Loyce remained composed and smiled. “From my perspective, as the doctor keeping you alive, it makes perfect sense for you to keep a close watch on me. If something were to happen to me, you wouldn’t last long either, would you?”
Lucian gently tilted her chin up, his voice deep. “Even if you do have secrets, we had an agreement, didn’t we?”
He moved closer, stopping just before his lips met hers. Resisting the urge, he tilted his head slightly, his lips brushing against her ear as he kissed her hair. “Whether it’s murder or arson, I’ll cover for you.”
Loyce’s heart skipped a beat, thudding heavily in her chest. A subtle change finally flickered across her expression.
Lucian’s fingers gently caressed her cheek. “I’ll protect you, on one condition: don’t betray our country.”
He was a soldier, and that was his only line. Above that line, he would let her do as she pleased.
“I’m just a spoiled heiress who enjoys a life of leisure,” Loyce said with a smile. “How could I possibly be involved in something like that?”
Lucian didn’t respond, but the deep, sharp look in his eyes revealed he didn’t entirely believe her.
Of course, he had no intention of calling her bluff. Forcing her to reveal her true identity would only push her further away.
...
News of Loyce’s hospitalization leaked that same night. Her three older brothers, who were all away on business, rushed to her room, along with Gordon.
Forrest looked at the wound on her leg, his eyes filled with concern. “This was my oversight. I’ll immediately assign more security to protect you, Loyce.”
Morris looked equally distressed. His usually gentle tone was laced with anger, as it always was when Loyce was in trouble. “Where’s Hank? He needs to teach those people a lesson. How dare they touch my sister? They must have a death wish!”
Forrest replied, “Hank got the news and went to see Lucian. They’ve probably caught most of the culprits by now.”
Just as he finished speaking, the powerfully built Hank walked in. There were faint, hastily wiped bloodstains on his cuffs and fingers. “We caught one alive. I’ve already interrogated him.”
Meeting his sister’s gaze, Hank hid his blood-stained sleeve behind his back and softened his tone. “How are you, Loyce? Feeling any better? Does it still hurt? I have already avenged you.”
Gordon was fraught with guilt. “It’s all my fault for not being more careful. It must have hurt so much when you were injured, Loyce. I’ve already told that Winslet boy to get over here and apologize.”

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