Chapter 172: Are You Worried People Might Not Notice I'm Still Recovering?

Ian sprawled on the couch, a mocking smile on his lips. "He's never cared about my reputation," he said.

Dominic chuckled. "Considering your father, you're lucky he let you grow up at all. By the way, do you know who your new stepmother is?"

Ian's face twisted in distaste. "Why would I care? All his marriages have been about business, nothing more."

Ian didn't stay long. Bella noticed his unusual demeanor, piquing her curiosity. After questioning Dominic, she learned Ian's father was about to marry for the fourth time.

Ian had lived independently since his teens, and his relationship with his father was extremely strained. Dominic didn't elaborate; it was Ian's private matter, and Bella knew better than to pry.

On the wedding day, Dominic wore a charcoal-gray suit, looking far more polished than he had in days. He'd recently worn loose, casual clothes at home to aid his recovery. Seeing him in formal attire felt refreshing. Bella always found him irresistible in a suit; watching him now, her heart skipped a beat.

Oblivious, Dominic adjusted his tie. "Hurry up. I'll be waiting downstairs," he urged.

Bella mumbled agreement and hurried to put on her earrings, which she'd left on the dresser. Her hair was easy to style. After rummaging through her closet, she chose a moonlit white sheath dress with simple, vintage floral patterns and a matching shawl. It seemed formal enough, though it looked best with heels, which she rarely wore due to their impracticality for her busy hospital shifts. She needed time to adjust to wearing them.

In the car, Dominic glanced at her. "Your makeup's pretty light," he commented.

Bella, fearing he found it inappropriate, replied, "I don't know how to do heavy makeup…"

He closed his eyes. "I mean, it looks nice."

Chapter 172 (Corrected Chapter Number): Are You Worried People Might Not Notice I'm Still Recovering?

Bella felt pleased. Was that a compliment? Kindness from him was rare.

Arriving at the wedding venue—the luxurious Grand Marquee Hotel—Bella felt self-conscious. The Grand Marquee was a prestigious Joville establishment, an industry giant with locations in major cities. Hosting a wedding there implied significant influence.

She wondered about Ian's father. Only a few powerful Joville families had the last name Clarke…

Her suspicions were quickly confirmed. Recent news, besides Amber's wedding, mentioned Steven Clarke, owner of the Grand Marquee Hotel, and the family's long-standing source of wealth.

Bella hadn't realized Ian was Steven's son—the heir who'd chosen to become a doctor!

Exiting the car, she instinctively offered Dominic support. He looked at her wryly. "Afraid people won't notice I'm still recovering?"

Embarrassed, Bella released his arm. "Fine. Walk by yourself, then."

With a sigh, he took her hand, placing it back in the crook of his arm. "There are many people here, and this hotel is huge. Stick with me; don't wander off, or you'll really embarrass yourself if you get lost."

The repeated promotional message ("Search the FindNovel.net website on Google…") has been removed as it's not part of the narrative. The chapter numbers were also corrected for consistency.