Chapter 1 It Was Really Inhuman
Natalie dsf was lost in Athana when she was five.
It was mixed with different kind of people at night, several local gangsters who strayed around the alley was whistling and glancing at her strangely.
She ran away as she was afraid at that time.
There were a lot of alleys in Amara. She hid in one of the alleys. There was a brand new car in black colour parked in front of the entrance of the df. Vines were wrapped all around the wall from the vicinity.
Natalie did not know who was the master of the quadrangle courtyard.
Strangely, there were no gangsters approaching as if there were an invincible wall separating the stratum of the area.
Natalie was little at that time. She dared not to walk out, sitting on the cornerstone at the door front with red eyes. It was dark, there was only the dim light radiating from the wall lamp placed underneath the roof.
It was the 14th of October, Athana was in the middle of fall.
The surrounding was deserted. The wind was piercing the skin like frozen ballasts. The blood would be frozen if she bled.
This was the cold that consumed emotion. She idjsl lose control slowly. Cuddling in between her legs, she cried in silence.
A few moments later, there was a bike riding in casually.
Natalie stopped as she panicked. Tugging her legs into her blouse as she was scared. Her face was drenched after all the crying.
The young her and frowned.
He braked, walked down with his long legs and leaned with bike against the wall, single-handedly holding his bag. And his another hand hid inside his pocket. He walked toward her. His long shadow covered her entirely.
"Who are you, kid?"
The teen was nipping a cigarette in his mouth, speaking with a decent Athana accent.
He was wearing the uniform from Athana Cody School. His figure was barely visible as he was covered in the dark. But he seemed impatient from his lazy tone.
He slightly tilted his head as he spoke. With the dim ray of light, a plaster on his brow was barely seen. There was a light scar on his nose bridge. There was also blood clotted at the corner of his mouth, seemed injured as well.
Hooligan.
That was Natalie's first impression of him.
Natalie cried even more. She picked up the pebble thrown at him and cried, "Go away".
With her soft Tonell accent and kiddy voice, even the words were harsh but the tone could taunt no one.
The boy was embarrassed and he pointed at the gate, " This is my......"
The word "home" was not even out of his mouth as the another stone was thrown at him. It was not hurt at all.
He was stunned for a while and put down his unlighted cigarette.
As he was about to say something, the little girl pursed her lips, and the tears fell like rain. Every drop of tears was so huge that it fell as it wished.
"... ..." He had idjsl be furious, wasn't he?
The teen breathed in deeply and impatiently. How could he bully her as she cried like this?
He pulled out tiny bits of his patient, "Are you lost?"
Natalie ignored. Her lips were shaking as she sniffled.
"I'm asking you."
He sounded unfriendly and furious. Natalie could not hold back and cried out loud as she was triggered.
"... ..."
"If you don't stop then I will have to throw you out." after that, he purposely teased her and pretended to be interested, " What a pretty girl! Maybe you are worth quite a few pennies."
Natalie stopped like being silenced by the press. Biting her lips and buckling, she looked at the boy timidly as she was taunted.
There was peace in his ears, and his temper was relieved. He sat on the cornerstone next to her, "Where do you live?"
Hadn't gotten her reply, he took out a handphone from his pocket,
"Do you remember your parents' phone number? I'll call them to take you home."
Natalie silenced for a while. With a strong nasal voice and hiccups from crying, she spoke softly, "Mom... was gone."
The teen was stunned, tilted his head and looked at her, "How about your father?"
Natalie hid her head even deeper, shaking her head silently.
He then kept quiet.
With the crying and cold weather, Natalie's nose was frozen and red, her eyes were watery, and the baby hairs were soaked, drenched on her pinky cheek.
She had the cuteness and softness of a child should have at her age. She was born pretty. If anyone had this kind of daughter, they would bring her to the streets to show off.
Especially the cute little cinnabar mole at the right corner of the peak of the nose.
But she was crying in the middle of the quiet night with a white blouse and silky long hair, which was the only improper thing.
