The Loyal Puppet: A Love Built on Lies novel Chapter 3

A few days later, Chloe went to the hospital to pick up her internship report.

By summer's end, she'd finally be graduating with her master's.

"Chloe, you have real talent in medicine."

''You should dedicate more time and effort to your studies."

"Being a doctor is an honorable profession. You must respect it."

"You can't be late for work—not even by a second."

"Sure, nothing serious happened this time, but in a hospital, that kind of carelessness is unacceptable."

"Do you understand?"

Dr. Collins adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, standing in his white coat, looking every bit the revered professor.

"Yes, Dr. Collins, I understand," Chloe murmured, lowering her head.

"Good. I'm only saying this for your own good."

He picked up her internship report, pretending to scrutinize it.

"I still need to review this a little more."

As he stood, he casually placed a hand on her shoulder.

When she didn't flinch, his fingers trailed through her hair, lifting a few strands to his nose, inhaling deeply.

Chloe shuddered involuntarily, shutting her eyes for a brief moment.

Then, in a soft voice, she asked, "Dr. Collins, what are you doing?"

Collins stepped in front of her, smirking.

"Chloe, do you know?"

"There's something about you… Something that draws men in."

She stiffened.

"What do you mean?"

His lips curled into an unsettling grin.

"You look delicate, but there's fire in you."

Then he added, "Sweet and innocent on the surface—but deep down? You're a tease."

Before she could react, he reached for her face.

Chloe panicked, stumbling back.

"Dr. Collins, please don't— I'm just here for my internship—"

Collins chuckled.

"Oh, Chloe. I write your report."

"If it doesn't turn out well… graduating might be tricky for you."

Chloe's heart pounded.

She looked up and met his eyes—dark, predatory.

"Are you saying," she asked, voice trembling, "if I don't give in to you, you won't sign off on my report?"

"You know how things work."

He smirked. "It's just the way the world goes."

Chloe's eyes burned with rage.

"Stop! That's enough!"

Mason didn't let up.

Collins was already limp, barely conscious.

"You're gonna kill him!" Chloe stepped between them.

Mason finally hesitated. His eyes landed on the red mark on her collarbone.

His voice was deadly calm.

"Did that bastard do this to you?"

Chloe hesitated.

"You did."

Mason tensed.

He got up, grabbed her hand, and pulled her out of the room.

He spat one last word over his shoulder. "Trash."

Mason stormed out, walking fast.

Chloe had to jog just to keep up.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he growled, voice low and tight.

"What?" she asked, still catching her breath.

"He harassed you. Why didn't you tell me?"

His voice rose with frustration.