CHAPTER 192
The next day, Alan arranged for numerous pink roses to be placed in every ward by asking the hospital’s janitor to distribute them.
Alan's mind wandered back to those days, remembering how he’d seen Arianna gazing wistfully at the flowers in the hospital. At that time, her longing for something as simple as a bouquet revealed her vulnerability.
He realized now that the flowers she cherished were linked to Xander—the same Xander who had given her the pink roses that had become her favourite.
As Arianna moved about, preparing tea and slicing fruit, she carried everything into the dining room.
Xander and Alan had just finished their tour of the villa. Observing them, she noticed they both appeared relaxed and well-composed, with no signs of conflict or tension. This sight eased some of her concerns.
With a warm smile, Arianna gestured toward the dining area and said, "Dinner is ready. Please, make yourselves comfortable. I hope you’ll find the meal enjoyable and we can have a pleasant evening together."
"Of course," Alan replied with a polite nod.
The three of them moved to the dining area.
Xander and Alan each settled into separate sofas. Arianna hesitated for a brief moment before choosing to sit beside Xander.
She picked up the glass of water she had prepared and handed it to Alan. "Here’s your water, Dr. Woods."
"Thank you," he replied, accepting the glass with a polite nod.
Xander observed the exchange from the corner of his eye.
Arianna then placed the cup of coffee she had brewed for Xander in front of him, forcing a smile as she said, "Here’s your coffee, Darling."
"Thanks, sweetheart," Xander responded smoothly.
He leaned in closer, turned his head slightly, and planted a light kiss on Arianna’s cheek before reaching for the coffee and taking a sip.
Arianna’s smile wavered, and she couldn’t help but shoot Xander a brief, annoyed look.
She had a strong suspicion that Xander was intentionally flaunting their relationship, but she had no concrete proof to back up her theory.
From an outsider’s perspective, however, her expression appeared more like a playful reproach than genuine irritation.
Alan could sense that Xander's interactions with Arianna, while seemingly affectionate, carried an underlying tension. It was as though an invisible wall stood between them, subtly reminding others to keep their distance.
The water he sipped should have been refreshing, but to him, it carried a strangely bitter aftertaste.
Arianna had braced herself for Xander to cause some kind of disturbance during the meal, but to her surprise, the dinner proceeded without any drama.
The only noticeable issue was the overwhelming silence.
Alan ate with impeccable manners, saying nothing throughout the meal. Xander, too, maintained his usual composed and elegant demeanour, offering no conversation. Left with nothing to say, Arianna focused on her plate, the quietness almost oppressive as they all ate in near silence.
The strange calmness pressed down on Arianna, a constant unease nibbling at her nerves. It was like the quiet just before a storm that you know is coming.
Time dragged on, with hardly anyone uttering a word.
At last, after what seemed like forever, Alan wiped the edge of his mouth with a napkin, set it back on the table all tidy-like, and then said something about how nice the evening was.
“Arianna, the meal was delicious, and I want to thank you both for the lovely dinner. I’ve enjoyed the company and the meal, but I do have other commitments later this evening. I don’t want to overstay my welcome, so I’ll need to head out after dinner. I appreciate your hospitality and hope to see you both again soon.”
Arianna was relieved. Ending the evening on a peaceful note seemed the best way to avoid any potential mishaps.
As they walked Alan out to his car, Xander remained close by. When they reached the car, Alan turned to Arianna, his gaze lingering on her. Ignoring Xander entirely, he extended the pink roses he had brought.
“These are for you, Arianna.”
Arianna’s stomach dropped. Her first thought was, ‘Oh no…’
Arianna thought she had made it through the day’s challenges unscathed, but she never expected what happened next…
Instinctively, she glanced at Xander.
Without so much as looking at her, he calmly reached out and took the bouquet of pink roses from Alan. “My wife and I appreciate this thoughtful gift for our home. Thank you.”
In that instant, the flowers intended for Arianna became a gift for both her and Xander.
Alan didn’t release the bouquet immediately. His dark eyes remained fixed on Arianna, while she kept her gaze on Xander. After a tense moment, Alan’s grip gradually loosened.
Holding the roses, Xander then added, “By the way, Dr. Woods, I truly appreciate all you’ve done for Arianna and Charlie. I understand your medical team is engaged in some significant research, so I’d like to donate some money for CardioNova Elite medical equipment in both my wife’s and my name. I hope it will aid your efforts.”
CardioNova Elite.
Arianna’s eyes widened in surprise. CardioNova Elite was cutting-edge technology in the medical field—rare and highly sought after. Even with endless resources, acquiring one wasn’t guaranteed. Yet, Xander had just casually offered to donate an entire set.
Though Arianna knew Xander was wealthy, his gesture still left her momentarily speechless.
Alan’s expression also showed a flicker of surprise. Normally, he would’ve brushed off a monetary gesture, but no medical team could turn down a CardioNova Elite.
Possessing such advanced equipment would significantly accelerate their research, making Xander's gift invaluable—not just to him, but to the advancement of medical science as a whole.
Xander’s intentions were clear. As Arianna’s husband, he intended to repay any perceived debt on her behalf. If Alan accepted the gesture, it would mean there was no longer any obligation between him and Arianna.
It was easy to see why Arianna had fallen for Xander—he wasn’t a man to be underestimated.
Alan remained silent, his expression thoughtful, as if weighing his options.
Xander didn’t press him for an answer. Instead, he turned to Arianna and said,
“Why don’t you head back inside, Darling? I’d like to have a private word with Dr. Woods.”
Private word? Or was something more intense brewing beneath the surface?