People might think they had bumped into a little ghost if they did not know the context.
But it was a cute ghost.
The teen smirked suddenly with his injured lips, took off his uniform and threw it over to that little ghost.
Natalie was covered. Pulling out the uniform above her, she saw he was calling the police. He explained that there was a little girl needing their help to send her home.
"Put it on. You could have scared others."
He only wore a short sleeve T-Shirt. His bag was thrown casually on the ground. He sat like a gangster with his legs opened. He nipped a cigarette and spoke like playing with a little cat, "I will be here waiting with you. Can you stop crying?"
... ... Now who was the one that was scary.
Natalie looked up carefully and glanced at the teen.
He was tall even though he was sitting. The side of his face soaked in the dim light for some time, his expression seemed relaxed, and his arrogance seemed to be softened.
Natalie breathed in and said, "Okay... ..."
Her hands were hidden inside his jacket. She felt warmed very soon. She felt tired as she cried too much. Her eyes lids were pulling down, and her face sank into her legs, cuddling herself.
"Clink", the lighter was flipped open.
The teen covered the red-blue flame. As he moved the cigarette closer to the flame and it was almost lighted up, he stopped and placed his sight to the depressed Natalie.
That beautiful eyes were narrow and long with an unspeakable charming, like the sky covered with dark clouds.
They looked deep.
The shadows that hid underneath the light cared for nothing.
But in the fire and the glance from him over her, there was a a feeling of sympathy that differed from his expression.
"Snapped", the teen put away the lighter. He did not have that cigarette in the end.
He could not tell whether it was kindness or purely feeling that it was inhumane to let the little girl roam around herself.
"Don't wipe your tears on my clothes... Alright, just wipe it then."
"Okay... ..."
"What's your name?"
"... ..."
Natalie was about to fall asleep. The lazy tone from the teen, and his sharp figure from his side, were slowly fading like a fog... ...
"Nata, Natalie dsf!"
Someone was pinching her face gently, holding down the tone and calling her name.
Natalie's brows flicked for a while. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at the light above her head.
The dim scent of tobacco faded of a sudden.
The only scent that she breathed directly into the nasal was only the strong scent of iodine.
Natalie tilted her head. She saw the huge writings on the plate placed on the glass door from afar.
In the infusion room.
After a few moments, Natalie woke up from her dream and backed to reality -- She was in the hospital because of a mango allergy. It was her friend who sent her to the hospital over the night.
She woke up sloppily. Her face was snowy white with a little blossom red.
"Dream of a pretty boy?" Mia Brown was sitting beside her, looking at her strangely.
Natalie was stunned and a little dazed.
"Romantic Dream!" Mia pointed at her convincingly.
"... ..."
"Blushed! I must be right! Tell me quickly, how intense it was together with Mr. Hart? We are best friend, aren't we?." Mia said this with excitement and obscene smile. 
"It was not him." Natalie rubbed her eyes and sat up.
Mia straightened her back of a sudden. She covered her mouth in shock as if she was watching a drama about a fiancée of a wealthy CEO having affair.
As a civil servant of the Department of Civil Affair, Mia had imagined an romance novel with millions of words --
"Imposter On Top: After Affair, The Sweet Little Wife Of Mr. Hart Run Away With Her New Hubby."
Looking at her overexaggerated expression, Natalie was feeling embarrassed. She stared at her with grudge and anger, "My dream was just as normal as it could be."
She pointed at the IV drip bottle after finishing her word.
"Don't think too much. Watch youself !"
"Oh..." Mia was sitting properly and unwillingly. Staring at the IV drip that was going to empty soon, she frowned and asked, "What happen to you two tonight?"
Natalie pretended, "What?"
Speaking of this, Mia gushed with anger, "Forrest Hart! He brought you for a business meal. Not to mention he gave you a mixed juice with mango, even after the dinner he did not send you back. So he asked you to come home yourself?"
