Chapter 692 Caitlyn, You Clearly Don't Like Him!
Landon's lips were on hers, his face so close it felt like it was on fire. But he didn't push it.
He just held her face, gently nibbling on her lips, wanting more but not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Caitlyn was stunned. Did Landon even know what he was doing?
She turned her face away, embarrassed, his lips brushing her cheek. But he didn't let go, his body pressed against hers, his fingers intertwined with hers.
Landon's voice was low and rough. "Caitlyn, you don't even like him! Why are you wasting your time with someone you don't love?" he asked.
Caitlyn bit her lip and snapped, "It's none of your business!"
She added, "Let go of me!"
How could Landon just let it go?!
Before, she was set on finding a boyfriend and getting married, and he let her go. But Leonard was clearly not the right guy. Just as Landon was about to kiss her again, the stairwell door opened, and Hazel's voice cut through. "Mr. Carter, Ms. Carter is awake and asking for you!"
Hazel's eyes widened. What did she just walk in on? Hazel saw Landon holding Caitlyn, about to kiss her, their bodies pressed so close together.
Hazel stammered, "Mr. Carter, I didn't mean to... see that!"
Hearing this, Caitlyn pushed Landon away, wanting to leave but having nowhere to go, as Landon blocked her way!
Her face was flushed, while Landon stayed calm.
He told Hazel, "You go ahead and comfort her. I'll be there soon."
Hazel, eager to escape the awkwardness, quickly left.
Once it was quiet again, Landon lowered his head and, in a hoarse voice tinged with gentleness, said, "Katelyn got sick on the business trip with me. She's had a fever for two days and has been throwing tantrums. She won't admit it, but I can tell she misses you. Can you go see her?"
Caitlyn remembered that night, the way Katelyn looked when she left, lying on Landon's shoulder. Katelyn looked like a little puppy that nobody wanted!
Caitlyn struggled internally, but Landon didn't let her struggle for long. He grabbed her wrist and led her outside. Anxious about being seen, Caitlyn exclaimed, "Let go of me!"
Landon let go and looked at her deeply. "Are you afraid Leonard will see? Why do you still care what he thinks at this point?"
Caitlyn pressed her lips together and replied, "I said it has nothing to do with you!"
But she still pressed the button for the children's ward floor.
Landon stood beside her, both of them silent. When the elevator arrived, just before Caitlyn stepped out, Landon gently grabbed her arm and whispered, "Caitlyn, I don't believe you have no feelings for me."
Caitlyn's eyes were warm with emotion. She had an indescribable feeling in her heart, but she still gently pulled away from him.
They entered the ward one after the other. Katelyn, who had been acting fussy because she knew Hazel doted on her, saw Caitlyn come in out of the corner of her eye. She first smiled but then quickly pouted. She lay down on the bed, covering her head with the blanket.
Her muffled voice came from under the blanket. "Why are you here? If you're here to beg me to go to your place, forget it. This place is much more comfortable and bigger than your home... and there are no mosquitoes!"
Landon lightly patted Katelyn through the blanket. "Weren't you just thinking about her a few days ago? Now that Caitlyn is here, do you not want to see her?" he asked.
Katelyn pouted. "I don't want to see her! She doesn't want to be my stepmom anyway."
Caitlyn thought Katelyn was being a bit of a brat, wondering how Landon had raised her like this. After all, she was his only kid and would inherit the Carter family business someday.
Landon glanced at Caitlyn, reading her thoughts. He sat by the bed, speaking slowly. "Ms. Robinson had a fight with her boyfriend, so she still has a good chance of becoming your stepmom."
Hearing this, Katelyn lifted the blanket, clearly happy. But being a proud kid, she hid her happiness and said, "Dad, you sound like nobody wants you! Are you just waiting for Ms. Robinson to break up with her boyfriend?"
Caitlyn was speechless.
Landon looked up and asked Hazel, "Where did she learn all this? Do they show this stuff on TV now?"
Hazel calmly replied, "Isn't this what you usually teach Ms. Carter? You said it so much, and she remembered it."
Landon touched his nose and murmured, "Really? Did I really say that?"
Hazel nodded vigorously.
Caitlyn couldn't stand it any longer. She wanted to leave; after all, she had already checked on Katelyn.
