Chapter 21: [Settling Scores.]
As Claire walked out of her room, she noticed Cain standing by the right side of the penthouse. His hands were casually tucked into his pockets, his white shirt molded to his body by the breeze, and his dark, messy hair was slightly tousled. He stood, facing the sea, a cigarette between his fingers. The sight captured Claire's attention, and for a brief moment, she let herself take it in before shifting her gaze away.
Sensing her presence, Cain turned around and spotted her standing at the entrance. He smiled and walked toward her, halting just close enough to reach for her. "Did you sleep well?" he asked softly.
Claire nodded, a few stray locks of her hair blown across her face by the wind. Gently, he lifted his hand, brushing the strands back, and tied her hair, pulling her closer until her back was against his chest. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "Do you like it here?" he murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Claire's gaze wandered over the view around them, but she remained silent.
"You slept until afternoon," Cain remarked, breaking the silence. "You must be hungry. Let's have some lunch." Leaning in, he placed a light kiss on her cheek before taking her hand and leading her to the dining area.
They ate quietly, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts. As they finished, Cain looked at her thoughtfully. "Would you like to go for a boat ride?"
Before she could respond, he guided her to the boat, knowing her fondness for the sea and hoping it would ease the unspoken tension between them. Once aboard, Claire took in the open sea, a small smile breaking onto her face as the salty air seemed to wash away some of her worries. Cain stood back, watching her closely, not wanting to interrupt the rare peace he saw in her expression.
When the ride ended, they returned to the penthouse briefly before Mark arrived to take them back to the cold, expansive mansion. After they arrived, Cain sat beside Claire, his gaze softening.
"Claire," he said gently, "don't stress yourself. Get some rest. I have important work to handle, but I'll be back tonight." He held her hand reassuringly.
Claire offered a lifeless, "Okay," in response.
He pulled her into his arms, his hand smoothing over her back in a comforting gesture. Despite herself, Claire felt a faint sense of calm that she wasn't sure she was supposed to feel—or was she? Pulling back, he kissed her forehead and left the room, instructing the maids to take good care of her.
Outside, Cain met with Mark, who updated him on Maria and her allies. Cain still had an important meeting with a client interested in his new plot for a shopping mall, but as soon as it was over, he headed to confront Maria's associates.
Entering the room, he saw a woman in a sleek black dress seated on the couch, her expression a mix of fear and determination.
"Dr. Sabrina," Cain greeted, his voice low and edged with a hint of danger. "What a pleasure to see you again."
She forced a polite smile. "You wanted to meet me, Mr. Wilson?"
Cain's expression hardened. "I'll keep it simple. You have two options: either reveal the truth, with evidence, or end up like Maria." He pushed a folder onto the table between them, his gaze unyielding.
Dr. Sabrina stiffened, realizing her facade had finally crumbled. She had never thought Cain would come after her; Maria's connection to him had seemed solid enough to shield her. But now, the reality settled over her like a weight.
After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice low and tense. "What's the guarantee that you won't punish me if I tell you the truth?"
Cain's eyes narrowed. "I'll decide that once I hear what you have to say. Either way, you have no other option, Dr. Sabrina."
After another tense pause, she relented. "Yes... I issued the fake reports for Maria's assault. She was never harmed."
Mark, who had been standing by, joined in. "Why? You're a well-regarded doctor with a high income. Why risk it all for Maria?"
Sabrina took a sharp breath, her gaze hardening as she leaned forward, closer to Cain. "I knew what my husband was involved in, and though I didn't support it, I didn't interfere either. But a few days before his death, I was monitoring hospital surveillance as I sometimes did, just to keep tabs. I saw someone unusual—a girl. No one usually uses the third exit of the hospital. I casually asked Sister Milly if she'd noticed anything, and she mentioned seeing an intern in Dr. Hensley's private office. I became suspicious and looked into her details, but before I could alert Hensley... he was dead."
Her face twisted with grief as she recalled the events, tears slipping down her cheeks. She wiped them away, her demeanor once again composed.
"Hensley was never careless—he'd never leave the hospital mid-shift for anything trivial. His death wasn't an accident, and you know it, Mr. Wilson."
Cain's gaze remained cold and unwavering.
"Destroying you might be beyond my reach," she continued bitterly, "but I could punish the one who led my husband to his death. When Maria approached me, I initially refused. But when she told me about Claire... my need for revenge took over. I agreed."
She reached into her purse and pulled out a thin file, placing it on the table in front of Cain. "Here's everything."
"Get out," Cain said sharply, his tone brooking no argument.
Sabrina clenched her fists. "You promised not to harm me if I told you the truth," she retorted, her voice pleading. "I've lost my husband; my children are suffering. Please, Mr. Wilson, I'm begging you..."
Cain opened the file, flipping through it. It became clear that Sabrina hadn't been the main architect—her involvement had been limited to the false report. But in Claire's case, even that was serious.
After a pause, he looked up, his face hard as stone. "Your license will be revoked. You're suspended from practicing medicine, and you will apologize to Claire and tell her everything."
Sabrina's shoulders sagged as she nodded, relief and resignation mingling on her face. Cain slammed the file shut and strode out, the tension from the encounter lingering in the air.
—
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone