"No regrets. Not a single one."

The inventory from Northside was originally meant for Huaying Healthcare—the same hospital where Otis's father worked.

But a competitor had swooped in halfway through the deal, and the supplier got stuck holding everything.

In the end, I negotiated a price.

Twenty thousand dollars for his entire stock.

I was confident I could convince Huaying to take my goods instead.

The only problem was—twenty grand was serious money for someone like me.

When push came to shove, I still had to ask my parents.

I called them.

At first, they thought it was a bad idea. But after I talked myself hoarse, they finally agreed to let me try.

I waited for the transfer, practically bouncing with anticipation.

A whole day passed. Nothing.

When I called back, I found out they'd sent the money to Louisa instead.

"You're too clumsy for this. Louisa knows way more about medical stuff than you do. At least she'll know how to spend it properly. If you need money, go ask her—let her give you some advice."

I was furious.

But I didn't have time to stay angry.

I quickly tracked down Louisa's location and grabbed a cab to that same karaoke place.

This time, it was Otis's birthday party.

I showed up at the private room door, out of breath.

The familiar scrutinizing looks landed on me like always.

I stared straight at Louisa.

"Louisa. Give me twenty thousand dollars."

Someone spat out their drink.

"Holy shit! They're not even married yet and he's already asking for a dowry!"

"If they actually got married, he'd be demanding millions from her every other sentence."

"I mean, our girl Louisa can afford it—but does he deserve it?"

Louisa turned off the music and looked at me from the couch.

"What do you want it for?"

"None of your business. My parents sent you some money, right? Hand it over."

"Oh my god, that's hilarious—like Louisa needs handouts from your folks? Who are you trying to fool?"

"The things people say to save face."

I walked up to Louisa.

"Give it to me."

"Your parents did transfer me some money. But it wasn't twenty thousand."

I froze.

She showed me the transfer record. I stared at the amount—less than ten grand.

And my parents' note:

Matthew wants money but won't say what for. Keep this for now. If he's just going to blow it partying, don't give him a cent.

So that's what they really thought of me.

I clenched my jaw.

"But I can give you twenty thousand."

Louisa held out a bank card between two fingers.

I reached for it.

She pulled it back, a teasing smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

"What's this? Not satisfied being an academic boy toy—now you want to be a dowry beggar too?"

The room erupted in laughter, sharp and grating.

My hand hung there in midair like the punchline to a joke.

"Relax, I'm just kidding."

The card came toward me again.

Everyone watched with amusement.

Someone whistled at me.

"Hey! You still have the nerve to take it?"

Otis looked on, clearly enjoying himself.

I snatched the card with a sharp snap.

My eyes locked onto Louisa's.

"Then thank you, Ms. Pruitt."

While she sat there, slightly stunned, I turned and walked out without looking back.

When Ned heard about this, he nearly lost his mind.

"Just wait—I'm going to her school right now to settle this!"

I grabbed him tight and forced him back into his chair.

He was seething. "You're not even mad?!"

The bank card flipped through my fingers.

I smiled.

"Angry or not, what difference does it make?

"I'd rather crawl forward on my knees than stand still, fuming and demanding answers."

Ned stared at me, caught off guard.

"Besides, who would I even be angry for?

"Her?

"If guilt or regret meant anything to her, she never would have hurt me in the first place."

I waved the bank card in front of his face.

"Point is—we got the money."

On my first day of fieldwork, I styled my hair with gel and borrowed some cologne from a classmate. I wanted to make a good impression on the department head.

But the moment I pushed open his office door, a coffee mug smashed into my temple.

"Get out! You bastards! What the hell are you dressed up for?

"I'll never touch any medicine you bastards are peddling! Get out!"

A nurse rushed over with gauze to stop the bleeding.

"Bad timing," she said quietly. "Dr. Finch found out this morning his wife's been cheating. The other guy was some slicked-back, cologne-wearing type."

My vision went dark.

Off to a great start.

The commotion drew attention. As I stumbled out of the corridor, pressing gauze to my forehead, I ran straight into Louisa, arriving for her shift.

She hadn't even graduated yet, but a breakthrough she'd spearheaded two years ago had already earned her a position as a consulting physician.

Otis walked beside her, also in a white coat.

"Heard you got into it with Dr. Finch," she said.

I didn't want to talk to her. I moved to walk past.

She grabbed my arm.

"The money I gave you wasn't enough? You like being someone's boy toy that much?"

Slap.

My palm connected with her face.

Otis's first instinct was to cradle her cheek.

Then he turned to me, eyes hard. "Matthew!"

I locked eyes with Louisa. "Watch your mouth."

"Matthew." Otis's voice was cold. "Remember whose turf you're on."

I didn't answer. I turned and walked away.

But before I made it out of the hospital, I understood exactly what he meant.

A few guys cornered me in a storage closet.

"Mr. Armstrong sent us. Says we should teach you a lesson."

"You know what's going on between him and Dr. Pruitt, right? Think you own this place?"

"Nice jawline, though. No wonder Mr. Armstrong says you're after Dr. Finch's wife."

They forced me to the ground.

My phone clattered across the floor.

Right then, Louisa's call came through.

I heard her say "Hello?" twice.

I bit down hard on the hand trying to cover my mouth.

"Louisa! I'm in the storage closet! Someone's attacking me!"

Silence. Then a cold laugh.

"Just tell me how much you want."

"I don't want money! Just help—mmph!"

"Matthew, drop the act. If you want something, just say it. You think I can't see right through you?"

She sighed.

"I called to tell you—I sent the money back to your parents. If you need cash, come to me. They work too hard for you to bleed them dry too."

My mouth was clamped shut.

By the time I could speak again, she'd already hung up.

When I got home that night, one side of my face was swollen shut.

Ned came over and just stood there, stunned.

"What the hell—they did this to you? In a hospital? Just because he's some rich kid, he thinks he can do whatever he wants?

"I'm calling the cops! This is insane!"

I held up the contract I'd just signed, wincing with the effort.

"It's fine. Look—another hospital's buying from me now.

"And I got my supplier a deal with them too."