Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 82 Don’t mind him

Victoria’s POV

I’d called Matthew earlier to get Professor Mitchell’s room number.

When we arrived at the hospital, he was waiting outside her door.

"Victoria," Matthew greeted me warmly, his eyes darting between us with obvious curiosity. I could tell he recognized Damien from that day when he’d claimed to be my boyfriend.

"Don’t mind him," I said quickly. "He insisted on tagging along. How’s Professor Mitchell doing?"

Matthew’s expression softened with relief. "She’s stabilized now. The medication is working well. She’s been overexerting herself preparing for the conference these past few days."

"Today went perfectly," I assured him. "Everything she worked for was presented successfully. I’m going to check on her."

As I entered the room, Damien followed close behind. When he passed Matthew, he nodded slightly. "We’ve met before."

I heard Matthew’s polite response as the door closed behind us. Inside, Professor Rein Mitchell looked pale but alert, propped up against several pillows.

"Professor," I said gently, "how are you feeling? The conference was a complete success—you have nothing to worry about."

She smiled weakly. "I knew you’d handle it beautifully." Her gaze shifted to Damien, taking in his tall, powerful presence beside me. Even in her weakened state, I could see her sharp mind working, noting how naturally we stood together, how his scent mingled with mine. To werewolf senses like hers, it would be obvious we’d been intimate.

"Victoria," she said with a small smile, "aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?"

Before I could answer, Matthew entered behind us and innocently added, "Mom, this is Victoria’s boyfriend."

I nearly choked. "Matthew!"

Professor Mitchell’s eyebrows rose with interest. "Boyfriend? Not the same one as before, surely?" She knew about my history with Ethan, though I’d never shared the full, humiliating details of our breakup.

Damien placed the gift he’d brought—an expensive arrangement of flowers and fruit—on the side table. Then, with perfect timing that made me want to growl at him, he said smoothly, "No. I’m his brother."

The shocked silence that followed was deafening. Both Matthew and Professor Mitchell stared at us, their expressions a mixture of surprise and confusion that would have been comical under different circumstances.

He announced our relationship without my consent.

And I never promised to be his girlfriend.

This is a very disrespectful gesture to me.

I felt the burning intensity of my glare directed at Damien’s smug face. If looks could kill, he’d have been six feet under. But of course, the infuriating Alpha merely responded with that signature half-smile that made Nora stir inside me.

"Out," I said firmly, physically pushing him toward the door. "Get out now. Stop causing trouble and disturbing my professor while she’s trying to rest."

I pushed him out the door.

Yet instead of showing any sign of anger or wounded Alpha pride, he simply settled into one of the waiting chairs in the corridor, looking completely at ease as if he’d planned to sit there all along.

Back inside the hospital room, I explained the conference details to Professor Mitchell, assuring her everything had gone perfectly according to plan. She nodded, clearly relieved.

"I watched the livestream," she admitted, her voice still weak but her eyes sharp as ever. "The scientific community is buzzing about today’s presentation. And you, Victoria—you’ve become quite the sensation in international research circles overnight."

She adjusted herself against the pillows before fixing me with her penetrating gaze. "I also heard that Miller offered you a position in his laboratory?"

I waved my hand dismissively. "He was probably just being polite."

"Miller is a rising star," Professor Mitchell said thoughtfully. "Only thirty and already achieving what he has—it’s quite remarkable. He doesn’t make offers lightly."

"I already have my work and my life arranged," I replied, settling into the chair beside her bed. "I can’t commit fully to research right now. I’m content assisting you, Professor. Going to a lab would be a disservice to everyone. I belong working with you, as long as you’ll have me."

Professor Mitchell’s lips curved into a fond smile. "You’re something else, Victoria."

After discussing a few more details about the conference, her expression turned serious. "Now, about that man outside... Your boyfriend? Please tell me you’re not dating Sterling’s brother just to get revenge on your ex. When I encouraged you to leave and find your own path in life, I meant for you to find happiness, not trap yourself in another toxic situation."

