Jessica turned at the sound of a voice and saw Enzo standing a short distance away. He was clad in a loosely tied silk robe that left much of his chest exposed, his posture relaxed but intentionally provocative.
Her brow furrowed involuntarily.
“Up for a midnight snack too, Jessica?” Enzo asked, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
Jessica ignored him and walked straight to the storage cabinet where the snacks were kept. She opened it and began searching.
Unbothered by her silence, Enzo followed, positioning himself closer than necessary. “Could you grab something for me too?” he asked casually, his tone laced with teasing.
Jessica didn’t respond. She reached in, retrieved a pack of cookies, and closed the cabinet door with a firm motion.
As she turned to leave, she found Enzo blocking her way. His grin widened, and his posture radiated an infuriating sense of ease.
Her voice turned cold. “Move.”
“Come on, Jessica. Don’t be so frosty,” Enzo said lightly, as though they were old friends exchanging harmless banter.
Jessica’s expression darkened. “Can’t you get it yourself?”
Her sharp tone wasn’t just irritation; it was laced with a deeper frustration. She questioned his motives. Enzo had never treated her with respect before, so why should she extend him any courtesies now?
Feigning innocence, Enzo shrugged. “You were already there. What’s the harm in grabbing something extra for me?”
Jessica’s stare was icy as she repeated firmly, “Move.”
Undeterred, Enzo leaned against the counter, flashing what he likely thought was a charming smile. “How about this? Grab something for me, and I’ll move.”
Jessica’s lips twitched into a mirthless chuckle.
Without another word, she stepped forward abruptly, clenched her fist, and delivered a solid punch to Enzo’s face.
The impact echoed in the quiet kitchen, followed by Enzo’s sharp cry of pain as he staggered backward, clutching his face.
Jessica didn’t linger. She shot him a frosty glance and brushed past him as though nothing had happened.
Enzo stood frozen, hand pressed to his cheek where the sting of her punch lingered. His pride, bruised far more than his face, flared. He hadn’t anticipated her fierce reaction.
He had assumed she would back down, maybe argue a bit before eventually giving in.
But instead, she had punched him.
“Damn,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. “This woman really has a temper.”
And yet, despite the unexpected sting of humiliation, Enzo found himself drawn to her defiance. Her refusal to play along intrigued him, igniting a challenge he hadn’t felt in a long time.
As he rubbed his aching cheek, a slow, cold laugh escaped him.
“This isn’t over, Jessica,” he muttered under his breath, already plotting his next move.
________________________________________
Jessica, meanwhile, paid the encounter no further mind. After finishing her cookies, she returned to her room and quickly fell asleep, leaving the night’s conflict behind her.
________________________________________
The next morning, the bustling Cardiac Surgery Department at Grand Plains General Hospital was alive with energy. Jessica walked the halls alongside Darlene, completing their rounds.
As they entered a patient’s room, one of the patients, Dotson Haywood, looked at Darlene with curiosity.
“Dr. Mitchell, is it true that Dr. Star performed a surgery here recently?” he asked eagerly.
“Yes, that’s correct,” Darlene confirmed with a polite nod.
Dotson’s face lit up. “Can Star perform my surgery too?”
The question caught several doctors in the room off guard. They exchanged surprised glances.
Jessica’s expression remained neutral, though her gaze flickered briefly at the mention of Star.
Darlene, however, showed no surprise.
Before yesterday’s events, Darlene had known Star only by reputation—a world-class surgeon with unmatched skill. But after witnessing Star’s surgical prowess firsthand, her admiration had deepened immeasurably.
Now she understood why the world clamored for Star’s expertise. Her talent was beyond exceptional; it was almost otherworldly.
To Darlene, the patient’s request seemed entirely reasonable, even inevitable.
With a reassuring smile, she addressed Dotson. “I’m sorry, Mr. Haywood, but Star is currently unavailable. She won’t be able to perform your surgery.”
Dotson frowned, undeterred. “Please ask your deputy director to contact her. Money isn’t an issue. If Star agrees to take my case, she can name her price!”
His determination was evident, his voice almost pleading.
Jessica remained silent, letting Darlene handle the conversation.
Darlene maintained her calm demeanor. “I understand your request, Mr. Haywood, but Star is extremely selective about the cases she takes on. It’s unlikely she’ll be able to assist.”
Though Dotson looked disappointed, his resolve didn’t waver. He seemed determined to find a way to reach Star, regardless of the obstacles.
Jessica quietly observed the exchange, her thoughts carefully guarded. She understood the fervor surrounding Star’s name, but the attention it brought could complicate things in ways no one else realized.
She would have to tread carefully in the days ahead.