Chapter 2 He Brought A Woman With Him

"One hundred thousand..." Allison echoed.

The doctor continued, "We doctors at this local hospital have done all we can, but it's not enough to manage your father's condition effectively. If you truly want to treat him, you'll have to go elsewhere. Zenvale offers the most professional medical services."

"Thank you. I'll make arrangements to transfer my father to a better facility as soon as I can." With a nod of gratitude, Allison left the doctor's office.

As Allison stepped into the hallway, her phone rang. The display showed an unknown number. It might be Ethan, using someone else's phone since she had blocked his number.

Having been wondering what was needed in exchange for Ethan letting her go, she answered the call with a frosty tone. "Ethan, we're done. Why are you calling me now?"

Ethan's voice came through, laced with sarcasm. "You care most about your father, don't you? Must be tough, seeing him like this and feeling so helpless, isn't it?"

"Just mind your own business. I'll handle my father's situation on my own," Allison declared firmly.

"Oh?" Ethan scoffed. "And how will you manage that? You don't have contacts with any specialists abroad. How do you plan to get him the care he needs? I've offered you a solution. Come back to me, and I'll ensure he gets the best possible treatment immediately."

Allison's grip on her phone tightened, her fingers turning a ghostly white. She hadn't anticipated Ethan's audacity. To think he would stoop so low just to manipulate her back into his life was appalling.

Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Allison's voice was firm as she spoke. "I'm never coming back to you."

Ethan's laugh was scornful. "Then prepare to see your father bedridden for life. And remember, the bills cost an arm and a leg. Can you really handle that?"

"It's not your concern. I've already figured out a way to deal with the bills," Allison retorted defiantly.

"Do you mean Dominic?" Ethan's tone turned icy. "You'd better have nothing to do with him last night. Otherwise, I won't use such a gentle method as now."

"Ethan, why waste words? If you're so capable, why don't you confront Dominic yourself? After all, it takes two to tango..." As Allison hung up the phone, a look of contempt flickered across her face. Despite his bravado, Ethan was clearly too cowardly to face Dominic directly.

Allison made her way to his father's ward. Upon her arrival, she noticed a nurse speaking to him in hushed tones. Charlie, however, seemed uninterested, his gaze fixed out the window.

After Allison knocked on the door, Charlie turned to face the door. His face lit up with a smile at the sight of her. "Allison, what brings you here? Shouldn't you be in class?"

Once the nurse left the room, Allison took a seat next to Charlie's bed. Lifting the blanket, she began to gently massage his legs. "I missed you, so I took some time off from dance center to come and see you. What? You don't you want to see me?"

Charlie's smile broadened. "I do want to see you. I wish I could see you every single day."

"Then listen to the doctor and stick to your treatment plan. Once your leg gets better, I'll bring you home, and we can be together every day."

After talking with Charlie for a while, Allison left the hospital, feeling at a loss. She found a bench on the street, sat down, and stared blankly into the sky.

While massaging Charlie's leg earlier, Allison realized he hadn't felt anything. Fear crept in as she pondered the possibility that his condition might be irreversible.

Resolute, she decided it was time to transfer him to a different hospital for better care.

Only as evening set in did Allison retrieve her phone from her purse. A message awaited her from Madeline, complete with a photo and a few words. "Allison, Dominic has brought a woman to Glamour. Everyone in their circle is there."

In the photo, Dominic had his arm around the woman's waist, murmuring into her ear. The woman's cheeks were flushed with shyness.

Shortly thereafter, another message from Madeline popped up, displaying just a sequence of digits. "I've sent you the room number!"

Allison quickly responded, "Got it. Thanks."

Allison then flagged down a taxi along the curb. "To Glamour, please..."

As the door to the private box swung open, the bustling noise inside halted abruptly.

Upon entering, Allison drew numerous lingering glances. Her blue off-the-shoulder dress accentuated her lithe legs, delicate skin, and trim waist, drawing admiring looks.

Allison immediately spotted Dominic in a corner.

Dominic was sprawled lazily on a black leather sofa, one arm draped over the back, his pricey watch peeking from beneath his cuff.

Yet, there was no woman beside him, leading Allison to surmise that the woman had already left.

"This lady mentioned that Mr. Clark requested her presence," the waiter said, gesturing at Allison.

Mr. Clark? In this place, there was only one Mr. Clark.

Upon hearing this, Dominic casually lifted his gaze. Spotting Allison at the door, his eyes lit up with interest, and a subtle smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"Dominic, you're incredible! No sooner does one leave than another arrives," the others in the room jested.

Allison made her way through the crowd, heading straight for Dominic. She settled herself on Dominic's lap, her slim fingers tracing a slow, flirtatious path across his collar and chest before pausing at his lower abdomen.

"I wore this just for you. How do you like it? Pleased?" Allison asked, her voice dripping with allure.

Dominic caressed Allison's face, his response tinged with mischief. "I prefer it most when you take it off."

With her arms wrapped around Dominic's waist, Allison murmured, "But don't you worry about your girlfriend getting mad?"

A sharp sting prickled Allison's earlobe. Dominic nipped it playfully and murmured with a loaded undertone, "She isn't my girlfriend."

Dominic's hand crept up Allison's leg, causing the hem of her skirt to inch higher.

Since Allison had come here, how could Dominic resist the temptation? After all, there were no strings attached to him.

The others in the room averted their gazes, yet their curiosity lingered on the pair.

"Did you come here just to show me how the dress looks on you?" Dominic's voice was raspy with intrigue.

Allison lifted her head and caught his wandering hands. "You picked it out for me. I wanted you to see it. Besides, I've missed you."

Dominic responded by pressing his lips gently against the corner of her mouth.

Just then, Aaron Spencer, Dominic's assistant from the next room, entered and announced, "Mr. Clark, I've spoken to the front desk. Your room is ready."

The room erupted with teasing remarks. "Looks like you can't wait any longer!"

"Cut it out. Wouldn't want to keep him from his evening plans, would we?"

Laughter filled the room. The group was used to seeing beautiful women come and go, so they didn't take Allison seriously.

Moreover, if Dominic truly valued Allison, he wouldn't have treated her so casually. Their laughter was tinged with indifference.

In the elevator's mirror, Dominic's and Allison's reflections were intertwined, close enough for her to feel his warm breath.