Chapter 132

Joseph’s gaze flicked to Sloane again. She stood calmly, Jeremy balanced on her hip with practiced ease. Her soft features and slender frame made her look delicate at first glance, but something in the way she held herself… the stillness, the certainty, the steel… It reminded him unnervingly of Dominic Volkov. Almost as if she’d been near Alpha Volkov too often…and absorbed the aura by osmosis. A strange ripple of fear crawled up Joseph’s spine. His posture stiffened; his tone turned suddenly respectful, almost meek. “Doctor… I…uh…I apologize. I didn’t recognize your importance earlier. Please allow me to make amends.” Sloane didn’t even look at him. She adjusted Jeremy gently, brushing a thumb along his trembling shoulder. “I’m not the one who deserves your apology.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it silenced the hallway anyway. She wasn’t angry. She wasn’t rattled. She was simply… firm. Unshakable. Joseph blinked at her, confused. “What? Who then?” Sloane tilted her chin toward the child