Chapter 18 The Showdown A broad , warm hand wrapped around her arm . [ ] A deep male voice followed . " You okay ? " [] Nova's hypoglycemia left her dizzy and weak - she couldn't stand , leaning against him like a cat seeking support . [ ] Corin's eyes darkened . His hand lingered on her shoulder for two seconds , then slowly moved down to hook under her knees . He lifted her firmly into his arms and walked toward the hallway chairs . [ ] " Do you have any candy in your bag ? " He looked down at her pale face , voice low . [ ] Nova blinked her blurry eyes . When she recognized who it was , embarrassment flushed her cheeks . [ ] She stammered , " M - Mr . Thorne , I ... you ... thank you . Please put me down first ... " [ ] Being held by him felt too intimate . [ ] Corin looked away from her face , bending slightly to set her down . His large hand hovered gently behind her waist - a quiet reminder . [ ] " Hold onto the wall . Your hypoglycemia will make you faint again if you don't . " [ ] Thinking about what just happened , Nova's pale cheeks turned pink with discomfort . She bit her lower lip softly . [ ] Suddenly , a commotion came from behind them . " Nova ! " ] ] Kael hurried over . The first thing he saw was Nova and a man " embracing " -the man even held her . It looked so intimate . [ ] Kael's composure snapped . His brows furrowed with cold anger as he strode over , yanking Nova into his own arms . His arm wrapped tightly around her waist , and he glared at Corin sharply . [ ] " Thank you for helping my wife . " [ ] It was a " thank you " in name only - his tone was ambiguous , sharp with rivalry and warning . [ ] Nova's face turned cold . [ ] Corin met Kael's gaze , his deep eyes icy . He didn't back down an inch in his presence . He glanced Kael up and down , voice frosty . [ ] " Instead of thanking me , you should take better care of your wife - instead of leaving her alone in the hospital at this hour . " [ ] Kael froze for a second . [ ] T Corin turned and left , his tall figure exuding an unspoken , intimidating aura . [] Nova frowned , pushing Kael away hard . She chased after Corin to apologize . ] ] Corin nodded slightly in acknowledgment , then walked off . " Mr. Thorne ... " Jax hurried over when he saw Corin come out , but noticed his sour expression . He hesitated . [ ] Did Corin run into trouble when he went to return the rabbit keychain ? [ ] 2 Corin's jaw was tight as he walked straight toward the exit . The rabbit keychain he'd meant to return was still in his pocket - there'd been no chance to give it back . And there would probably never be a chance now . He'd never thought Nova was married ... ] Once in the car , Corin pulled the soft rabbit keychain out of his pocket . He stared at it in a daze for a moment ... ]] Upstairs in the hospital , Nova fell guilty ! ] Corin had helped her twice , gotten nothing in return - and this time , he'd even been confronted by Kael ] Kael walked up behind her , taking her hand gently , but his tone was stern and uncompromising . [ ] " Nova , who was that man ? What's your relationship with him ? ] It must be a man's inherent flaw - he could fool around outside , but would never allow Nova to step out of line . ] ] 17.0 % Chapter 18 The Showdown " Heh ... " Nova laughed , a faint red tinge rising at the corners of her eyes . [ ] She couldn't believe Kael still had the nerve to stand there , acting high and mighty , questioning her - like she was the one who'd done something wrong . While he , who'd spent his time celebrating his mistress ' birthday and left her family to be mocked at the banquet , acted innocent . ] ] She pulled her hand free , gaze cold as ice . [ ] " Grandma had a heart attack . I couldn't find you , couldn't get a taxi . He drove me here . Where were you , Kael ? " Kael felt flustered under her stare . The confidence he'd had when questioning her faded . [ ] He regretted now - regretting listening to Sloane's lies , regretting letting her hold him back to celebrate her birthday . He'd thought Mabel's matter could wait , that he'd make it in time after being with Sloane . [] But who could've predicted this ? His wife had been running around the hospital , while he'd been fooling around . [ ] Guilt twisted in Kael's chest . He put his arm around her shoulders , trying to soothe her . [ ] " I already told the doctors to take care of Mabel . It's my fault - I got held up at work . I heard about the birthday banquet too . I'll make it right for you later . Those gossips- He was still lying . He said nothing about the VIP ward , still protected Sloane like a treasure , still lied to her like she was a stranger . [ ] Nova gave a bitter smile . ] ] Kael helped her sit down on a chair , then knelt in front of her , taking her hands . He sounded almost pitiful . [ ] " Nova , next time something happens , call me , okay ? Don't be with that man . I get jealous . " He lowered his head , kissing the back of her hand . [ ] Call him ? Nova frowned in disgust , pulling her hand away . She tilted her head back slightly to hold back tears . [ ] [ Nova , why do you keep making a fool of yourself ? ] [ ] 1 [ Nova , can't you see he doesn't want to see you right now ? Otherwise , why would he turn off his phone ? ] ] ] Those mocking words were like loud slaps to her face , stripping her of all dignity . [ ] Nova suddenly felt exhausted - too tired to question him . All she cared about now was Mahel's safety . She stood up , pushing him away . [ ] " I'm going to see Grandma . " [] Kael heard the distance and coldness in her voice . An indescribable sense of loss washed over him again . He hurried after her , guilt weighing on him . [ ] Just then , his phone rang . He frowned , pulling it out - Sloane's name was clearly displayed on the screen . ]] Nova saw it . Her heart ached again . His mistress called , and he was always available . But her calls - dozens , even a hundred - he never answered . In the end , he'd even turned his phone off . She said coldly , " Answer it first . " Then she stepped into the elevator . [ ] " Nova ! Nova !" Kael hung up the phone , but it was too late - he couldn't catch up . [] Sam arrived just in time to see this . He hesitated for a moment , then sighed . [] Mr Voss , Mrs. Mabel Hale's condition is critical . Even after surgery , there's no guarantee she'll wake up . Mrs. Voss wanted to move Ms. Mabel to the Voss family's VIP ward... but the nurses and bodyguards kicked her out . " [ ] A sharp , angry light flashed in Kael's eyes . [ ] " Who's in there ? Who gave them the guts to do that " ] The woman I dote on was thrown out ? Sam was intimidated by Kael's fury . He lowered his head to explain . [ ] " It's Sloane's mother Last month , you personally told me over the phone to arrange for her to stay in the VIP ward to recover properly . " [ Suddenly , the anger in Kael's chest froze . He clenched his fist in remorse , slamming it against the cold wall [ ] Chapter 18 The Showdown Right - Sloane had tried to curry favor with him that time , and he'd been drunk . He'd just gone along with it . ] After a long moment , he closed his eyes . [ ] " Arrange a new hospital for Sloane's mother later . Also , remove the nurses and bodyguards . No one is allowed to know about this . " ] Sam nodded to agree . But before he left , he couldn't help adding , " Mr. Voss , Ms. Reed called again just now . She said she's pregnant - " [ ] ( 2)