Reward

Before Dalton could do anything else, security guards had rushed in after the sound of the gun had rung. He was immediately subdued, but Anne, who had fallen to the cold floor, was beginning to lose a lot of blood, her breathing becoming shallow and hard.

Chairman Sterling was taken aback. He hadn't expected the young woman, who looked no older than twenty years, to interfere—especially after seeing a gun. Most women would scream and run for their lives, leaving an old man to die, but she had bravely stepped forward and even got hurt in the process.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you're safe," the older man muttered to her before she lost consciousness.

When Anne's eyes opened next, she was in a hospital, and the burning, intense pain she'd been feeling in her stomach before she blacked out had become numb and faint. Her hospital room was as fancy as a five-star hotel room, only with beeping machine sounds. She was in a blue gown with an IV drip attached to her hand.

She heard voices coming from outside the hospital room just as she was beginning to sit herself up on the bed.

"...I'm telling you, this girl is not just pretty but also brave and good-hearted. She wasn't flustered even after seeing a gun—she quickly jumped in to help. You three definitely have to thank her well."

She was still trying to wonder who was speaking when the door opened and three tall, most handsome men in suits and an older man strode in. She recognized them immediately and slightly stilled on the bed. The cold-faced Yama was one of them, and he was scowling at her even before she said anything.

However, Elder Sterling had a warm smile on his face as he addressed her. "Little girl, you're awake." His smile suddenly turned into a frown as if realizing something utterly wrong.

"What am I paying this hospital staff for? Why is no one here attending to her?" he spoke in a loud voice that made a line of nurses rush in like the hounds of hell were after them. They all bowed their heads to the elder man.

"Apologies, Chairman. We were just waiting outside for when she regains consciousness."

Just as Andrew Sterling was cold and heartless, his grandfather was even much so. He might be old, but his age did not deter his build, good looks, and the fine-aged angles of his face as he scowled dangerously at the nurses.

"Waiting outside? What if she chokes in her sleep or worse? Would you have taken responsibility for her life? Do you know how precious this young woman is? All of you are incompetent. I should make you all lose your license!"

"Grandpa, there's no need to get riled up. The woman looks fine to me." Donald Sterling rolled his eyes, uncrossing his arms from beneath his chest to retrieve his phone and click a photo of the petite woman their grandfather had suddenly taken intense interest in after saving his life. She would make a good Instagram story of the day.

Unlike his brothers, Donald was a young adult who only cared about anything that would bring him more likes and followers—which he did not have to try hard for, because his looks and background were enough to bring him that.

Anne, uncomfortable by the attention and certainly not wanting anyone to lose their job for her sake, quickly chimed in, her voice sounding hoarse. "Thank you very much for the concern, Chairman Sterling. I'm fine now."

Hearing her speak made the older man's smile return, the sides of his eyes wrinkling softly.

"Little girl, there's no need to be formal with me. After you've put your life on the line, that basically makes me indebted to you. Please, call me Grandpa."

Anne almost choked on her saliva but hurriedly controlled herself and stared at him with widened eyes. Grandpa?! Wasn't that going too far?

Andrew Sterling scowled at those words, but he didn't say anything and kept staring darkly at the woman. From his surrogate, to his brother's assistant, and now his grandfather's adopted and unwelcomed granddaughter. How fast she was upgrading.

Anne wished the Yama would stop glaring at her like she had killed his grandfather when it was the opposite. She had just woken up from who knows how long a coma and was surrounded by the country's most handsome men. Seeing all three brothers in the same place, she suddenly understood why they were called the top three heartthrobs of Verizon City.

They were tall and unbelievably handsome in an otherworldly way, but the one that stood out among them was the second son, Andrew Sterling. His face seemed to be carved of ice, but he would inexplicably make hearts skip—not hers, though.

"What are you three standing around for? This woman saved your grandfather's life. Hurry and show your gratitude." Elder Sterling scolded.

Anne didn't think she needed any special gratitude. In fact, to her, she had acted quite foolishly. Maybe it would have been better if she'd rushed out of the conference room to call for help, but she had assumed the man would shoot down Chairman Sterling if she made a noise. Hence, the only other idea had been to hit the man with the vase—a silly idea that had gotten her shot instead.

If something had happened to her, who would be looking after Kristen? Who would pay for his operation?

She shuddered at the thought of leaving her poor brother alone in the world at a point he needed her most. She was all he had, and she had foolishly almost lost her life...

"My little assistant, I never knew you had the bearings of a hero inside you. I'm truly impressed. Thank you for saving our grandfather's life." Gabriel was the first one who spoke, his handsome face graced with a smile that would move a heart.

Anne wasn't immune to his charm. She flushed, but she quickly replied, "Really, there's no need for gratitude. I just—"

"I believe Miss Thompson certainly doesn't need words. After all, she did risk her life. She might be considering a special reward instead," Andrew spoke next with a disdainful light in his eyes, his hands now casually tucked inside his pants pocket.

Elder Sterling's face immediately lit up. "Of course, of course, I wouldn't let her bravery go unrewarded. Don't worry, girl, this Grandpa will certainly take care of you."

"I really don't need any—"

"Why don't we ask Miss Thompson what she'd like as a reward?" Andrew spoke again. "Money, assets, or one of the Sterling grandsons for a husband?"

Anne felt the urge to glare at him but couldn't even summon the energy. She was completely baffled why he had such a low opinion of her.

"Why take a penny when you can have the whole chest of gold? I'm certain Miss Thompson would prefer you repaid her with one of your grandsons. With the name of Mrs. Sterling, she can have the world at her feet." His eyes didn't fail to taunt her and demean her.

Where the hell did he get the idea that she was a gold digger?

And marrying one of the Sterling brothers? Wasn't that plunging oneself into hell? One was a playboy, one was an arrogant jerk, and the third one was silent and broody—always with his phone and lost in it. Heaven knows what he keeps hidden beneath the surface. Silent people could be dangerous. Neither of them was worth the trouble.

Anne wanted to open her mouth and retort, but Elder Sterling beat her to it.

The old man's eyes lit up like someone who'd been given a great idea.

"That... would be wonderful! Tell me, little girl, which one of my grandsons do you find appealing? Just pick one of them if you like them, and I'll bring my family to come speak to your parents. We can arrange a wedding instantly."

The three Sterling men were stunned. Even Andrew, who'd said those words casually, was stunned.

Why did it seem like the old man was eager to sell them away?