After a moment of silence, Natalie took a deep breath. The strong scent of iodine filled up her lung and rushed into her nervous system.
She left the hospital because of her allergy.
It was true that Forrest did not send her home. There were a lot of people at that time. He was busy socialising. He did not have the time to take care of her when she was allergic to mango, not to mention sending her to the hospital.
After all, it was a business dinner, there were all the big bosses from Alcomara.
"It was my fault." Natalie said.
Mia wished to use that IV drip to take all the obedient cells from Natalie away. She sighed, "Didn't you mention that Forrest's mother had picked the day for engagement a few days ago?"
"Yep." Natalie looked down, playing with the knead on her white clothes, "Next two months."
"That was too soon!"
Mia was in shock, "Nata, you stayed with them when you were young. You are not their bride for their child. Do you really want to marry Forrest Hart?"
Natalie tiled, "Why don't you ask him?"
Mia and her sights met. Mia looked at her unbelievably, "He definitely want to marry you? Why did he pursue you back then if he didn't want you? It can't be that because of your beauty and bringing you out just to show off right?"
Natalie was speechless, looking at Mia quietly.
Mia was stuck. She looked even at her unbelievably, "Don't tell me that it was really that case."
After a moment of silence, Natalie laughed. Mia let out a sigh of relief after all the holding of her responses.
"Scared me to death... ... If Forrest really plays with your feelings, I would fight against him!"
Natalie laughed, "Just chill."
Mia's talking gene escalated tremendously. She hated the matters that happened tonight so much that she could not stop talking about them.
But Natalie was not listening anymore.
Natalie leaned against the chair and became quiet.
She recalled the late summer when she was five. She was brought back to the Harts from the Athana Police Station to Alcomana. Madam Hart was the best friend of Natalie's mother. Including Mr. Hart, they took good care of Natalie.
But Natalie had wished for nothing. She only wanted to grow up peacefully and be independent. She did not want to cause any trouble.
Even facing Forrest, a brother who was only a few years older than her, she had always been respectful and kept a distance.
The feeling changed when she was promoted to 7th grade. She went to the same middle school with Forrest.
They were only two buildings away. He was studying in High School and she was studying in Middle School.
Natalie remembered clearly the day when she finished her revision and went back home. The tyre of the bike was punctured by gravels on her way home. And so she could only push the bike to the nearest repair shop.
It was a repair shop with only less than 20 square meters. There were a bunch of old bikes being pushed aside sloppily that took up the spaces. The space was so ssmall that even Natalie felt cramped She could only standing there, and so she could only wait at the roadside.
The temperature idjsl drop and the chilling wind filled her clothes from her collar. It was freezing.
The street was quiet and deserted at night. There was only a streetlight that barely radiates and the dim light was flickering.
As the time passed, the only light source seemed exhausted and it went out. It did not radiate anymore.
The surrounding was pitch black and barely could see anything.
Natalie had a bad experience in Athana back in the day. She was afraid of the dark. Her heartbeat and breathing were escalated, instinctively triggering her self-defence mechanism. She could not move her leg. Cuddling herself and squatting on the ground, she cried.
Her despair did not last long because Forrest had come in time.
He brought her to a brighter spot, putting his uniform on her shoulder. He even used a napkin to wipe her tears, "Don't cry. I will accompany you."
-- I will be here waiting with you. Can you stop crying?
Such a scene with such high similarity, Natalie looked at the unfirm. Uncontrollably, she recalled that time when she met that teen.
That moment was like a dream.
Only later did Natalie know. Forrest was dating and casually walking around with his girlfriend that day. It was a coincidence to meet her. And his gentleness probably came from Madam Hart who ordered him to take care of her.
But one thing had to admit.
Natalie started having feelings for Forrest on that day.
But at that time, Natalie thought it was only her delusion. Until last year she graduated from Athana Medical School and backed to Alcomana, meeting Forrest after a long departure.
Natalie skipped grades and was guaranteed admission in her middle and high school. She was only 22 when she attained MD Diploma.
