Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 446

“Professor, please! That’s not necessary—don’t call him!”

Leo had just started to speak when Selene cut him off, her voice urgent and uncharacteristically forceful. She’d always treated Leo with the utmost respect, but now she practically shouted at him.

Leo paused, his hand halfway to his phone, and fixed Selene with a cool, searching gaze.

Selene’s heart pounded—if Leo made the call, the phone hidden under the bed would start ringing for all to hear.

She’d raised her voice to buy Adrian a few precious seconds to silence the phone.

But to Luke Holloway, Selene’s abrupt refusal sounded like she wanted nothing more to do with Adrian at all.

Luke’s lips eased into a relaxed smile. “Adrian and Selene ended their fake dating arrangement. If Dr. Vaughn needs to reach him, I suggest he wait until you’re out of the hospital.”

Leo shot Luke a silent, withering glance, as if questioning his intelligence—or his sanity.

If only you knew how pleased Adrian is with himself right now.

Deciding he’d had enough of the drama, Leo turned to leave, ready to take Altair with him.

Just as he reached the door, something occurred to him. He turned back to Selene. “Come by Whispering Pines after you’re discharged.”

Whispering Pines—Leo’s home in the city. Selene understood immediately; he had something important to discuss with her.

Could it be about her entry into the Draco Research Institute? Her heart skipped. She suddenly wished she could leave the hospital that very instant.

Leo and Altair left, and Daph stayed behind, chatting with Selene for ages.

Mother and daughter seemed to have endless things to talk about, while Luke Holloway stood quietly nearby, listening to them with a small, patient smile.

At one point, a doctor and nurse came in and took a vial of Selene’s blood for testing.

“When can I go home?” Selene asked the nurse.

“It’s fine. If your big brother had caught me here, he wouldn’t have been too happy.”

“You didn’t have to hide,” Selene said softly.

Adrian slung the coat over his arm and bent down, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat.

Selene sat on the bed, meeting his eyes—so strikingly handsome, it was almost otherworldly. His gaze was deep, like a universe of stars, and she felt as if she could be swept right into it.

“I can be your contract boyfriend. I can be your secret. I can play any part you need me to, as long as you want me by your side.”

Selene’s heart raced, her palms growing damp. “How do you like me this much?” she whispered, eyes wide with wonder.

“And how are you so impossible not to like?” Adrian replied, his usual devil-may-care charm replaced by a rare, genuine seriousness. There was nothing playful in the way he spoke now—just utter sincerity.

“Maybe it’s Miss Thompson’s questionable medical skills,” he teased, voice warm and tender.