Chapter 269 Gentle Trap
Albert turned pale at Edward's harsh words, quickly lowering his head, not daring to say another word.
The office was filled with Anne's sobs, creating an atmosphere so heavy it was hard to breathe.
Edward took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
"Anne, I've always treated you like family, trusted you completely, but you..." His voice trembled slightly, filled with disappointment in Anne's lack of progress.
Through her fingers, Anne sneaked a glance at Edward. Seeing that he was still angry, she cried even harder, her body shaking violently.
"Edward, I know I messed up. I was just confused for a moment. Please forgive me this time. I promise it won't happen again," she pleaded.
Edward's voice was filled with pain. "Anne, from childhood to now, I've never said 'no' to you when it comes to money. No matter how much allowance you wanted, when have I ever let you down? But why did you have to misuse the workers' wages? Did you ever consider the consequences?"
"Edward, I know all that, but I didn't want to keep asking you for money. You've always been so accommodating, but I wanted to earn my own money and achieve my own dreams," Anne responded in a small, sobbing voice.
Edward sighed heavily, speaking earnestly, "Anne, there are many ways to make money; it's not just a single path. You've been with the Howard Group for a long time, so you understand some business principles by now. If you really want to earn your own income, I'll support you! I can help you start a company. What industry are you interested in?"
However, Anne had no desire to own her own company. She knew that with her experience and vision, running a company was a pipe dream.
Edward rubbed his aching head, his brows furrowed.
"Edward, you're still recovering, and you need me to take care of you. Besides, the Howard Group is overwhelmed and short-staffed right now. How can I possibly leave both you and the company to start my own business at such a crucial time?" Anne's tone was gentle, her eyes full of concern. As she spoke, she reached out and gently massaged Edward's head.
Edward shook his head with a bitter smile. "I've taken so much medication and had so many injections, but still, there's no improvement."
Hearing this, Anne affectionately wrapped her arm around Edward's, leaning slightly toward him and leaving almost no space between them. She said sweetly, "I really care about you. I hope every day that you'll get better soon. I just want you to be healthy. You really need to take care of yourself and get better soon!"
Edward had been navigating the cutthroat world of business on his own for far too long, and he hadn't felt such gentle, sincere care in what felt like ages.
A warm feeling rose from his heart, slowly spreading throughout his body.
Edward then gently patted Anne's shoulder, speaking softly, "Anne, don't worry. I'll take my medication on time and try to get better as soon as possible."Anne nodded eagerly, her eyes full of determination.
"Before you get better, I want to be your assistant and help you manage the company," she said.
When she mentioned the company, Edward's expression turned serious, and he fixed his gaze intently on Anne.
"I don't mind you managing the company, but you absolutely cannot use the workers' wages like you did this time. To you, it might seem like a trivial amount, but for those workers, that is their entire hope for making a living," he said.
A hint of impatience flashed across Anne's face as she responded, "Okay, Edward, you should go rest now. I promise I won't do it again." With that, she escorted Edward out of the office.
Edward shook his head helplessly and returned to the hospital.
As he was about to enter his room, he overheard two nurses chatting quietly at the nurse's station.
One nurse curiously asked, "What's wrong with that handsome guy in the VIP room? He's been in the hospital for so long, and why isn't he getting better?"
The other nurse lowered her voice, speaking mysteriously. "I asked the doctor. He doesn't seem to have any physical issues. But strangely, his family insists he has mental problems and keeps him in the hospital."
The first nurse looked surprised and couldn't help but say, "But the medication he's taking damages the nerves. Such a handsome guy, it would be a shame if the medication messed up his brain."
The other nurse quickly stopped her. "Alright, let's not talk about this. It's not something we should discuss."
The two nurses then exchanged glances and fell silent.
The nurse's station returned to quiet, and Edward went back to his room, but his mind was far from calm.
Edward had often questioned his condition: while his body felt perfectly fine, the doctors insisted that his mental state was impacted by excessive grief and required medication. However, after starting the medication, Edward found himself feeling more fatigued, drowsy, and often struggled to concentrate—symptoms he had never experienced before.
Thinking of this, Edward decided to secretly stop all medication and closely monitor his body's changes.
Just then, the phone rang abruptly. Edward glanced at the caller ID, reluctantly answering. "Mom."
"Edward, you scared me to death! I heard you went back to the company this afternoon. Your body hasn't fully recovered. You mustn't overwork yourself!" Clara's anxious and concerned voice came through the receiver.
Edward couldn't shake the feeling that Anne's mishandling of the workers' wages had been influenced by Clara. The thought filled him with disgust, but he pushed down his irritation and said patiently, "Okay, Mom. I see. I'm already back at the hospital resting."
Hearing this, Clara seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, repeating several times, "That's good. I'm most worried about you."
Edward grew increasingly impatient at her words, quickly cutting her off. "I need to rest now. Goodbye."
With that, he decisively hung up the phone.
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