Bianca could see that Reese was naturally beautiful.
Her heart raced when she noticed a slight flutter of Reese’s eyelashes.
Bianca’s hand froze as she called out eagerly, “Reese? Please, wake up.”
Her hopeful voice seemed to reach Reese, who slowly opened her eyes.
“Bianca…” Reese’s voice was a faint whisper, raspy and weak. “What… what happened? Where am I?”
Bianca held her hand and replied softly, “You fainted. You’re in the hospital now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry… for causing you trouble.”
Bianca’s eyes filled with tears. She was moved by Reese’s concern, even in her weakened state.
“Don’t say that. I should have taken care of you,” Bianca said, her voice trembling.
Reese looked around and asked, “How long have I been asleep?”
“About three days.”
“Oh my God, I can’t believe it. My work…” Reese, worried about her responsibilities, tried to get up but was stopped by a sharp pain in her stomach.
Bianca gently pushed her back onto the bed. “Your tasks have been taken care of. Right now, you need to focus on getting better. Don’t worry; I’ll count this as a work-related injury and won’t deduct your salary. Please, stay in bed.”
Overcome by the pain, Reese looked at Bianca with gratitude.
“Bianca, have you been here the whole time? Did you pay my hospital bills, too?”
Bianca smiled and shook her head. “No, Blake has been taking care of you. I was busy with company matters. He’s the one who handled everything, including your medical expenses.”
Reese’s eyes widened in surprise. “Blake did? Really?”
“Blake is such a sweetheart-always thoughtful and kind. Anyone dating him must be so happy! Oh, and when you fainted, he was the one who picked you up and took you to the hospital!”
Bianca knew about Reese’s crush on Blake. He had been by her side for the past few days, and there might be a chance for something to grow between them.
Reese’s eyes widened at Bianca’s words. She opened her mouth, then closed it, looking both shocked and happily surprised.
“I always thought I was a bit heavy and that guys would leave when they saw me, but he lifted me and carried me to the car. He doesn’t mind how I look?”
She seemed to be talking to Bianca and to herself.
Bianca quickly replied, “No, Blake isn’t the type to judge people by their looks.”
“Really?” Reese’s eyes lit up with hope.
“Yes, I know him better than anyone.”
“Bianca, are you and Blake…”
Ever since Blake joined Emerald Artists Agency, Reese had sensed something special between him and Bianca. Blake often looked at Bianca with a deep and tender stare.
Reese often wished Blake would look at her like that, but she never allowed herself to hope too much.
Bianca understood Reese’s thoughts and smiled warmly. “We’re just close friends. I met him in college. He wanted to be a singer, and since I’m an agent, joining my company was a natural choice for him.”
“I see…” Reese felt relieved.
If there was any romantic connection between Blake and Bianca, she wouldn’t allow herself to dream about it.
“Well, Blake is definitely a great guy.”
Bianca gently patted the back of Reese’s hand, then turned to grab an apple from the bedside table and began peeling it.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
‘Did Blake forget something?’
Bianca put the apple down, stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.
Instead of Blake, she saw a man she didn’t recognize.
He looked to be in his fifties, dressed in an expensive black overcoat, giving off the air of a high-ranking character from a TV drama.
Bianca looked at him, feeling a bit anxious. “You are…”
The man smiled warmly, which softened his previously stern appearance.
“You’re Bianca Scott, aren’t you?”
His gentle and kind tone made Bianca calm down.
Bianca nodded and asked, “Who are you?”
“I’m Dave’s uncle.”
Rupert had come to find Bianca at her workplace, but when he learned she was at the hospital, he hurried over.
Bianca’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘Dave’s uncle?’
She remembered Dave mentioning how his uncles had locked him in a cellar and starved him for ten days, almost killing him. He didn’t even consider them family.
While Bianca thought about this, she became more cautious.
‘Why was Dave’s uncle came here?’
“What do you want?” Bianca asked, her voice turning cold.
Rupert smiled and walked past her into the ward.
He glanced at Reese, who was lying in bed.
His voice stayed calm and gentle. “Dave has told me a lot about you. I wanted to meet the woman who has caught his interest.”
Rupert turned back to Bianca, smiling. “You’re both beautiful and smart. I’ve heard your company is having issues. If you need help, just let me know. We’re like family now, so no need for formalities.”
Bianca looked at him with a gentle smile. “Does Dave know you’re here?”
“No, I came in a hurry and didn’t have a chance to tell him. I should call him now.”
Rupert pulled out his phone and dialed Dave’s number.
The phone was picked up right away.
Dave’s voice came through, sharp and clear. “Uncle Rupert, what do you need?”
He always spoke to Rupert like this, as if he didn’t really want to chat.
Rupert noticed Bianca nearby and said with a playful laugh, “Dave, you won’t believe who I ran into.”
Dave gripped the phone a little tighter.
Before Dave could say anything, Rupert grinned wickedly. “I’ve met your girlfriend.”
Dave tightened his grip on the phone, but instead of reacting as Rupert might have thought, he replied calmly, “Where are you right now?”
Rupert answered nonchalantly, “I’m at the hospital, visiting her friend. You really should introduce your girlfriend to your family. Your grandfather, especially, would love to know about your love life. He’d… be very happy.”
Dave noticed the hidden meaning in Rupert’s teasing tone. He had expected Rupert to eventually approach Bianca, but he didn’t think it would happen so soon.
It was clear that his uncle had been watching his every move, which explained why Rupert was confident that Bianca had a relationship with him.
Dave smiled slightly and said, “What a coincidence. I just heard you’ve become close to Bianca’s stepmother, Stacey. There’s a rumor she had a child with you. Could that child be Ashley?”
Rupert, who had been so calm and friendly, suddenly looked worried.
He had intended to intimidate Dave, but instead, Dave’s quick action trapped him.
Glancing at Bianca, he left the ward.
In a quiet corner, Rupert held his phone tightly and asked in a low voice, “How long have you known about Stacey and me?”