An hour later, Yeri was back in Shin's bed. Not for anything romantic—sadly—but because she had caught a terrible cold.
Between the pond's freezing water and two rounds of humiliation, her immune system had officially thrown in the towel.
Ironically, the man who caused all this was now doting on her like an innocent angel. Worse, he had proof of his innocence. She couldn't even yell at him properly!
Outside her door, Butler Hong stood with a stern expression.
"Young Master, who bullied the young lady? How could she fall into such a large gazebo pond?"
Shin, now fully dressed in a sleek black shirt and pants, replied coolly, "She said she lost her balance."
Tristan added with a smirk, "I was calling you at the time, and when I turned around—sploosh. Maybe she got scared by your towel cosplay?"
Shin's eyes narrowed. "Ask yourself, what were you doing there? I don't trust you not to turn opportunist if I hadn't shown up."
Tristan gasped. "I didn't know you think so highly of me?"
Butler Hong cleared his throat loudly. "Ahem. This old man has no part in your hooligan theories."
Shin didn't respond. His attention had already shifted to more important matters—namely, Yeri's health. Knowing her medical history, he wasn't taking any chances.
Fortunately, he had just gotten confirmation from the country's top physician, Dr. Zahn Neri, who was finally back and currently at the hospital.
Yeri might have thought her dignity drowned that morning—but Shin Keir had other plans.
And maybe, just maybe, some towels were better left underwater.
---
Neri Medical Hospital—where money talks, and the elite walk in like it's their private clubhouse—was the crown jewel of the country's medical world.
With state-of-the-art technology, top-tier specialists, and a consultation fee that could bankrupt a small nation, it was the go-to place for anyone with too much money and a mysterious cough.
And at the heart of this empire was Zahn Neri.
World-renowned surgeon. Cold-blooded scalpel-wielder. Young Master of the influential Neri Clan—one of the nation's top four families. Rumor had it he could perform surgery blindfolded and still make time to judge your life choices.
When news broke of Zahn's sudden return as medical director, the hospital buzzed louder than a beehive on caffeine.
Patients, socialites, and an alarming number of single heiresses scrambled to book appointments, regardless of the cost or the fact that most of them had nothing more serious than a pimple.
"Zahn!" Tristan Felan strode into the VIP ward like he owned the place, clapping a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Long time no see! I thought you weren't coming back 'til next year. When'd you land?"
"Last night," Zahn replied flatly, sparing a brief nod before glaring icily at Shin Keir. "You dragged me back for a girlfriend with a cold?"
Shin, unbothered by Zahn's frosty tone, sniffed disdainfully. "Your hospital's reputation must've plummeted while you were gone. The staff discipline is in shambles." He gestured casually toward a gaggle of female nurses blatantly gawking at the trio.
To be fair, it wasn't every day the hospital's holy trinity assembled: Zahn Neri, Tristan Felan, and Shin Keir—each a titan in wealth, looks, and charm.
Self-restraint? What's that?
Though Zahn was publicly known to be married, that never stopped the hopeful, the desperate, or the delusional.
Zahn's stoicism didn't mask the truth: the hospital had grown a little lax during his years away on medical missions. Still, he wasn't here to argue policies with Shin Keir.
They moved to Zahn's office, a sleek minimalist space that smelled faintly of disinfectant and ego.
"I sent her medical files in advance," Shin said briskly, wasting no time. "Did you review them?"
Zahn clicked on his monitor, then swiveled slightly in his chair. "Yes. She's been in and out of hospitals since childhood. Weak constitution, they said. But all her past tests showed nothing medically wrong—physically or mentally. I checked her pulse. After the IV drip, she should be fine."
Shin's brows twitched. "You're just relying on her past test results?"
A silent clash erupted between Zahn's cold stare and Shin's sharp glare.
Zahn had originally thought this was a joke—some prank or dare hatched between Tristan and that golden retriever, Saeki Jie.
But now? Shin Keir actually seemed...concerned. Genuinely. About a woman.
Zahn leaned back with clinical calm. "You must've forgotten that I just landed and your patient is asleep. Should I wake her up and drag her to the MRI now?"
Shin didn't reply. His silence was agreement, though laced with the irritation of a man unused to being told 'no.'
