Chapter 442

Kali, refusing to believe it, tried calling two more times, but the result was the same.

"I've been blocked." Her knuckles went white around her phone, her voice trembling with agitation.

Just then, Theo came over.

He saw the strained look on Kali's face and frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Brother, Hastings has deleted and blocked every way I have of contacting him." Kali's voice was thick with emotion, on the verge of tears.

Theo was surprised by her words, but seeing how upset his sister was, he couldn't help but curse Hastings under his breath. “That bastard's lost his mind. All this over some woman?"

Kali's fear gnawed at her. There had always been other women around Hastings before, but back then, she only had to pull a few strings and he'd send them packing. Whenever it came down to a choice, she was always the one he picked.

She thought Hastings would never change-until Citrine appeared.

That wretched woman had actually gotten Hastings to cut her off completely.

Kali, eyes blazing, looked at Theo. "It's Citrine. It has to be her-she's the one who made Hastings do this."

Theo silently cursed Hastings again, then tried to comfort Kali. "Don't worry, Kali. Hastings has always cared about you most. He'd never be so heartless."

With that, Theo left the hospital room and immediately called Hastings.

The call connected at once.

Standing in the hospital corridor, Theo lowered his voice, though his irritation seeped through. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you cut Kali off? She's miserable because of you."

On the other end, Hastings's patience snapped. "If it weren't for her, Citrine and I wouldn't be like this now. I haven't even yelled at her out of respect for the years we've known each other, and she has the nerve to be upset?"

"So now you're blaming Kali?" Theo was taken aback. He could hear the resentment in Hastings's voice-resentment that was never there before. Hastings used to dote on Kali more than anyone, even more than Theo himself.

Hastings didn't deny it. "Yeah, I am. Why shouldn't I? If she hadn't set up Citrine, none of this would've happened."

Theo's tone turned cold. "Hastings, you're a real piece of work. You've only known Citrine Carmichael for what, a few months? You've known Kali for over a decade."

"I love her," Hastings said.

Those three words made Theo think he'd misheard. "What did you just say?"

"I love her," Hastings repeated, steady and clear. "I won't let anyone hurt her. Not even Kali."

Theo felt a strange discomfort twist in his chest. He kicked the hospital bench, his anger boiling over.

"You've let her beauty go to your net

head, haven't you? Citrine

Carmichael is trouble—and you're not worried she'll destroy you?"

Hastings's reply was unwavering. "I'm not afraid. Even if she does, I'd accept it."

There was a moment's pause. Then,

remembering what he'd heard an

hour earlier, Hastings's voice grew even sharper. "Theo, you know damn well your sister set up

Citrine and your father tried to hurt her. Do you realize Citrine almost died because of him?”

His voice rose, raw with fury. "If you or your father ever try to use Citrine as a blood donor for Kali again, don't blame me for cutting you off for good.”

Theo was stunned, staring at his phone as if he didn't know the man on the other end. "Hastings, don't act like some saint. All those other donors for my sister-you were the one who found them."

At that, Hastings went silent, a dangerous edge flickering in his eyes. Then his voice turned icy. “Citrine is different. I don't care about the others. But if your family lays even a finger on her, I'll make sure you regret it."