request you to fulfill this wish of mine!"
Grandpa Blackthorn's eyes turned serious and thoughtful as he looked at Eden. "Why only that hospital? You could go to a much better one or I could even build a hospital just for you. So why?"
Eden met his gaze without flinching. "Because I want to reclaim my honor! I want to confront those who plotted my downfall and claim what is rightfully mine. That hospital holds the truth, and I will uncover it no matter what it takes. I want to fight for my name and my justice and make those criminals pay!"
Grandpa Blackthorn's eyes widened at first by the intensity of Eden's fire. But then he barked out a loud laugh, surprising everyone.
"Hahaha! Fire in your heart, steel in your will! This is the courage I was waiting for!" A spark of excitement lightened Grandpa's eyes.
"Revenge is not just sweet, it is intoxicating! You strike dark fear into those who think they can cheat the worthy! This is the way of the Blackthorn blood!"
He tapped Eden's shoulder firmly, his eyes glittering with fierce approval. "Looks like this brat finally brought someone worthy to stand beside us! Alright, I will grant this wish of yours! Start preparing yourself!"
With a booming laugh that echoed through the hall, he turned and walked away with his werewolves.
Eden finally released the breath she had been holding. She did it! She was coming back to the Saratoga Hospital!
Her eyes burned with fire, a menace etching her pretty face. She could not wait to make everyone who had wronged her pay!
Cassian, who was watching her silently, let out a smile. 'Interesting. Very interesting.'
Eden turned to Cassian, the fire in her eyes still burning. "Cassian, is there a way to get some of the hospital committee members on our side?"
He raised an eyebrow, "Committee members?"
"Yes! Because I know not many of them will welcome me back. Even if I return by influence, they'll try to block me from every direction. So I want the plan to be foolproof. If possible, buy some shares in the hospital!"
Cassian watched her quietly as she continued.
"Acquire a position in management. With influence inside the board, they won't be able to push me out again. I will give you the money!"
Cassian's lips curved into an unsettling smile. "No need, I'll do it myself. Just concentrate on your plan."
Eden blinked, surprised. What? Why is he so generous?
Cassian suddenly leaned in slightly, his voice low and chilling. "How could I charge you when you provide such high-quality entertainment, Wife? Watching you fight… it's delicious. I'm going to enjoy every bit of it."
With that he straightened and walked away, leaving a shiver in the air behind him.
Eden's eyes narrowed, her pulse quickening as she watched him walk away. This guy… he's a complete psycho!
Even his calm generosity carried a danger she couldn't ignore.
Cassian was always like this… he fed onto fear and fascination in equal measure, relishing the chaos around him and helplessness like it was the sweetest entertainment.
He hasn't changed a bit!
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*Next day*
"Dr. Freya!!! Dr. Freya!!" Nurses came rushing down the corridor, their footsteps echoing urgently.
Freya spun around, annoyed. "Geez! Why are you all screaming, you idiots? This is a hospital!"
One nurse pointed frantically down the hall, in complete horror. "That wolfless woman… she's back! She's in Saratoga Hospital again!"
Freya's eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. What!??
She raced toward the management department, heart pounding, only to freeze, her eyes widening. Eden Grace…., it's really Eden Grace!
She stood before the hospital committee members just like before, it almost felt like déjà vu, but this time….Eden looked powerful and untouchable, her aura radiating strongly.
How! How is she here!?
The hospital committee director cleared his throat, his voice firm. "Attention everyone. Dr. Eden Grace is hereby reinstated at Saratoga Hospital. I hope everyone abides by this decision!"
Shock and whispers rippled through the board room, their wide eyes darting at Eden.
Freya's face went pale, anger and disbelief warring across her features. What!? She glared at her father, expecting him to act.
Do something!!
Freya's father, Dr. Heyes suddenly shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.
"Impossible! Director, have you lost your mind?"
He pointed accusingly at Eden, his voice rising with outrage, "This woman was expelled from this hospital! How can you just bring her back like nothing happened? Are you trying to drag Saratoga Hospital's reputation into the mud?"
The director's expression hardened at the outburst, "Dr. Heyes, mind your tone. This decision was not made lightly. I and my few fellow members have reviewed the circumstances of Dr. Eden Grace's dismissal. We have reason to believe the previous accusations against her were… questionable."
Freya stepped forward, her voice sharp with anger. "Questionable how? We have all the proof! The entry data, the security footage. Everything shows she did it!"
The director's face darkened and he slammed his hand on the table.
"Enough!" he snapped. "This committee will not act based on questionable evidence and speculation. Those pieces of evidence do not directly prove that Dr. Eden Grace is the culprit. That is not enough to convict someone."
Freya stared at him in disbelief. What!?
Back then, he had agreed without hesitation to throw Eden out of the hospital. And now he is the one defending her. Why? Something is not right!
Dr. Heyes scoffed and shook his head in frustration. "Even if it doesn't directly prove she did it, bringing her back is still a huge risk! Have you thought about the consequences? The media already painted her as a disgrace. Her reputation is ruined. If she returns here, the hospital will be dragged into controversy again. Are you prepared for that kind of attention?"
Murmurs immediately broke out among the committee members.
"He's right."
"This could damage the hospital's reputation."
"The media will tear us apart if she returns."
Dr. Heyes seized the moment and slammed his hand on the table. "I demand to throw her out right now!"
Several members quickly joined in.
"Yes, she cannot stay here!"
"Expel her immediately!"
"Don't risk the hospital's reputation!"
Just as the room descended into chaos, the doors suddenly opened. A powerful voice cut through the noise.
Grandpa Blackthorn strode in with commanding steps. Several wolves stiffened instinctively, their instincts screaming submission.
Cassian stood calmly beside him, his presence cold and unshaken.
Faces around the room drained of color.
Did they hear that right? Daughter-in-law?
Grandpa Blackthorn's sharp gaze swept across the stunned committee members.
"Yes," he said coldly. "You heard me right. She is my daughter-in-law, the wife of my eldest grandson Cassian Blackthorn!"
Shock rippled through the room.
Gasps broke out among the committee members as they stared at Eden in disbelief. No one had expected this.
The wife of Alpha Cassian Blackthorn?
At that moment, Jake Rowen happened to have stepped in just in time. The moment he heard the words, his face hardened instantly.
His expression twisted instantly, eyes darkening as he stared at Eden like the words had struck something feral inside him.