After her rebirth

Maximilian glanced at her and said, "Just put it on my tab."

Katniss raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer, whispering, "Seriously? That's pretty fancy."

Maximilian chuckled softly, not looking embarrassed at all.

Katniss's eyes lit up with joy. Maximilian was so loaded that the cost of these desserts was nothing to him.

After that, Katniss was all over Maximilian, serving him tea and water, always ready to help.

Samuel watched with a scowl, snorting, "A grown man, perfectly healthy, needing a young girl to serve him. I'd be embarrassed to admit it." Ivan nodded, "Samuel's right, it's pathetic! I don't need any help; I eat by myself! My mom says that's what being an independent man is."

As he spoke, Ivan stuck his tongue out at Maximilian.

Katniss quickly explained, "Maximilian is strong and independent too, but he's sick and needs care. Don't you need someone to take care of you when you're sick?"

Ivan furrowed his brows, "But when I'm sick and want to sleep with my mom, my dad says I'm not a three-year-old anymore and need to be independent. He says that's called growing up." Maximilian glanced over lazily and said, "Don't be jealous."

Samuel, clearly annoyed by Maximilian's words, huffed and turned away, then looked at Katniss with a bright smile, "Katniss, you came a bit late. Ivan's grandpa just left, or I could have introduced you."

He added, "I don't think he's that great, even though he's an honorary professor. He's been treating Maximilian's leg for years with no progress, and you're much better."

Katniss smiled modestly, "Samuel, everyone has their expertise. He's an honorary professor. Even if I work my whole life, I might not achieve that."

An honorary professor, after all, is a rare figure.

They happily finished the meal, and Katniss was eager to get back home to check on Aurora's house.

When Samuel asked for directions, it turned out to be on the way.

Without hesitation, he had Maximilian take Katniss home first while he waited for the driver to bring the car around.

It wasn't too far from the Starry Night Hotel to Aurora's house.

Having interacted a few times, Katniss was no longer as nervous sitting in his car and even had the mind to pay attention to other things.

Seeing him dressed lightly, Katniss started to nag, "Maximilian, it's almost winter. Your leg can't handle the cold. You shouldn't dress so lightly. In the car or the office, you should have a small blanket to keep warm and improve blood circulation."

"And you need to replenish your energy. You can have Felix buy some nuts or other snacks." Once Katniss started talking, she couldn't stop.

When she realized it, it seemed like she had been talking to herself.

These nagging habits were cultivated in her past life to please the Manners family. She forced herself to pay attention to all aspects of them. Katniss worried that she might be annoying, like she was trying too hard to please.

For example, Nathan got annoyed with her for nagging too much.

She never forgot what Nathan said before, "Katniss, who do you think you are? A miracle doctor? Do you have to control everything? Is it because I can't move well that you think you can be so presumptuous? Can't you see I hate you? Stay out of my sight."

Katniss snapped back to reality and immediately shut her mouth, scratching her head awkwardly. "I'm being too naggy, aren't I?"

"No, you're just being thorough. I appreciate it," Maximilian said with a warm smile.

Just then, the car pulled up to the gate. Katniss quickly opened the door herself, jumped out, and waved to Maximilian and Felix. "Maximilian, Felix, I'm home. You guys should head back."

With that, Katniss walked home briskly.

As soon as Katniss left, the warmth in Maximilian's eyes turned cold and indifferent.

Maximilian took out his phone, dialed a number, and asked coldly, "Has he given up the others?"

"Not yet, he's very stubborn."

Maximilian looked out the car window, the scenery flashing by in the darkness. His already dark eyes grew even darker. "If he's stubborn, what about his family? Use whatever means necessary to make him talk."

Jesse Turner was silent for a moment, understanding Maximilian's meaning. He exhaled smoke and replied with a grin, "Did he really think you'd come out of all that and still be a good guy? He clearly doesn't know you very well!"" Maximilian didn't listen further and hung up the phone.

Jesse stomped out his cigarette, grinding it with his toe, then looked up with a cruel, cold smile.

In the large abandoned steel mill, a man had been beaten badly, with blood pooled on the ground.

Jesse, with his buzz cut and tough, fierce face, looked particularly intimidating. He casually grabbed a chair and sat in front of the man. "When I talked nicely, you didn't listen. Now, you'll say whatever I want to hear."

As soon as he finished speaking, several men in black pushed a group of bound people roughly to the ground. The black cloth covering their eyes was torn off, and they were horrified to see the man beaten half to death, screaming and crying.

Jesse, annoyed by the noise, dug at his ear. "Shut them up."

Immediately, someone stepped forward and stuffed foul-smelling rags into their mouths.

The two older ones were the man's parents, and the younger ones were his children.

"Come at me if you have a problem. Why drag my family into this? You think karma's gonna let you get away with that?" the man mumbled through blood, roaring in anger.

Jesse's eyes turned cold. "Shut up. You know what I want. How much they suffer depends on you."

As Jesse finished speaking, four or five men with iron rods surrounded them and began beating them mercilessly. The iron rods hit flesh with every blow.

The gagged people could only whimper, their faces full of terror and tears, looking desperately at the man for help. The screams echoed through the air. "Stop!"

"Bastards, stop!"

"Please, don't hit them. They'll die," the man shouted.

The damp air mixed with the pungent smell of blood filled the entire steel mill. Jesse, with a cigarette in his mouth, looked impatient, seemingly annoyed by the cries.

The pleas gradually weakened, and one person, unable to withstand the beating, had already passed out. It was unclear if he was dead.

The man on the ground showed a look of despair, lowering his head in resignation. "I'll talk. It was Derek. He ordered it."

Jesse lit a cigarette, stood up, and looked at him coldly. Stepping over the bloodied man, he waved his hand and left with all his men.