Chapter 11

"Hmph." Leo scoffed, his gaze drifting to the closed doors. "My affairs with Angelina are none of your concern. "On paper, she's my fiancée. "Her life, and her very self, belong to me." Leo's gaze was serpent-like, fixed on Eli. Eli threw his head back and laughed, his eyes terrifyingly intense, boring into Leo. "Angelina and I grew up together. Our families arranged our marriage long ago. Have you forgotten you're the interloper? "If Angelina hadn't chosen you, your family and you would be finished. What right do you have to stand before me?" The proud Leo felt profoundly uncomfortable. He hadn't forgotten Angelina's prior engagement to the Castilla family. Remembering the Castilla name, Leo's pupils constricted. It represented wealth and power Leo couldn't match. Leo couldn't lower his pride. He smirked. "Angelina is well cared for by me. No need for your concern." Eli looked at Leo's hypocritical face, feeling only nausea. His rage boiled over. He wanted to strike Leo again, to teach this fraud a lesson. But then, the OR doors opened. Eli, consumed by worry for Angelina, rushed forward and seized the doctor's collar, voice anxious. "How is Angelina?" The lead doctor, startled, looked at Leo. Leo straightened his disheveled suit. "How is Angelina?" Only then did the doctor answer. "The surgery was very successful." Leo pressed immediately: "And Samantha?" "Samantha is stable." Hearing Samantha's name, Eli's temple vein pulsed. His fist was a blur, faster than Leo's guards could react, landing another blow on Leo's face. "Monster! How dare you mention that mistress's name!" Leo clenched his fists, murder in his eyes. He fought to control his raging emotions. For Samantha, for her unborn child, he couldn't afford to offend anyone else. Leo swallowed his humiliation, glaring at Eli. "What do you know? Samantha is extraordinary. She sacrificed everything for me. "Someone like you probably couldn't comprehend it." The words ignited Eli's fury. "Leo, you deserve to die!" Eli couldn't hold back. He wanted to beat Leo to death on the spot. Medical staff wheeled Angelina and Samantha out, warning the men: "Gentlemen! Please maintain order in the hospital!" Eli saw Angelina's pallor. His heart felt pierced by ten thousand needles; the rage vanished instantly. "Angie, Angie, are you okay?..." He followed the gurney, his voice trembling. Angelina lay still, ghostly pale, seemingly drained of life. Eli's heart nearly shattered. He hated himself for failing to protect her. He wished he were the one on that bed. Leo rushed to Samantha's side, his focus entirely on her. The previous confrontation seemed forgotten. Eli stayed close to Angelina in her room. Seeing the cramped, shared space, he frowned. "Is this the best room available? How can you put her in this dump? "The patient needs quiet! If you value your jobs, get her the best private suite immediately!"