Chapter 30
While putting on his clothes, Sebastian paused as he looked over. “He,” he said, looking both amused and exasperated.
Selena tugged at her mask and dropped the rogue air. “I know the unspoken rule of not messing with a friend’s man. I’m just appreciating a fine work of art. Mr. Whitman, you’re truly a catch among Forstone City’s upper crust. No wonder that snake, Brenda, was willing to throw herself at you.”
Outsiders didn’t know the truth behind the marriage alliance between the two families, but as Eleanor’s close friend, Selena did. She hadn’t attended Eleanor’s wedding on the cruise because she had been assisting her mentor in a critical surgery for a high-profile political figure.
In just a few minutes, Selena had defended Sebastian twice. But he could let it slide since she was Eleanor’s friend. Eleanor, swayed by Selena’s words, went over to help Sebastian put on his clothes. His bones had just been set back in place, so he still couldn’t move properly. She pulled back his shirt for a look. His skin was red, swollen, and badly bruised.
Selena, who had no patients at the moment, struck up a conversation. “Speaking of which, did you know Maurice broke his leg? He’s hospitalized here too.”
“Really?” Eleanor replied. She hadn’t been keeping track.
“He’s in a room upstairs,” Selena said. “No idea how he managed to break it, but it’s pretty bad. Brenda’s been with him every day, taking care of him. No wonder Mr. and Mrs. Porter are growing fond of her. Those two are all over each other.” She added, “I heard from one of the nurses that the other night, when she walked past their room, they were having some… ‘activities’ on the hospital bed.”
Eleanor’s mouth twitched. “He can still do that with a broken leg?”
Selena clicked her tongue. “Yeah, that’s why they say he’s naturally gifted.”
Sebastian watched them chat so freely about anything and everything. His gaze darkened when he noticed Eleanor was distracted. Just then, a nurse called Selena to check on a patient. As she left in a hurry, she reminded, “Wait for the nurse to bring the medicine. Take it three times a day.”
Eleanor poured a glass of water and handed it over to Sebastian. He accepted it with one hand. Suddenly, she pressed her tongue against the inside of her cheek and let out a cold laugh. “Wait for me,” she said, and with that, she turned and dashed out.
For a moment, Sebastian was stunned. Then, his expression rapidly turned icy. Where was she going? She must be going to Maurice’s ward. He knew it. The second Selena mentioned Maurice and Brenda, Eleanor had zoned out. She was likely thinking about Maurice. She still hadn’t let go of her childhood friend. Even after their huge argument, she still couldn’t let him go. When Mallory got her hands on the hospital record that only Maurice should have had, Eleanor’s first instinct had been to take him out. Deep down, she never believed Maurice would betray her. There was a certain unspeakable intimacy in the way they appeared to be enemies yet understood each other better than anyone else.
Sebastian’s expression darkened in an instant, turning so oppressive that the nurse delivering the medicine dared not approach him. She hurriedly placed the items down and bolted out, wondering how someone could be so good-looking yet so terrifying.
Sebastian waited ten minutes. The longer he waited, the worse his expression became. A second later, Eleanor appeared in the doorway. He was done waiting. Just as he was about to leave, something was thrown into the room, landing right at his feet. His steps halted abruptly. Her hair was tied high in a sleek ponytail, and she was exuding both power and authority. “Mallory, apologize to Sebastian right now!” she commanded. Only then did Sebastian see that the “thing” at his feet was Mallory, sobbing and trembling. Eleanor hadn’t gone to see Maurice. She had dragged the real culprit here to settle the score.