Of all the people, it had to be Zahn Neri. But even Shin had to admit: when it came to competence, Zahn left little room for doubt.
Tristan remained the onlooker of this chilly exchange, quietly perusing the medical textbooks on the shelf like he wasn't eavesdropping. He knew better than anyone that Shin and Zahn weren't exactly friends.
Acquaintances? Sure. Allies? Occasionally. Frenemies who could start World War III over the temperature of coffee? Absolutely.
Meanwhile, at the nurses' station, chaos brewed.
A small circle of nurses gathered—senior and junior, fresh-faced and jaded—all united under one sacred purpose: gossip.
"Did you see them?" gasped one nurse, practically vibrating. "Zahn, Tristan, and Shin in the same hallway—it was like witnessing the reunion of heavenly immortals!"
"Our Doctor Neri is still the most attractive," sighed another, older nurse. "Too bad he's already taken."
"Taken and frosty," sniffed a third. "I'm telling you, Shin Keir is where it's at. That face, that aura, the bank account! He's like an immortal who pays taxes."
The prettiest nurse of the bunch, a new recruit, nodded dreamily. "I saw him for the first time today and... I don't even know what happened to me. It was like being struck by a thunderbolt of fear and infatuation. My soul left my body."
"I prefer sunshine boys," another nurse chimed in. "Tristan's more my type. That smile? I'd sell my kidneys for it."
"But did anyone find out who the patient in the VIP ward is?" asked one with narrowed eyes. "I heard she's young... and pretty."
"You could find out," the senior nurse said with a wicked smirk. "But you'd have to risk your job. You in?"
Security in the VIP ward was no joke. Phones, smartwatches, even whispering too loud might get you reported. Patient privacy was ironclad—unless you were nosy and had plausible deniability.
"How do you even know she's connected to Tristan?" asked the young nurse.
The group burst into laughter.
"Girl, there's no charity here. Apart from Tristan then who else? Our Doctor Neri wouldn't personally admit a stranger, besides, his married. And don't get me started with Shin Keir. Anyway, Tristan—he's had more girlfriends than we've had staff turnover."
"I wasn't talking about him," the young nurse murmured, eyes flicking around. "I meant... the other one. Shin Keir."
That caused a record scratch.
"You think he has a girlfriend?" the pretty nurse scoffed, scandalized. "Have you been living under a rock? Shin Keir is a known misogynist. He'd rather date a rock than a woman. That patient might be pretty, but so are half the socialites in the city. And none of them got further than a handshake."
The young nurse blinked. Sister, calm down. This isn't a reality show.
And yet, the others nodded in solemn agreement.
"I'd rather go for Tristan," said another nurse wistfully. "He might not marry you, but the ride would be wild. And luxurious."
"True. But if I had the looks, brains, and guts, I'd chase Shin Keir," said the pretty nurse, tossing her hair. "If you do win him over—no cheating, no drama. Just pure, unshakable loyalty. That's the dream."
"Sure," the senior nurse deadpanned. "Just figure out how to get past the titanium wall around his heart first."
Unbeknownst to them, the woman they refused to acknowledge as Shin Keir's girlfriend had already succeeded in... let's say... accessing the penthouse suite.
Accidentally, of course.
---
Later That Night
Shin Keir returned home looking like a man who had just lost a staring contest with death—and lost badly.
"Welcome back, Young Master," Butler Hong greeted him with concern. "How is the young lady?"
"Her fever's gone." Shin sounded as cheerful as a Monday morning.
Butler Hong nodded solemnly. He had seen many strange things in his decades of service, but few stranger than his young master voluntarily hovering around a sick girl's bedside.
Frankly, he didn't think they were in love. If anything, it looked like mutual interests laced with physical attraction.
Still, there was potential. Glorious, drama-filled potential.
If only his Young Master had the emotional range of a slightly damp sponge. Afterall women are hard to comprehend.
The 'Plan: Abs Reveal' caused the poor girl to have an accident before she could even see the 'goods'. Maybe it's time to upgrade the plan.
Before Butler Hong could put more absurd schemes into motion, an unexpected guest appeared in the hallway.
"You're here," came the low voice of Father Keir—former CEO, part-time monk, full-time meddler.
Shin's expression darkened.