Page 67 of Dr. Damaged Protector

I would never forget how he treated Lucas, compared to how he treated me.

If I did the same thing as Lucas, my punishment will be worse just because I resembled my mother. Lucas was going to be his replacement. So, he got a pass. Yes, he got punished, but it was obvious to the rest of us that he was the favorite.

“Who knows if Lucas is going to end up just like his father?” she asked. “Who's to say Gregory won't follow suit? What about Isaac? You think he doesn't have hatred toward the rest of his siblings? What about your sister Helena? You see how much of a wild card she is. What if she comes against you one day?”

“Are you to put me against my siblings?” I asked as I took a step back.

I know my siblings and I didn't get along, but it seemed to me she was going too far with her suggestion.

“I'm not trying to do anything that won’t happen in the future,” she said as she placed her hand on my cheek, with eyes of pity. “The sooner to get the upper hand the better.”

“Besides there's no better feeling than seeing a powerful man fall to his knees to do your bidding,” she added, sounding intoxicated.

She was crazy. Even after her advice, I was skeptical about following through. I realized that even as Lucas was away, he had hired some people to keep their eyes on me…going as far as sending people to work for me in my hospitals. Father also did the same thing. I realized that I was the only one lagging behind in the race to get ahead of the rest of us in terms of knowledge, blackmail, and others.

****

Present day…

“I'm saying lunch isn't such a bad idea,” he said.

The source of my headaches was a new doctor I hired to help me in the operating room. But rather than doing that, he had been a rough and stubborn little twerp. I had never had any issue with making any man submit to my desire. But he did the perfect job of turning the tables on me each and every time. His name is not important: you'll find out about him later.

“Come on, you're not going to argue with me about who is going to pay, now are you?” he asked as he caressed my hair.

My cheeks flushed a deep shade of red.

“Just shut up and follow me,” I said as I headed into the store.

I saw Olivia trying to get some things.

“Oh? Looks like the stepmother's friend is here,” I said.

“You have a stepmother? Oh right,” he remarked. “I remember seeing your dad announce his plans for the wedding.”

“Yes, and that's my incoming stepmother's friend,” I explained.

Helena told me that the Olivia girl had turned down the offer to be a spy to Lucas and Dad.

I didn't like Olivia's saucy attitude, but she had potential to be of use.

I need to do some digging on her past.

“What is that idiot doing?” He frowned.

I turned and saw a man standing next to Olivia. She was clearly scared of him and uncomfortable. And he didn't seem to be getting the hint.

“Do you know him?” I asked.

“Oh uh…no, I don't. She just looks too uncomfortable and he's clearly not getting the message,” he explained.

“I see,” I said.

He looked genuinely angry with the other man.

Are you that worried about another woman when I'm right here?

“Oh well, I guess we can help her out,” I said, “since you’re that bothered about her.”

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