Did you burn yourself?"

Mitchel had never spoken to Katie with such warmth, nor had he ever looked at her so kindly.

Katie was taken aback. She even forgot her tears. She had always seen Mitchel as distant. But it was only when she observed his tenderness for another woman that she understood she had never been the recipient of his gentle side.

Raegan shook her head. Her fingers weren't burned. The pot was just heavy, and she had been holding it for too long. Yet, she didn't overlook the need for an apology. She stated firmly, "You're not leaving until you say you're sorry!"

Raegan had prepared nutritious soup for Mitchel. And now, it was spoiled because of Katie who dared to point accusing fingers at her and even wanted to slap her.

At this time, Katie had risen to her feet. Around others, she refused to show her vulnerability. She had to keep up her air of superiority.

Katie looked at Raegan, wearing black-framed glasses and medical attire, and sensed that something was off.

“Sorry, that wasn't my intention," Katie quickly regained her composure and offered an apology.

Then, turning to Mitchel with a smile, Katie said, "Mitchel, it's a good thing you held me back just now, or I might have accidentally hurt this woman."

Raegan was taken aback by Katie's ability to spin a tale. Mitchel had done more than holding Katie back. Given the loud crash when Katie stumbled, Raegan doubted it was merely an attempt to hold her back.

Observing the unfolding situation and Mitchel's detached demeanor, Raegan started to believe Katie wasn't Mitchel's fiancée. It seemed like the whole story was a fabrication by Katie.

Since Katie had apologized and made her claim, Mitchel didn't press the issue. He turned to Raegan and simply said, "Let's go inside."

They then proceeded into the ward.

Katie watched them enter, finally pinpointing what was amiss. The shoes of the woman in medical attire caught her attention. They seemed custom-made, far too pricey for a nurse's salary.

Remembering Mitchel's tenderness and his concern from earlier, a name came to Katie's mind. That supposed nurse should be Raegan. She suddenly felt a wave of calm. After years of pure affection for Mitchel, she was now driven to employ tactics against him.

Around the corner, Katie's phone began to ring. She answered it.

"Miss, we've located Lauren."

“Where is her?" Katie asked flatly.

The other end of the line was silent for a moment before answering, "Velvet Alley."

Katie's expression turned cold upon hearing this. She had heard of this place before. It was like a living hell. Lives there were nothing less than tortures.