A girl at this age, her beauty idjsl bloom. Her iris was a brown colour. Looking soft and watery. Her skin was milky white. The cinnabar mole at the corner of her nose was shallow, looking pure and cute.
There was one thing that Mia could not tell accurately.
It could not consider Forrest tried to get her. It was only a few days after their long departure, on a rainy night that he sent her back to her home. Asked her, "Are you dating?"
She pinched her finger and said "No" gently.
"... ..." A man with a suit, sitting on the driver's seat and looking at her deeply.
After all, it was Natalie's first love. She had too many perfect imaginations about relationships. But Forrest was different. He had been romantic for such a long time. It was nothing new to him. He was not as naive as he was as a teenager. He could have a relationship without much concern.
And because of this, in just one year, he had unintentionally brought despair and sadness to Natalie occasionally.
Just like tonight.
The lamp above the head was a little bright. Natalie half-opened her eyes, thinking for some time, without any indication, she said, "He treats me quite well norsmally. It wasn't really bad, to say the least."
Taking as her own anaesthesia.
Mia who was the bystander nodded and agreed, "Yeah right. If he does not treat you badly then it can consider he is treating you well."
"... ..."
"If he is not serious with you, then you have to reflect on yourself."
Natalie backed to her senses, and she could barely understand, "What's wrong with me?"
Mia let out a professional fake smile, "Reflect yourself on why you only ever have him as your only boyfriend. And no one sends you to the hospital when you are allergic."
"... ..."
"Inexperiences cause losses easily. For safety, you better find a therapist, ask them to guide you on the problem with your relationship." Mia said and winked, "I know there is a person who can help. How about I send you the Instagram profile? He was dashing!"
Nope, thanks.
Natalie curled her eyes, and return with a "Guess for yourselves" smile.
Both of them were chatting to no end. Natalie was feeling better.
After the IV drip, they went out from the outpatient, There were 2 ambulances returned with sirens. Some staff on duty were gathered at the path, causing some chaos.
It seemed there was an accident.
They did not stay for long and left the outpatient building.
After walking out of the hospital buildings, there were red banners fluttering in the night outside of the building. It was astonishing.
"Resist the public hospital to privatise."
"Condemn Bennington Group to overtake the nation's asset."
"Kick capitalist out from Alcomara No.2 Hospital."
All the propaganda.
Mia stretched her neck, looking at her unbelievablyd, "It is really intense with your hospital."
"Capitalist has a stomach of bad ideas. Always exploit the commoner." Natalie did not look up and walked directly toward the parking lot.
Mia followed her, "The netizens have said that the Bennington is too harsh. The deal of Alcomara No.2 Hospital is halted. Does the protest like this really work?"
Natalie shook her shoulder, "Not really at this point in time."
It could be the other party did not wish to care. After all, the directors of the hospital did not say anything, the banners were voluntarily hung by the staff. Throwing pebbles into an empty pond, there would not be any ripples.
"It was the Bennington. They are a rich family since ancient times. They even participated in the war and they were the first family that focus on production. This kind of background was way too amazing!" Mia nagged and sighed.
She asked, "Have you read the trending topic 2 days ago?"
Natalie hid her hands in her jacket, "Which one you are saying? The creative act from the drunk? or the one that the man who laughed too loud from the Tiktok video on the balcony after stealing a handphone and being discovered?
Mia, "... ..."
Mia was feeling unbelievable, "The third son from The Benningtons has come to Alcomara. Such big news and you have not seen?"
"Who?" Natalie met her sight.
"Luke Bennington!" Mia pressured down her voice and spoke the name,"The man who graduated from military school, retire as an officer, and now inheriting the wealth of the Bennington. The web does not have a photo of him. But rumours have said that his look and body were the kinds that Livia Tisdale wishes to jump out from her coffin to feel again!"
"... ..." Now the description was over-exaggerated. 
"Now I remember. This is the descendant."
"... ...?"
