Flash Marriage To The Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

"She's right beside me. Do you want to talk to her?"
Nelson couldn't fathom why Regina had inquired about Hallie, yet his gaze instinctively sought her out.
Their eyes met as the phone call's voice reached Hallie. In an instant, she felt goosebumps prickling across her skin.
She thought, 'Talk to me? What the hell does Regina want this time?'
From the other end of the line, Regina's voice instructed Nelson to pass the phone to Hallie.
Standing there in a daze, Hallie watched as Nelson extended his phone with a frigid expression, saying, "Regina wants to talk to you."
Hallie hesitated. Recalling past encounters, she dreaded entangling with Regina.
But under the scrutiny of onlookers—including Nelson's confused stare—she took the phone to avoid raising unnecessary questions or guesses about her relationship with him.
Then she asked flatly, "Yes? Just say it."
"Dr. Levine, you haven't had dinner, have you? Why not join Nelson? I made too much soup. Could you help finish it?"
Regina's tone was playful and sweet, painting her as an understanding hostess in others' eyes.
"Sorry, I can't. I have work later."
"Fine... all right."
"I gotta go." With a brief farewell, Nelson turned and left without a second glance.
Raymond blinked, his curiosity piqued as he asked Hallie, "Is Mr. Blair married?"
Hallie pressed her lips together, speechless.
Their formal marriage would end in six months, and Nelson evidently held affection for Regina. Perhaps there was a possibility that he would marry her thereafter.
But no matter what the future held, she was still Nelson's nominal wife. Whether confirming their relationship or clarifying she was merely his girlfriend, Hallie felt an inexplicable resistance.
Yet she couldn't reveal to Raymond that they were married.
"It's complicated." Hallie finally offered an ambiguous reply.
To her surprise, Raymond's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I was thinking of setting you two up, but Nelson seems like a decent guy—turns out he's a two-timer?"
Hallie stood there dumbfounded, her mind sluggish to parse his words.
Then, Raymond's gaze turned admonishing. After all, as her mentor, he couldn't bear to see her led astray.
"Hallie, you can't get involved with a man who plays both sides. No matter how charming he is or how well he treats you, it's just a ploy to win you over. You..."
"Wait..." Hallie interrupted, raising her hand. "You must be mistaken. It's not as you think. We're truly just friends."
Raymond paused, his eyes skeptical.
"I saw how cozy you two were just now, chatting and laughing. Since when do 'just friends' risk their lives to take a flower pot for each other?"
Cozy? Chatting and laughing?
Hallie bit back a retort.
Where had Raymond seen "cozy" in their sarcastic exchanges? As for Nelson blocking the flower pot, it was likely to avoid Scott's questioning.
"Raymond, it's a misunderstanding. Nelson has someone he likes. Besides, we're completely incompatible. Please don't read into it." Her voice was clear but tinged with resignation.
"Do you... really not like him?"
Even after Hallie clarified their relationship, Raymond remained skeptical, recalling the electric atmosphere that had lingered between them.
"No, I don't," Hallie replied without hesitation.
Given that, Raymond let the topic drop and said tentatively, "Hallie, if you ever think about marriage, let me play matchmaker. I can introduce you to some exceptional men from well-off families—maybe better fits than Nelson, though not as easy on the eyes."
"Thanks, Raymond." Hallie nodded.
"Alas, you always say that." Raymond sighed. Knowing her stubbornness, he waved her off and went to make his rounds.
Left alone, Hallie's face remained composed, but the corner of her lip curled into a faint, mocking arc.
Her memories flickered like a slide show: her mother sitting alone in the living room, waiting for her absent father, her face heavy with melancholy.
Arguments, insults, manipulation—all the world's negative emotions had colored Hallie's view of family.
Marriage?
If it only led to mutual hatred, what was its purpose? It was better to enjoy what one had for now and rely on oneself.
Grandpa had arranged her marriage out of concern, fearing she would end up lonely without someone to care for her.
But deep in her heart, Hallie had resisted such an idea. She couldn't fathom why a husband should care for her unconditionally. Why should anyone bear such a burden just because of a title?
There was no love and hate for no reason in this world. Even if she were to marry someone, she would always remain an outsider in her husband's family.
Though Hallie held this belief, she agreed to the marriage to let her Grandpa depart in peace.
After all, he meant well, even if his ideas were outdated.
Facts had proven she was right. Nelson and she dislike each other, so ending things as soon as possible was the best outcome.
Within hours, news of the misprescription from a doctor in Mentville Medical Center spread like wildfire.
Though Carla was arrested and the truth uncovered, the public opinion storm lingered.
Hallie's sudden and dramatic shift from "villain" to "victim" sparked malicious speculation.
This incident triggered over 70 million online discussions.
Callopston had been renowned for its cutting-edge medical standards in Hernland as the alma mater of countless eminent physicians. People wondered how a doctor here could commit the grave error of prescribing incorrect medication.
The scandal tainted not just the hospital, but Callopston's reputation.
Carla was not the only one affected, but also all the doctors and top leaders in Mentville Medical Center, including Hallie.
Even though Hallie cleared her name, the incident had originated with her, and the victim-blaming culture lingered on.
At 8 PM, Hallie sneaked out the hospital's back door to avoid paparazzi, hailed a cab, and returned to the villa.
"Nel, how do you pronounce this word? I still can't get it right. Will you teach me again?"