Chapter 31: Mr. Tudor, Do You Need Something From My Wife?

Hearing those last two lines, Thalia's heart started racing like crazy.

She always thought she had a special place in Michael's heart.

After a moment of shock, she pulled herself together real quick. That pissed-off look she had when she walked in, like the whole world was against her, vanished in a flash.

She switched to her usual sad puppy face.

"Michael, I was just super mad," she said, biting her lip and eyeing the ring in his hand. "Anna used this ring to humiliate me and insult you. She said you and this ring are both trash she doesn't want. I was so upset I came to you to vent."

Thalia, playing on the rocky vibes between Michael and Anna, dumped all the blame on Anna.

She figured Michael would get mad at Anna, but instead, he pointed to the door and said, "Get out!"

Thalia wanted to calm Michael down, but he wouldn't even look at her now. Sticking around would just make things worse.

After Thalia left, Michael stared at the ring in his hand and called Nolan in. "Take it and clean it."

Nolan grabbed the ring. He took one look at the design and instantly knew where it came from.

Nolan didn't leave right away and hesitated before saying, "Mr. Tudor, I think Thalia's no match for Dr. Howard. If the regret between you and Dr. Howard is due to past stuff, it's really not worth it."

After saying that, Nolan lowered his head. He was just an employee and shouldn't have said anything. He spoke up today 'cause he couldn't stand Thalia's crap.

Michael didn't get mad at Nolan. He sat in his swivel chair, staring at the velvet box that held the ring. After a while, he told Nolan, "Cancel all today's plans. In half an hour, we're heading to Radiant Life Hospital."

After Nolan left, Michael kept staring at the ring box, lost in thought.

Two days before Anna's birthday last year, he canceled all his work and flew abroad to celebrate with her. The moment he saw this ring, Michael bought it on impulse and had their names engraved inside.

He knew she was his enemy and he shouldn't have too many feelings for her. But that time, he had this strong urge to give her the ring, which symbolized "crowning for love."

On Anna's birthday night, he gave her the engagement ring. To his surprise, the usually obedient Anna, who always went along with his wishes, turned him down for the first time.

She said it was a critical time for her studies and medical research, and she couldn't drop everything abroad to come back with him.

She asked if he could wait another year. She'd wait another year until she finished her current projects, then she'd come back to Crystal City and never leave again, staying by his side forever.

When he heard Anna's refusal, no one knew how mixed Michael's feelings were.

It felt like a sigh of relief. But more than that, there was disappointment. And a fleeting fear of losing her.

Half an hour later, before heading to Radiant Life Hospital, Nolan had already cleaned the ring and handed it to Michael.

When Michael rolled up to Radiant Life Hospital, he made a beeline for the third floor. Anna had just wrapped up with a patient when Michael strolled in.

Seeing him again, Anna's face was like a blank slate. She looked at him like he was just another random dude.

Seeing her familiar but icy features, Michael felt a stab in his chest. The pain spread from his heart to every inch of his body. Even breathing hurt.

Anna glanced at Michael, cool as a cucumber, and went back to typing up the patient's info.

"Mr. Tudor, what do you need?" Anna asked.

Michael stood at the desk, popped open the velvet box, and set it in front of her. "Anna, I need to explain this ring."

Anna's fingers froze on the keyboard. Then she kept typing like nothing happened.

"No need," she said. "I have no ties with you, and this ring means nothing to me. I don't care who it belongs to." Anna said.

Michael's throat tightened. But he didn't take the ring back; it just sat there on the desk.

"Anna, it's yours. It's been yours since last year. Whether you want it or not, it only has one owner, and that's you." Michael said.

Anna's face twisted into a mocking smile. She saved the patient's info and looked up at him. "Mr. Tudor, I'm not interested in reclaiming trash. If you want to toss something, there's a trash can right outside the door."

"Anna, do you have to talk to me like this?" Michael said.

Anna smirked, "If you need comfort, head over to Aurora Mansion. There's a lady there waiting for your affection day and night."

Michael's face darkened with her constant jabs. But he kept his cool and tried to smooth things over. "Anna, we need to talk. It's almost noon. How about I take you out for lunch?"

Then he added, "Didn't you always say you wanted to eat at the restaurants in Crystal City? Let's relive some childhood memories."

Anna was about to shut him down. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Anna looked up and saw Charles.

Michael's brow furrowed at the sight of him. Before he could say anything, Charles's lazy voice cut in. "Mr. Tudor, do you need something from my wife?"

Michael's eyes flickered at the word "wife."

"Yeah, I do," Michael said.

Charles strolled in, all casual, and said, "As far as I know, Mr. Tudor, you're just a shareholder of Radiant Life Hospital. Jasper Bell's the hospital director. If it's work-related, Jasper should be the one talking to my wife."

Michael's face stayed cold, "Mr. Percy, you might not know, but the whole Radiant Life Hospital is under the Tudor Group. I have the right to ask about anything related to the hospital."

Charles gave a lazy "oh," his tone flat.

Michael's gaze shifted from Anna to Charles, "Mr. Percy, if you're not feeling well, please register outside."

Charles chuckled, "Thanks for your concern, Mr. Tudor. I'm in perfect health."

Michael's jaw clenched.

"It's work hours now. If you have no urgent matters, please leave." Michael pointed to the clock on the wall, a smirk on his lips.

"It's exactly 11:30, just in time for lunch break. You have no right to stop us from spending time together." Charles retorted with a smirk.