Rachel breathed a small sigh of relief when she noticed the name on the hospital signboard. It wasn't Quinn Medical Center. That meant they weren't visiting Sophie Quinn after all.
Still, her curiosity was piqued. "Vice President Wolfe, what are we doing here?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Adam, now acting as Rayden Wolfe's loyal bodyguard, remained silent, though he was equally puzzled. He didn't dare ask questions—he was a bodyguard now, and he knew the rules: speak less, observe more.
"I came to visit a friend," Rayden explained, his expression dimming slightly. "He got injured a few days ago—purely an accident—and now he's been hospitalized."
"Oh," Rachel replied, a little surprised. That didn't sound like the cold and cunning Rayden Wolfe she knew. A friend? She had assumed the man didn't have any real ones.
The three of them proceeded to the lobby, walking past the pristine white counters and sterile hospital scent wafting through the air.
"Wait a moment," Rayden said suddenly. "Let's pick up some flowers before we head up."
Without waiting for a response, he bought three bouquets from the florist inside—white lilies, chrysanthemums, and orchids—and handed one to each of them. Then, with flowers in hand, they headed toward the ward.
As they turned the corner into the room, Adam's sharp eyes immediately caught sight of the man lying in the bed—and his heart nearly stopped.
Caleb Chen?!
The genius doctor. The once-rising star. The man whose tragic fate had once shifted the balance of an entire empire.
Why was he here?
And more importantly… why did he look so broken?
Caleb was pale, bandaged in several places, and surrounded by an overwhelming number of white flowers.
Adam's mind swirled in confusion. Did Rayden Wolfe injure him? That couldn't be—it didn't make sense. Rayden was here now, bringing flowers, and showing concern. Why would he do that if he were responsible?
None of this was adding up.
Meanwhile, Rayden stepped forward with a solemn expression and gently placed the flowers by the bedside. "Brother Caleb… condolences and—"
He paused mid-sentence, then scratched his head, flustered. "Ah, sorry! That came out wrong. I didn't mean condolences… I meant, get well soon!"
Caleb lay still, expressionless, surrounded by white chrysanthemums, white orchids, white carnations. It was like he was attending his own funeral.
His face twitched, but he said nothing.
Rayden smiled sheepishly. "Look, I brought more flowers! The doctor said surrounding yourself with flowers helps you feel better. Right? Cheering atmosphere and all that?"
Caleb's lips pressed into a hard line. If he wasn't sick before, he certainly felt like dying now.
Rachel leaned closer to Adam and whispered, "What's wrong with him? He doesn't look very happy…"
Rayden sighed and turned to explain. "You don't get it, Rachel. Just a few days ago, he was nearly killed—by the person he trusted most. His own senior brother. Luckily, we arrived just in time or he might not be here now. He's in a dark place, mentally. It's perfectly natural."
Rachel covered her mouth with a hand. "That's awful…"
Adam narrowed his eyes in thought.
His own senior brother? That doesn't sound right. In his past life, Caleb and Dr. Simon Zhao—his senior—had a tight bond. There was no way Simon would turn on Caleb like that.
But what confused him more was why Rayden was so close to Caleb. In the previous timeline, they were enemies. They had clashed countless times, and yet now… Rayden came to visit him with flowers every day?
Was this a result of Adam's rebirth?
A butterfly effect?
A shift in the timeline?
Just then, Caleb stirred and tilted his head slightly. His tired eyes scanned the room—and then they widened in shock.
Two familiar figures stood at the foot of his bed.
Rachel.
And… Adam?!
What the hell?!
Rachel? Wasn't she supposed to infiltrate Wolfe Group later? He remembered the timeline—Rayden and Sophie Quinn were supposed to grow closer in a couple of months. Worried for her best friend, Rachel would later join Wolfe Group under the guise of a secretary. But that wasn't supposed to happen yet!
Had the dog-couple moved forward that fast?
And Adam? This was even more mind-blowing.
A man feared in the underground world.
A man who once commanded legions.
Now standing at Rayden Wolfe's side… like a loyal dog?
Caleb blinked rapidly to compose himself. He couldn't let his confusion show. He turned to Rayden and asked, voice flat, "Who are they?"
Rayden beamed proudly. "Let me introduce you, Brother Caleb!"
He gestured toward Rachel. "This is Rachel. She's my secretary now, helping manage the office. Extremely talented, organized, and of course… quite beautiful too. She'll be one of my most important partners going forward."
Caleb nodded slowly, his lips pressed together.
He had to admit—Rachel was excellent. In his past life, it was partly thanks to her strategic support that Rayden had risen to power so quickly. And later… she had helped destroy Caleb's career.
Rayden moved to Adam next. "And this guy here? Also a powerhouse."
He patted Adam on the shoulder with admiration. "This is Adam. He's my new bodyguard. Got serious combat skills—heard he can take down dozens of people solo."
Caleb's entire body tensed.
Adam?!
His fists clenched beneath the hospital blanket.
You—Adam—the underground God of War… you betrayed yourself?
Have you forgotten how Rayden destroyed you in our past life? Took your power? Stole your woman? Crushed your legacy?
And now you serve him? Guard him? Obey his orders?!
Caleb's inner storm brewed with resentment and despair.
But then he remembered.
He was the only one reborn. Adam wasn't.
Of course Adam didn't remember. He hadn't lived through that pain yet. He hadn't seen what Rayden would do to him. What Rayden would do to all of them.
Caleb felt a cold sweat trickle down his back.
Rayden Wolfe had become far more dangerous than he anticipated. With Rachel's intellect and Adam's strength by his side, he was assembling a powerful inner circle.
And I…?
Alone. Injured. Powerless.
Dr. Simon Zhao—his senior brother—was now in prison.
His allies? Turning to his enemies.
The future? Uncertain and grim.
Why was this happening?
He had been given a second chance at life.
Why did it feel like the opening act of a tragedy?
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