Chapter 32
Zoe shook her head firmly. “Dr. Olson, you’ve got to pull yourself together,” she said, her tone half pleading, half firm. “The patient needs you.”
Lemy nodded in acknowledgment.
Later that day, he was discharged from the hospital. Zoe, ever the diligent colleague, reminded him as he left, “Make sure you rest and don’t waste another thought on that woman. You deserve someone way better.” Leroy forced a faint, awkward smile. Zoe’s bluntness wasn’t exactly subtle, and her comment hung in the air uncomfortably.
When Leroy arrived home, the warm, savory aroma of soup greeted him at the door. Olivia was in the kitchen, a pot of broth simmering on the stove. His father, David, stood beside her, offering quiet assistance.
“You’re back,” Olivia called out with a smile, stirring the pot. “I’ve been working on this since this morning. You’ve just recovered, and your body can’t handle any more stress.”
“Come on, sit down. It’s ready.”
Leroy hesitated, feeling a surge of warmth in his chest. His parents’ care and affection tugged at his heartstrings, and for a moment, the bitterness of recent events faded.
“Mom, I’m fine. There’s no need to fuss,” he said, though he took the bowl she handed him anyway.
The rich, comforting soup warmed him from the inside out. As he sipped, a memory surfaced—the first time he’d cooked medicinal food for Scarlett. He could still picture the smile that had briefly softened her face. Maybe, just maybe, she had been genuinely happy back then.
Olivia broke into his thoughts. “By the way, tomorrow’s the weekend. I’ve already arranged for you to meet Yvonne. She’s free, and I’ve set up a lunch.”
Leroy frowned, his spoon pausing midair. “Mom, I’ve told you at the hospital—I don’t have feelings for Yvonne. She’s like a sister to me.”
Olivia waved a dismissive hand. “That’s fine. You’ll warm up to her over time,” she insisted. “She’s been asking about you, too. She’s worried, you know.” Leroy opened his mouth to argue but gave up. “Fine,” he said with a resigned sigh. “I’ll meet her.”
Olivia smiled triumphantly. “Good. You’ll see. It’ll be worth it. Now, eat your soup and rest up. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
At the Ashbourne villa, Scarlett had been restless ever since she returned from the bar the previous night. Her frustration lingered, distracting her even when Victor entered the room.
“Ms. Payne,” Victor began cautiously, “did the food from yesterday suit your taste?”
Scarlett paused, her curiosity piqued. “You delivered that?”
Victor shook his head. “No, Ms. Payne. I asked Dr. Olson to prepare it. You haven’t been eating well lately, and I was worried. I took the liberty of reaching out to—”
Scarlett’s brow furrowed. There was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “I see. Don’t contact him again,” she said after a moment, her tone curt. Without another word, she rose and left for the office. Victor sighed quietly as he watched her go, his concern deepening.
Meanwhile, Cedric had already arrived at the Payne Group. With his newfound position as a rising figure in the company, his arrogance was on full display. His relatives, recently placed in cushy roles within the company, followed suit, flaunting their importance at every turn.
Grace, on the other hand, had spent the morning in a funk. The events of the previous night weighed on her. She had texted Leroy but received no response, leaving her disheartened.
Cedric’s voice rang out from across the lobby just as she walked into the building. “Grace, isn’t it a bit late for you to be showing up? Isn’t punctuality part of your job as Bradent’s secretary?”
Grace stopped in her tracks, lifting her gaze to see Cedric lounging casually at her desk, twirling her office badge between his fingers. Her dislike for him was evident in her expression, her eyes filled with disdain.