Her concern touched me. I knew her own marriage had ended badly years ago. She firmly believed no man should clip a woman’s wings or force her to choose between career and relationship. Professor Mitchell had proven that a woman could excel professionally while raising a child alone after divorce. She’d never wanted to see my talents wasted on a man who wouldn’t value them.

"If you’re changing your life’s direction for a man," she continued, her voice taking on the stern tone I knew well from my years as her student, "then I cannot support it. Don’t be upset if I intervene. I won’t stand by and watch you sacrifice your potential."

"You’ve got it all wrong, Professor," I assured her quickly. "He’s not my boyfriend. Damien just said that to be difficult. He’s actually here to see you, not me. Blood Moon is interested in partnering with your research—they want to incorporate it as their core technology."

I smoothed a wrinkle in my skirt, adding, "We’re practically enemies. He spreads rumors about me constantly. I’m pretty sure he just wants to scare away any potential suitors because he enjoys making my life difficult."

Professor Mitchell studied me for a moment, then surprised me with her response. "Well, he is exceptionally handsome. If you’re looking for some casual fun, you could certainly do worse."

"Professor!" I felt heat rush to my cheeks. "I can’t believe you’d say that!"

She laughed softly. "Life needs spice, Victoria. Sometimes a woman needs the stimulation of a man and the thrill of romance. While men aren’t always trustworthy creatures, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself."

Professor Mitchell had always been refreshingly straightforward. Her philosophy was simple: relationships were acceptable until they interfered with her work. When her ex-husband had cheated because she was "too busy," she’d ended things without hesitation.

"Your clarity is always refreshing, Professor," I said with genuine admiration.

"Of course it is," she replied with a hint of pride. "But bringing him here to meet me suggests you think highly of his company as a potential partner. Am I wrong?"

I nodded reluctantly. "Damien Sterling is... competent. Exceptionally smart and decisive. Building Blood Moon from nothing to its current status at his age makes him something of a business prodigy. Any partnership with him would likely be profitable."

"But," I added quickly, "whether you should partner with him is entirely your decision. Please don’t choose Blood Moon just because of any perceived connection between us."

"Understood," she nodded thoughtfully.

...

Outside the hospital room, Damien sat with casual elegance, his legs crossed and hands resting on his knee. Despite his relaxed posture, his natural Alpha aura commanded attention from everyone passing by. Nurses and doctors alike found themselves stealing glances at him, drawn to his magnetic presence and movie-star looks.

When I emerged from the room, I found myself momentarily captivated by the sight of him. My professor’s words echoed in my mind: "If you’re looking for some casual fun..." With a man like Damien Sterling, it certainly wouldn’t be a hardship.

As if sensing my presence, he turned his head slightly, those intense eyes locking with mine. I found myself momentarily caught in his gaze, my wolf Nora stirring restlessly beneath my skin.

I cleared my throat. "My professor will see you now. When you speak to her, remember to be respectful and humble. She’s a major figure in the scientific community."

"Understood," he replied with that infuriating smile. "You’re acting like I’m meeting your parents."

I felt heat rush to my cheeks again and said nothing as he entered the room, choosing to remain outside. My mind was still processing Professor Mitchell’s surprisingly modern attitude toward casual relationships.

Matthew came and sat beside me, asking about the conference and mentioning he’d heard there had been some confrontation before my presentation.

"Just some old acquaintances who don’t like me," I explained dismissively. "Nothing worth dwelling on." Scarlett and her friend weren’t worth my energy or attention.

Matthew nodded, then hesitated before asking, "That night when you were intoxicated and he took you home... he didn’t take advantage of you, did he?"

I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn’t notice the hospital door opening behind me.

"Of course not! We’re just casual acquaintances," I insisted, oblivious to our audience. "There’s absolutely nothing between us!"

A cold, deep voice cut through the air behind me. "Is that so?"

I whipped around to see Damien standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable but his scent betraying his displeasure. Arthur’s possessive energy pushed against me, causing Nora to whimper softly in response.

With Damien’s unpredictable nature and tendency to say whatever came to mind, I braced myself for whatever shocking statement he might make next. The corridor suddenly felt too small for two dominant wolves and the tension crackling between us.