However, Katelyn started causing trouble again. She said, "You didn't even bring me a gift! Isn't it customary to bring a gift when visiting a patient? I don't have any other requests; I just want a bowl of ravioli or something. I haven't had a proper meal in days."
Caitlyn originally wanted to refute Katelyn, but then remembered she was sick. So Caitlyn held back, gently touching Katelyn's head. "I'll go buy some outside and cook it for you in the kitchen, okay?" she said.
Katelyn reluctantly agreed. "Alright then!"
Seeing them getting along, Landon couldn't help but gently touch Katelyn's hair... Katelyn looked up, feeling like she had become her dad and Caitlyn's little puppy, to be played with whenever they wanted.
Hazel, being quick-witted, immediately went to buy ravioli. Actually, Katelyn usually didn't like eating this. She probably just wanted Caitlyn to stay with her.
The VIP ward had a small kitchen attached.
When Caitlyn was making ravioli and just opening the packaging, Landon walked in from the ward and closed the door behind him. He hugged her from behind and whispered, "You never used to do these things."
Caitlyn asked him to let go. Landon did let go, leaning against the side, quietly watching her work.
Under the light, her profile was soft and beautiful—not as youthful and tender as before, but with a more serene beauty. Landon was somewhat moved, yet he didn't want to make things difficult for her. He hadn't forgotten that she and Leonard were still entangled.
He didn't push her any further because he knew her well. She wasn't someone who would let herself be treated unfairly.
After reuniting for so long, they hadn't had a chance to talk calmly. Now, in this small space, they finally had a chance to chat. He asked about her work and life, and Caitlyn answered calmly.
The conversation was pleasant.
When the ravioli was done, Caitlyn skillfully plated it. She softly said, "Landon, I know what you mean. You're just waiting for me to break up with Leonard, thinking I'll be heartbroken and come back to you. But have you ever thought... being with you will be my biggest compromise?"
She didn't mind a man who had been married, but Landon was someone she had once loved so passionately, and he had married another woman.
"Landon, what makes you think I would want a man who has been married!" After saying that, she felt bad too.
Caitlyn didn't stick around for long. She turned down Landon's offer to see her off. At the stairwell, she looked him in the eye and said, "Landon, let's not see each other again."
Landon just stood there, hands in his pockets, watching her leave without saying a word.
A voice called out from behind him, "Mr. Carter, there you are! I've been looking for you everywhere!"
Landon turned to see Aubrey, accompanied by Leonard and another woman, whom he recognized as Aubrey's daughter.
Aubrey was all smiles, introducing Leonard and Clio to Landon. "This is my daughter Clio, a pediatric surgeon. And this is Dr. Leonard Dobbins, a Ph.D. in surgery, a rising star!"
Landon's gaze shifted to Leonard and Clio, and after a moment, he smiled faintly. "Mr. Patel, it seems Dr. Dobbins is your chosen son-in-law!" he said.
Aubrey was caught off guard.
Clio glanced at Leonard, curious about his reaction. Leonard's lips moved, but he didn't say anything, just smiling faintly.
Eager to secure Landon's investment, Aubrey had brought Leonard and Clio along, hoping to establish a personal connection. Once there was a personal relationship, everything else would be easier. Besides, Katelyn had lost her mother, and if Clio could win her over, Katelyn might become close to her.
Thinking of this, Aubrey smiled happily.
Leonard, on the other hand, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
An hour ago, Caitlyn had misunderstood him. After finishing a minor surgery, he wanted to find her and explain, but Aubrey had pulled him away for something, which turned out to be related to Landon.
Leonard couldn't leave now!
Landon led the group back to the ward. As soon as they entered, Clio wanted to show her maternal side, squatting by the bed and gently coaxing Katelyn, "You need to drink more water to bring down the fever!"
She personally poured a glass of water for Katelyn.
Katelyn, upset because Caitlyn had left, looked at Clio as if she were an idiot. "Drinking too much will make me frequently go to the bathroom," Katelyn said.
Clio wanted to explain from a professional perspective, to show off her knowledge.
But Katelyn was already impatient. She said, "I just finished eating ravioli and drank a big bowl of soup! I don't want to drink."
Clio's face stiffened. She had seen rich kids before, but she had never encountered one so rude. She wanted to set her straight, to relieve some of Landon's troubles. But before she could speak, Landon intervened, "Sorry, Katelyn doesn't like Dr. Dobbins and Dr. Patel. Please leave."