"Recite from the tweet. He is the pure and direct descendant of the Athana Circle, can you not be so ignorant." Mia extended half of her body out and tried to seek out Natalie's duplicity from her expression.
But Natalie was looking at the road with dim light. A consistent pace. No expression to be found.
Just listening to the phrase "Athana Circle", Natalie had an unnoticeable change in her expression.
"Now you think. He will definitely involve in the deal with the hospital," after a moment, Natalie idjsl analyse the situation seriously, "Then he must be our rival."
Mia was stunned.
Right.
Mia thumbs up, "My Nata, you are the only one who is awake in this world. With such a male in front of you and yet you feel nothing. When will you be enlightened?"
Natalie smiled and glanced at her for a while. She tilted his head and looked at the barely visible path. Her voice was a little empty, flying along with the night breeze,
"Say. These kinds of people who were born from a silver spoon have been playing with the world financially. Living a life without worries. Why not just study for an MBA and become a director to enjoy life. Why would attend military school? What is all this for?"
"After what you have said, it does seem a little weird." the logic from Natalie made Mia start to think.
After a while, she understood. Hitting Natalie on the shoulder, whispering in her ear, "The rumours have said that Luke's mother was Old Mr. Bennington's little lover. She was young and pretty and used schemes to move up in the family. Everyone thought the direct descendant of the Bennington has a bitter stepmother. But you know what. He treated his stepchild like treasure and his own son like nothing! Now they are planning to hand over the heir as the Bennington from Luke."
Natalie had questions at that time but she was used to suppressing her useless curiosity. In a blink of eye, she was ignorant again and casually replied, "It can't be."
"I listen from the rumours as well."
"So, it could be a load of cobblers." Natalie walked casually.
Mia could not understand, "What does it mean a load of cobblers?"
Natalie looked at her and held her laugh. Pinched Mia in the waist when she was unguarded, "It means nonsense!"
Mia was afraid of tickling, she bent while she was laughing and hiding.
They were playing for a while and rested after feeling tired from running.
Backed to the topic, Mia covered her lips and whisper to Natalie,"But seriously, even Luke is really good looking, if you really come to the hospital, you have to really be careful not to provoke him. I heard that he was inhumane!"
"The number of people he detests is like the number of grass on graves that can feed a whole herd of sheep!"
Just as the key conversation was ended, the messages from Natalie was popping.
Joyce Locke: Natalie.
Joyce Locke: The patient in the Emergency Department from the car accident tonight will be transferred to the Orthopedics Department for hospitalization tomorrow. You will be responsible for individual wards checking.
Joyce Locke: I'll send you the information, do your preparation in advance.
Joyce Locke: This patient is very important
The one in the car accident just now? Was he descended from heaven? The VIP channel was not that efficient.
Natalie panted and replied in time: Am I the only one?
Joyce Locke: I have no problem with you alone.
Natalie: "..."
Natalie bit the corner of her corner lip: But Ms. Locke, isn't it there is a rule in the hospital that the first round of wards must be handed over to the doctor in charge?
Joyce Locke: This is a special circumstance. This is an order.
Natalie let out a low resentment and calmly replied to her "OK".
Joyce Locke was the chief resident physician of their orthopaedic surgery. A middle-aged lady who likes to lean against power and only picked on the soft ones.
Deputy Director Zhou, who was mentoring Natalie, was on a business trip to the United States for a half-year study. He had not retilted his head and therefore he could not control the matters in the hospital
And so Natalie became the push-over.
Joyce Locke: Emergency Report.jpg
Joyce Locke: vip901
Song Li checked the picture and glanced at the report date.
10-13
She was triggered and murmured, "Tomorrow is the 14th."
"Yes," Joyce Locke replied, curious about her reaction: "Is there any event on October 14th?"
Natelie was silent for a while, then smiled indifferently: "No."
She continued to read the CC in the report, and the preliminary examination was that there were bone injuries in the lumbar spine and shoulder joints.
She pulled her sight up slowly.
Name: Luke Bennington.