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Chapter 316 Under the Bright Lights
Chapter 316: Under the Bright Lights
+25 Points
For once, Harper had nothing to say. She could feel the heat returning to her cheeks but refused to let anyone see her embarrassment.
Nicholas, on the other hand, looked as though he wanted to say something but seemed to
have no idea where to even begin.
Throughout the entire exchange, Ken had remained unusually quiet, taking in far more than either of his children seemed to realize.
His gaze lingered on Harper and Nicholas for a moment before slowly shifting toward his
wife.
Alice met his eyes, and neither of them said anything.
They didn’t need to.
After all their years together, there was a quiet understanding between them that rarely required words.
Ken might be the head of the family and the one everyone naturally looked to when difficult decisions had to be made.
But when it came to matters of the heart, he knew his wife understood their children in ways he sometimes didn’t.
And right now, his wife clearly had the situation well in hand.
As if confirming that very thought, Alice looked between Harper and Nicholas, her expression softening.
She had said what needed to be said.
Whatever happened between their daughter and Nicholas from this point forward was something they would have to figure out for themselves.
For now, there were more practical matters to deal with.
Alice took a step closer and gently cupped her daughter’s cheek.
The simple touch immediately softened whatever remained of the tension between them.
“Not
ar
Alice said gently. “And if you really don’t want to honor the
that’s something we can talk about. At the end of the day, you ppiness matters more to us than any arrangement ever could.”
Chapter 316- Under the Bright Lights
Harper met her mother’s eyes but said nothing.
+26 Points
Alice understood. She knew her daughter well enough to recognize the uncertainty behind her
silence.
“Your father and I also trust you enough to know that you understand your responsibilities,” she continued. “Whatever you decide, we know you won’t make that decision carelessly or without considering everyone involved.”
Something in Harper’s expression softened.
Alice smiled. “You’ll be fine, sweetheart.”
Harper let out a breath and gave her mother a reluctant nod. There was no use denying anything or arguing further. She knew her mother far too well to convince her otherwise.
Alice gave her cheek one last affectionate stroke before lowering her hand.
“For now, let’s worry about something we can actually do something about.” She glanced toward Damien and Nicholas. “They went through a lot just to get here. Why don’t you take them to their rooms so they can shower and change into something dry?”
Before Harper could complain, Alice had already turned toward Kenji.
“And you, young man, you and I will be having a serious talk later.” The look she gave him made it clear he wasn’t getting out of it. “Make yourself useful and tell the kitchen to prepare something for them. I doubt either of them has had a proper meal.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Kenji turned to leave, but stopped when he reached Harper. He stood there for a moment before turning toward her and bowing deeply, his earlier playfulness completely gone.
“Gomen nasai, Ane. I’m really sorry.”
Harper watched her brother for a moment before her expression softened.
The deep bow and sincerity in his voice told her he genuinely regretted taking things too far.
“You’re still an idiot.”
Jahtened and looked at her.
spread across Kenji’s face. Before Harper could react, he threw his arms planted a loud kiss on her cheek.
775
Chapter 36% boder the Bright Lights
Harper shoved him away and immediately wiped at her cheek with the back of her hand.
“Eww! You kiss like a fish! Why is it so wet? That’s disgusting!”
Kenji burst out laughing before turning and heading down the hallway.
Lee, Kim, and Max, who had somehow found themselves caught in the middle of the awkward situation, quickly took the opportunity to follow him. Now that the tension had finally broken, they could quietly make their escape.
The affectionate moment between the siblings had lightened the mood, earning a few quiet chuckles from those who remained.
Harper continued furiously wiping her cheek as she watched her brother go. But when she turned back, her eyes briefly met Nicholas’s.
She quickly looked away and shifted her attention to Damien instead. With an exaggerated sigh, she finally gave in.
“Come with me. I’ll sho
Before they could le
“You should go w
to rest for a litt
Maya hes
“I do
r rooms.”
ed her attention to Maya.
she said gently. “You look exhausted. Eat something and try stay here with Jaime.”
mmediately returning to the closed operating room door.
tay—”
nt, sweetheart.”
and gently touched Maya’s arm.
u haven’t slept at all since last night. Go with them and rest for a little while.”
oward the operating room again. Leaving, even for a short while, felt wrong.
ned to understand.
t going anywhere,” she assured her. “If there’s any news at all, we’ll let you know ately. I promise.”
emained reluctant
d at h
operating room one last time before finally nodding.
Chapter 315 Under the Bright Lights
“Okay.”
With that, the four of them finally turned and made their way down the hallway, leaving the others behind to wait for any news about Jaime.
Meanwhile, behind the closed doors of the operating room, everything moved with practiced
precision.
Jaime was transferred onto the operating table as the medical team took their positions around him. Monitors were connected, medications prepared, and the team began running through their final checks before putting him under anesthesia.
Once everything was in place, Dr. Nakamura stepped beside him.
“All right, Jaime. We’re ready.”
Jaime looked up at the bright lights overhead. “So this is the part where you tell me to count backward?”
Dr. Nakamura smiled b
“From what?”
“One hundred.”
Jaime con
His
his
surgical mask. “If you’d like.”
moment before shaking his head. “That’s way too easy.”
quiet laugh from one of the nurses, while Dr. Nakamura simply shook ent. “Then choose your own number.”
ghtfully at the ceiling. “One thousand.”
enge.”
ura smiled as the anesthetic began flowing through Jaime’s IV. Within seconds, lights above him started to blur, and the voices around him slowly grew distant.
housand…” Jaime murmured.
elids grew heavier.
e hundred ninety
to keep
round
to make it farther, but the room was already
#25 Pointa
losely as the anesthesia took effect, his attention shifting to the rything was exactly as it should be.
ward Dr. Anderson and the rest of the team.
ard, his entire focus settling on the patient before him.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.