Chapter 22 The familiar voice made Beige jolt . " R - Xavier … I'm fine , really . I'm not bothering anyone . You should just take her and go . " She pushed Violet away as if she were a hot potato , not daring to look at either of them . Only then did Xavier release his sister , his tone cold and sharp with warning . " Don't let me catch you pestering her again . " Once Xavier had walked off with Violet , Beige finally dared to mutter under her breath . " Ugh . He gets a fiancée and forgets he has a sister .. " 1/8 Chapter 22 + 5 Points Meanwhile , for days on end , Gabriel remained in the hospital . His mother kept insisting she was done with him , but behind the scenes , she was frantically contacting every renowned specialist she could find . Thanks to a contact from Violet , she managed to secure an appointment with Todd Hollrith , a top orthopedic expert . In the hospital room sat Clarise , along with the Martins - both parents and Ruby . Todd carefully reviewed every scan and report , then lightly tapped around the injury site with a small reflex hammer . Gabriel immediately broke out in a cold 2/8 Chapter 22 + 5 Points sweat from the pain . " Doctor , that hurts ! " Todd pulled back the hammer , adjusting his reading glasses calmly . " Gabriel , I can help you regain about half your function . You'll be able to walk normally without a cane , but there'll be a limp . " He paused before adding , " On rainy days , you'll feel sharp , excruciating pain . That won't go away . If you're willing to endure that for the rest of your life , then I can help you proceed with the surgery ." Already on edge from the pain and frustration , Gabriel's temper flared . He swept everything off the bedside table with a crash . 3/8 Chapter 22 + 5 Points " You said he was the best in the field - this is what a so - called top specialist suggests ? Sounds like an overrated name to me ! " Todd's expression darkened instantly , his tone turning cold . " Clarise , I'm already retired . If it weren't for Violet personally asking me , I wouldn't have taken this case at all . If your son thinks so little of my skills , then find someone else . I'd like to see who else in this country is even qualified to attempt this surgery . " With a huff , he turned and stormed out of the hospital with his team . Clarise chased after him to apologize , but he paid her no attention . When she returned to the ward , her chest 4/8 Chapter 22 + 5 Points tight with fury , she slapped her son hard across the face . "Gabriel ! What exactly do you want from us ? This was already the best you could hope for ! What more do you expect ? Do you even realize how much effort it took to get Dr. Hollrith to come out of retirement for you ?! " His head turned from the blow , but amidst the chaos , he latched onto one key detail , his eyes lighting with a flicker of hope . " Mom … Did he just say Vivi asked him ? So that means she still cares … She hasn't completely given up on me , right ? " Clarise let out a cold , bitter laugh . " You really think she still cares ? She only did this for Xavier's sake - to give him a good name . You think she still has feelings for 5/8 Chapter 22 + 5 Points you ? Keep dreaming ! " Gabriel fell silent under the weight of her words , his face growing darker by the second . Trying to diffuse the tension , Josephine interjected gently , " Clarise , Gabriel's just struggling emotionally because of his injury . Don't take his outburst too seriously . His recovery will take time … Why don't we take this chance to discuss the kids ' future instead ? " She walked over to sit beside Clarise , the suggestion heavy with implication . Ruby's expression changed in an instant . She wasn't interested in Gabriel anymore . " Mom , Gabriel hasn't recovered yet . There's no rush on our end . " 6/8 ter 22 + 5 Points ent her mother immediately shut her down , Ruby , you came back for him , didn't you ? Since neither of you can do much physically right now , we might as well settle the eengagement . " эг " Mom … " Ruby tried to protest . ING But Clarise interrupted bluntly , " She can marry him if she wants . But there will be no wedding ceremony . " Alexander immediately bristled . " This is Rue's first marriage - how could there not be a wedding ? " Clarise responded with thinly veiled contempt . " Violet didn't even get a wedding when she 7/8 Chapter 22 + 5 Points married into the Bennetts . And now your daughter , who forced herself into the picture , thinks she deserves one ? " Let me be very clear - letting Ruby in at all is already my greatest concession . Don't think I'll tolerate a big celebration . " Unless … You want the whole world to know that your adopted daughter crawled into bed with her sister's husband ? " You might be able to live with that shame - but the Bennetts won't ." 8/8