California
The bustling city streets roared with midday traffic under a sweltering sun, the heat amplifying everyone’s simmering frustrations. Amid the chaos, Charlotte Hayes (Lottie) stood out in her bright yellow floral dress, her long hair tied in a high ponytail. She sipped an iced milk tea, her lively eyes fixed on the traffic light’s countdown. Today had been full of good news: a job offer in the morning and a call from her best friend returning from New York. A radiant smile lit up her face.
Finally, after 60 seconds, the light turned green. Worried her friend might be waiting, Lottie darted onto the crosswalk as soon as the cars stopped. She checked her watch—2:00 PM—and hurried across the street. Halfway there, a sleek black car suddenly sped out from behind the stopped vehicles, hurtling toward her like a bullet.
The screech of brakes pierced the air. Before fear could register, Lottie was thrown into the pavement, rolling several times before collapsing. Pain shot through her body, and everything went black.
“Oh my God!” The crowd gasped, rushing toward her while glaring at the motionless BMW at the intersection.
Ten seconds later, the car door opened. A tall, imposing figure stepped out—Alexander Grant (Alex), his sharp features hidden behind dark sunglasses. Ignoring the onlookers’ accusatory stares, he lifted Lottie’s unconscious body into his car and sped away.
In the backseat, Alex glanced at the injured girl and dialed the Grant family’s private physician. After dropping her off at the clinic, he left without another thought. For him, money solved everything.
Lottie woke hours later under bright lights, disoriented. She was in a pristine room, wearing a hospital gown, her left knee immobilized in a splint and arms bandaged. A throbbing pain made her wince.
“That jerk…” she muttered, struggling to move. Just then, a middle-aged doctor entered.
“Where am I?” Lottie demanded.
“The Grant family’s private clinic. Mr. Grant brought you here after the accident,” the doctor replied calmly.
“Private clinic? So he thinks he can just throw money at this?” Lottie snapped.
The doctor smiled politely. “Rest assured, our facilities meet the highest standards. Your injuries are minor—a dislocated knee and scrapes. You’ll recover fully in a month.”
“A month? I’m supposed to start a new job tomorrow!” Lottie’s voice cracked.
“Mr. Grant has agreed to compensate all your losses.”
“Compensate? Tell him to give me $10 million, then!”
The doctor’s smile tightened. “That’s… unreasonable. We’ll cover medical expenses and lost income.”
“I want to talk to him now!”
“Mr. Grant is in New York. He’s… unavailable.”
Before Lottie could argue, a young man entered with a phone. “Dr. Liu, Mr. Grant is on the line.”
Lottie snatched the phone. “You think hiding in New York lets you off the hook? I’ll ruin you!”
A deep, icy voice replied, “My lawyer will handle compensation.”
“Compensation? You wrecked my job! How will you fix that?”
A pause. Then: “I’ll give you a job.” The line went dead.
Lottie glared at the phone. “A job? It better be in an office, or I’m done!”
The doctor smiled. “I’m sure Mr. Grant’s offer will exceed your expectations.”