My Abuse System Matched Me with a Lovesick Male Lead

I felt a sharp pang in my chest after hearing that Thea would obtain 20 points. I wasn't about to just stand by and let her swoop in and take it all.

Thea was rushed to the hospital, while Sean was still at the office, cleaning up the mess I had created.

I watched the ambulance's tail lights fade into the distance and made a snap decision. I pulled on a mask and a hat, then made a beeline for Parker Group. I pushed open the door once I noticed that the lights in the CEO's office were still on. "You should go check on Thea—she's in the hospital right now for her stomach ailment."

Sean looked up from the pile of documents with dark circles under his eyes. "There are doctors at the hospital."

"Thea needs you by her side," I said, refusing to back down.

Sean set his pen aside and fixed me with a sharp look. "What are you playing at, Stella? You're the one who was worried about us getting back together, weren't you?"

I faltered, then scrambled to cover my tracks. "I just think that if the press catches us visiting her at the hospital together, those rumors about us being at odds will disappear on their own. It's a smart PR move for both you and Parker Group."

Sean watched me in silence, his eyes searching as if to strip away my every pretense. "Do you really mean that, Stella?"

…

In the hospital ward, Thea nearly lost her composure at the sight of Sean and me. She quickly forced herself back into character, resting weakly against the bed. "You guys didn't have to come over. I'm doing fine. It's just a recurring ailment."

"You should stay here with Ms. Smith, Sean," I thoughtfully suggested.

Sean's gaze turned probing as he looked at me once more.

I explained, "I'm sure Ms. Smith must be feeling miserable being all alone in the hospital."

Thea gently refused the suggestion, saying, "I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, the public hasn't calmed down yet, and if you are caught staying here with me, the netizens will only be more certain that Ms. Stewart's jealousy led to my injury. You two should head back together. I'll be fine on my own, Mr. Parker."

It was a brilliant reverse-psychology play. If I actually took her advice and left, her "lonely hospital stay" would have sent the emotional damage through the roof.

Those in the comments section had already reached a fever pitch.

"That female lead is playing 4D chess while everyone else is playing checkers!"

"Stella actually assisted her rival!"

"Does Mr. Parker trust anyone at all? He seems to be suspicious of everyone right now."

Sean was swayed by Thea's reasoning. He told Thea to get some rest before turning to me, saying, "Let's go, Stella."

I suddenly said, "Hold on."

I wracked my brain as they turned their attention to me. I had to stop things from playing out like this. "I agree with you, Ms. Smith. It would look terrible if Sean were caught here by himself, especially with the rumors still going around."

I added softly, "Ms. Smith just returned from abroad, and now she's even hospitalized. It wouldn't be right to leave her here without anyone to look after her, Sean. Those stomach pains can be absolutely agonizing."

I hesitated briefly before continuing, "Why don't both of us stay with her tonight, Sean?"

There was a momentary lull in the hospital ward. Sean cocked his brow, obviously caught off guard by my suggestion.

Thea's expression nearly faltered. "I wouldn't want to impose on you both like this. I—"

I cut her off, saying, "It's no trouble at all. I'm partly responsible for the drama on the trending list, so the least I can do is stay here and look after you tonight."

In that instant, the comments section blew up.

"Is this Stella's latest move? A sleepover for three in the hospital ward?"

"Is this some kind of twisted comedy? Thea is about to lose her composure!"

"Stella knows exactly how to shake things up!"

Sean suddenly grabbed my wrist with enough force to nearly snap my wrist, dragging me out of the hospital ward before I could say a word. He towered over me in the sterile glow of the hallway, his shadow engulfing me.

He growled, his voice carrying suppressed rage, "Stella…"

"Yes?"

He hovered over me, his presence cold and overbearing. "You were so keen to have me come to the hospital tonight. Was it truly for Parker Group's reputation or merely to make her miserable?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine, along with a heavy, stifling weight in my chest.