It was precisely Charles Yates’ madness that made his friends believe that what they once thought impossible could, in the end, be miraculously achieved.


    So, in their minds, there was nothing in this world that could challenge Mr. Yates.


    Harvey Johnson: [Whatever it is, just say it. Anything but dying-I can do for you.]


    Jeffrey Smith: [If it’s something tricky, all we can say is-we’ll try.]


    Jeffrey Smith: [If it puts you in a tough spot, all we can say is we’ll do our best.]


    Seeing them reply, Charlesid out the situation in the group. But he didn’t say it was himself. He said it was a friend-a friend who was lost, not knowing what had upset a girl-and asked them to help figure it out.


    Xavier Sullivan: [No way. You’ve got friends besides us? Do we even know this friend?]


    Jeffrey: [I’d like to know too-what kind of friend is this? You’re worried about something like this—there must be a strong bond. Bring him into the group. If he’s your friend, he’s ours too.]


    Is that really the point? Charles was speechless.


    He had never realized his friends could miss the point sopletely.


    Only Harvey hadn’t replied yet. Staring at Charles’s string of words in the group, he lifted a brow. This guy— what friend? When did he have friends? Who else would want to be his friend, except for them? <fnec65> For original chapters go to fin?novel</fnec65>


    That must be about him. But who’s the girl? Could it be Miss Lawrence, the one he took to the hospital this afternoon?


    He thought for a moment, then called the nurse over. He asked her to check on Alicia and see how she was doing.


    Soon, the nurse on duty returned and said, “Doctor Johnson, Miss Lawrence has fallen asleep. She seems fine and is sleeping soundly. It seems like her stomach isn’t hurting anymore.”


    “Alright, go on with your work.” Harvey nodded and sent the nurse off. Only then did he finally type in the group chat: [I think you might be overthinking it. She’s probably not upset-just fallen asleep.]


    Reading Harvey’s message, Charles paused. Then he nced at the clock-already 2:30 in the morning. He’d been so caught up texting her that he lost track of time.


    He finally let out a sigh of relief. A momentter, he sent another message to the group: [It’s not me. It’s my friend. Alright, get some sleep.]


    Then he logged off WhatsApp, freshened up, and went to bed.


    Charles called the other three awake, theny down himself, leaving them wide awake.


    Eb vouchers


    Xavier sent a message to Jeffrey: [What kind of friend is Charles talking about? He’s worrying over him like that, but he never treated us this way.]


    Jeffrey: [Didn’t Harvey already say it? It’s Charles himself.]


    Xavier: [Really? But didn’t he insistter that it was his friend? Charles wouldn’t lie to us… would he?]


    Jeffrey: [Heh, go to sleep, go to sleep.]


    Xavier sent another message to Harvey: [You don’t know which friend he meant either?]


    Harvey: [It’s him.]


    Xavier: [Is that so? Butter he kept insisting it wasn’t him.]


    Harvey: [Go to sleep. As a doctor, I’m telling you seriouslyck of sleep can hinder brain development. And clearly, your brain still has some developing to do.]


    Xavier: [Beat it.]


    The next day.


    Brooke O’Hara arrived early, heading straight to the ward to check on Alicia. Seeing that she was fine, she letting out a breath of relief.


    For all her years as a caregiver, she had always stayed by her patients’ side at night-whether on folding beds, sofas, or the floor. Last night, for the first time, she went home to sleep, but she hadn’t rested well. She kept dreaming-Miss Lawrence writhing on the bed with stomach pain, and no one caring.


    She also dreamed of Miss Lawrence getting to the restroom, falling hard, and sitting on the floor in pain with no one to help her up.


    By 5:00 in the morning, she was already rushing to the hospital. Slipping quietly into the ward, she was finally at ease when she saw Miss Lawrence safe and sound.


    She washed Alicia’s clothes fromst night and waited at the hospital door at 7:00 for the meal Mr. Quinn had arranged to be delivered.


    With the breakfast in hand, she finally returned to the ward.


    By then, Alicia was already up and had washed. As she walked in, she smiled and said, “Miss Lawrence, time for breakfast.”


    Alicia nodded, ncing at the meal box in Brooke’s hand-it was still from the same ce, Noble Leaf Bistro.


    She asked, “Are all these meals ordered by Mr. Quinn?”


    Brooke said, “Yes, Mr. Quinn is really good to you.”


    Alicia thought to herself. Yes, he were treating her so well-but why? She had never even met Mr. Yates’ driver, so why was he being so kind to her? Maybe it was all arranged by Mr. Yates? Did he see her as his lifesaver and


    want to repay her?


    The more she epted his kindness, the more uneasy she felt. If he found out the truthter, would he hate her even more? But now, how could she turn it down? But how could she refuse now?


    “Miss Lawrence, your utensils.”


    Lost in thought, Brooke had already handed her the utensils and opened the box.


    Alicia could only eat in silence.


    Brooke warmed a ss of milk for Alicia, set it down, and then went out to get her own breakfast.


    After finishing her breakfast, Brooke came back looking cheerful. “Miss Lawrence, the rain has stopped for now. How about I take you out for a little walk? Just to help with digestion?”


    Alicia thought to herself, the rain had been falling for more than half a month. Since it finally paused, it really was a chance to step outside. She agreed, and the two of them left the ward together.


    But since it had just rained, the air outside was still chilly. Brooke fetched her own jacket and slipped it over Alicia’s hospital gown.


    As they reached downstairs, Alicia saw many people walking in the courtyard. The rain hadsted over ten days before finally stopping.


    “Let’s go over there.” Brooke pointed toward the flower arbor on the east side of the courtyard.


    Alicia nodded, and they strolled over at a slow pace.


    The doorway of the flower arbor was low. Alicia ducked her head as she stepped inside, and before she could lift it again, a mockingugh sounded. “Well, well-finally realized your mistake and came to apologize, huh?”


    Alicia didn’t need to look to know whose voice it was. Andrew Lawrence always let his words trail off, carrying a hint of careless yfulness. As he liked to put it, that was just the way rich people talked.


    What bad luck. Alicia frowned. What was Andrew doing at the hospital?


    She looked up at the sound-and froze. It wasn’t just Andrew. The whole Lawrence family was there—Hugh, Maria, Aaron, Andrew, and Archie. Only Adam was missing.


    The family set around Tiffany Lawrence on the bench under the flower perg.


    At this moment, Tiffany was dressed in a hospital gown, looking frail and pitiful.


    Andrew spoke again, “I thought you had more backbone. Couldn’t evenst a day? Now you’re already here wanting to apologize ande home? Hah… ”