Three thousand dollars, the exact amount Marlon had transferred to me a while ago to buy a birthday gift for my father.

This small gesture wasn't even enough to buy my father a good bottle of wine.

Ignoring the gossiping glances from everyone around, I walked over to a chair, picked up Marlon's jacket, and fished out the Audi car keys from the pocket.

I turned to leave.

"Nina? What are you doing?" One nosy girl stepped in front of me.

"Why don't you ask Marlon who bought this car?" I retorted, glaring at the scumbag standing by the bed.

Marlon looked embarrassed but didn't dare stop me.

"Nina, let's talk about this at home tonight," he said quickly, walking over in a panic.

Home? Oh, I almost forgot.

"Clear your stuff out of the house before Sunday," I issued my final ultimatum.

Marlon instantly grew anxious; it was clear he hadn't expected me to publicly humiliate him like this.

"Marlon? What do you mean, clear out the house? Is that Audi really hers? What about the apartment? Didn't you say that luxury flat in Oakhaven was yours?" Maya's face darkened instantly.

I turned back, watching them with a composed, mocking expression. "Did Marlon rob a bank or win the lottery? How could he afford a car worth hundreds dollars or a flat worth millions dollars?"

The faces around me reflected a mix of shock and intrigue.

One of the girls spoke up quickly, "Hey? You can't be serious? If the car and apartment aren't his, then why did Marlon brag about them in the group?"

"Enough, let's not jump to conclusions. Marlon's job pays well; the car and apartment are just a matter of time."

"Did I hit a nerve? If you have it, you have it; if you don't, you don't. Just don't lie about it!"

"Maya seemed so proud of Marlon earlier, thinking he's ambitious and successful…"

……

Maya tried to say something, but Marlon quickly stepped forward to stop her.

I stood there, watching as their expressions grew more and more awkward, Marlon barely holding it together.

"Nina, let's go. We can talk about this later; let Maya rest."

I looked around the room, my gaze meeting Thomas's, who had been standing silently in the back. Our eyes locked for a moment before I calmly looked away.

"Maya, I had no ill intentions toward you. I didn't want to upset you, knowing you're sick. But if you know exactly what kind of person Marlon is and still want him to be at your beck and call, then I wish you two all the best—forever."

With that, I glanced at Marlon, who looked utterly embarrassed, "And you, Marlon, remember the last shred of dignity you have today. I hope you never come crawling back to me like a stray dog."

"Nina! Don't go too far. How dare you curse us?" Maya shouted.

Ignoring the commotion behind me, I turned and walked out.

Once outside the hospital, I didn't even bother with the car in the parking lot. Just thinking that Maya might have sat in my car made me sick.

"Beep—" I stopped in my tracks and saw a car window roll down. Thomas smiled at me from the driver's seat.

"Nina? Where to? I'll give you a ride."

What a coincidence, Thomas and I lived in the same neighborhood.

"So after you transferred to the medical school, you even took away the only person I could rely on. Now you're a doctor?"

My admiration for his profession took the edge off the disgust I felt from dealing with Marlon and Maya.

Thomas nodded with a smile.

"If you ever need help, just let me know. I'll be there for you," he paused, then added, "though I hope you'll never have a reason to."

His humor made me laugh.

Just before getting out of the car, I asked, "Are you curious about me and Marlon?"

He opened the car door and gestured for me to step out.

He smiled awkwardly, "Marlon, Maya, and I are all from the same place."

In that instant, my growing fondness for this man evaporated.

"Thank you, Thomas. Goodbye," I said curtly, and walked away.

Back at my place, I was greeted by traces of Marlon everywhere.

"Linda, book a suite at Hotel Royale for a week," I paused, "and have the villa at Frostholm cleaned tomorrow. I'll be moving in."

"Miss Nina, are you finally leaving that tiny apartment? Do you need help packing?"

"Watch your tone. Sell it; it's too small and uncomfortable to live in."

"Miss Nina, it's 180 square meters, and you still think it's small! How about turning it into a staff dormitory for your little secretary?"

I couldn't help but laugh, "Stop joking. You can do whatever you want with the apartment, but there's one condition—don't let my father find out I'm moving."

"Too late! Chairman Liam is standing right beside me, watching us chat!"

I abruptly closed the messaging app.

Linda might be too clever to keep as a secretary.

My phone kept buzzing with incoming calls.

The name Marlon was an eyesore.

By the fourth call, it seemed he was furious, as texts started flooding in.

"Nina, pick up the phone. Let me explain!"

"Nina, Maya is seriously ill, and she has no family around. She needs someone to care for her."

"Nina! Come home so we can talk. I have something important to tell you."

"Nina, answer the phone!!!"

"Nina, isn't your period late this month? Come home so we can talk!"

My pupils constricted as I read that last line.