Hearing this, Aubrey felt a bit embarrassed.
Leonard wasn't stupid; he guessed that Landon must have found out something. Otherwise, he wouldn't be targeting them like this. Leonard was the last to leave, turning to look at Landon. "You met with Caitlyn, didn't you?" he asked.
Landon didn't answer.
Katelyn, sitting on the hospital bed, said softly, "Not only did they meet, but she also made ravioli for me!"
Leonard's face turned extremely dark.
From that moment on, Landon was determined not to let Caitlyn continue seeing Leonard. Even if Caitlyn hated him for it later, he wouldn't regret it.
Landon walked out and closed the door behind him. "Dr. Dobbins, can we talk?" he said.
Leonard stared at him.
They walked to the smoking area. Leonard, now off duty, took off his white coat and accepted a cigarette from Landon. As the thin smoke rose, Landon said calmly, "Dr. Dobbins, I think Caitlyn is just one of your options. Today, Ms. Patel clearly fits your and your parents' criteria for a spouse better."
Leonard, feeling exposed, was annoyed.
Landon had seen all kinds of people.
He knew exactly what Leonard was thinking—dating Caitlyn while not outright rejecting Clio. If wealth truly came his way, he would choose wealth over Caitlyn every time.
Landon said calmly, "I'll invest $100 million in the hospital if you marry Clio."
Leonard was stunned and then felt insulted. He was an intellectual, yet he was being manipulated like a puppet, having his life controlled!
Leonard spoke coldly, "Mr. Carter, do you think money can buy everything?"
Landon smiled faintly and replied, "No! No amount of money can bring Caitlyn back. The more she loved me before, the more she hates me now!"
Yet Leonard didn't want to hear any more of this. He thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Carter, I can tell you right now, I won't..."
Landon flicked the ash off his cigarette, smiling peacefully. He interrupted Leonard, "I'll talk to Aubrey about promoting you to vice president of the hospital this month! Think about it, the youngest vice president of the largest private hospital in Seattle, with a limitless future."
Leonard's face turned grim. He realized he could no longer voice his refusal. Landon had found his weakness! Success... what man didn't want it?
All Leonard had to do was agree to marry Clio. She was attractive and admired him. This wasn't even a difficult decision; it was a great opportunity, wasn't it? But he still liked Caitlyn.
Leonard hesitated, but Landon already knew his choice. Landon lightly patted Leonard's shoulder, smiling slightly. "Call me when you've made up your mind!" With that, Landon left.
Leonard stood by the window, smoking half a pack of cigarettes.
At exactly ten o'clock at night, he called Caitlyn. Before Caitlyn could say anything, he spoke softly, "Let's break up."
Caitlyn had already gone home and taken a shower.
Holding her phone, listening to his words, she said after a moment, "Okay."
He couldn't help but ask her, "Are you going to be with Landon?"
Caitlyn remained calm and replied, "That's none of your business anymore."
With that, she hung up the phone.
On the other end, Leonard stood in the living room, a cigarette still between his long fingers. As a doctor, he rarely smoked, but today, he had already smoked more than half a pack. He was agitated. His rational mind told him his choice was right. What was wrong with wanting a successful future and a career?
But his heart told him he had made the wrong choice. He did like Caitlyn.
Even during their time together, he had developed feelings that were almost love. He knew being with Caitlyn made him happy; he desired her. Clio, on the other hand, was just a tool for career advancement.
Leonard held his phone, feeling it burn in his hand.
Hestia appeared with a late-night snack, her voice a constant buzz of dissatisfaction, "Caitlyn is so inconsiderate. She came over once and then disappeared. Doesn't she want to come over and cook for us?"
Leonard's heart tightened. He took the snack, but her relentless criticism of Caitlyn sapped his appetite. He should have told Hestia that they had broken up, but the words stuck in his throat.
Not saying it made it feel like he and Caitlyn hadn't broken up.
Leonard was conflicted and in pain. He didn't sleep all night, his mind filled with thoughts of career and love. At dawn, he suddenly opened his eyes.
Filled with regret, he called Landon, his voice urgent and angry. "Mr. Carter, I choose Caitlyn."
On the other end, Landon chuckled lightly and said, "But haven't you already broken up with Caitlyn?"
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