Excuse Me First

After so many years of surviving in the public eye, Evangeline knew precisely how to target an opponent’s weak spots.

Alexandrez, that was Aurelia Prescott’s greatest vulnerability.

To love someone you could never have, no matter how hard you tried?

That was a pain that could crush even the strongest heart.

As Evangeline delivered her final words with that cruel, self-assured smile, Aurelia’s composure cracked.

Her face went pale, and her confidence seemed to drain away. Seeing that reaction, Evangeline’s smirk only deepened.

She stepped into the elevator gracefully, her heels clicking against the marble floor, leaving Aurelia standing alone.

The elevator doors slid shut with a faint hum, sealing Evangeline’s victory.

Aurelia stood frozen for a moment, her nails digging into her palms.

The soft breeze from the corridor brushed the hem of her dress, a cruel reminder of how exposed and small she felt.

Her heart ached, but she refused to cry here. Not in the place Alexandrez had built. Not in front of these people.

Taking a deep breath, she turned on her heel and strode out of Kingcrest International, not sparing a single glance back.

---

The Rosewood Memorial Hospital, now a haven for the wealthy and powerful, was perched on the edge of Everstone Hill.

With its cutting-edge medical equipment and serene surroundings, it was the kind of place where people clung to hope even in the darkest times.

Aurelia stepped into the private wing, the familiar antiseptic scent filling her nose.

Her heels clicked softly against the polished floors as she approached Room 097.

Inside, her father, Master Prescott, once the towering figure of Everstone Hill’s elite, lay frail and pale.

His cheeks had sunken in, his complexion ghostly against the white hospital linens.

The oxygen mask covering his face only emphasized how much he had weakened.

Seeing him like this, Aurelia felt her chest tighten painfully.

Her father, who had once stood so tall and unshakable, now looked like he could disappear at any moment.

Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Miss, please don’t be too upset,” said Uncle Jorah, the loyal housekeeper of the Prescot family amily.

He stepped forward and gently handed her a clean handkerchief. “The master is strong, he will recover.”

Aurelia took the handkerchief with trembling hands, forcing a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Uncle Jorah.”

At the sound of her voice, Master Prescott stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and a weak but warm smile spread across his face.

“Little El…” he murmured, his voice barely audible through the mask.

Aurelia immediately stepped closer, her heart aching at how frail he sounded.

She carefully helped him sit up, removing the oxygen mask as gently as she could.

“Dad, I’m here,” she said softly, her voice filled with both relief and worry. “How are you feeling today?”

Master Prescott gave her a weak chuckle, his spirits visibly lifting at the sight of his daughter.

“I feel much better now that my Little El is here,” he said. “Take off this mask, it’s so uncomfortable.”

“Dad, the doctor said you need it,” she replied, though she couldn’t help smiling at his usual stubbornness.

“No doctor can boss me around when my daughter is here,” he said with a wink.

Aurelia laughed softly, trying to mask the worry that still clawed at her.

The doctors had warned her to keep her father calm and avoid any emotional strain, but it was hard when he was like this, so lively yet so fragile.

“Uncle Jorah told me you weren’t cooperating with the doctors today,” Aurelia teased, crossing her arms in mock disapproval. “What am I going to do with you, Dad?”

Master Prescott gave Uncle Jorah a sheepish glare. “Old Jorah, you really couldn’t keep that to yourself?”

The housekeeper chuckled, bowing his head slightly. “It’s for your own good, Master.”

Master Prescott sighed, shaking his head before turning to Uncle Jorah. “How’s the matter I asked you to handle? Any progress?”

Uncle Jorah's expression grew more serious. “Master, Alexandrez has withdrawn the lawsuit.”

“What?” Master Prescott’s eyes widened in surprise. He leaned forward slightly, his frailty forgotten for a moment. “He withdrew the lawsuit?”