Chapter 38
Phoebe was stunned, thinking she had misheard. Theodore was a proud person who never gave in regardless of the situation. How could he be worried about others thinking he was useless?
After a moment of silence, Phoebe pretended nothing was wrong, carrying the first aid kit to the sofa and sitting down. She took out a box of burn ointment. "Mr. Reynolds, you are worth billions of dollars; who would dare say you're useless?"
"But I can't even fry a simple egg properly," Theodore said, genuinely dejected, his voice tinged with grievance.
Phoebe squeezed a bit of ointment onto a cotton swab, grabbed Theodore's wrist with her other hand, and gently applied it to his burn.
Theodore's fingers were long and well-defined, with neatly trimmed nails. His fingers were proportionate, making them perfect for artistic endeavors.
They sat there quietly, which was a picture of tranquility.
Phoebe pinched his finger. As she applied the ointment, she steadied herself and calmly comforted him, "Everyone has their strengths. Your hands are made for writing or tickling the ivories. You're a boss in the boardroom, not the kitchen."
Mentioning the "piano," Phoebe fell silent, feeling a pang in her heart.
There was eerily quiet for a few seconds. Phoebe, a bit distracted, accidentally applied the ointment a bit too hard.
Theodore winced in pain, involuntarily gasping.
Phoebe quickly snapped back to reality. "I'm sorry; did I hurt you?"
Theodore's fingers curled slightly, as if they were a bit itchy. When Theodore saw Phoebe's shy and worried expression, he couldn't help but smile.
Phoebe felt his gaze and her face turned red. Even the atmosphere around them seemed to turn heart-pounding.
Embarrassed and flustered, Phoebe couldn't sit still any longer. She put down Theodore's hand and hastily said, "I'll go make breakfast."
Phoebe almost fled to the kitchen.
The kitchen was a mess. She stood by the sink, her frantic heart gradually calmed down. At least this morning, she wasn't the only one who had been embarrassed.
Reclining on the sofa, Theodore's gaze smoldered with longing. A surge of electricity seemed to course through his fingertips, sending a shiver down his spine and leaving his heart ablaze. Tilting his head, he observed Phoebe bustling in the kitchen, a restless hunger stirring within him. Inhaling deeply, he fought to calm the rapid drumming of his heart, consumed by a primal desire.
Theodore looked up at the kitchen, his expression clearly showing restraint.
When Phoebe finished making breakfast and came out, she saw Theodore with his suit jacket draped over his arm, heading out.
She said, "Breakfast is ready. Aren't you going to eat?"
Theodore paused, glancing at the breakfast on the table. His eyes flickered. "I have something urgent. I can't eat."
When he rushed to the door, Phoebe quickly grabbed a bowl of soup and chased after him. "If you can't eat breakfast, at least drink this soup. It'll make your stomach feel better."
Theodore took the bowl. The soup had cooled to the perfect temperature. He drank it in a few gulps, feeling a warm sensation spread through his body, making him feel incredibly comfortable.
Phoebe took the bowl back and was about to return to the dining room when Theodore suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist.
He hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "I'll go first."
Phoebe froze, her whole body stiffening. She stood there, dazed, and said, "Okay, stay safe."
Watching Theodore put on his shoes and walk out the door, Phoebe didn't snap out of her shock until the door closed.
She gently patted her cheeks, feeling them burn.
Despite their more intimate moments, this simple hug had touched Phoebe in a way that flooded her with a sweet, uncontrollable emotion.
Phoebe's lips curled up involuntarily. Theodore's gentleness this morning had surprised and touched her deeply.
After breakfast, Phoebe went to the hospital to bring food to Evelyn. She drove there, parked in the parking lot, and carried the lunch box toward the inpatient building.
To get to the ward, she had to pass through the outpatient hall.
As she passed through the outpatient hall, Phoebe intended to head to the elevator but suddenly saw a familiar tall figure standing not far away. Two doctors in white coats were cautiously following him.
Theodore was speaking solemnly to the doctors beside him, who were nodding repeatedly, not daring to show any dissent. The three of them walked briskly and soon disappeared from sight.
Phoebe pursed her lips. She hadn't heard of anyone from the Reynolds family being hospitalized. If there were, Theodore wouldn't have come without her.
Could it be that an executive of the Reynolds Group had been hospitalized?
Phoebe pondered for a moment, then shook her head helplessly. Whatever it was, Theodore had his reasons. She decided to go to see Evelyn first.
Evelyn was pretending to be ill. Although her blood pressure had risen significantly after a big argument with Phoebe last night, she was fine after Phoebe's assurances.
When Phoebe arrived at the ward, the doctor was just taking Evelyn's blood pressure. They gave a few simple instructions before leaving.
As the doctor left, Phoebe entered the ward and saw Evelyn had already changed into her own clothes and was sitting by the bed, brushing her hair.
Phoebe hurriedly asked, "Why did you change your clothes?"
"The doctor said I'm fine," Evelyn replied with a smile.
Phoebe placed the lunch box on the round table and opened it. "That's good. You eat first; I'll handle the discharge procedures"
Evelyn nodded, got up, and sat at the round table to eat breakfast.
Phoebe grabbed the medical papers and receipts before heading out. She snagged the discharge paperwork at the nurse's station and then hustled downstairs to settle the rest of the medical tab.
After a hectic morning, she finally wrapped up the discharge process. Right as she was about to head back upstairs, she accidentally collided with someone heading her direction.
The person quickly steadied her and, looking surprised, said, "Mrs. Reynolds, what are you doing here?"
Phoebe regained her balance and recognized the person as Theodore's driver, Jack Cunningham. She smiled. "My mom is being discharged, and I'm handling the paperwork. Please don't tell Mr. Reynolds. I don't want him to worry."
Jack smiled awkwardly, feeling conflicted.
Evelyn's hospitalization was unknown to Theodore, who was busy taking care of Sophia. If Phoebe found out, how hurt would she be?
"Okay, I won't say anything," Jack replied with a forced smile.
Phoebe smiled and nodded. "By the way, I saw Mr. Reynolds at the hospital earlier. Is someone from our company sick?"
Theodore had left in a hurry this morning, saying he had something urgent and didn't even eat breakfast. It turned out he came to the hospital.
Jack scratched his head, unsure how to respond, when he saw Theodore supporting Vanessa at the end of the corridor.
Phoebe, with her back to them, noticed Jack's terrified expression and suspicious demeanor.
She turned around and saw Theodore and Vanessa.
They also noticed her and looked over.
Theodore instinctively withdrew his hand from supporting Vanessa when he saw Phoebe.
He asked with concern, "Phoebe, what are you doing at the hospital? Are you sick?"
Vanessa's eyes were red and swollen, and there seemed to be a slap mark on her delicate cheek. Seeing Phoebe staring at her, she instinctively turned her body slightly.
Phoebe frowned and hid the papers in her hand behind her. "I'm fine. I just came to buy some common medicine. We're out of cold medicine at home. What about Miss Fitzroy?"
"Sophia had a sudden heart attack and is in surgery. Vanessa stayed outside the operating room all night, so I came to keep her company," Theodore explained.
Phoebe saw Theodore's open look, but her heart couldn't help but tighten.
If Theodore were truly so open, he wouldn't have hugged her this morning or deliberately hidden the truth until she ran into him.
Phoebe clenched her fist and forced a smile. "Okay, you stay with Miss Fitzroy. I'll be going now."
