Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Darcy and the others were sweating bullets, silently marveling at Flora's sheer nerve.

But instead of blowing up, the assistant seemed oddly hesitant and scared, almost like he was terrified of ticking Flora off. "Miss Flora, please wait a moment. I'll go and speak with Mr. Otto," he said, scurrying away with a mix of respect and fear.

Shawn, Darcy, and the rest exchanged bewildered looks. This wasn't what they had expected. They had geared up to defend Flora, thinking she'd seriously tick off Hudson. But now it seemed like Hudson was the one who was wary of her...NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

The most flabbergasted was Alexa. When Flora had shot off those bold words, she had pictured the assistant losing his cool, rounding up some muscle to drag Flora away, and maybe even roughing her up if she resisted. Alexa had been almost giddy at the thought of that scene playing out. But now...

Remembering the assistant's strange reaction, she felt a pang of unease.

"What are you all standing around for?" Dr. Ray appeared to get some water and noticed them clogging up the doorway, looking puzzled.

"Dr. Ray, Mr. Otto is here..." Shawn began, but the elevator opposite them dinged open before he could finish.

The assistant came out first, then respectfully helped a tall, bald man in sunglasses and a mask step out.

Dr. Ray's expression shifted. Hudson! What was he doing here? Was he here to cause trouble for Flora?

Feeling the tension rise, Dr. Ray quickly moved to the door, positioning himself protectively in front of Flora and the others, keeping a wary eye on Hudson's approach. Hudson, masked and wearing sunglasses, had an unreadable face, but his steps were shaky.

"Mr. Otto, what brings you here?" Dr. Ray asked.

"Flora..." Hudson's voice was weak and raspy.

Hearing Hudson speak Flora's name made Dr. Ray's face tighten further. He was indeed here for Flora! Was he still holding a grudge and planning to humiliate her? Just as Dr. Ray braced himself for the worst, Hudson spoke again.

"Flora, what will it take for you to agree to treat me?"

His tone was dark, laced with barely controlled anger.

"Is that how you ask for a favor, Mr. Otto?" Flora didn't even bother to stand, propping her chin on her hand and lazily gazing at him.

Hudson felt like his body was on fire, and Flora's words nearly made his foggy head spin out of control.

She had the gall to make him beg!

"What do you want?" Hudson growled.

"Get down on your knees, and maybe I'll consider it," Flora responded with a sly smile, her eyes narrowing. Hudson felt a lump form in his throat.

Dr. Ray, Shawn, and the others were floored. What on earth was happening?

"Flora! Do you realize what you're

saying?" Alexa yelled. "You're actually asking Hudson to kneef

before you! You're too arrogant! Mr. Otto, she's humiliating you, and you're just going to take it?"

"Shut up!" Hudson snapped, delivering a sharp slap across Alexa's face.

Already seething, Alexa's words were like gasoline on Hudson's fire. He didn't dare touch Flora, so he lashed out at Alexa instead. The slap was so forceful that it left one side of her face swollen.

"Flora, don't push it too far," Hudson said, taking a deep breath. His body was burning with discomfort, and be was barely able to stand. There was no way he'd kneel to Flora. If pushed to the edge, he'd rather die! And if he had to go down, he wouldn't go alone!