?Chapter 1081:


    “Project inspection,” Norton replied, calm andposed, his tone smooth as te. “I just happened to be nearby.”


    She nodded slowly, not satisfied. “Then… how did you know where I was?”


    “I called. Your colleague answered the phone. She told me.” Before Yvonne could respond, a knock sounded at the door.


    She parted her lips to speak, but the interruption came first.


    “Mr. Burke, there’s a document that needs your signature.” Leif’s voice rang out from the hallway.


    Norton’s reply came cool and clipped. “Come in.”


    The door opened, and Leif stepped in. But what he walked into gave him pause—his boss, sitting quietly at the bedside, gaze resting on Yvonne with something dangerously close to tenderness.


    He blinked, then approached slowly to hand Norton the file.


    As Norton reached for it, Leif finally noticed the fatigue scrawled across his face—the sleeplessness, the strain. “Mr. Burke… did you not rest at allst night?”


    Yvonne was surprised too, turning to look at Norton. Though he pretended to be reading, the moment he sensed her gaze, his sharp eyes lifted—then softened in an instant.


    “You stayed up?” Yvonne asked quietly. “All night… for me?”


    Leif jumped in, animated, “You have no idea how worried he was. He was terrified that something might happen to you and drove straight to get you the moment hended!”


    “That’s enough,” Norton interrupted, not wanting her to dwell on it. His voice settled into something gentle. “I did sleep. A little.”


    Leif wasn’t finished. “Mr. Burke, even if you’re looking after your wife, you’ve got to take care of yourself too! If you copse, what then?”


    Yvonne nodded, her voice quieter now. “Norton, you really don’t need to worry so much. I’m almost fully recovered.”


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    Norton quickly signed the papers and handed them back, shooting Leif a look that made it clear: leave.


    Leif caught the hint, but couldn’t resist onest plea. “Mrs. Burke is right. Please, sir, get some rest.”


    “Close the door behind you,” Norton said, his voice returning to steel.


    Leif pursed his lips, bowed slightly, and retreated.


    “Here, take your medicine,” Norton said, offering the cup.


    Yvonne epted it with visible reluctance, her eyes lingering on the murky liquid as if staring might somehow make it disappear.


    “Need me to spoon-feed?” Norton teased.


    That earned him a look, and without another word, Yvonne tipped the cup back and swallowed it all in one go.


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