With that, Alicia followed Brooke O’Hara, her caretaker, into the room, shutting the door behind them and muffling the Lawrences’ noise into silence.


    The Lawrence family stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.


    “She actually went into Room 606?” Archie gasped.


    Andrew’s jaw dropped. “No way. How could she possibly afford a VIP ward?”


    “So she’s really admitted here?” Aaron frowned. “She’s not just here to look for us?”


    Hugh, meanwhile, stayed silent, but the sharpness in his gaze at Adam spoke volumes. His eyes demanded answers without a single word.


    Adam, however, was lost in his own guilt, furrowing his brows. Alicia’s in the hospital, but we didn’t even know about this,’ he thought, regretfully. ‘I wonder how sick she might be…’


    “She actually took the best room?” Maria suddenly snapped, paning her tone. “Adam! Go on, get her out of that ward and move Tiffany in there!”


    “Mom, what are you talking about?” Adam blinked, totally taken aback. “Alicia is your daughter too. She’s already in that room. Why not just let Tiffany take the next avable one? What’s the big difference?”


    Maria realized the harshness of her words sounded awfuling from her. She cleared her throat, trying to exin. “Tiffany was admitted today, and Alicia barged in to grab the best room ahead of time… I just… I’m too furious.”


    Hugh, on the other hand, didn’t believe Alicia had the clout to snag the VIP room on her own. To him, Adam, the hospital’s chief, had surely made it happen.


    Seeing her enter that room earlier had already made him suspicious. Now, hearing Adam’s words, he was certain that room was arranged by Adam himself.


    Anger bubbled inside Hugh. He couldn’t believe he had raised someone who sided with outsiders over his own flesh and blood.


    But with people around now, he couldn’t confront Adam. He only shot him a cold re, silently promising to deal with him at hometer.


    Tiffany’s eyes zed with fury. Adam was her brother, but now he was siding with an outsider. This was totally uneptable.


    Clutching her chest, she huffed, looking faint. “Forget it, Mom. Don’t trouble Adam. If it’s going to be like this, I won’t stay. Let’s go home.”


    She spun on her heel, intent on leaving. But Maria grabbed Tiffany’s arm, voice sharp while turning towards Adam. “Adam, you’re driving Tiffany to death!”


    Adam exhaled deeply. “Mom, Alicia’s already in that ward. What exactly am I supposed to do?”


    “You’re the chief! How hard is it to switch a patient’s room?” Maria’s face tightened. For the first time, she raised her voice at Adam. “I’m asking you-are you part of the Lawrence family? Will you do it or not?”


    Cornered, Adam drew in a long breath. “Fine… ” he replied. “I’ll go.”


    Elizabeth shook her head before turning to leave, pity written all over her face. She could see just how powerless Adam felt in front of his own family. <fnd9cb> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? FindN0vel</fnd9cb>


    “Go wait in the other VIP room,” Adam continued. “Just don’t crowd the corridor.”


    Maria protested, voice tight with irritation. “No! I won’t leave until you secure that ward for Tiffany.”


    “This is the hospital’s VIP wing. Everyone here is either rich or important,” Adam’s face darkened. “Mom, are you sure you want the whole family clogging this corridor and making a mess? You want people thinking the Lawrences have no manners?”


    Maria opened her mouth, but nothing came out. It was Hugh who finally spoke up. “Let’s go wait in that vacant room for now.”


    Hugh’s words carried weight. One by one, the family moved into the vacant ward without objection.


    But only Hugh lingered a moment longer, giving Adam a piercing look. “Adam,” he warned. “Remember who’s family and who’s not.”


    Adam met his gaze but said nothing, lowering his eyes. Hugh turned on his heel, cold as steel.


    After the Lawrences had left, Adam went to knock on Room 606. It was Brooke who opened the door for him.


    Brooke often helped out at the hospital as a caretaker and knew Adam well enough. She’d always thought well of him, so she smiled and asked, “Doctor Lawrence, what brings you here?”


    “I need to speak with Alicia,” Adam said softly.


    Brooke hesitated, knowing the Lawrence family’s reputation firsthand. Earlier, she’d realized that Adam, the hospital chief, was Alicia’s brother and had just stepped in to secure the VIP room for Tiffany.


    She stepped closer to block the doorway, frowning. “I can pass the words for you. I’m Miss Lawrence’s caretaker,” she said. “Is there something you want me to pass along?”


    Adam shook his head, replied, “This is a family matter.”


    Brooke raised an eyebrow but pressed further, eyes serious. “You’re not here to make Alicia give up her room for Tiffany, are you?”


    Adam didn’t answer. “Alicia is my sister as well,” he said. “I’m here to check on her.”


    “Look, Doctor Lawrence, you know the nurses-and even us caretakers-like you and Doctor Johnson a lot. You’re both good people,” said Brooke, standing firm at the door. “You wouldn’t force Alicia, right? Because if you did… then Doctor Johnson would be the better one. Much better than you.”


    Adam couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. He could see that Brooke had guts-she’d say anything for Alicia.


    Unlike his rivalry with Harvey Johnson, where nothing was ever spoken out loud, Brooke’s boldness was refreshing.


    Still, he couldn’t help feeling a bit pleased. After all, it was nice to see someone truly care for Alicia.


    Before he could respond, Alicia’s voice came from inside the room, “Let him in.”


    Brooke nced back at Alicia and finally stepped aside. Adam walked in.


    “I’d like to have some fruit, Brooke,” sitting on the bed, Alicia turned towards Brooke. “Could you bring some for me?”


    “Sure,” Brooke nodded and left. As soon as she disappeared from the ward, Alicia turned her gaze to Adam, cold and sharp.


    “I’m not giving up this room, Adam,” she said. “If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and use your position to force


    me.”


    Her words were a challenge. She wanted to test Adam. If he did force her, she’d report it to the hospital director, giving Harvey the support he deserved.


    Alicia didn’t know Harvey personally, but in her past life, she knew he was a genuinely good doctor, someone who shouldn’t be cornered by dirty tricks in his profession.