The clothes in the closet were all stylish and branded, with complete outfits ready to wear.
She chose a white shirt, paired it with slightly flared cropped jeans, and selected a pair of white sneakers.
The white sneakers were both comfortable and easy to match with her outfit.
Especially since she planned to visit the hospital to check on Evie today, she dressed casually.
When she went downstairs, she saw Franklin taking breakfast out of the delivery boxes and placing it on elegant plates.
His large, well-defined hands moved gracefully, making the scene particularly pleasing to the eye.
Sylvia tilted her head, watching his every move quietly, standing still.
As if sensing her gaze, Franklin looked up and met her clear eyes. He smiled indulgently, “Come, have breakfast.”
Sylvia walked over to him with a smile and sat down. Although the breakfast was takeout, it was simple yet nutritious.
She picked up a piece of scallion pancake and took a bite. “It’s quite good. Tastes almost like mine.”
“If you like it, I’ll buy from them often,” Franklin said, pushing a bowl of eight-treasure porridge towards her. “Have some porridge.”
After a warm breakfast, Franklin drove Sylvia to the hospital entrance. “I need to handle some matters. Call me when you want to go home.”
“I’d like you to pick me up, but you’re always so busy,” Sylvia said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll have the family driver come. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay, if I have time, I’ll come,” Franklin said, not satisfied with just one kiss. He pulled her into his arms and planted a deep kiss on her lips.
After a long moment, he let her go.
Sylvia, breathless from the passionate kiss, glared at him. “You ate all my lipstick!”
“Then I’ll give it back to you,” Franklin said mischievously, licking his lips covered in her lipstick, looking as enchanting as a vampire from a comic.
Sylvia glared at him. “You’re annoying!”
She took out a makeup mirror and reapplied her lipstick before getting out of the car. If it weren’t for last night’s excesses making her look pale, would she need lipstick to brighten her face?
She was really annoyed.
At a nearby supermarket, she bought some daily necessities and fruits before heading into the hospital.
Walking through the corridors to the inpatient department, she took the elevator to Evie’s room. Just as she stepped out, she heard Mrs. Howlett’s familiar voice from another elevator. “Idol!”
Sylvia turned around and saw Mrs. Howlett and her husband coming out of the other elevator.
They were carrying large and small bags…
Sylvia was stunned.
“What are you carrying?”
“Oh, I prepared these for Evie. There’s food, skincare products, some clothes, pajamas, and such. It’s not hygienic to wear hospital gowns every day; pajamas are more comfortable,” Mrs. Howlett said enthusiastically. “And some supplements.”
“I have bird’s nest here,” Geoff said warmly. “I ordered fresh bird’s nest for a whole month; this is for this week.”
This was queenly treatment!
If Evie really married into the Gibson family, it would be quite nice and happy.
But the girl was just too stubborn.
“The kitchen in the hotel suite is too small, but luckily it has all the necessary appliances. I got up early to make porridge for her; I hope she likes it,” Mrs. Howlett pointed to the thermos Geoff was holding.
“She should,” Sylvia smiled. They entered the room and saw Jasper wiping Evie’s face with a wet towel. Since Evie couldn’t sit up easily, Jasper took care of these small tasks.
He was surprisingly patient.
Sylvia put down her things and looked at Evie. “You look better than yesterday. How do you feel?”
Evie felt overwhelmed by the Gibson family’s kindness. “Better. Just still weak.”
“People who miscarry need bed rest for a while, let alone after an ectopic pregnancy surgery. It’s more serious than a miscarriage,” Sylvia comforted her and pointed to Mrs. Howlett busying herself with the porridge. “Mrs. Howlett made porridge for you; have some.”
Evie had no appetite but couldn’t refuse their kindness. Jasper took the porridge and started feeding her. “Be careful; it’s hot.”
After a few sips, Evie found the porridge deliciously soft and sweet and ended up drinking half a bowl.
Her body felt warm inside.
She didn’t know if it was her heart or body that felt warm, but she felt warmth nonetheless.
