He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 88

Noah’s phone rang. He picked up, and Houston’s voice came through—low, calm, and dangerously cold.

“Tell Charlotte to apologize to Dr. Rose. If she doesn’t, the video of Madam Charlotte bullying a powerless doctor will be all over the media by tomorrow.”

Charlotte, seated close enough to hear every word, flew into a rage.

“I won’t apologize to her! Who does she think she is? She doesn’t deserve an apology from me!”

Houston’s icy silence poured out of the receiver, sharp enough to cut through flesh.

“Charlotte,” he said slowly, “if you don’t apologize, you’ll regret it more than you ever thought possible.”

Charlotte tried to calm herself. Her tone softened slightly. “Houston, you’re taking this too far. She’s not the only person in the world who can treat your condition. I’ve already found someone more qualified. He’s famous—he can definitely cure you.”

She genuinely believed that Houston’s loyalty to Rose came from medical dependency. If she could find him a better doctor, maybe his attachment would fade.

But Houston merely scoffed. “I don’t need him.”

“Why not?” Charlotte asked, truly confused.

She knew just how serious Houston’s insomnia was. His heart rate was already affected, and his family physician had warned that continued deterioration could lead to organ failure—or worse.

“Because you recommended him,” Houston replied, voice laced with disgust.

Charlotte was speechless.

The call ended abruptly.

Charlotte stared helplessly at Noah. He thought for a long moment, then finally said to the director, “Forget about punishing her.”

The director let out a breath of relief.

Charlotte, meanwhile, bit her lip until it nearly bled. She didn’t know why she hated Rose so much. Maybe it was because Rose, like her, came from a humble background—but unlike her, Rose never bowed to power or sold herself for security. That quiet dignity made Charlotte feel small and dirty in comparison.

Noah eventually dragged her away, though not before Charlotte shot Rose one last venomous glare.

…

After work, Ethan arrived at the Bloomingdale Residence complex. Without even greeting Vivian, he went straight to the Marshalls’ door.

Rose already knew why he had come and led him into the study.

Inside the sprawling room, she pulled out box after box of handwritten notes—meticulously organized records she’d kept since her university years, covering everything from insomnia to various common and rare disorders across departments.

Ethan’s eyes sparkled with greed at the treasure trove.

“Houston, I think Rose and Ethan are secretly seeing each other. They’re alone in her bedroom. I’m scared they might be rekindling old feelings. What should I do?”

…

Houston was in a meeting when he received the message.

His mood instantly turned stormy.

He cut the meeting short and rushed to the Bloomingdale Residence.

Just as the elevator doors opened, Vivian was waiting. She clung to him like a wounded puppy, her voice trembling, tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Houston, you’re finally here. They’ve been in there for so long…”

Her lips quivered as if she’d just walked in on a scandal. She looked every bit the betrayed, heartbroken woman.

But Houston didn’t look at her. His face was hard and unreadable as he quietly raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Vivian stared at him, stunned by his calm.

“Aren’t you going to kick the door down?” she asked, confused. “This is your chance to catch them in the act…”