Chapter 298

Nathaniel and Dominic froze mid-conversation, guilt flashing across their faces.

"Bro, ever heard of knocking?" Oliver snapped, wincing as he adjusted his injured leg. "Rude much?"

Nathaniel's expression remained icy, his sharp features unreadable. He strode forward, rapping his knuckles against Oliver's cast with deliberate force. "Still hurts?"

Oliver yelped, face contorting in pain. "What the hell, Nate? I nearly died saving your ex-wife, and this is my reward?"

"You seem lively enough," Nathaniel remarked coolly. "If you're fine, stop milking the 'hero' act."

The unspoken tension thickened. Nathaniel despised the idea of Oliver holding that kind of leverage over Vivian. In another era, debts like these were repaid with lifelong servitude—or worse.

"Damn right," Dominic chimed in, smirking. "This idiot even demanded she wait on him hand and foot. Shameless."

"Wait on him?" Nathaniel's gaze darkened, dissecting the implications.

The door swung open. Vivian entered, balancing a steaming bowl of congee. "Oliver, sit up. I made yam and rib congee—it’ll help you heal."

She halted mid-step, spotting Nathaniel and Dominic. Her cheeks flushed. "You two… What are you doing here?"

Nathaniel eyed the bowl, lips curling. "We belong here. You, on the other hand, delivering midnight snacks? How… domestic."

Vivian rolled her eyes, sidestepping him. She perched on the edge of Oliver's bed, stirring the congee before blowing on a spoonful. "Open up. The nurse said liquids are fine now."

Oliver hesitated, hunger warring with self-preservation as Nathaniel’s glare pinned him in place.

"Problem?" Vivian frowned. "I promised to take care of you, and you agreed. Now eat."

Oliver's mouth opened slightly—a trapped man. Offending Vivian meant her wrath. Offending Nathaniel? A death wish.

But the congee smelled divine. His stomach growled. Decision made, he leaned forward—

"His leg’s broken, not his hands," Nathaniel cut in, voice razor-sharp.

Vivian bristled. "He risked his life for me. The least I can do is feed him. Where’s your humanity?"

A beat of silence. Then Nathaniel snatched the bowl from her. "Fine. I’ll do it."

He shoved a spoon at Oliver’s mouth. "Eat."

Oliver choked. "Uh… hard pass."

"So she can feed you, but I can’t?" Nathaniel’s tone dropped to lethal calm. "As your brother, I insist. From now on, I’ll handle your… needs."

Oliver recoiled. "Absolutely not!"