“After the porridge, have some bird’s nest. It’s fresh and won’t be cold,” Mrs. Howlett said, taking out the bird’s nest from Geoff’s hands. “It’s just a small bowl; it won’t fill you up but is good for your health. Evie, it’s not about having children; it’s about taking care of your health.”
Evie’s nose tingled with emotion; the Gibson family was so good to her.
But… she couldn’t repay them.
Geoff sat on the sofa and said, “As elders, we’re not stubborn about having children. Many families are child-free nowadays! If you really like kids, you can adopt one or two.”
“Yes, so don’t stress yourself,” Mrs. Howlett said, taking out pajamas, high-end skincare products, and daily necessities.
“Mom’s right; don’t overthink it. Just focus on getting better,” Jasper said lovingly, holding Evie’s hand. “As long as you’re well, that’s all that matters.”
Sylvia felt like an extra in this scene. While lost in thought, her phone suddenly rang.
Seeing it was Isaac calling, she panicked.
“Oh no! Something’s wrong!”
“What happened?” Mrs. Howlett asked in surprise.
Sylvia quickly answered the call. “Isaac, I’m at the hospital now. Can you come pick me up? I forgot about the Cultural Heritage Fair.”
Isaac sighed. “What happened? Why are you at the hospital?”
Sylvia hesitated before glancing at Isaac and deciding not to explain fully. “Oh, nothing much. A friend is sick, so I came over. I’ll head to the hospital entrance now.”
“I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes,” Isaac said before hanging up.
Sylvia turned to Evie. “Isaac called…”
Before she could finish, Evie interrupted her. “Don’t tell him. I don’t want to see him.”
The bitter memories of her teenage crush were too painful for Evie to recall or face that person again.
Whenever she remembered it, she felt like a fool.
“Alright,” Sylvia nodded. “Jasper, Mrs. Howlett, Mr. Howlett, I have to go now for the Cultural Heritage Fair.”
“No problem; we’re here with Evie,” Mrs. Howlett said as she stood up to see Sylvia off.
Sylvia left the room and took the elevator down but realized she hadn’t brought her painting.
At the hospital entrance, she called the Hipps Family’s butler to have someone bring the Qing Dynasty painting to the Cultural Heritage Fair venue.
She would wait at the entrance of the venue.
After making the call, she stood quietly at the hospital entrance waiting for Isaac’s car. About ten minutes later, a black luxury car pulled up beside her.
The door opened from inside, and she bent down to get in.
“Brother! Oh no! I forgot about the Cultural Heritage Fair.”
“You! So careless!” Isaac tapped her forehead lightly with his finger. “Did you even bring your exhibit? Luckily I prepared an extra one for you.”
Sylvia quickly shook her head. “No need; I had someone from home bring it to the venue. I’ll pick it up there.”
Isaac didn’t insist and went along with it. “Alright then, if you need anything else, let me know.”
The car sped along and soon arrived at the Cultural Heritage Fair venue.
The fair was held in an antique market building with sixteen floors; each floor had different exhibition halls.
They first signed in at the first-floor lobby before heading to the second floor.
Sylvia waited at the first-floor entrance for a few minutes until she saw the panting old butler approaching quickly with her painting. “Miss, here’s your painting.”
“Thank you,” Sylvia said as she took the painting and hurried upstairs with Isaac.
The second floor was the exhibition hall where all participants displayed their works.
Sylvia and Isaac handed their pieces to the staff for registration.
“Next, you can go to the calligraphy and painting hall where there’s an ongoing competition. You can participate together or individually.”
After all, they were both disciples of Old Mr. Thompson and represented his school of thought.
“Thank you,” Sylvia said as they headed to the calligraphy and painting hall.
The place exuded an ancient charm that made one feel as if they had traveled back in time.
Many elderly participants wore traditional long robes or Hanfu.
Especially striking were some beauties in Hanfu walking around the hall like a beautiful scenery line among those in high-end dresses… It seemed overly formal for this event.
Sylvia suddenly realized how casually she had dressed today because she had only thought about going to the hospital and forgotten about the Cultural Heritage Fair…
“Oh my! Who do we have here? Isn’t this Miss Andrews?” A sharp voice suddenly rang out.