“That’s good. Dr. Newton has really worked hard during this period.” Nana heard that William’s leg was almost healed, and she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, a smile unconsciously appearing on her face.
Carl stood at the corner, seeing Nana’s expression, feeling a tinge of sadness in his heart. After contemplating for a moment, he decided not to disturb their conversation and stayed put.
If they saw him at this moment, it would only make things more awkward.
Jane noticed the situation and realized that Nana still couldn’t let go of William. Remembering that Nana had planned to visit him at the hospital before returning to H City, she tentatively asked, “Uncle Newton is also returning in a few days. Since you’re back, would you like to go to the hospital with me tomorrow to see William?”
“Sure.”
Nana readily nodded her head.
When Carl heard those words, he lowered his gaze and unconsciously tightened his grip on the edge of the plate, but he pretended as if nothing had happened and brought out the small cakes to share with them.
At the hospital.
Nana had been thinking about William all the way, but as they got closer to the hospital, her anxiety grew.
Jane noticed her nervousness and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze just before reaching the door of the ward. As they pushed open the door, William heard the sound and turned to look.
When he saw Nana in that moment, he froze, his mouth slightly agape, not knowing what to say.
“William, Nana has been saying she wants to come and see you. She just returned from H City, so I brought her here,” Jane explained. She placed the flowers and fruits she had bought on the bedside table and then turned to look at Nana. She interlaced her fingers and rubbed them together, saying, “You two can chat for a while. I’ll make a phone call outside.”
After Jane left, Nana looked at William, her eyes welling up with tears, but not a single drop fell.
She missed him terribly, but she didn’t know what to say.
After a while, she smiled gently and said, “William, it’s been a long time. I heard from Jane… that your leg is almost healed.”
William tugged at the corner of his mouth. Seeing Nana now was a mix of emotions for him, but he tried his best to act as if nothing had happened and carry on with their usual conversation.
“Yeah, Dr. Newton is amazing. The injury on my leg is almost healed. He said that with some more rest, if everything goes well, I can be discharged soon.”
“You… don’t need to worry.”
As William said those words, he was still quite nervous inside, even a bit timid, but he didn’t show it.
Nana paused for a moment, then nodded and smiled. “Okay.”
After that sentence, a long period of silence followed. Nana fidgeted with her fingertips, not knowing what else to say, and William was in the same predicament.
Perhaps both of them thought the other would initiate the conversation, but in the end, they found themselves growing more and more distant.
…
Candice had been busy with wedding preparations. Ever since her exposure regarding the wedding dress fitting incident, Candice had become extremely proud. Now, everyone knew she was soon to be the wife of the Pansy Group’s president, as if she held an ace card in her hand.
“Well, alright. I’ll visit the venue you designed this weekend. Let’s meet then. Bye,” Candice said after ending the call with the wedding venue staff. Another call came in immediately.
Her expression turned serious instantly, with a hint of nervousness in her eyes. Without needing to ask, she knew it was Antony.
“Hello, brother…”
“Don’t call me brother!” Antony’s voice sounded angry. It was the fourth time he had called Candice in the past few days. “Candice, I’m asking you again, did you get hold of the plan? I don’t have time to play around.”
“Brother, Patrick already trusts me completely. Give me a little more time, and I’ll get the plan soon…”
Candice didn’t want to hand over the photos of the plan she had. She considered that document as her ace card, just like Patrick. It was her leverage against Antony. At least that was how she saw it.
The man on the other end of the call chuckled coldly, with a hint of ambiguity. “Fine, you want more time? I’ll give it to you. But wait for me.”
He abruptly hung up the phone. Candice felt somewhat uneasy but quickly regained her composure. Perhaps she was overthinking it.
Sunday, inside the jewelry store.
After trying on the custom-made engagement ring she wanted, Candice happily left the store with an appointment to pick up the finished piece. But as soon as she descended the stairs, someone covered her mouth and took her away.
“Mmm! Mmm!”
Candice wanted to scream, but she could only make muffled sounds. The person in black who took her led her to a secluded street corner and opened the door of a black car, shoving Candice inside.
“It’s not easy to meet you,” said Antony’s voice before Candice could gather her senses.
She widened her eyes in surprise, turning her head to find Antony sitting next to her, looking at her with a strange smile.
“Brother…”
At that moment, Candice’s entire body seemed frozen, and her hands became stiff. Instinctively, she wanted to escape, but the man grabbed her by the hair, pulling her back. She winced in pain, furrowing her brows before managing to force a smile, cautiously looking at Antony.
Antony’s tone turned cold, and his fingers tapped on his knee. “Candice, I’ve given you ample time. Yet, you tell me you don’t have the plan I want. Where is it?”
With his final sentence, his voice grew heavier, displaying a complete lack of patience. Candice involuntarily trembled and tried to explain, “Patrick is extremely cautious. He never lets me into his study. Just give me a little more time – ”
“Enough with the excuses!”
Antony’s voice became fierce, and his palm forcefully gripped Candice’s cheek. He stared at her with a dark expression, revealing his utter impatience.
“I’m telling you, my patience has its limits. If you don’t give me the plan for the amusement park, I won’t hesitate to tell Patrick about your impersonation as Candy.”
“You’ll never escape from my grasp!”
After uttering those words through gritted teeth, Antony let go of her and pushed Candice aside.
Her pupils contracted, panic evident on her face, and her heart raced rapidly. If Patrick found out she wasn’t Candy but an imposter… all the efforts she had put into everything would be in vain.
No, it couldn’t happen. Absolutely not!
As if she had an epiphany, Candice hurriedly took out her phone from her bag, her fingers trembling lightly. Opening the photo album, she retrieved a few pictures of the plan she had taken that day and sent them to Antony.
“Brother, this is… this is the plan I found in Patrick’s study. I’ve sent you all the photos I have…”