Mason Shaw stood beside Wren Wynter with his food tray, a look of surprise on his face.

Wren Wynter nodded.

Mason Shaw didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down directly across from her.

"Miss Wynter, have you started working at our hospital? When did this happen? How come I didn’t know?"

"Today."

Wren Wynter’s reply was concise. She was in a hurry to finish her meal and get back to reviewing the case files.

The surgery time was set. What she needed to do now was to understand the patient’s condition better in order to perform the operation well.

Seeing that she didn’t seem to want to talk, Mason Shaw didn’t press her.

He smiled gently and ate his meal at a leisurely pace.

"Dr. Shaw, which department do you work in?" Wren Wynter spoke up, breaking the silence.

Mason Shaw was a little surprised, then he smiled and replied in a warm voice.

"Cardiac surgery."

’What a coincidence.’

She raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing more.

"Miss Wynter." Mason Shaw smiled gently, the white lab coat giving him a distinctly refined air. "I was wondering if you’re free after work. Would I have the honor of treating you to dinner?"

Wren Wynter’s expression faltered for a moment.

"Miss Wynter, please don’t get the wrong idea." Mason Shaw seemed to notice her hesitation, his smile candid.

Wren Wynter thought for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright."

’It’s a good idea, anyway,’ she thought. ’Mason Shaw is a specialist in this field. I can get his opinion.’

In a private room at the restaurant, Wren Wynter had only taken a couple of bites when the thought of the upcoming surgery gave her a headache.

So she spoke up, "Dr. Shaw, about the surgery... I’ve reviewed the patient’s file. The procedure itself is quite difficult, and the patient is very young, so there are many things to be careful about during the operation..."

"Miss Wynter." Mason Shaw gently interrupted her, his smile warm. "It’s after hours now. Let’s not talk about work, shall we?"

Wren Wynter froze.

"What do you usually like to eat, Miss Wynter?" he asked.

"I’m not a picky eater," Wren Wynter replied, a bit absent-mindedly. Her mind was still on the surgical plan.

Mason Shaw didn’t seem to mind. He started recounting some amusing anecdotes from the medical world, his tone light and humorous.

Halfway through the meal, Mason Shaw suddenly stood up. "I’m going to step out for a smoke. Please, continue eating, Miss Wynter."

"Go right ahead, Dr. Shaw."

Mason Shaw walked out of the private room and into the small garden in the restaurant’s backyard.

He took a cigarette pack out of his pocket. Just as he lit one, he heard a familiar voice from behind him.

"Mr. Shaw?"

Mason Shaw turned around to see Kaden Xavier and Nathaniel Quinn walking out of another private room.

Kaden Xavier was dressed in a dark suit, his face showing a trace of fatigue. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes when he saw Mason Shaw.

"Mr. Xavier, Young Master Quinn, what a coincidence." Mason Shaw blew out a ring of smoke, his smile as gentle as ever.

"Here for dinner, Dr. Shaw?" Kaden Xavier asked, his gaze sweeping over the cigarette in his hand. "Alone?"

"With a friend," Mason Shaw answered simply.

Nathaniel Quinn raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "A friend? Male or female? For the great Dr. Shaw to be dining with them, they must be someone special."

Mason Shaw just smiled, not denying it. "A fellow doctor."

"Oh, a colleague," Nathaniel Quinn said, his smile growing more suggestive. "Don’t tell me it’s a girlfriend this time? Dr. Shaw has been single for so many years. Have you finally seen the light?"

Kaden Xavier frowned, clearly displeased with Nathaniel Quinn’s jokes.

"Alright, stop guessing."

He looked at Mason Shaw. "Since we’ve run into each other, why not join us? We just opened a good bottle of red wine."

"Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. Xavier, but I just came out for a smoke and some fresh air." Mason Shaw politely declined. "Let’s get together next time we have the chance."

But Nathaniel Quinn was relentless. "Don’t say next time. Let us meet her! Anyone who can catch Dr. Shaw’s eye must be extraordinary, right?"

Nathaniel Quinn waggled his eyebrows suggestively again.

Mason Shaw’s smile faded slightly. "It’s not convenient. She has an important surgery tomorrow and needs to rest early."

"Surgery?" Kaden Xavier suddenly interjected.

Mason Shaw glanced at him and nodded.

Kaden Xavier’s gaze darkened, and he said no more.

Nathaniel Quinn was about to say something else but was stopped by a look from Kaden Xavier.

"Then we won’t disturb you any longer, Dr. Shaw," Kaden Xavier said, turning to walk out of the restaurant.

Nathaniel Quinn followed, glancing back to give Mason Shaw a wink before he left. "You have to introduce us next time!"

Mason Shaw ignored Nathaniel Quinn, simply watching them leave before stubbing out his cigarette on the trash can.

He stood there for a moment before turning back to the private room.

Wren Wynter had nearly finished her meal. Seeing him return, she asked politely, "Are you finished eating, Dr. Shaw?"

"Yes." Mason Shaw sat down and glanced at the time. "It’s still early. Would you like to stay a little longer?"

"No, thank you. I’d like to get back early to prepare."

After dinner, Mason Shaw went to pay the bill while Wren Wynter waited for him at the restaurant entrance.

A gentle breeze blew past, carrying the chill of early autumn.

She pulled her jacket tighter, thinking she should wear something warmer next time.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Dr. Wynter."

A flippant voice called out.

Wren Wynter, already impatient, looked up. The tone of voice was utterly grating.

She saw Nathaniel Quinn swaggering over, a malicious smile on his face.

"What is it?" Wren Wynter’s tone was cold.

"Nothing, just curious." Nathaniel Quinn looked her up and down. "I’m surprised that after leaving Cole, you can still afford to eat at a place like this. Don’t tell me you’ve latched onto some other rich kid?"

Wren Wynter’s face darkened. "Nathaniel Quinn, watch your mouth."

"What, did I say something wrong?" Nathaniel Quinn sneered. "Aren’t all you women like this? You act all high and mighty, but you’re more calculating than anyone. The moment Cole doesn’t want you anymore, you rush to find a replacement. But Dr. Wynter, I suggest you take a good look at yourself. Even if those rich kids are willing to be with you, you’ll never marry into their families. Who would want a slut like you?"

Wren Wynter clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

She stared at Nathaniel Quinn’s disgusting face and suddenly laughed. "You’re so concerned with my affairs. Could it be you’re jealous?"

"Me, jealous of you?" Nathaniel Quinn acted as if he’d just heard the world’s funniest joke. "What would I be jealous of? That you got dumped by Cole? That you’re running around looking for men like a stray dog?"

He narrowed his eyes, looking Wren Wynter over mockingly as he crossed his arms.

"I really don’t get it. Someone as worthless as you, who can’t even hold a candle to Seraphina, how did you manage to get Elder Xavier’s approval back then? If it weren’t for you, Seraphina would be Mrs. Xavier today!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Wren Wynter raised her hand and slapped him.

The crisp sound was especially sharp in the quiet alley.

The force of the blow snapped Nathaniel Quinn’s head to the side, a red mark instantly appearing on his face.

He was stunned for two seconds, then erupted in fury. "You fucking dare to hit me?!"

"You’re the one I hit," Wren Wynter said, retracting her hand, her voice as cold as ice. "Nathaniel Quinn, I warned you to watch your mouth. Consider that slap a lesson from your parents on having some basic decency."

"You fucking—" Nathaniel Quinn raised his hand to strike back.

"Stop!"