Chapter 17
“Take a couple of days off and rest,” Leroy said, though the words sounded hollow, evento lumself.
Sweat clung to his brow, his face pale as a sheet. He looked like a withered branch swaying in the wind, ready to snap at the slightest pust…
His thin franse moved slowly down the hospital hallway, the rhythmic echo of his footsteps growing louder.
The costidor around him seemed to close in as his vision alarkened. His steps faltered, his balance wavered, and then everything went black. The last thing be heard was Zoe’s panicked cry.
” Mr. Olsen okay? I told him he needed to rest!”
When Leroy opened his eyes, he first saw the stark white ceiling of a hospital room.
“Mr. Olson, you’re finally awake! You scared me halt to death last night!” Zoe’s voice broke through his disorientation as she rushed to his bedside.
Her eyes were slightly red, betraying how worried she had been, but now they shimmered with gratitude and joy…
“Why am I lying here? Leroy asked, attempting to sit up, but Zoe moved quicldy, placing a tin hand on his shoulder to press him back down
“Mr. Olson, stop being so stubbom! just because you’re divorced doesn’t mean you can treat yourself like this. Pushing yourself to the brink doesn’t just hurt you, It affects everyone around you too!
The director already ordered mandatory rest. What if you collapse again during surgery? Who’s going to take responsibility for that?”
Zoe’s expression was serious, her tone lim
Leroy sighed. Realizing he had no choice, he gave a small, reluctant nod. As he lay there, his gaze shifted toward the window. In the silence of his hospital room, an imsettling emptiness crept over him
“Mr. Olson, Theard a new dessert shop opened on Glen Boulevard. If you really can’t sit still, why don’t you go grab something from there for me? Eating sweets is supposed to make people happier, you know.”
Zoe’s face was brimming with innocent enthusiasm.
Leroy had initially plamed to refuse her request, but considering he was already on forced leave, he eventually relented.
The mall was bustling with activity, it was the weekend, after all. Leroy, a grown man walking into a dessert shop, couldn’t help but draw a few curious glances trom passersby.
“Dr.Olson1 didn’t expect to see you here.”
A sweet, familiar voice sounded behind him. Leroy tumed, his curiosity piqued,
It was Grace, striding toward him in a titted pencil skirt and sleek high heels. Her chestnut–colored curls bounced lightly with every step, and her face lit up with gemine happiness at the sight of him.
im just here picking up some cake for a coworker. What about you? Why are you here?”
Leroy raised an eyebrow, his gaze briefly flickering to the tray drace held in her hands.
“Ugh, it’s Cedric. Not content with shoving his relatives into Payne Group, now he’s sending me, a secretary, out to buy a cake for him! You know Lettie doesn’t even eat sweets Cedric’s nothing but a social climber, sucking the life out of Lettie to boost himself.”
Her frustration spilled out freely as she vented, recounting the ridiculousness that had been happening at the company la
lately.
Leroy frowned slightly, the face from the operating room flashing briefly in his mind, but after a moment, his expression softened, and he let out a quiet sigh. “Tut’s her diote. We’re divorced now,” he said flatly.
A sharp pang rippled through his stomach, but he pushed it down quickly.
Grace stated at him, stunned. “Dr. Olson, I’ve been around Lettle long enough to see how much you truly care about her. Honestly, you’re the one who should be by let side. If you waid to win bed bark, I’ll du everything Fran to help you.”
It was clear that Grace had reached her limit with Cedric. It was obvious to anyone with even half a brain whist Cedric’s true intentions were,}
“Lettie’s been working herself into the ground lately, she hasn’t had a propernight’s sleep in ages. Back when you were with her, she never pu da her best friend, at baraks my heart to see let this way.”
Herepes tard and, it looked like a teat was on the verge of slipping down her cheek.
Scarlett kept giving
pushed herself like this.
